Fishing Report for the Heat on the Madison 7/11/2026

River Conditions

With the summer heat wave we are seeing the Upper Madison River is in good shape. Currently the flow at Kirby is 1110 CFS and 62 degrees. At Varney Bridge the flow is 1250 CFS and 64 degrees. While the flow is good we are starting to see the temps creep up there. Today the lower Madison went on hoot owl. Soon they will need to start pulsing flows on the lower to keep the temps lower. When this happens they will increase the flow on the upper to move water and keep Ennis Lake Full. This increase in flow will lower the temps . When this happens is anyones guess. We are thinking in the next week or so pulsing flows will start. Right now the upper is in great shape for this time of year. Remember when the temps start to rise plan your trips accordingly. We have been getting on the river early before 7 am and getting off around 2 pm. Ice cream in town is really tasty in the warm afternoons. Even if the temps are below 70 just lets all keep the fish as the first priority. Remember play them fast and keep them wet. No pictures above 60 degree water temps.

Dry Fly

We are in the middle of our dry fly season on the Madison River. It has been really good. Right now caddis are the star of the show. There are all shapes and sizes of caddis on the bushes and they start to emerge mid morning. We like low riders like loopie caddis but the standards of elk hair, X caddis and even micro chubby are fooling fish. Get it while you can as the big waves of caddis will not last forever. We have been fishing the caddis dry on a 4X as it floats better. The middle of the river is as good as the banks. The fish have moved to the summer spots and the entire river bank to bank is in play.

There are still some may flies out there. Both the PMD variety along with the bigger drakes are still bouncing around and the fish will be looking. We like standard stuff like parachute adams and purple haze. Fish size 12 for the drakes and 16 for the PMD. While you will not see many of them the fish know what they are and will eat them.

Stone flies. There are tons of yellow sallies on the river right now. The fish will eat a small micro chubby along with more realistic sallie patterns. Why not pair a sallie and caddis and crush. It has been our favorite as of late. The bigger golden stones are far and few between but the fish know a good meal when they see it. Try it. The next up will be the nocturnal summer stones. They should start soon so have your water walkers handy.

Nymph

The nymph guys are still knocking them on the numbers. It feels every day the guides are reaching for a new gizmo nymph. Some of the winners are frenchies, princes, spanish bullets, shop vac, and duracels. Best to stop in the shop and we can get you what the guides picked up this morning. The nymphing will get you numbers even though half of those will be white fish. If you want to follow a bobber get after it. Just remember to take care of those fish and please bend the barbs . It makes removing the fish and the rower easier.

Streamer

The streamer guys are getting some as well. First thing in the morning some are running streamers looking for that one big tug. Some are finding it. We like nutral color streamers like mini loops and even zonkers. Keep them going slow and down and you might find a big one. The streamer fishing will only get better and better once the bug life starts to wane. The fish need to eat and when no bugs they quickly turn to meat.

Ennis Lake

The lake guys are quietly getting some good fishing. The callibaetis have started. On non windy days there can be some darn good fishing. Get out on the lake at daylight and plan to be off by 10 or so when the first wind picks up and starts to blow the tiny bugs off the water. The rest of the day give the lake to the boaters and tube pullers.

Lots of great fishing to be had. Remember to give the fish a break when it gets warm. The rule in my boat is simple. Below 62 degrees you get one photo of a fish a day. Above 62 degrees there are no photos of fish. Lets keep them wet and happy so we can catch them again. Stop by the store for the best gizmo nymphs and friendly local advise.