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 great lately and should continue to be good as we move into spring. The Ennis fishing access is still closed but every other access on the river is fair game. Fishing higher up in the walk wade section has been very productive with nymph rigs and dry flies. For your nymph rigs, either indicator or tight line we've been liking a size 6-10 rubber legs, or a worm to a small midge or Czech style nymph. If they aren't eating the rubber legs just fish 2 smaller flies and downsize your tippet. It is also important to have a variety of sizes of split shot and or jig nymphs with different size beads so you can get close to the bottom where the majority of those fish are feeding. If you see risers, fishing flies like Razor Midges or Griffiths Gnats and even small parachute patterns in the 16-20 range will put some fish in the net. Size of the bug and drift are way more important than your fly selection this time of the year with dries and nymphs so fish accordingly!
Parachute Adams (16-20), Purple Haze (18-20), Griffiths Gnat (16-20), Razor Midge (18-22), Buzz Ball (16-18)
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)
Pats Rubberlegs Black/Coffee, Olive, Black, Orange (4-12), Rainbow Warrior (16-20), Copper John Red/ Copper(16-20), Pink/Natural Quilldigon (14-18), Lightning Bug (16-18), Lil Spanker (16-20), Machines (16-20), Juju Baetis (16-20), $3 Dips (14-18), Steel Worm (6-8), Matt’s Shagadelic Mop, Eggs
