Madison River Fishing Report
The Tackle Shop Fly Shop and Fishing Guides in Ennis, Montana
Fishing Report for the Madison River 6/2/24
Runoff Season Runoff season has arrived on the Madison River. Currently we are at 1380 CFS at Kirby and 2180 CFS at Varney and both are stable. We are seeing a bump in water flows and a decrease in clarity every time we get temps over 70 for multiple days. It is that time of year. We should expect to see mud coming from Beaver, Cabin and the West Fork of the Madison. This will kick up when temps get above 70 ish for multiple days. While we did not get a ton of snow there is still st...
Read MoreLooking Forward to June and Summer on the Madison River
June is here, the entire Madison Valley is turning a beautiful shade of green. It is always amazing to watch the valley and hills green up as we look at tan and brown for much of the year. A pop of color is nice. Wildflowers are starting to bloom and the entire valley is a photographers dream. Green valleys, wildflowers giving way to snow-capped peaks. We have been seeing consistent rain and in fact got an inch just yesterday. Hebgen lake is at 94% full and filling fast. We should...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 5-1-24
Good Fishing Continues to Roll Along This spring has just been amazing on the Madison River. Really good fishing, low clear water and plenty of solitude. It just does not get any better than this. With the pulse of cooler and more spring like weather we should see good fishing for the next few weeks. Worms, eggs, caddis, BWO and stone fly stuff will keep you bent all day long. Caddis The famed Mothers Day Caddis hatch is just getting going. Below the lake the fish are in full ca...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 4/19/24
This Spring has been Awesome on the Madison If you have had a chance to fish you know. The fishing on the Madison River this spring has been off the charts. Low clean water, decent weather and hungry fish have been making this a spring to remember. While most of the fishing has been sub surface it has been on fire. Look for a few more dry opportunities in the near future. We are having a little cold snap as of late but the fishing has stayed really good. When the weather warms back ...
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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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