Ennis, Montana

Best Flies For Madison River

Madison River | Ennis, Montana | Updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:00 AM MDT | Station: Madison River at Ennis, MT

Keep a tight line and drift your flies close to the bottom in slower runs where trout are holding in cold water.

Forecast timing & sources
Forecast generated
Oct 28, 2026, 7:00 AM MDT
Valid until
Oct 29, 2026, 7:00 AM MDT
Source updated
Oct 28, 2026, 7:00 AM MDT
Flow observation
Observed Oct 28, 2026, 6:00 AM MDT
Water temperature observation
Observed Oct 28, 2026, 6:00 AM MDT

Buggin combines river and weather signals into a fishing forecast. A rating is model guidance, not a catch guarantee. Observation times can differ from forecast generation.

Configured gauge: Madison River at Ennis · 06040050. The forecast point may differ from the gauge location.

With water temperatures hovering around 40 degrees under clear late-October skies, trout will be sluggish and holding deep. Focus your efforts on subsurface presentations with weighted nymphs to reach the feeding zone.

What's active
Fish this
BWOs, size 16-18, Midday (10:00 AM–2:00 PM)
Pheasant Tail, size 16-18, nymph; Sparkle Dun, size 16-18, dry; RS2, size 16-18, emerger
Midges, size 18-22, Midday (10:00 AM–2:00 PM)
Zebra Midge, size 18-22, nymph; Mercury Midge, size 18-22; Juju Midge, size 18-22
Caddis, size 14-16, Midday (10:00 AM–2:00 PM)
X-Caddis, size 14-16, dry; Caddis Pupa, size 14-16, nymph; Elk Hair Caddis, size 14-16, dry
Stoneflies, size 10-12, Morning (6:00 AM–10:00 AM)
No matching fly supplied
Terrestrials, size 12-14, Afternoon (2:00 PM–6:00 PM)
No matching fly supplied
  • Keep a tight line and drift your flies close to the bottom in slower runs where trout are holding in cold water.
  • Use Indicator Nymph Rig.
  • Favor Heavy beadhead nymphs with sparse hackle and natural coloration.
Flow942 cfs and falling
Water Temp41°F
WeatherClear Night
Rating7/10 · Good