Yet when you are here in this welcoming community you feel less like a tourist and more like a friend. Then the rains came. It is classified as a blue ribbon fishery in Montana and is one of the most productive streams in Montana for brown trout, rainbow trout and mountain whitefish. This section of river is open to wade fishermen only. Motels, restaurants, bars, and art galleries abound in the tiny town—a perfect base of operations for an extended Madison exploration. With memories of turning and seeing the water just an inch below the starboard gunwale, we continued downstream. Just downstream is the 287 Highway Bridge. Access the Burnt Tree Hole launch off Varney Road, just downstream from 8 Mile, float from here to do a shorter float to Valley Garden for a half float, half wade day. In a heartbeat, we ran out of water. Access is located approximately 28 miles south of Ennis, off US Highway 287. The bow ran up on a rock and the current spun the boat hard against a glacial boulder. Beware, the lake can fetch up on windy days . This is a great spot to fish at the end of the day as the valley is wide here and daylight is long. With the exception of a pair of rambunctous Brittanys knocking the drain plug loose just after Lyon’s Bridge, it seemed like we were off on a normal Madison River float trip. Repairs on the dam are ongoing and scheduled for completion by mid-summer 2015, returning cooler water temperatures and more stability to seasonal flows. Here you are just 70 miles from Yellowstone. This short section begins at the dam and flows through the scenic canyon to Quake Lake. There are no crazy rapids, diversion dams that span the river, or falls. Madison River Fishing Cabin This cabin is all about location. Today she consults for fishing and hunting operations, rents two vacation homes on Rock Creek, fishes awesome waters in the West while living in their RV, and writes about their adventures. Water levels are kept fairly stable during the bulk of the fishing season. For Shuttles on the Upper Madison Contact: Rocket Shuttles: (406) 581-4626 or (406) 764-9886 Dorothy's Shuttle Service: (406) 682-4886 Driftaway Shuttles: (406) 682-3088. Thousands of anglers from all over the world flock to the Madison to fish its hallowed waters. Look for elk in early winter through late spring here. I decided to slide the boat between a large boulder and the island. Wade fishing is permitted on 100% of the upper river. The flowing Madison River formed a lake in the debris-blocked canyon. Getting There Getting to and accessing the upper Madison is a fairly straightforward affair. You can use a boat for transportation but all fishing must be done on foot. Fishing is the main attraction here, but the wildlife, the alpenglow, cowboys, the mountains, and the people make the Madison Valley a truly special place. It’s always wise to check in with the local experts. A Goober Midge or old faithful, the Griffith's Gnat fished delicately on 6X will take fish. The boat launch is good here and you are not far from the Palisades. The weather can be troubling this time of year, but the prepared angler can find some of the best fishing of the season in relative solitude. A Madison River Map containing all access sites. Take Cliff Lake Road off Highway 287. The Firehole and Gibbon Rivers Form the Madison, The Madison joins the Jefferson and the Gallatin to form the Missouri. The Missouri River Headwaters State Park is located on the Madison at Three Forks. Despite overblown accounts of invasive aquatic species, angling pressure, inconsistent management, and drought, the Madison has managed to remain an amazing fishery. In its middle reaches in Madison County, Montana, the Madison Dam forms Ennis Lake and… River in MT, WY. Wading is the best approach. You can’t go wrong with this river any time of year. This is perhaps your best chance to catch huge brown trout. That said, the “wade-only” sections of the river, between Quake Lake and Lyons Bridge and again from the Ennis Bridge downstream to Ennis Lake, offer some unique and highly productive opportunities. We have always fished the river with a hard boat, and most guides do too. There is less slush ice in the river above Cameron Flats. Take Cliff Lake Road off Highway 287. Madison River Fly Fishing in Yellowstone National Park The 19 miles of the Madison River in the park, although easily accessible offers technical dry fly and nymph fishing for rainbow and brown trout averaging from ten to fourteen inches, with an occasional 20-incher. Here you’ll find America’s oldest national park, ghost towns, hiking trails, and amazing mountain scenery. As the name suggests, the wind can be a challenge here. My friends and I had sacrificed sleeping in to get up early and hit the water as soon as the sun came up. As the granddaughter of New Hampshire fishing guides, Lisa grew up in a hunting and fishing home. Then, the river courses it’s way north, then west to Hebgen Lake. The Madison has lots of fishing access sites on both state land and BLM land. Over the years we’ve been blessed with an increasing number of friends who either live in the valley or reside here seasonally. Just when the drift looks perfect, set the hook.” Hard to imagine, but man, did this work great! Here’s a useful.pdf Madison River Map create by the Madison Valley Ranch featuring all of the BLM and Montana Fishing Access sites on the upper Madison River. When conditions line up right, the fish will rise steadily to the frequent midge hatches and can be very captivating. I could go on and on here. The fishing pressure on the Madison River has risen quite a bit in the last decade. It’s the friendliness of its residents that is also attractive to us. Access Access is outstanding along the entire length of the upper Madison—from Hebgen Reservoir to Ennis Lake. For a one day trip, that does not include lodging, the check-in and check-out date is the same date. Be sure to stop in at a local shop for the up-to-date report. It is located in the beautiful Gallatin Valley in south-central Montana. Also known as the 50 Mile Riffle, this section of the Madison River is known for plentiful fish and big trout. Spring run-off (generally May and June) and water temperatures can have short-term effects on water levels throughout the spring and summer months. Use no strike indicator. There is a really nice overlook just about a mile past the campground if you are wanting to take some nice photos. At Raynold Pass Fishing access, you can follow the well-worn path upstream on both sides of the river and fish for huge brown trout that lurk in these waters. The Madison River is one of the most famous and recognizable names in western trout fishing. Hebgen is not a power-generating facility, so flows do not vary dramatically due to demand. Subscribe to our newsletter and recieve our latest fly fishing travel related article delivered to your inbox. Gallatin River Lower Madison River Upper Madison River Yellowstone River Spring Creeks Jefferson River Big Hole Boulder River Stillwater River Bighorn River Missouri River Yellowstone Park Waters Other Waters. While there is no actual fishing access above the Raynolds pass Fishing Access, getting into the river is not hard. Unlike the pastorial flows of the Upper Connecticut River in New Hampshire where I once guided, the Madison River often has hidden obsticles just beneath the surface which are often topped with patches of paint and gel coat. Of course, floating the river makes for an amazing experience and with sometimes-localized hatches, covering some water can also be an advantage. YES, dy fly fishing. The Madison River is one of the most famous and recognizable names in western trout fishing. The upper Madison River is an iconic fishing destination for trout anglers worldwide (Figure1). Thousands of anglers from all over the world flock to the Madison to fish its hallowed waters. $575 - Full Day $450 - Half Day. Whitefish are still relatively scarce, but research is underway to gather clues about this important trout food. By the time the river gets to Ennis, it is pretty brown. Numerous state and federally managed lands dot the river corridor, providing boat launches as well as wade access. A last minute descision had me digging furiously to go to the right side of the island. There are many hatches on the Madison River but none as famous as the Salmonfly. The high bench over the river has parking while the launch puts you right into good, fishy braided water. Somewhere above Windy Point, I chose a river-left braid. Above the West Fork, it has a little color in it but has been fishing very well with mostly a … Browns and rainbows predominate and there have been some very healthy specimens caught here over the past couple seasons. This is bear country. The Rainbow Valley Lodge has a shop too – O’Dell Creek Fly Shop. Madison River Fishing Report, Upper Madison River Fishing Report, Madison River, Montana, Fly Fishing, West Yellowstone, Ennis MT, Cameron MT, Fly Shop, Yellowstone National Park, Guide Trips Upper Madison – Quake Lake to Ennis Lake Directly below Quake Lake the river roars into 5 long miles of Class V whitewater with … The river flows through private ranch land and folks really like anglers to stay at or below the high water mark. Lisa leapt from the boat, pulling the stern upstream and around the rock. Access the river upstream or down on both sides of Three Dollar Bridge. He's guided on the river for over 17 years and knows the river intimately. Upper Madison Fishing Report 12/12/2020 Date: 12/12/2020 The upper Madison is a good Wintertime fishery. Fishing the evening hatch until dark at Three Dollar Bridge is an experience every angler should gift themselves. Share. Check out the latest Upper Madison River Fishing Report at http://www.yobiadventures.com/fishing-reports/montana/ennis/upper-madison-river-fishing-report The section near the highway sees lots of anglers. Perhaps the best part of winter angling on the Upper Madison is the dry fly fishing. Just south of I-90, Hwy. Fishing is fun, but in such a special part of the world, it’s good to take a day or two and look around. Fishing the Madison River every year is like a homecoming for us. At that point, fishing from a boat is not allowed until Ennis Lake. At this point the river is commonly called either the Upper Madison or the Lower Madison, although in fact, they are one and the same. 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