Madison River Fishing Report
The Tackle Shop Fly Shop and Fishing Guides in Ennis, Montana
Fishing Report for the Madison River 4-3-24
Good Fishing on the Madison Despite what your friends might have told you spring is the best time to fish the Madison River. Right now hungry trout have cold water, less pressure and are looking to fatten up after a long winter. If you are around right now get after it why the getting is good. Right now the flow is about 1050 CFS at Varney and 842 CFS at Kirby. This is low for the Madison River. Take advantage of it. The fish are stacked up in the green water buckets. The water ...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 3/20/24
Fish are Hungry The fish in the Madison River are hungry right now. They are waking up from the winter snooze and want to put on a few ponds. Our guides have been running trips this week and everyone is catching plenty of fish. This is why spring is our favorite time to fish the Madison. These fish are eating everything. Eggs, worms, midges, stone fly nymphs. Just get them in front of their face and game on. Rainbow Spawning The rainbows have started the spring spawning dance an...
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Madison River Fishing Report for 3/16/24
Spring is in the Air Spring like temps and longer days are the norm right now on the Madison River. The fish have noticed and have started to get into the spring swing. Good fishing can be had river wide with nymphs and some dry flies. Our first spring special guide trips are headed out the door. Be careful out there. Valley Garden and Ennis town access are still closed because of the ice jam this winter. Burnt tree hole access is open but there is significant ice on the boat ramp...
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March 6 Fishing Report
How is Summer Looking Right now we are sitting at about 85% of average snow pack in place in the Madison River Basin. Yes this could be better but just two weeks ago it was a lot worse. We have more snow on the way and the best producing months for mountain snow is ahead of us. Also Hebgan Lake is only 4.5 feet from full pool. This is huge as last year this time we were about 12 feet. This is a huge kudos to the water managers at Northwestern Energy. They did us right this time. ...
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Winter Fishing Thoughts
Winter Fishing Thoughts Here we are right in the center of winter. We are past the holidays and the eternal darkness of December in Montana. We are building daylight every day and spring fishing is right around the corner. It felt fitting now should be the time to talk fishing for the upcoming year. The word on the street is all about snow pack. Yes at this time we are lacking in the snow department. In fact the last few days felt like spring fishing days more then wint...
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September Fun on the Madison River
The Madison is in Great Shape The flows on the Madison are in great shape and the leaves and grass is just starting to turn colors. Fall is in the air and now is the time to get out and fish. Good weather on the horizon with extended summer temps and cool nights. This makes it just perfect for fishing. Dry fly fishing is still strong especially in the afternoons, streamers are heating up and the nymph game will keep you into fish. Hoppers and Ants If your looking for that la...
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Labor Day Weekend Madison River Fishing Report
Cool Water and Happy Fish The river temps have cooled off and the Madison River Fish are Happy. All the wet weather we have been having this year has keep the flows up and the water temps cool. The fish like cold water, who knew? We are set up for a huge fall of fishing. If you can get here this fall it might just be one for the ages. Hopper Anyone The Terrestrial bite on the Madison River has kicked into gear. What we have been waiting for has happened. The thing about this year is...
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August Dog Days Madison River Fishing Report
River Conditions The Madison River is holding in there really well. All that snow and cold from last winter is really paying off this August. Currently the flow is 1090 CFS at Kirby and 1250 CFS at Varney Bridge. Really great flows for mid August. In fact temps are only getting to 64 degrees mid day. The fish like water especially cold water and the Madison River has lots of that. Floaters are happy with flows 350 cfs above last year this time. You can float anywhere you want to go. ...
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End of July Fishing Report for the Madison River
Madison River Condition The Madison River is holding strong with good flows. The current flow at Kirby is 1360 CFS and at Varney is 1540 CFS. The real information is the water temps. We are seeing temps reach around 64 degrees mid afternoon. While most of the rest of the fly fishing world in Montana is going to Hoot owl restrictions the Madison at least the upper is good for now. All of our guide trips are starting early and getting off the river about 2-3 so we rest the fish when the...
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Mid July Madison River Fishing Report
Dry Fly If you are a dry fly fisherman on the Madison River now is the time to get after it. Golden stone, PMD, caddis of every shape and color are all out there for the fish. The problem is finding which one they will key on today. One day they like the caddis, the next the parachute may fly and the third the yellow sallie. It depends on the day so be ready with all three. The best bet for the dry fly guy is to throw a sallie with a caddis or a may fly trailer. It covers most o...
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