Fishing Report 6/26/2026 - Madison River Outfitters
Client Emily Burchett hooked into this beautiful Madison Brown on Wednesday
Montana
Flows
Hebgen Outflow - 699.2 CFS
Kirby - 920 CFS
Cameron - 1120 CFS
(Flows as of the evening of June 25th)
Hebgen Outflow - 699.2 CFS
Kirby - 920 CFS
Cameron - 1120 CFS
(Flows as of the evening of June 25th)
Upper Madison
Even with these bits of rainy weather, the Upper has been fishing very well! Breaks in the showers bring risers eager to eat just about anything you put in front of their nose, but I have had the best luck throwing a smaller sparkly chubby or chocolate caddis. I spotted a salmonfly in the wade section on Thursday, along with plenty of shucks, so it should be any day now when they are thick in the air (fingers crossed).
Nymphing, although it feels wrong when the dry fly bite is this good, is undeniably productive, especially when the rain makes it hard to spot your dry. Throwing something caddis-y or with some sparkle worked well for me!
Dry Flies - Fools Gold, Jakes Yellow Sally, CDC Elk Caddis, Parachute Adams
Nymphs - Any Dip, Flashback Olive, Shop Vac, Sunburst Perdigon
Hebgen/Quake Lake
Before the rain rolled into the valley, the dry fly fishing on the lake was getting very productive; this is still true if you can find a break in the weather and those callibaetis begin to pop, fish will be targeting them fiercely. However, while getting out on the water and sneaking up on gulpers is a whole lot of fun- your best bet as this weather persists is chucking streamers or a chironomid nymphing rig.
Dry Flies - Parawulff Adams, Sprout Callibaetis, Parachute Adams
Before the rain rolled into the valley, the dry fly fishing on the lake was getting very productive; this is still true if you can find a break in the weather and those callibaetis begin to pop, fish will be targeting them fiercely. However, while getting out on the water and sneaking up on gulpers is a whole lot of fun- your best bet as this weather persists is chucking streamers or a chironomid nymphing rig.
Dry Flies - Parawulff Adams, Sprout Callibaetis, Parachute Adams
Nymphs - Ice Cream Cone, Opal Buzzer, Nugget, Zebra Midge
Streamers - Hot Bead Leech, Crystal Bugger, Thin Mint
Streamers - Hot Bead Leech, Crystal Bugger, Thin Mint
Yellowstone National Park
Gallatin - I was able to get out on the Gallatin earlier this week and the river was in great shape. The water is running clear and cold, with clouds of goldens, caddis, and a few salmonfly in for good measure. Those feisty 'bows were actually jumping out of the water for just about every dry I put in their general vicinity. Cannot personally report on the best nymph patterns, but they should eat well regardless.
Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon - As I stated last week, the rivers on the west side of YNP are just too dang hot to fish for the foreseeable future. The Firehole has officially reach 80 degrees consistently, with the Madison and Gibbon (below the falls) following the same pattern. Just fish the Upper or the Gallatin!
Northeast Corner - Still just a bit too fast for my taste. Should be ready to fish in a week or so though, if this rain doesn't blow the rivers out.
Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon - As I stated last week, the rivers on the west side of YNP are just too dang hot to fish for the foreseeable future. The Firehole has officially reach 80 degrees consistently, with the Madison and Gibbon (below the falls) following the same pattern. Just fish the Upper or the Gallatin!
Northeast Corner - Still just a bit too fast for my taste. Should be ready to fish in a week or so though, if this rain doesn't blow the rivers out.
My Favorite Product of The Week - Fly Agra
This stuff may or may not be jet fuel, but it sure gets the job done. As we come into foam bug season, I like to soak my flies in a bit of this stuff for an hour or so the night before and give them plenty of time to dry, makes sure those things won't sink all day! A little dip of your fly is a great, quick treatment on the riverbank as well.
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Also in Madison River Fishing Report - Upper Madison River Fishing Report - Greater Yellowstone Area Fishing Reports
Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report for 5/21/2026
Nice Weather and Plenty of Bugs Are on The Way!
Nina Lett
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