July 2021
Updated 6/9/2021

Finally, some good news here on the Madison! Runoff is beginning to taper off and water clarity is decent throughout the whole river now that our flows have dropped around 1000 cfs over the last couple of days, (over 2000cfs last week).

Dry fly season is right around the corner now that the river is beginning to drop. We are starting to see Salmon Fly nymphs move towards the banks. We could see the big bugs coming off as early as next week. Caddis are also beginning to hatch in all sizes but it is still difficult to make them commit on the surface.

Nymphing and streamer fishing has predominantly been the ticket lately. For streamers we’ve had the most success on olives and blacks stripping down stream right off the banks. Nymphing has been the best bet for numbers. The fish have been lighting up black and or brown rubber legs lately as well as caddis pupa, princes and hare’s ears.

Dry Flies: Peacock Caddis #14 - #16, Missing Link #14 - #16, Olive Elk Hair Caddis #14 - #16.

Nymphs: Coffee/Black Rubber Leg #4, Black Rubber Leg #4, Prince Nymph #14, Hare's Ear #14, Caddis Pupa #14 - #16.

Streamers: Olive Peanut Envy, Olive Dungeon, Black Wooly Bugger, Black Trevor, Black Silk Kitty.

PSA: Remember to practice safe fish handling and be respectful to the other anglers that you encounter on the water. Let's all be good stewards to the river and its inhabitants!

- MRFC Guide Rob Foster