SEPTEMBER 2026

UPDATED 9/2/2026

Hoot Owl has been lifted on the Upper and Lower Madison as of 8/31/26. Fishing below 8 Mile in the afternoon into the evening has been pretty slow the past couple of days despite cooler water temperatures.

Overall reports from the last 10 days or so have mostly fallen somewhere between terrible to "pretty good". However, bear in mind that "pretty good" can mean very different things to different people. Fishing has been tougher recently which isn't really abnormal for this time of year, especially given the year we've had up until now.

The fishery is still in great shape. The river is full of very nice Rainbows and Browns. They are just complicated little beasts! So all we can do as anglers in ply our craft patiently and persistently, knowing that eventually we will be rewarded with all the river has to offer. Get out there, and focus on fishing well. Good things will happen!

Dry Fly - It is definitely still hopper season.  Try Rainy's Tan Grand Hopper. The Morrish in tan and yellow, and The old favorite Thunder Thighs in all sizes and colors. Thunder Thighs is also a great pattern for hanging your Tung-Bead Jig Perdigons.

Nymph - Fish small stuff. Go down to #18 or even #20s. Naturally these tiny flies will also be part of a tandem rig. Either trailed off a larger nymph (read turd) or even a streamer (read Mini Dolly). Small Shop-Vacs, Baetis Emergers, soft hackle Lightning Bugs, and Skinny Dips are all good bets.

Streamer - Always feels like a good idea on the Upper Mad, at least for 15 minutes at a time. Try not to marry it if it's not working, because something else probably is working... Both Leach style streamers, and Sculpin patterns will work. Strip the Sculpin flies faster. Drift and twitch the Leaches. Hanging a bead off the back of the Leech on 3X or 4X usually seems like a good idea.

Ennis Lake - Reports from the lake have been consistently better than the river over the last few weeks. Some Callibaetis are still going, although on its way out. You can also throw hoppers in the lake, especially when or after the wind has been blowing like it is today! 30-50mph at the moment! Hang a small nymph or a Balance Leach under your hoppers around the weed beds and target the crusiers. All of the other lakes in the area are also good bets at this time of year. Quake, Hebgen, Henry's, Ennis as well as the smaller alpine lakes. 

In closing, I want to encourage everyone to be good stewards and good neighbors out there on the water. We all share an interest in maintaining the pristine nature of our incredible freshwater resources for generations to come. Best of luck to everyone out there!!

MRFC Owner & Outfitter JD

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Hot Flies:

Dry Flies: Elk Hair Caddis Olive, Finfetcher Caddis, Oikawa's Caddis Tan, More-Or-Less Hopper, Thunder Thighs.

Streamers: Mini Dungeon Black & Olive, Dungeon Yellow, Woolly Bugger Black, Sparring Partner Brown Trout.

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