West Yellowstone - 309 CFS. Late summer time flows. River temps are cooling off! The Madison River in YNP is still under Hoot Owl and is closed from 2pm until sunrise. 

Below Hebgen - 760 CFS.  Stable for the past two weeks. This is the coldest section of the Madison River with peak temps hitting 63 degrees.  

Kirby - 886 CFS.  River temps this past week have cooled off.  Expecting more of the same from here on out for the rest of the season.   

Varney - 971 CFS. River temps the past few days have cooled off.  There is a Hoot Owl from 8 Mile Ford to Ennis Lake - no fishing from 2pm until midnight. 

Hebgen is sitting roughly 4 feet from full pond. All of this rain has been helpful to keep the lake at the recreation elevation for the boating community on the lake. While flows could be increased to account for the rain, it would only be for a few days and then drop again. We are pushing NWE to keep flows where they are as stability is key for fishing. 

BETWEEN THE LAKES

Flows at Hebgen have been stable again this week, river temps are fluctuating between 58 and 63 degrees - ideal conditions for sure. Hoppers are clicking around in the afternoon, fish one and cover water.  Ants are always a solid choice any time of the day.  Be on the lookout for BWO hatches, this can happen from here on out!  You can always nymph a few up with stone flies, small BHs, or a Zonker.  Don't forget to carry bear spray.   

A #8 black rubber leg, #16 olive hot spot jig, #18 Pheasant tail, #16 serendipities, #16 Shop Vac, #16 black Zebra midges, #16 and #18 Juju Baetis, #14/16 Rednecks are all great choices for nymphing or dry dropping. Dries - #18 Iron X Caddis, Missing links of various sizes and colors, Jojo's BWO,  #18 Elk Hair caddis, Micro Chubbies and Arrick's Ant, Jojo's Ant, and various hopper patterns. Drop a bead if you like or fish a single dry. Cover water and you''ll find some good fish looking up. 

WADE SECTION

Fishing has remained solid down in the Wade Section throughout the morning hours and into the early afternoon. River temps have cooled off and hopefully sustain these temps or cooler for the rest of the season. Bring that rain coat and waders if you're heading this way! Some days have been better than others, which can be the case during the late summer. Get out side and go fishing! 

Fish are eating nymphs, jiggy streamers and a plenty of fish are rising at the right time and place.  Hoppers, beetles and ants - the terrestrial fishing is heating up, so pay attention and when the hoppers start clicking, tie on one. Honey Ants have been around right after the recent rains -  we have received lots of moisture this week. Be on the lookout for BWO hatches, this can happen from here on out! One should carry various attractor stone flies like Purple, Tan or Royal Chubbies in #12-18, Royal Wulff's in #16 and #18. Cover water, move quickly and then slow down when you start catching fish - pay attention to the water fish are coming out of and find more of it. 

Nymphing has been productive with jigs, Shop Vacs, Red Necks, Olive Dips, Zebra midges, Juju Baetis, 101 Stones, Two Bit Stones and Rubber Legs.  BFE, Olive Bouface, Sparkle Minnow, Scuplin Snacks and the Swing Mint are all great streamer patterns for the early morning or late evening streamer chucker.  Dries - #18 Iron X Caddis, Missing links of various sizes and colors, Jojo's BWO, Water Walkers, #18 Elk Hair Caddis, #!6 or #18 Copenhaver Rusty Spinner, various hoppers, ants and Chubbies of all colors and sizes. 

FLOAT SECTION

BWO have been hatching from time to time, especially on the rainy days. Hoppers, beetles and ants are bringing fish to the surface throughout the day. Some days, the hopper fishing in the afternoon has been decent to pretty good - every day has been different down in the Float Stretch but it seems that the sunshine will really help make the fish look up for the terrestrial patterns.  Take advantage of the fish eating your flies and you'll have a good day.  Honey Ants have been around right after the recent rains, so be on the lookout!

Rubber legs, golden stone fly nymphs, small mayfly nymphs, caddis pupa will work just fine if you need to bobber fish. Fishing a chubby and a bead will also do the trick. Or you could fish a single dry fly with a reach cast along the banks, around the gravels bars or in the slicks. Dries - Iron X Caddis, Dusty Old Bat Caddis, Missing links of various sizes and colors, Jojo's BWO, #18 Para Nymph, #16/18 Copenhaver Rusty Spinner, #18 Elk Hair Caddis, Micro Chubbies of various colors, Thunder Thighs, M's hopper, Sweetgrass hopper. . 

 Do your part and treat the fish with respect. 

1. Pull over and release those fish on the banks.  
2. KEEP THEM WET. Leave those fish in the net to take pics, or keep them as wet as possible.  Dry hands are terrible for the fish. Try taking a slow mo video of releasing your catch back to the river. 
3. If your trout swallowed the fly, cut the tippet and leave it in there, no need to jab those hemos down it's throat and make it bleed. 
4. Fish barbless.  Just do it. 
5. Fish heavier tippet whenever possible. I fish 3X to my #14 dry flies. And 2X to Hoppers. 
6. At times, the river is getting warm - so pay attention and fish the appropriate hours of the day.  Give them a break when temps exceed 68 degrees. 

Treat other anglers on the river with kindness and respect - you will catch more fish if you follow this simple rule. When pulling off the bank, give plenty of room to the boats up stream working their way down. The Madison is moving fast and most folks new to rowing a boat don't realize that 100 yards is NOT enough space. When launching your boat and taking out, be efficient, get things done and exit the ramp area. Also, please anchor your boat on the bank when taking a break. Bouncing your anchor down the river is bad form, don't be that person.