Montana ·
Madison River Fly Fishing Report - January 1/18/2026
MADISON RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
Madison River — Montana
Report Date: January 18, 2026 | Next Update: January 25, 2026
Current River Conditions
Cold-water winter fishing is on. Expect nymphs and streamers to produce best — look for mid-day windows when trout key shallow and midges surface briefly. Ice and slick banks are common; safety first.
Flows & Gauge
Kirby (mid‑Madison) typical winter flows: ~800–950 CFS (check latest USGS/Madison gauge before you go).
Visibility: Mostly clear to lightly stained depending on upstream wind/ice melt.
Kirby (mid‑Madison) typical winter flows: ~800–950 CFS (check latest USGS/Madison gauge before you go).
Visibility: Mostly clear to lightly stained depending on upstream wind/ice melt.
Water Temperature
Current surface: mid 30s–upper 30s °F (1–4°C).
Winter stratification minimal — trout are on winter lies and slow water.
Current surface: mid 30s–upper 30s °F (1–4°C).
Winter stratification minimal — trout are on winter lies and slow water.
Weather
Forecast around Jan 18: Sub-freezing nights, daytime highs near freezing to low 30s F. Periods of sun with gusty winds at times. Expect pockets of floating ice near banks.
Forecast around Jan 18: Sub-freezing nights, daytime highs near freezing to low 30s F. Periods of sun with gusty winds at times. Expect pockets of floating ice near banks.
Access & Safety
Common access: Hebgen Lake spillway/upper Madison, Kelly Island north of Ennis, Varney bridge downstream. Watch for thin ice on flats and frozen shorelines. Use wading staff & wear studs where appropriate.
Common access: Hebgen Lake spillway/upper Madison, Kelly Island north of Ennis, Varney bridge downstream. Watch for thin ice on flats and frozen shorelines. Use wading staff & wear studs where appropriate.
Hatch & Insect Notes
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midges (all stages) | #18–24 | Moderate — the single best winter surface option | Midday on calm, sunny windows; edges/slow tails |
| Baetis / Small mayflies | #18–22 | Light — sporadic & temperature dependent | Warmest part of day; short-lived |
| Chironomids / Stillwater-style buzzers | #10–14 (pupa/larval sizes) | Low–moderate, best in slow tails & backwaters | Midday to afternoon in slack water |
| Caddis | #16–20 | Minor — occasional emergers near woody banks | Late afternoon on mild days |
| Stoneflies / Salmonflies | #6–10 | Unlikely in mid‑January — mostly dormant | Not expected |
Recommended Flies (by type)
Nymphs — primary winter producers (Euro & indicator rigs)
Short, heavy nymph rigs and tungsten jigs are the go-to. Fish them tight to seams, edges and near deep heads.
- Egan's Poacher — Olive (excellent as an anchor / Euro‑style nymph)
- Egan's Poacher — Black
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig — Olive (tungsten jig for tight contact)
- Tungsten Dart — Red (fast‑sinking, great under an indicator or on Euro setups)
Midges / Zebra Midge & Small Bead Nymphs
When trout are keyed on tiny food, downsize and add subtle flash. Keep presentations dead‑drifted.
Dry Flies & Emergers (small dries only)
Surface activity is limited but when midges/baetis come up, smaller parachutes and emergers win. Keep leaders fine and soft.
- Parachute — Blue Wing Olive
- Stealth Link Mercer — PMD
- Improved Sparkle Dun — Baetis
- Antonio's Adult BWO
Streamers & Sculpin Imitations
Streamers trigger larger, opportunistic trout. Slow strips and short pauses in deeper runs and undercut banks.
- Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow — Sculpin
- Sculpzilla — Olive
- Galloup's Dungeon — Black
- Coffey's Articulated Sparkle Minnow — Sculpin #4
Jigs / Tungsten small jigs (fast-sinking tactical flies)
Key for deep winter water — ideal on Euro rigs or short indicators to present exactly on the bottom.
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig — Olive
- Egan's Jig Frenchie
- Duracell Jig (Barbless)
- Tungsten Jig Bugger — Olive (Barbless)
Tactics & Tips
Primary approach: Nymphing. Use tungsten or compact bead jigs fished on short leaders close to the bottom. When midges or baetis show, switch to tiny emergers or a midge dropper.
Recommended rigs and leaders:
- Euro nymph: 9–11 ft, light point to long tapered leader; tippet 5X–7X depending on fly size.
- Indicator rig: 7–9 ft leader with 3–5 ft of 4–6X tippet; use small split shot or short tungsten nymphs to get down quickly.
- Streamer work: 7–8 wt (or heavier if fishing from a drift boat), 3X–5X leader, aggressively vary strips with pauses along structure.
Presentation notes: keep drifts drag-free, fish seams and tailouts, and read the current for likely lies (backs of current seams, behind large rocks, inside bends).
Recommended rigs and leaders:
- Euro nymph: 9–11 ft, light point to long tapered leader; tippet 5X–7X depending on fly size.
- Indicator rig: 7–9 ft leader with 3–5 ft of 4–6X tippet; use small split shot or short tungsten nymphs to get down quickly.
- Streamer work: 7–8 wt (or heavier if fishing from a drift boat), 3X–5X leader, aggressively vary strips with pauses along structure.
Presentation notes: keep drifts drag-free, fish seams and tailouts, and read the current for likely lies (backs of current seams, behind large rocks, inside bends).
Where to Focus
- Upper Madison (Hebgen to Ennis): deeper runs, inside seams and tailouts near structure — prime for euro nymphing and streamers.
- Middle Madison (Ennis area): slower tails, sloughs and back eddies where midges and chironomids concentrate.
- Lower stretches: look for deeper runs and drop-offs holding fish in winter; cast streamers along undercut banks and boulder lines.
Regulations, Etiquette & Safety
Always confirm current Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks regulations and local access restrictions before fishing. Wear ice‑appropriate footwear, watch for thin ice near banks, and carry a wading staff. Practice good river etiquette — yield to anglers upstream, and pack out what you pack in.
