Hot July Sun
July 2025
UPDATED 7/22/2025
We’re in the heart of our season on the Upper Madison River, and what a few weeks of fishing we’ve been having! We’re swimming in aquatic insect life with terrestrials knocking at the door. Water temperatures are looking great with temps fluctuating between the high 50’s and mid 60’s this last week at the Cameron gauge. The Upper Madison is still not on a Hoot Owl restriction as of today, July 22nd. Hoot Owl restrictions are in effect for the Lower Madison from Warms Springs BLM to the confluence of the Jefferson. There is a full fishing closure on the Madison River from Hebgen Reservoir upstream to the Yellowstone National Park boundary due to high water temperatures and low flows. What does this mean? You can still fish from Quake Lake down to Ennis Lake all day long. Still have a question about where you can fish? Call us at (406) 682-4293.
The Madison is in that magical part of the summer where dries, streamers and nymphs are all working with great success. PMD’s, Caddis, and Nocturnal Stones are still hatching throughout the day. Large Chubby and Hopper imitations have been great options for running dry-dropper rigs. Single dry enthusiasts are still picking up fish on parachute variations. The streamer fishing yesterday was en fuego. We’ve been keeping it simple. White, Olive, and Grey have been my go-to’s. Sculpin patterns are producing some excellent fish. Nymphers are finding quantity on a whole slew of patterns below the surface. As always, it’s a great time to be in Ennis, Montana.
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!
Streamers: Sparring Partner White, Mini Loop Sculpin Natural, Sparkle Minnow Sculpin, Sculpzilla, Lil Kim, Mini Dungeon White, Woolly Bugger Black.
Dry Flies: Parachute Adams, Missing Link Caddis, Purple Haze, Chubby Chernobyl, Royal Trude, X-Stimulator Olive, Fool's Gold Brown/Tan.
Nymphs: Pat's Rubber Legs Black, Olive, Brown, BH Hare's Ear, Lightning Bug Silver, Frenchie, Partridge Soft Hackle Pheasant, Jig Napolean Red.
- MTS Guide Danny Eiden
