Fishing Report - 7/31/2026
Montana
Flows/Temperatures (as of July 30th, click the name for real-time numbers)
Hebgen Outflow - 1,440 CFS
Kirby - 1,500 CFS
Kirby High/Low Temps - 68°/60° F
Cameron - 1,500 CFS
Cameron High/Low Temps - 70°/60° F
Upper Madison
We've settled into the dog days of summer officially. The Upper is fishing OK for how hot the weather has been, but mornings and evenings are still by far the most productive times of the day. Luckily, the higher water levels has made it so the fish have a lot more deep pockets to shelter from the heat, but it has also meant their placement within the river is much less predictable than in the past.
We're still seeing small hatches of both Epeoris and tiny caddis throughout the day, with risers being found in slicks, especially in the evenings as they search for spinners. Hopper fishing has been ok for me, especially in the faster water out towards the middle, but if you're just looking for numbers, it's a nymphing game. Small, dark nymphs (especially emergers) are the ticket these days, and don't be afraid to throw your flies into faster, rougher-looking water.
P.S. We are in the heat of summer. Make sure to check water temperatures regularly, avoid fishing in the hottest times of day, and land/release fish as quickly as possible.
Dry Flies - Arricks Ant, Parachute Adams, Carnage Hopper, Sparkle Dunn
Nymphs - Skinny Dip, Firestarter Perdigon, Loopwing Emerger, Red Neck
Hebgen Outflow - 1,440 CFS
Kirby - 1,500 CFS
Kirby High/Low Temps - 68°/60° F
Cameron - 1,500 CFS
Cameron High/Low Temps - 70°/60° F
Upper Madison
We've settled into the dog days of summer officially. The Upper is fishing OK for how hot the weather has been, but mornings and evenings are still by far the most productive times of the day. Luckily, the higher water levels has made it so the fish have a lot more deep pockets to shelter from the heat, but it has also meant their placement within the river is much less predictable than in the past.
We're still seeing small hatches of both Epeoris and tiny caddis throughout the day, with risers being found in slicks, especially in the evenings as they search for spinners. Hopper fishing has been ok for me, especially in the faster water out towards the middle, but if you're just looking for numbers, it's a nymphing game. Small, dark nymphs (especially emergers) are the ticket these days, and don't be afraid to throw your flies into faster, rougher-looking water.
P.S. We are in the heat of summer. Make sure to check water temperatures regularly, avoid fishing in the hottest times of day, and land/release fish as quickly as possible.
Dry Flies - Arricks Ant, Parachute Adams, Carnage Hopper, Sparkle Dunn
Nymphs - Skinny Dip, Firestarter Perdigon, Loopwing Emerger, Red Neck
Hebgen/Quake LakeWith this heat and the pressure on the Madison, the lakes are the place to be right now. Fish are coming up in the mornings and evenings for callibaetis, tricos, and the occasional ant. If you're able, cruising around the arms targeting gulpers has been a blast recently! The wind in the afternoons has been a little rough, so getting off around 10 has been my plan.
Dry Flies - Para Wulff Adams, Winna Spinna, Hackle Stacker, Jay's Damsel in Distress
Nymphs - Ice Cream Cone, Turkey Callibaetis
Streamers - Hot Bead Leach, Sex Dungeon, Thin Mint
Yellowstone National Park
All rivers within Yellowstone are on a Hoot Owl Closure (2 pm-Sunrise) until further notice. Plan accordingly!
All rivers within Yellowstone are on a Hoot Owl Closure (2 pm-Sunrise) until further notice. Plan accordingly!
Gallatin - Throwing a terrestrial or a chubby is the way to go on the Gallatin. The banks are buzzing with hoppers and are waiting in riffles and slower water along the banks. The colder water of the Gallatin makes it a good choice these days if you're looking to do some morning wading!
Madison, Firehole, Gibbon - The Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon (downstream of Norris Campground) have been placed on full closures. This means that all three are closed to fishing with no exceptions. The Madison and its tributaries outside the park before Hebgen Lake are under a Hoot Owl closure (2 pm-midnight) as well. We've been over this guys, even before 2 pm, just fish the Upper Madison or Gallatin if you want better, less lethal fishing.
Yellowstone River - Above the falls, Caddis and PMDs are flying around, and fish are rising to both them. The river is quite busy, though, so once you find a riser, throw the rotation of different flies at it until it eats. Don't give up!!
Northeast Corner - The Lamar is running at a good level (350 CFS), though it may still be a little colored up from recent storms. I've spotted some good PMD hatches on Slough and Soda Butte, which could lead to some fun days, but the Hoot Owl closures makes the drive out from West just not worth it, unfortunately.
Madison, Firehole, Gibbon - The Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon (downstream of Norris Campground) have been placed on full closures. This means that all three are closed to fishing with no exceptions. The Madison and its tributaries outside the park before Hebgen Lake are under a Hoot Owl closure (2 pm-midnight) as well. We've been over this guys, even before 2 pm, just fish the Upper Madison or Gallatin if you want better, less lethal fishing.
Yellowstone River - Above the falls, Caddis and PMDs are flying around, and fish are rising to both them. The river is quite busy, though, so once you find a riser, throw the rotation of different flies at it until it eats. Don't give up!!
Northeast Corner - The Lamar is running at a good level (350 CFS), though it may still be a little colored up from recent storms. I've spotted some good PMD hatches on Slough and Soda Butte, which could lead to some fun days, but the Hoot Owl closures makes the drive out from West just not worth it, unfortunately.
Leave a comment
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Also in Madison River Fishing Report - Upper Madison River Fishing Report - Greater Yellowstone Area Fishing Reports
Fishing Report 7/24/2026
The Upper Madison has slowed a bit with the heat, being at it's best in the early mornings or late at night. I've been having some success throwing...
July 17th Fishing Report - Madison River Outfitters
The Upper Madison is still fishing steadily, especially in the morning and later evenings. With the hot weather we had this last weekend and the hesitant water releases from Hebgen, I was getting a bit nervous about how the Madison would be fairing at this point...
Nina Lett
Author