Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report 7/27
Montana
Upper Madison: Keep in mind of the Hoot Owl restrictions going on right now through this section and many other rivers in Montana, which means fishing is closed from 2PM until midnight each day. Even with the hoot owl conditions, the river continues to fish well early. Keep an eye out for caddis and PMDs in the morning, if nothing is looking up try a terrestrial pattern. Hoopers, ants, and beetles have had some attention the last few days. Nymph fishing has stayed steady, with a stonefly nymph or perdigon trailed by a smaller mayfly/caddis fly behind.
Flies: #16-18 X Caddis, #16-18 Peacock Caddis, #16 Tilt Wing PMD, #14-16 ParaWulff, #10-14 Tan Thunder Thighs, #12-14 Pink Morrish Hopper, #14-16 Arricks Ant, #14-16 Hi Viz Ant, #16 Holo-Point #14-16 Biot Golden Stone, #16-18 Redneck, #16-18 Guide Dip, #16-18 Pheasant Tail
Hebgen: Fishing has still been hit or miss over the last week. On calm mornings, look for callibaetis, tricos, and some chirnomids hanging around. Nymph fish can be effective as well, a tandem rig with a chirnomid and a turkey callibaetis isn’t a bad idea. Slow stripping a leech/bugger pattern never hurts either.
Flies: #14-16 Turkey Callibaetis, #12 O.S Opal Buzzer, #16-18 Pheasant Tail, #14 Olive/Red Nugget, #8 Olive or Black Simi Seal Leech, #8 Olive or Black Hot Bead Goat Leech, #8 Thin Mint, #6 Black/Olive Flash Bugger
YNP
All of Yellowstone Park rivers are under Hoot Owl restrictions also, meaning NO fishing after 2pm.
Gallatin: The fishing here has stayed consistent. Look for caddis, PMDs, and maybe even some spruce moths buzzing around. Hoppers, ants, and beetles should have a few fish looking up also. If nothing else, try one of your favorite attractor dry fly patterns with a dropper nymph a foot or so behind your dry fly.
Flies: #14-16 Parachute Adams, #16 Lime Trude, #14-16 Royal Stimulator,#14 Tan Spruce Moth, #14-16 Purple Chubby Chernobyl, #12-14 Yellow Morrish Hopper, #16-18 Tan Elk Hair Caddis, #16-18 Rusty Spinner, #16 Shop Vac,
NE Corner: Low flows on the Lamar, Soda Butte, and Slough Creek, but they are still fishing. Caddis, PMDs, and some Flavs are on the menu here. Terrestrials and attractor dry flies are in play as well, and a hopper/ nymph dropper is usually a safe bet. Rainstorms can cause these rivers to blow out pretty easily, so keep an eye on the Lamar gauge before heading over.
Flies: #16 PMD D.O.A Cripple, #16 Missing Link Caddis, #14-16 Olive Comparadun, #16 Arricks Ant, #14-16 Chubby Chernobyl, #12 Pink Chili Dog , #14-16 Frenchie, #14-16 Redneck, #16 Olive Quill Jig
Yellowstone: If you can get in there early, expect to see PMD’s, caddis, flavs, maybe a few drakes. Hoppers and ants have had some fish looking up, and throwing leeches or wooly buggers has been productive for the picky fish not wanting the dry fly.
Flies: #16 Tilt Wing PMD, #16 Kilnkhammer PMD, #16-18 X Caddis, #16-18 Peacock Caddis, #12 Jakes Green Drake, #8 Thin Mint, #8 Black Simi Seal Leech, #6 Flash-a-bugger
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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 4/18/2025
Hebgen: The Lakes are both still fully iced over and will most likely continue to be for some time.
Nick Toller
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