Madison River

Winding 80 miles from its head-waters below Quake Lake through the town of Ennis and finally coming together with its brother rivers, the Jeff & the Gallatin at Missouri Headwaters State Park, the Madison is a sight to behold.  One of the premier fly fishing destinations Montana has to offer.  Resident fish in the river include browns, rainbows, cutthroats, & whitefish.

Access to the Madison is good.  There are at least 14 access points between Quake Lake & Ennis Lake.  There are fewer access points below Bozeman.

The fly fishing season on the Madison starts earlier than most of the Montana rivers, mainly due to the water temperatures that Ennis Lake produces.  The Lake is only around 10 foot in depth, so the water warms rather quickly.  It sees temperatures in the 80 degree range during the summer.   Working dry flies in February isn't uncommon.  Midge hatches can be thick and come off up intill May.  The river see a "Mothers Day Hatch" of Caddis and the anglers flock to the river to cast there Elk Hair Caddis imitations.  The Caddis will continue to hatch well into July. 

In June, another important hatch also brings out many anglers.  The emergence of the giant stonefly, Pteranarcys Californica (Salmon Fly) brings some exciting fishing to the river.  If seasons permit an angler can fish the Salmon Fly hatch on the Big Hole River and then make it for the hatch a week or so later on the Madison.  The hatch begins around Ennis and works it way upstream.   This is the busiest time on the river, so expect to see quite a few anglers.   Along with the Salmon Fly hatch there will also be Golden Stones hatching, so casting large stonefly patterns will take some large fish.

Summer fishing is like any other river, casting hopper patterns or large attractors.  Fall fishing sets in and nymphs and big streamers are the ticket.  October sees a hatch of big white Mayflies. Using White Wulff patterns and a dropper can be effective.

The deadly Whirling Disease was first found on the Madison river. For a update on the progress of the battle click here.

To see a map of the Madison click here.(379k)

 

To check the current stream flows of the Madison cast here!

If you would like to purchase a detailed map of the Madison, click here.

Here are just a few suggested patterns for the Madison: