There is a reason why the “middle” section of the Madison River is often called the “50-Mile Riffle” made up of deep pools, long stretches of pocket water and of course wide riffles. The Madison was named by Meriwether Lewis in 1805, after the then U.S. Secretary of State James Madison (for you history buffs). 

From the postcard-perfect panoramas of Three Dollar Bridge and Reynold’s Pass, to lesser-known stretches, the wade section of the Madison is a true western fly fishing experience. The most common fish are Rainbow and Brown trout with fish averaging in the 15” range and 20” trout being caught regularly.

Further down river is Lyon’s Bridge where the river opens and is best fished from a drift boat.

The Madison fishes well year around, although you might want to pack many layers of clothing and keep a close eye on the weather during the late fall and winter months.  The most popular time on the Madison is June – August and although it can get quite busy, the sheer size of the river still produces quality fishing with some solitude.

Depending on your preferred technique, the river can be fished with dry flies, wet flies, nymphs and streamers.  July and August typically produce the best dry fly action and the “shoulder” seasons of April, May and September, October, November provide the most consistent streamer fishing.