Fishing Report for the Madison River 9/20/25

By John Way
/ 20th September 2025

River Conditions

The Madison River is currently flowing at 942 CFS at Kirby Ranch with a temp of 55 degrees. At Varney Bridge it is 1060 CFS with the same 55 degree temps. At the Ennis Town Access it is 1160 CFS with a temp of 56 degrees. The colder nights and less daylight has been doing good things for the Madison River. Temps are down river wide and fish have taken notice. It is starting to feel like fall in South West Montana. While the flows are still a little on the low side and the drift boat guys are complaining of a bumpy ride the wade fisherman have access to almost everything on the river.

Dry Fly

Yes there is still some dry fly fishing to be had. Mostly in the afternoons. We have been liking smaller hoppers in bright colors either pink or yellow. Remember this is mostly an afternoon thing. The mornings have been really slow with any technique. Not sure why they are eating hoppers as you can hardly not find a hopper along the banks. It might just be an attractor thing. We have also been getting some on ants. Large parachute ants and the caddis ant combo of loopie has been getting them. The dry fly fishing is strange right now. You can float along and not get a rise for half a mile. Then you will get 5 rises in the next 200 yards. In our experience the fish that are eating dry flys are better fish. Make sure you wait long enough for them to actually eat it before setting. Lots of fish are missed right now as folks can see the fish move off the bottom in the clear water and pull the fly before it eats. We have been fishing most of our dry flies with dropper nymph behind them. We have been liking the small BWO imitations in a jig hook. These little may fly nymphs have been deadly the last few days.

Nymphs/Streamers

The sub surface fishing has been heating up with the cooler water. Again this is mainly an afternoon thing. We have not been able to crack the code for morning fishing. I think the water temps need to rise during the day to get the fish active. Just a jump of 1 or 2 degrees makes the fish active. Those that are nymph fishing have been doing well with a rubber leg and a small tiny and shiny nymph trailer. Again this small nymph is in the mayfly family. Lots of folks have been liking the lightning bug spanker with the webby soft hackle. Some have been getting them to eat the more realistic BWO nymphs. We like the stockers BWO, Bug Nuggets and the Psyco May.

The streamer guys have been getting some fish and some really nice fish as of late. What a change the cool water makes. Most have been throwing smaller streamers like sculpzilla and small sculpins and keeping them low and slow. I like getting them down and providing a slight twitch to make them look more active in the water. I like to run this technique with a small indicator right at where the fly line and leader come together. I like the palsa pinch ons for this. It lets you see where you line is and give you something to watch. It can sink below the surface in the deep stuff and stay floating during the shallow. We have been liking a small nymph trailer. About half the time the fish eat the nymph but have moved for the streamer. Again anything in the BWO family has been good.

Fall fishing is just starting to come into shape here on the Madison River. It will only get better from here on out. Remember winter is coming so get out and fish as much as possible and enjoy the nice fall weather while it lasts.