The Madison is currently running clear at roughly 1800cfs at Varney Bridge. The BIG BUGS (salmonflies) started coming off around June 20th in town. They’ve already pushed their way through the Varney to town section and are currently coming off between Varney and Palisades. They’re coming off the thickest between Story Ditch and Ruby Creek campground.

Salmonfly fishing can be hit or miss, the best bet for a good day on the single sammy has been right at the crack of dawn or in the evening. With the current rain and cold temperatures, the salmonfly hatch has definitely slowed down. We expect to see them coming off as soon as it gets warm again. For the wade section above Lyons Bridge, we should start to see the big bugs coming off in the next week or so.

For dry flies other than the salmonfly, there has been a prolific caddis hatch throughout the entire Madison with some giant caddis.There have also been quite a few yellow sallies coming off throughout the river as well. Clouds of PMD’s have been coming off in the later part of the day between the lake and Varney. 

With all the rain we’ve been getting, nymphing is going to be the most productive. Fish are chasing streamers pretty consistently too. Rain or shine, the fishing on the Madison has been good recently. Stay stoked ladies and gentleman, the warm weather will be back soon, and soon enough you’ll be catching giant fish on big dry flies once again.

Good luck, and let us know if we can help you! 800-227-7127  

Keep tabs on the Madison and Ruby River flows with USGS graphs updated daily.