The Upper Madison River originates in Yellowstone National Park and flows through Hebgen Lake, past the town of Ennis, Montana on its way to Ennis Lake. Because river flows are managed from Hebgen Dam, water levels remain pretty consistent throughout most of the fishing season. With gorgeous scenery and great fly fishing, anglers from all over seek out Montana's famed Madison River.
The Upper Madison has been fishing excellent lately and should continue to be good as we move further into winter! There has been tons of fish rising near three dollar bridge and Raynold's pass so if you are a wade fisherman this is one of the best spots for you right now. If you see fish rising, try tying on a gritthith's gnat or buzzball or both! For your nymph rigs, we like a size 10-12 rubber legs or a squirminator up top to a sz 18-20 rainbow warrior, sz 18-20 holo or zebra midge, duracell, inferno-gon, or blowtorch. If they aren't eating the rubber legs or worm, just fish 2 smaller flies like a shop vac and a zebra midge and downsize your tippet to 5x or 6x if you feel the need. It is also important to have a variety of sizes of split shot and jig nymphs with different size beads so you can get close to the bottom. Try stripping some streamers too! Flashy flies like Sparkle Minnows and Bite snack sculpins have been moving some nice fish as well as dull flies like the Dungeon's, Drunk and Disorderly's, Mini Peanut Envy's, and woolly buggers.
Parachute Adams (16-20), Purple Haze (18-20), Griffiths Gnat (16-20), Razor Midge (18-22), Buzz Ball (16-18), Chubby Chernobyl (8-16), Water walker (8-12), Corn Fed caddis (14-18), Stubby Chubby (12-16)
Woolly Bugger Black/Olive (6-12), Mini Loop Sculpin Olive, Natural (6), Mini Dungeons Yellow/White/Black (6), Baby Dragon Sculpin/Black/Yellow/Whitey (4), Sparkle Minnow Smoke/Sculpin/Brown (2-8) Heisenberg Black/ Olive/ White (6), Kill Whitey Black/ Olive/ White (4), Montana Intruder (6), Sparkle Minnow Smoke/JJ/Sculpin (8) (8)
Pats Rubberlegs Black/Coffee, Olive, Black, Orange (4-12), Rainbow Warrior (16-20), Copper John Red/Copper(16-20), Pink/Natural Quilldigon (14-18), Green Machines (16-20), $3 Dips (14-18), Steel Worm (6-8), Matt’s Shagadelic Mop, Eggs
