Why We Go
- Fish the Madison River, a consistent, year-round, tailwater fishery with high fish counts
- Experience a variety of fisheries in nearby Yellowstone Park (spring and fall) as well as the Jefferson, Bighole, and Ruby Rivers
- Explore one of Montana’s most scenic river valleys
- Enjoy true river-side accommodations where all rooms have decks overlooking the water and mountains
- Enjoy an intimate lodge atmosphere with exceptional service, and an excellent culinary program
Who is best suited for this destination? Madison River Lodge is a great fit for anglers of all skills. High trout counts allow for novice anglers to be successful while more experienced fly fishers can explore a variety of techniques.
Where is the lodge? The lodge is located 18 miles due south of Ennis, Montana. It is approximately a 1.5-hour drive from Bozeman airport (BZN) and about an hour from the West entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
How do I get there? Most guests fly into Bozeman (BZN) and either rent a car or the outfitter can arrange an airport transfer at added cost.
When should I go? The Madison has a long and consistent season due to the stabilizing flows released from Hebgen reservoir.
April and May: Great for high catch rates and few other anglers
Late May through mid-June: High catch rates and larger trout landed. Flows are higher and the outfitter uses boats to ferry from location to location to wade fish on many sections of the Upper Madison. The outfitter does have some fishing from the boat on the Lower Madison, but the Upper Madison is often best waded this time of year.
Mid-June – Late July: A popular time to visit and target numerous early summer hatches including the salmon fly, golden stone, yellow sally, pale morning dun and caddis. Both wading and float fishing are effective.
Late July through Mid-September: Lots of good fishing options including terrestrial fishing with hoppers and ants to fishing sculpins sub surface while hunting for bigger trout.
Late September through October: Generally pleasant fall weather and a great time to target large fish. The Madison experiences some fall runs of big trout moving out of reservoirs then.
How will I fish? Fishing varies by time of year. Options include nymphing, dry flies and streamer fishing. Guests will have the option to wade fish or boat fish depending on the time of year and preferences.
Is there wade fishing? The Madison and surrounding rivers and streams offer both float fishing and wade fishing. The Madison has specific zones where fishing from the boat is allowed and others where guests can use a boat for transportation only but must get out to wade fish.
How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? The lodge is centrally located at the midpoint of “50-mile riffle” section of the Upper Madison. There is a private boat ramp on the property. Most days when fishing the Madison drive times are less than 20-minutes. If fishing out of the valley to explore other rivers or Yellowstone Park guests may drive slightly more than an hour.
What type of fish will I catch? Most of the fishing is for wild brown and rainbow trout. There are a few cutthroat trout in some locations as well although they are less common.
How many fish will I catch? Anglers are rarely skunked, even on tougher fishing days. Most days anglers land 10 to 20 trout per guide boat per day (two anglers fishing). On a great day experienced anglers might land over 50 trout in a guide boat.
Will I see other anglers? Yes. The Madison is one of the world’s most famous wild trout fisheries and guests will see plenty of other fisherman.
What are the guides like? The guides are experienced and professional fishing guides that are licensed by the state of Montana. They are also excellent instructors.
What are the physical demands for anglers? Anglers can generally choose to wade or float fish. Float fishing is less demanding than wading and the skiffs and drift boats have swivel seats with padded high-backed chairs. Wade fishing is slightly more strenuous, but guests do not need to undergo extensive hikes to get to the fisheries.
Are there any special skills required? The Madison is great for veteran anglers and novices alike. No special skills are needed if you are new to fly fishing.
Is equipment provided? Yes, all fishing equipment including rods, flies and waders are provided.
What are the best fly rod setups for the Madison? A 9-foot six weight is ideal for nymphing and dry fly fishing on windy days. A 9-foot, 5-weight is a great dry fly specific rod. Floating lines are preferred. Streamer fishing can be an option in the fall or at certain times in the spring with either a 6- or 7-weight rod (either floating line or a sink tip).
What are the top flies? Fly selection varies dramatically from season to season and even hour to hour on the Madison. A general assortment of flies that imitate common Western hatches, terrestrials and streamers is adequate. Flies are included and it is best to arrive and use specific patterns that are working at the time of your trip.
What are the options if water conditions become challenging? The Madison is always fishable due to the tailwater effect from the reservoirs upstream. Weather conditions do vary and there can be days with cold, rain, or wind. Guests should plan accordingly and look at the 10-day weather forecast prior to packing.
What is a typical day like? The day starts with a great breakfast prepared by the chef in the morning. After breakfast, guests depart with their guides to fish. Most days you travel as short as 1-minute or as long as 25-minutes to start the day. Depending on water levels you may cover 6- to 12-miles of water while fishing. The fishing wraps up in the late afternoon and guides drop guests back off at the lodge in time for appetizers, cocktails, and dinner.
What is the vibe and atmosphere at the lodge like? The lodge is relaxed and caters to no more than 10 guests per week. The main gathering area has a vaulted great room with views of the river and bar area. There is also a huge fire pit near the river as well as decks with comfortable outdoor seating. Guests can show up in their fishing clothes or spruce up a bit but in general there is a casual atmosphere at the lodge.
Is there an on-site manager at the lodge? Yes. Lodge managers live on site in the staff housing on the far side of the property.
Where do we eat, what are meals like? Breakfasts and dinners are served at the lodge while lunches are on the river. Lunches are picnic style lunches that go in the guide coolers. Breakfasts vary by the day and include made-to-order options or daily specials. There is always some variety at breakfast and some healthy options. Appetizers are available soon after guests come back from fishing and then a multi-course plated dinner is served in the large dining room with windows that overlook the river. All dietary restrictions and food allergies are accommodated for by the executive chef.
Is there internet and/or cell service? There is high speed internet and Wi-Fi at the lodge. There is also a land line available. Cell service is decent in the main lodge near the cell booster. Wi-Fi calling using facetime or other internet enabled calls all work well.
Are there other activities? Most guests come to focus on fly fishing but there are some options to take a day off to explore. Yellowstone Park is 1-hour from the lodge while the restored historic mining town of Virginia City is 45-minutes away.
Are there any other expenses? Most costs are included in the base rate, but guests should plan for guide and lodge staff gratuities and fishing licenses. Airport shuttles are also an extra cost if guests prefer not to rent a car.
Are there any health concerns, dangers or annoyances? Weather in the Rockies can be unpredictable, and guests are encouraged to bring layers for cool mornings and evenings with an option for lighter clothes during the heat of the day. Rain and snow are a possibility in most months of the year. Wind can be an issue around fall, and in early summer there may be some mosquitos at boat ramps.
