Montana ·
Madison River Fly Fishing Report - November 1, 2026

MADISON RIVER
ReportNOV 1 — 8, 2026
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Flow
—CFS
🌡️
Water Temp
—
☀️
Weather
30–41°F
Cloudy then Slight Chance Sleet
💧
Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
Live gauge data is unavailable for today, but the most recent reading from late October showed 641 cfs and clear water at 50.4°F — expect similar or slightly cooler temps heading into November with overnight mixed precip and fog through Sunday. Post-storm clarity should be monitored before committing to a wade section.
What's Working — Hot Flies

Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
#22

Barr's Flashback Emerger - BWO #22
#22

Juju Baetis Tungsten #22
#22

BWO WD-40 #22
#22

Lil Bit Craven - Dark Olive #22
#22

Black Zebra Midge(TBH) #20
#20

Olsen's Peacock Blowtorch Barbless #22 - 24
#22-24

Olsen's Hare's Ear Blowtorch Barbless #20 - 28
#20

Egan's Frenchie #12
#12

Egan's Silver Bullet - Baetis #14
#14

Olsen's Straggle Stone Brown Barbless #12 - 32
#12

Tungsten Rainbow Warrior - Pearl #22
#22
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) | 20-22 | Heavy | 11 AM - 3 PM |
| Midge | 20-24 | Moderate | 10 AM - 2 PM |
| Caddis | 18-20 | Light | 1 PM - 4 PM |
| Stonefly (nymphal) | 12 | Light | All Day |
Best Time Window
- 9 AM - 11 AM: Pre-hatch nymphing with heavy tungsten patterns along the bottom of deeper runs and pools.
- 11 AM - 2 PM: Prime BWO hatch window — watch for rising fish in slow seams and be ready with a size 22 parachute or emerger.
- 2 PM - 4 PM: Post-hatch nymphing and midge fishing in slower pools as light fades and temperatures drop.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith overcast skies and temps topping out near 41°F, the BWO hatch will be your best dry-fly opportunity — watch for fish rising in the slower inside seams and back eddies between 11 AM and 2 PM. Before the hatch fires, run a heavy nymph like the Frenchie or Straggle Stone along the bottom in 4-6 feet of water to pick up fish holding tight in the cold. Post-storm fog and mixed precip overnight may push some sediment into the system, so check clarity at your access point before wading out — clear water will fish; off-color water means move upstream. Monday's partly sunny skies and lighter winds will be the best window of the weekend for both nymphing and any lingering dry-fly action.
Main Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Mountain Whitefish
