Madison River Fly Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes that make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Rainbow Trout
Brown
Rocky Mountain Whitefish
(Wild Trout)
Size
Medium
Location
Northwestern Wyoming, YNP
Nearest Towns
West Yellowstone, Montana
Season
Last of May – October
Access:
Good
Park License
Yellowstone National Park License
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
The Yellowstone fishing season is a short one due to its high elevations but good fishing in the Madison Valley last about as long as any of the park’s streams.
Spring:
Except during the short runoff period, the Madison fishes very good during the last week of May and the
month of June.
Summer:
Fishing during the hot months of the summer varies greatly, depending on the weather and water conditions.
Some years, It can be too warm to fish on some July and August days.
Fall:
Autumn can be the very best time for fly fishing the Madison River. The water cools and large trout move
into the river from Hebgen Lake.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 & 12 ft., 5 or 6X, Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Superb Five or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, c.
Fly Fishing The Madison River In Yellowstone National Park
The Madison River is the most famous trout stream in the World. One could fish the entire length of the river and still not know it all well. This part covers the section of the Madison inside Yellowstone National Park only. We have a separate section for the Madison outside of
the park. Fly fishing the Madison River is the dream destination of all avid fly anglers.
The Madison River is formed by the confluence of two other famous trout streams, the Gibbon River and the Firehole River. It’s a good sized stream that’s about twenty miles long from its beginning to its exit from the park near West Yellowstone, Montana.
Keep in mind this isn’t just a great Yellowstone National Park fly fishing destination. The section in the park is only the beginning of the large, best known river in the United States if not the World.
The Madison is one of the few rivers where you can catch a large rainbow trout while a herd of elk or bison observe your every move. It’s also a location where you may find yourself fighting a fish out in the middle of the river with dozens of tourist on the bank cheering for you.
The river can be easy to fish at times, and as tough as any to fish at other times. Its currents are tricky and can be very deceptive. The surface of much of the water is slick and smooth and the trout can get a good look at your flies as well as you if your not careful. Making a good presentations in the smooth flows can be very challenging.
Its brown and rainbow trout are wild and its hatches diverse and prolific. It can be a dry fly angler’s paradise at the right time and place. At times It can challenge the highest skilled anglers and yet at other times, give up one of its large trout to someone new to fly fishing. Fly
fishing the Madison River, inside and outside of the park, is fishing one of the World’s best trout streams.