Madison River Fishing Report: Warming Weather & Subsurface Tactics

Written By David Kern

The weather has finally transitioned. We are seeing beautiful conditions with significantly less wind, and the forecast looks highly favorable for the upcoming week. The fish are staying very active subsurface right now. The dry fly bite is sporadic, typically opening up for brief, one-hour windows when mayfly or caddis activity gets heavy.

Close-up of a guide's hands holding a wild Madison River brown trout that took a pegged egg, highlighting the successful 'egg eater' tactic for late winter fishing.
An overhead view of a healthy brown trout swimming in a rubber landing net in the clear waters of the Madison River, showcasing its vibrant markings and safe catch-and-release handling.

Upper Madison: Float Sections Fishing Well

The entire float section on the Upper Madison is fishing fabulously. The timeline of your day dictates your fly selection right now:

  • Early Morning: If things are starting off slow, worms are doing a good job of finding fish.

  • Mid-Morning: As the water heats up, shift your focus to stoneflies and eggs. Size 8 and 6 Girdle Bugs or rubber legged stoneflies in black, brown, or olive are all working well. Pair these with a slush egg or an orange-tinted pegged egg.

  • Afternoon (Post 12:00 PM): The stoneflies and eggs will still pull fish, but this is when you want to start tying on size 14 mayfly nymphs. France Flies and Frenchies are highly effective right now.

  • Dry Fly Windows: Surface action has reliably been happening between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. However, with this warmer weather pushing in, expect that dry fly window to shift later into the evening.

Current Flows: USGS Upper Madison River Near Cameron

Lower Madison: Eggs, Worms, and Mayflies

The bug profile on the Lower Madison is largely the same as the Upper, with one major exception: there are not as many stonefly eaters down low right now.

Skip the Girdle Bugs and stick to eggs, worms, and mayfly nymphs. The caddis activity has not been as thick down there over the past week, but the bugs are certainly around and fish will look up for them under the right conditions.

Current Flows: USGS Lower Madison River Below Ennis Dam

Yellowstone River Note

We have not been on the Yellowstone personally this week, so we cannot offer a first-hand report. The word on the water is that it is fishing well but remains less consistent than the Madison right now.

David Kern https://flyshotoutfitters.com
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Upper Madison Fishing Report: Winter Mayflies & Managing Guide Ice