Montana Troutfitters is Bozeman’s oldest fly fishing shop Since 1978

Dec 05, 2024

The Upper Madison's is fishing good, especially with these nice December days. Flows however are low, its running less than 1000cfs with water temps around 32 degrees near Cameron. The upper is going to fish very similar to our other local fisheries. During the winter, fish during the warmest parts of the day, think deep, slow moving water. Fish tend to stack up in deeper buckets and don't move great distances to eat. Putting a bug in their face is the way to go. Double nymph rigs with a pats and a midge, rainbow warrior, $3 dip, worm, or perdigon in black or red are our go to winter bugs. If you see any sippers, they are probably eating a midge. Tie on a griffiths, midge cluster or even an RS2.


View USGS Streamflows

Fly Pattern Suggestions

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Dries:

stubby chubby, Tilt-wing BWO, purple haze, buzzball, stimulator, film critic BWO

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Nymphs:

Perdigons, Green Machine's, zebra midge, $3 dip, shop vac, wire worm, frenchie, split-case BWO

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Streamers:

Dungeons, Sparkle Minnows, sculpzilla, Boogie Man, Double Screamer, rusty trombone

Other River Reports

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