6/19/2026: Madison River Fishing Report
Summary
The Upper Madison has fished decently over the last several weeks, with wind and weather the dominant variable rather than water. That is changing now. With Hebgen essentially full, the dam is sending water downstream, and Slide Inn expects flows to keep stepping up day over day until releases match inflow. The practical effect is twofold: the salmon fly hatch gets nudged back slightly, and the streamer bite should improve meaningfully over the coming week as the river comes up and colors.
At a glance: Hebgen Dam 699 cfs, Kirby 842 cfs, Varney 1,100 cfs, and climbing as the dam ramps up | Madison at Ennis 914 cfs, 53.4°F (May 22 baseline) | Hebgen Reservoir 99.6% full and rising | Rising as the dam ramps, salmonfly window opening | Valley wind 30 to 40 mph
The Upper has fished decently through a windy stretch, with weather the dominant variable rather than water. That balance is now shifting. With Hebgen essentially full, Northwestern Energy has been ramping releases out of the dam, and Slide Inn expected flows to keep stepping up day over day until releases match inflow. The practical effect is twofold: the salmon fly hatch gets nudged slightly later, and the streamer bite should improve meaningfully as the river comes up and colors. Down by Ennis, Trout Stalkers' late-May read still informs the lower-river picture: the caddis hatch below town was on, with adults, pupae, and larva all in play, and pods of risers workable on cloudy windows.
Note. Flows are being ramped up out of Hebgen Dam. NorthWestern Energy has been bumping releases roughly 5% per hour on ramp days (noon to 5 pm) with Hebgen Reservoir sitting 99.6% full and rising. Expect rising, coloring water and shifting wade lines day to day. Add sustained valley wind of 30 to 40 mph. Check the gauge before you wade and give yourself margin.
Best techniques
Nymphing is the workhorse by a wide margin on the Upper. Run small Pat's Rubber Legs and TJ Hookers in #10 to #12 with Olive Caddis Larva, Zebra Midges, Dips, and smaller Perdigons in the #16 to #18 range. BWO nymphs still earn takes on the colder days, but it has been mostly a caddis and small-stonefly game.
Through the float section, drop tungsten off a Royal Micro Chubby for a fun two-fly rig.
On the lower river around Ennis, the caddis hatch is the show. Fish adults to an Elk Hair Caddis, Missing Link Caddis, and Finfetcher Caddis on top. Oikawa's CDC Caddis is a newer Trout Stalkers favorite that has fished well. In the film, Lawson's Caddis Emerger and RIO's Edible Emerger are working. A Jig Prince suspended below a chubby has been a go-to throughout the system.
Dries on the Upper are improving with small attractors and adult caddis but still trail nymphs.
Streamers are on the cusp. Slide Inn has done best on Mini Envys, micro envys, Mini Whiteys, Double Screamers, Mini Loop Sculpin, and Bangtails in black, olive, yellow, olive/black, and natural. Down at Ennis in muddier water, Trout Stalkers has done best on Mini Dungeons, Slum Lords, Dungeon Yellow, and black Woolly Buggers. Retrieve matters as much as pattern: try a slow twitch or jig, then a hard strip back to the boat, and change color and speed until you crack it.
Hatches
Caddis (adult, pupa, larva) are the dominant active hatch, especially below town. Small stoneflies continue to produce on the Upper. BWOs still hatch on colder, overcast windows. Midges remain steady in the film. Salmonflies were projected for emergence around June 16; they should be live or imminent as of today. Word travels fast once they crawl. The North Slide shop in Ennis is the place to call for big-bug intel this week.
The Fly Box
Nymphs: Pat's Rubber Legs, TJ Hookers, Zebra Midges, Dips, BH Pheasant Tail, Spanish Bullet (French), Olsen's Hare's Ear Blowtorch, Jig Prince, San Juan Worm
Emergers: Lawson's Caddis Emerger, RIO's Edible Emerger
Dries: Royal Micro Chubby, Elk Hair Caddis, Missing Link Caddis, Finfetcher Caddis, Oikawa's CDC Caddis
Streamers: Mini Envys, micro envys, Mini Whiteys, Double Screamers, Mini Loop Sculpin, Bangtails, Mini Dungeons, Slum Lords, Dungeon Yellow, Woolly Buggers, Sparring Partner
Outlook. Flows climb through the week toward an inflow match, so plan for rising, coloring water and shifting wade lines. The salmonfly emergence should be moving up from the lower river beginning around now. Streamer fishing should keep improving as the river comes up. Wind stays the wild card, so favor sheltered water below Varney or higher up when it howls. Call ahead to the North Slide for the current big-bug line.
Sources and Thanks
| Shop | Report date | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Slide Inn (Galloup's) | June 10, 2026 | Madison River |
| Trout Stalkers (Ennis) | May 22, 2026 | Madison River |
| Madison River Fly Fishing Company (Ennis) | April 23, 2026 | Madison River |
