Montana ·
Madison River Fly Fishing Report - June 7, 2026
MADISON RIVER
ReportJUN 8 — 15, 2026
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Flow
455CFS
Madison River bl Hebgen Lake nr Grayling MT
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Water Temp
56.8°F
Updated 2026-06-07
☀️
Weather
30–63°F
Partly Cloudy
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Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
The Madison below Hebgen is running 455 cfs at 56.8°F — below-average flow with clear, fishable water and ideal early-summer temperatures. Nymphing is exceptional right now with a massive food column, and evening caddis dry-fly action is building 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
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
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
#22
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
- Monday 11 AM–2 PM: Overcast skies trigger BWO hatch in riffles — prime dry-fly window with Parachute BWO #22 and Juju Baetis Tungsten #22
- Monday 4–7 PM: Evening caddis flight peaks as temps warm — switch to Corn-fed Caddis CDC (olive or tan) #20 in the Channels section
- Early morning (6–9 AM) any day: Low light and cool temps push big browns to feed aggressively on streamers and stonefly nymphs along undercut banks
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith flows at 455 cfs and water temps in the mid-50s, the Madison is in a sweet spot right now — clear enough to sight-fish and cool enough to keep trout aggressive all day. Focus your nymphing on the deep seams and boulder pockets along the banks where stonefly nymphs are migrating; a heavy lead fly like the Pat's Rubber Legs with a smaller Frenchie or Blowtorch trailing 18 inches behind it is a proven setup. Monday's mostly sunny forecast with afternoon clouds is your best window for dry-fly action — watch for BWO spinners midday and caddis activity ramping up hard after 4 PM. Note: a section of river between Campfire Lodge and Beaver Creek outlet (below Hebgen, above Quake Lake) has had a wildlife-related access closure in recent weeks — confirm current status with local outfitters before heading to that stretch.
Main Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Mountain Whitefish
