Montana ·
Madison River Fly Fishing Report - June 7, 2026
MADISON RIVER
ReportJUN 7 — 14, 2026
🌊
Flow
455CFS
Madison River bl Hebgen Lake nr Grayling MT
🌡️
Water Temp
55.6°F
Updated 2026-06-06
☀️
Weather
33–65°F
Chance Rain Showers
💧
Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
The Madison below Hebgen Lake is running at 455 CFS and 1.21 ft gauge height with a comfortable 55.6°F water temp — below-average flows mean clear, wadeable water and hungry trout. Caddis hatches are building strong, stonefly nymphs are the dominant food source, and the leading edge of the salmonfly hatch is approaching fast.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs - Tan & Brown #6
#6
Olsen's Straggle Stone Brown Barbless #12-32
#12
Blowtorch - Hare's Ear #12
#12
Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive #12
#12
Olsen's Hare's Ear Blowtorch Barbless #20-28
#20
Juju Baetis Tungsten #22
#22
Egan's Silver Bullet - Baetis #14
#14
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
#22
Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) Olive #20
#20
Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) Tan #20
#20
Tungsten Split Case Nymph - PMD #20
#20
Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6
#6
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caddis (various species) | #14–18 | 🟢 Active & Building | Late afternoon into evening; best after 4 PM |
| Salmonfly (Pteronarcys) | #4–6 | 🟡 Approaching / Just Starting | Warm midday–afternoon as flows stabilize |
| Golden Stonefly | #8–10 | 🟡 Building | Afternoon, bankside structure and riffles |
| Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) | #18–22 | 🟢 Active | Midday on overcast days; Monday clouds look prime |
| Pale Morning Dun (PMD) | #16–20 | 🟡 Just Starting | Late morning to early afternoon |
| Midge (Chironomid) | #20–24 | 🟢 Active | Early morning and evening in slow pools and flats |
Best Time Window
- Early morning (6–9 AM): Midge activity in slow pools and flats; streamer fishing productive before light pressure builds
- Late morning to early afternoon (10 AM–2 PM): BWO hatch window on overcast days (especially Monday); nymphing seams with stonefly/Frenchie tandem at peak productivity
- Late afternoon to evening (4–7 PM): Prime caddis hatch window — fish the riffles and inside bends with CDC Corn-fed Caddis as surface activity peaks
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith flows running below average at 455 CFS and water temps at a comfortable 55.6°F, the Madison is in prime shape for wade fishing right now — get on the water early Sunday before those SSW winds build to 43 mph gusts and make dry fly presentations nearly impossible. Monday's mostly cloudy forecast with lighter S winds (5–15 mph) is your best window for surface action, especially for BWOs and caddis. Lead with a heavy stonefly nymph like the Pat's Rubber Legs to get down fast, and trail a Frenchie or Blowtorch 18 inches behind it through the seams — that tandem setup has been the most consistent producer on the Madison this week. As afternoon temperatures warm and caddis begin to pop, switch to a CDC Corn-fed Caddis and work the slower inside bends where fish stack up to sip emergers.
Main Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Mountain Whitefish
