May 2026

UPDATED 5/22/2026

A Happy Memorial Day weekend to everyone on this beautiful Friday morning here in Ennis. While you are grilling out, false casting to finicky trout, or enjoying an ice cold post-float  beer from the Gravel Bar on this wonderful weather weekend, take some time to be thankful for the brave men and women of our U.S. forces who lost their lives while serving this country. Fly fishing the Madison River is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Some of us are fortunate enough to fish it everyday. Some of us get to make the pilgrimage once in our lives. Enjoy the tangles, the mess-ups, the blown shots to trophy level trout that will haunt you in your dreams - or nightmares. This is a weekend of gratitude, simply enjoy it. 

Let’s take a look at Hebgen Reservoir. As of May 22nd the reservoir is 93.5% full with 2.0 feet of pool elevation to fill. The current reservoir inflow is 1082 CFS while the reservoir outflow is 452 CFS from the Hebgen Dam. The flows out of Hebgen will continue to be low until the reservoir is filled. Here at town the Madison is running at 914 CFS with yesterday’s water temperature reaching 53.4° F. Caddis are present, a few early PMD’s have been spotted, and big bugs are on deck. 

All three primary methods of pursuit have worked this week on the Madison. Streamer fishing has been great to excellent in the cloudy/muddy water. Do not be afraid of the mud. Embrace it. We get an abundance of phone calls asking if it is worth it to go fishing in the mud. The answer is always a profound, radical, no-nonsense, emphatic yes. Trout still need to feed in off-color water. Is it more challenging? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes! Black, olive, and yellow streamers have been my preferred colors in the brackish water. Some anglers have had success on white. Not this guy. Mini Dungeons, Slum Lords, and Woolly Buggers have punched the ticket all week. 

The caddis hatch below town has been on this last week. Adults, pupae, and larva. However you like to fish them. It’s happening. Elk Hair Caddis, Missing Link, and the Fin Fetcher have been great on the surface. We just started carrying Oikawa’s CDC Caddis and that has been an incredible new pattern for these Madison River trout. Lawson’s Caddis Emerger and the Edible Emerger from RIO have been working well in the film. Jig princes suspended below a chubby have been a go-to all throughout the river system. 

Nymphers are sticking with the classics and having great days out there. Size #4 - #8 Pat’s Rubber Legs in black, olive and coffee. San Juan and flossy worms are picking up fish as well. As mentioned earlier, any caddis nymph is a great option throughout the entire river. Change your depth before you change your imitation. A thicker diameter tippet can still be used in the cloudy water. I would change patterns before worrying about that personally. 

Nice weather on Memorial Day weekend is a rarity so be sure to take advantage of it. There’s going to be a lot of river traffic so be kind and gracious to other anglers out there. Everyone just wants to catch a trout. Have fun, find some good trouble, and respect the resource.

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:

Dry Flies: Elk Hair Caddis Olive, Finfetcher Caddis, Oikawa's Caddis Tan, Missing Link Caddis.

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.

- MRFC Guide Danny Eiden