April 2026

UPDATED 4/23/2026

65° and sunny to 30° and snowing, if that isn’t spring in Ennis I’m not quite sure what is. Snowpack is what is on the forefront of everyone’s minds and there’s a chance you might be tired of hearing about it. I’ve attached the Montana SNOTEL map link below that will update daily. As you can see there’s a lot more yellow, orange, and red than what any of us would prefer. Northwestern Energy has dropped the flows out of Hebgen from 665 CFS on the 22nd down to 572 CFS today. Hebgen Reservoir is 85.2% full with 4.6 feet of pool elevation to fill, that will be no small task. So what’s the outlook? The Madison is blessed to have its headwaters in Yellowstone National Park where plenty of small creeks and tributaries are dispersed along the way to Ennis. Although flows will likely be lower and runoff may be less present than usual, fishing will still go on. 

Baetis and midge hatches are occurring during the cloudy, snowfilled days. We have also seen our fair share of caddis on the Lower River as well as closer to town when the sun has come out. Pods of rising fish up river can be found. Be patient. Don’t be afraid to lengthen your leader and downsize your tippet when hunting for heads. The slow approach almost always works better than the quick one. Refusals are more likely from line diameter than fly selection. Play around with that before switching patterns.

Nymphing is good to great depending on the day. The usual suspects continue to be in play. Pat’s rubber legs, zebra midges, black and olive perdigons are all producing. Fish are still holding in slow moving water with the nymph rig. Size B to BB split shot will get you there quicker. 

Streamer fishing has been quite hit or miss during the unusual weather pattern. The upcoming cold front may put some of those semi-curious streamer eaters down. At the end of the day, if that fish wants it, it’s going to go for it. Small streamer patterns have had higher success rates for us at the shop. Natural colors such white and black have been favorites.

Snowpack Link

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 Danny Eiden