Fishing Report - 8/21/2026
Montana
Flows/Temperatures (as of August 13th; click the name for real-time numbers)
Hebgen Outflow - 760 CFS
Kirby - 886 CFS
Kirby High/Low Temps - 67°/55°F
Cameron - 983 CFS
Cameron High/Low Temps - 68°/59° F
Upper Madison
The Upper Madison has been in great shape recently. That colder week really helped add some more energy into the river, and fishing has been a lot more productive with those lower water temps. I had a great day out in the float section on Tuesday, and the walk/wade section has been fishing steadily as well. The usual mid-day lull is still there, but only for an hour or two. They have dropped flows coming out of Hebgen, so focus on deeper slicks and riffles farther away rather than the bank.
A hopper dropper setup is the most productive right now, because they truly are hitting both. Little mayfly attractors like a Parachute Adams have been good in the mornings, and smaller hoppers/attractors or ants have been working great in the afternoon. Subsurface, emergers and perdigons are quite productive, especially in darker colors or green.
Dry Flies - Chili Dog, Bionic Ant, Bogus Beetle, Carnage Hopper
Nymphs - Olive Hot Spot, Full Metal Jacket, BBQ Baetis
Hebgen Outflow - 760 CFS
Kirby - 886 CFS
Kirby High/Low Temps - 67°/55°F
Cameron - 983 CFS
Cameron High/Low Temps - 68°/59° F
Upper Madison
The Upper Madison has been in great shape recently. That colder week really helped add some more energy into the river, and fishing has been a lot more productive with those lower water temps. I had a great day out in the float section on Tuesday, and the walk/wade section has been fishing steadily as well. The usual mid-day lull is still there, but only for an hour or two. They have dropped flows coming out of Hebgen, so focus on deeper slicks and riffles farther away rather than the bank.
A hopper dropper setup is the most productive right now, because they truly are hitting both. Little mayfly attractors like a Parachute Adams have been good in the mornings, and smaller hoppers/attractors or ants have been working great in the afternoon. Subsurface, emergers and perdigons are quite productive, especially in darker colors or green.
Dry Flies - Chili Dog, Bionic Ant, Bogus Beetle, Carnage Hopper
Nymphs - Olive Hot Spot, Full Metal Jacket, BBQ Baetis
Hebgen/Quake Lake
Even with the slight cold spell, dry fly fishing on Hebgen has been excellent. In the mornings and evenings, trout have been rising for callibaetis, damselflies, and flying ants alike. Focusing on the edges of weed beds has been the most productive tactic for me, aided by patience. Be warned, those fish are beginning to get very "spooky" though, with them scattering at a false cast if done over top of them. So go forth, be sneaky, and hopefully you'll be able to net one of those beautiful guplers!!
Dry Flies - Hackle Stacker, Para Ant, Long Tailed Spinner Callibaetis
Nymphs - Turkey Callibaetis, Ice Cream Cone, Zebra Midge
Streamers - Simi Seal Leech, Hot Bead Leech, Crystal Bugger
Even with the slight cold spell, dry fly fishing on Hebgen has been excellent. In the mornings and evenings, trout have been rising for callibaetis, damselflies, and flying ants alike. Focusing on the edges of weed beds has been the most productive tactic for me, aided by patience. Be warned, those fish are beginning to get very "spooky" though, with them scattering at a false cast if done over top of them. So go forth, be sneaky, and hopefully you'll be able to net one of those beautiful guplers!!
Dry Flies - Hackle Stacker, Para Ant, Long Tailed Spinner Callibaetis
Nymphs - Turkey Callibaetis, Ice Cream Cone, Zebra Midge
Streamers - Simi Seal Leech, Hot Bead Leech, Crystal Bugger
Yellowstone National Park
The Hoot Owl closure for all rivers/streams in YNP has been lifted as of Wednesday, August 12th!
The Hoot Owl closure for all rivers/streams in YNP has been lifted as of Wednesday, August 12th!
Gallatin - In between showers, the dry fly bite should still be alright, but nymphing is definitely going to be the most productive as this cooler weather continues. Try throwing around some terrestrials, and if that isn't working out, I would try either a small streamer or nymphing something flashy.
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, fish are rising pretty well, mainly in golden or natural colors. The river is quite busy, though, so once you find a riser, throw the rotation of different flies at it until it eats. Heavier droppers like a stonefly nymph are a good option as well if that's your thing.
Northeast Corner - Soda Butte, Lamar, and Slough were fishing really well before the rain, but definitely got hit by a good amount of water and dirt. From the gauge, it looks to be on course to return to pre-rain levels within the next day or two, but more rain is forecasted, so... might be back to where we started on that front.
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, fish are rising pretty well, mainly in golden or natural colors. The river is quite busy, though, so once you find a riser, throw the rotation of different flies at it until it eats. Heavier droppers like a stonefly nymph are a good option as well if that's your thing.
Northeast Corner - Soda Butte, Lamar, and Slough were fishing really well before the rain, but definitely got hit by a good amount of water and dirt. From the gauge, it looks to be on course to return to pre-rain levels within the next day or two, but more rain is forecasted, so... might be back to where we started on that front.
See you on the river,
Nina Lett
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Also in Madison River Fishing Report - Upper Madison River Fishing Report - Greater Yellowstone Area Fishing Reports
Fishing Report - 8/14/2026
The rain and cooler weather I've been anticipating arrived Wednesday afternoon, and as the water temperatures show, we're in for a big change in how the Madison is fishing.
Fishing Report - 8/7/2026
The cooler weather on Monday and Tuesday was truly bliss after weeks of 85° and above on the Madison. A few cold nights really did wonders...
Nina Lett
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