Madison River Outfitters Fishing Report for 7/17/2025
The Weather's Just as Hot as the Fishing Right Now
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MRO Guide Jake Schilling showing off a great Upper Madison 'bow!
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MRO Guide Jake Schilling showing off a great Upper Madison 'bow!
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Montana
Hebgen & Quake Lakes: The lakes are fishing very well right now. We're seeing more and more Callibaetis, and the subsurface action is as steady as it should be this time of year. Leeches, Chironomids, and Callibaetis nymphs are what we're throwing for the most part.
Flies We're Fishing:
#16 Found Link Callibaetis, #16 Spinner Long Tailed Callibaetis, #16 Peacock Chubby Chernobyl, #18 Bucky's Midge Cluster, #18 Black, Olive, OR Red Zebra Midge, #14 O/S Opal Buzzer, #14 Olive Nugget, #14 Turkey Callibaetis, #16 Brush Hog, #14 Black/Red Ice Cream Cone, #8 Black Vegas Booby Leech, #8 Black OR Olive Simi-Seal Leech, #8 Hot Bead Thin Mint
Madison Flows:
Hebgen Lake Inflow: 571 CFS
Hebgen Lake Outflow: 1155 CFS
Kirby Flows: 1350 CFS
Cameron Flows: 1470 CFS
Water Temp @ Kirby: High 66 F
Low 57 F
*Flows as of 12pm July 14th 2025*
Water Temp @ Kirby: High 66 F
Low 57 F
*Flows as of 12pm July 14th 2025*
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MRO Guide Tom Forsberg Rowed his client into this beast of a Madison Brown
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Upper Madison:
The Upper is fishing great. The big bugs have finished up for the most part, but the fish are already beginning to take an interest in hoppers and bigger attractors. Chubbies, Chili-Dogs, and other foam bugs have been hunting great fished over a dropper. The nymphing has moved from an anything goes program to a more technical, small bug game. Streamers will be a little more difficult this time of year but still do-able, especially now that there's more water in the river.
Upper Madison:
The Upper is fishing great. The big bugs have finished up for the most part, but the fish are already beginning to take an interest in hoppers and bigger attractors. Chubbies, Chili-Dogs, and other foam bugs have been hunting great fished over a dropper. The nymphing has moved from an anything goes program to a more technical, small bug game. Streamers will be a little more difficult this time of year but still do-able, especially now that there's more water in the river.
Flies We're Fishing:
#16 Olive Hot Spot Perdigon, #16 Sunburst Perdigon, #18 S&M Dark Baetis, #18 Purple JJ Baetis, #16/#18 Black OR Red Krystal Dip, #14 Pilva's Perdigon - Olive, #16 Purple Parachute, #14-#16 Brown X-Caddis, #14 Missing Link Caddis, #16 OR #14 Royal Chubby Chernobyl, #16 Peacock Chubby Chernobyl, #4 Olive Supernatural Peanut, #6 Olive MT Mouthwash, #6 Olive/White Barely Legal, #8 Hot Bead Leech - Olive, Black, Brown
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MRO Guide Noah Norwood got Client Leslie into this fine YNP Cut last weekend
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YNP
Firehole: The Firehole, Madison, and Gibbon - (below Norris Campground) have all been Hoot Owled, meaning you MUST be off of the water and done fishing by 2pm. Legal fishing hours are sunrise to 2pm on these rivers.
Madison:
Gibbon:
Gallatin: The Gallatin is fishing pretty well throughout the whole river. Lots of bugs in the park section right now, caddis, yellow sallies, BWO's and PMD's. Attractors and small hoppers should rise some fish too!
NE Corner: The Yellowstone River is running at about 2500 which is near perfect for hunting noses with dry flies. We've been getting fish on big bugs, yellow sallies, PMD's, and smaller attractors like Wulff cripples and ants. The Lamar, Soda, and Slough Creek are all fishing great with similar action on top. There has been some bear activity/carcasses above the Lamar canyon so bring bear spray if you're up there and keep your head on a swivel!
YNP Flows
Firehole: too hot
Gibbon: too hot
Madison: too hot
Yellowstone Outlet: 2440 CFS
Gallatin: 446 CFS
Lamar: 1970 CFS
Soda Butte: gage is gone!
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Get out there!
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MRO Guide Hugh Himan and Client Matt tied into this great Slide Bow
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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 8/7/2025
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Tyler Amory
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