February 2025

UPDATED 2/6/2025

What a crazy year we are all having!! I just read it was colder in Tallahassee Florida than it was in Anchorage Alaska last week. The weather here is just as crazy with temperatures fluctuating between 45-55 in the day and 25-35 at night. We have been seeing some drift boats coming through town with people in hopes of float fishing. Well you're in luck as every single boat ramp from Raynolds to Valley Garden is open. (Ennis Lake is frozen).

 Now after reading that most people might be getting concerned about the precipitation here SW Montana. As it is a little concerning, I have a good friend of mine in town that has been recording weather from his house in town for 23 years. Based on the 23 years of weather here, February-April is when we get 51% of our snow pack. Something to think about.

Enough about the weather, it’s a fishing report. The whole crew here has been wade fishing up and down the river, floating down near town, and even Ennis Lake through the ice. The fishing has been great everywhere I've been. The upper wade section I’ve had good luck on worms, eggs, zebras, and midge dries when cloudy. Down closer towards town it's all about the rubber legs, the smaller the rubber legs the better.

Do you want to experience the Madison River from a drift boat? Learn more about aquatic insect life? Maybe you want to fine-tune your casting skills? Spend the day with one of our world-class guides on a Guided Fly Fishing Trip!

Hot Flies:

Streamers: Jiggy Pine Leech Black, Lil Kim Silver, Woolly Bugger Black, Sparring Partner Brown Trout.

Dry Flies: Antonio's Adult BWO, Mini Hot Mayfly Black, Parachute Adams, Mini Hot Mayfly Garcia Yellow, Johnson's Mimic May BWO.

Nymphs: BH Pheasant Tail, Spanish Bullet French, Olsen's Hare's Ear Blowtorch, Pat's Rubber Legs Black, Three Dollar Dip Brown, Zebra Midge.

- MRFC Guide Nicko Opinsky