Fishing Report - 10/8/2026
Montana
Flows/Temperatures (as of October 8th; click the name for real-time numbers)
Hebgen Outflow - 778 CFS
Kirby - 994 CFS
Kirby High/Low Temps - 61°/50°F
Cameron - 872 CFS
Cameron High/Low Temps - 58°/49° F
This Week's Weather Forecast in the Valley
Upper Madison
Who would've thought we would be eagerly awaiting crappy weather, and yet here we are! It looks like the beautiful days are coming to an end on Saturday though, so we'll have new complaints to share. With this big switch coming, it seems like true Montana fall will be here in earnest.
They've bumped the Hebgen outflow back up to a reasonable level so the float section should be a little less skinny than it has been the last few weeks, finally some deep pockets to throw streamers into!
Dry fly bites are slowing down, though a hopper dropper setup is a good way to get a nymph in the right zone. Both hoppers and ants are getting fishes attention as the sun sticks around. Mayfly emergers and attractors are still doing well on the nymph side of things, as well as bigger stonefly patterns as a point fly.
Dry Flies - Chubby Chernobyl, Purple Haze, Hop Drop and Roll
Nymphs - Olive Hotspot, Crystal Dip, Loopwing Emerger
Streamers - MT Mouthwash, Mini Dungeon, Pitching Leech
Hebgen Outflow - 778 CFS
Kirby - 994 CFS
Kirby High/Low Temps - 61°/50°F
Cameron - 872 CFS
Cameron High/Low Temps - 58°/49° F
This Week's Weather Forecast in the Valley
Upper Madison
Who would've thought we would be eagerly awaiting crappy weather, and yet here we are! It looks like the beautiful days are coming to an end on Saturday though, so we'll have new complaints to share. With this big switch coming, it seems like true Montana fall will be here in earnest.
They've bumped the Hebgen outflow back up to a reasonable level so the float section should be a little less skinny than it has been the last few weeks, finally some deep pockets to throw streamers into!
Dry fly bites are slowing down, though a hopper dropper setup is a good way to get a nymph in the right zone. Both hoppers and ants are getting fishes attention as the sun sticks around. Mayfly emergers and attractors are still doing well on the nymph side of things, as well as bigger stonefly patterns as a point fly.
Dry Flies - Chubby Chernobyl, Purple Haze, Hop Drop and Roll
Nymphs - Olive Hotspot, Crystal Dip, Loopwing Emerger
Streamers - MT Mouthwash, Mini Dungeon, Pitching Leech
Hebgen/Quake Lake
Not much as has changed from last weeks entry, Hebgen and Quake have been a little hit or miss, but I'll include last weeks notes for those who missed it;
With shoulder-season conditions continuing, a smaller leech has been working quite well, especially with a bit of sparkle.
If you want to look for those lakers staging to spawn, and are tired of seeing someone in every run in the Madison within Yellowstone, heading out into the arms and giving a streamer some nice slow strips is a great way to catch some good fish with less of a crowd around you!
Dry fly fishing on the lakes has slowed as this cold front settles in, but you can still find fish in the arms from time to time, looking for larger foam. As these cold nights and mild days continue, the transition into stripping streamers or nymphs begins.
Dry Flies - Chubby Chernobyl, Arricks Ant, Damsel in Distress
Nymphs - Turkey Callibaetis, Ice Cream Cone, Pheasant Tail
With shoulder-season conditions continuing, a smaller leech has been working quite well, especially with a bit of sparkle.
If you want to look for those lakers staging to spawn, and are tired of seeing someone in every run in the Madison within Yellowstone, heading out into the arms and giving a streamer some nice slow strips is a great way to catch some good fish with less of a crowd around you!
Dry fly fishing on the lakes has slowed as this cold front settles in, but you can still find fish in the arms from time to time, looking for larger foam. As these cold nights and mild days continue, the transition into stripping streamers or nymphs begins.
Dry Flies - Chubby Chernobyl, Arricks Ant, Damsel in Distress
Nymphs - Turkey Callibaetis, Ice Cream Cone, Pheasant Tail
Streamers - Hot Bead Leech, Simi-seal Leech, Rowley Leech
Yellowstone National Park
Madison, Firehole, Gibbon - Despite the sun, streamers and softhackles have been quite productive in the park stretch of the Madison. Swinging flies and persistence are a a match made in heaven right now; don;t be discouraged if the early afternoons are slow, fishing has been at its peak in the early mornings and late evenings.
Bring your bear spray and make plenty of noise; there have been two grizzlies spotted right around the park boundary on the Madison.
Yellowstone River - As of 10/8; The fishing on the Stone has picked up slightly, especially if you're looking to swing soft-hackles for a (potential) big ol' cutty.
Northeast Corner - If you, like me, are unwilling to let go of those dry flies juuuust yet, throwing a hopper/attractor is still enticing those lovely risers!
Bring your bear spray and make plenty of noise; there have been two grizzlies spotted right around the park boundary on the Madison.
Yellowstone River - As of 10/8; The fishing on the Stone has picked up slightly, especially if you're looking to swing soft-hackles for a (potential) big ol' cutty.
Northeast Corner - If you, like me, are unwilling to let go of those dry flies juuuust yet, throwing a hopper/attractor is still enticing those lovely risers!
See you on the river,
- Nina Lett
MRO Assistant Manager & Guide
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Also in Madison River and Greater Yellowstone Area Fishing Report
Fishing Report - 10/2/2026
As this (beautiful) sunny, crisp weather persists, fishing has been fairly... inconsistent. It's not that fish aren't eating...
Fishing Report - 9/25/2026
Conditions on the Madison have just continued to get better! Bite windows are opening up to span pretty much the entire day, and fish are much less picky about their meals.
Nina Lett
Author