Fishing Report for The Madison River 7/28/26

River Conditions

The Madison River currently has a bunch of water in it. This is because they need to pulse flows out of Ennis Dam to moderate temps on the lower. To make up for that they needed to raise flows on the upper to fill Ennis Lake every night. Currently the flows are 1570 CFS at Kirby ranch and 61 degrees. At Varney it is 1680 CFS and 62 degrees. The big thing is the water temps. We have Hoot Owl restrictions from 8 mile down to Ennis Lake. This means no fishing from 2 pm till Midnight. The temps in this area are getting dangerous warm. It is best practice to get going early in the morning and fish till 2. Ice cream on Main Street is really good in the afternoons.

We expect these flows to continue on the Madison for the short term. As long as the lower needs pulsing the upper will be higher than normal. This is good because the first rule of fishing is fish like water. The more water the better. By the way who ever has been doing the rain dance please keep it up. These nice little pulses of rain have kept the valley green, the river full and the fish happy.

Dry Fly

The dry fly fishing has been pretty good as of late. Caddis is king on the Madison and the fish still love them. The window for good caddis fishing is about 10-1. We like a small micro chubby with a caddis trailer. We like the the loopie caddis. You can fish an x caddis or any other small caddis you like. The fish will eat it in the soft water near rocks, along the bank and in the slicks. We have also been getting some fish on hoppers in the early afternoons. The best has been small peach colored hoppers. Think thunder thighs, fat frank or panty droppers. We have been fishing these with dropper nymphs. Dont overlook the nocturnal stone bite in the mornings. We like small water walkers for these.

Nymph

The guys throwing nymphs are getting it done. Staples like rubber legs, and princes have been really good. Higher water keep the fish looking. Also the jig stuff and the gizmo nymph of the day has been good. Stop by the store and we can hook up with the jig of the day.

Streamers

With the higher flows the streamer fishing has been getting good. We like olive and white sculpin streamers. You might not get as much constant action as dry fly or nymphs but the quality of fish caught will be worth it. Keep them low in the water with a twitch or strip. The guys that stick with this are getting some good fish.

Lots of great fishing to be had right now. We are loving this rain and how it keeps the river and valley refreshed. Stop by for the latest hatches and flies along with the friendliest shop staff around.