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Madison River
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The Madison River is a headwater tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 183 miles long, in Wyoming and Montana. Its confluence with the Jefferson and Gallatin rivers near Three Forks, Montana, form the Missouri River. It rises in Park County in northwestern Wyoming at the confluence of the Firehole and Gibbon rivers, a location known as Madison Junction in Yellowstone National Park. The Madison flows west then north for approximately 183 miles through the mountains of southwestern Montana to join the Jefferson and Gallatin rivers at Three Forks.
In its upper reaches in Gallatin County, Montana, Hebgen Dam forms Hebgen Lake. In its middle reaches in Madison County, Montana, the Madison Dam forms Ennis Lake and provides hydroelectric power. In 1959, the Hebgen Lake earthquake formed Quake Lake just downstream from Hebgen Dam. Downstream from Ennis, the Madison flows through Bear Trap Canyon, known for its class IV-V whitewater.
The Madison can be divided into four distinct fishing sections:
Madison River in Yellowstone Park
The headwaters of the Madison above Hebgen Lake consist of the Firehole and Gibbon which, in their own right, are excellent trout streams. They combine to form the Madison which eventually flows into Hebgen Lake. The upper stretch of the Madison has slower water and is great for dry fly fishermen. It is easily waded and provides exceptional fishing throughout most of the season. The 19 miles of the Madison in the park, although easily accessible, is not suited for beginners and offers technical dry fly and nymph fishing for rainbow and brown trout averaging from ten to fourteen inches with an occasional 20-incher.
The headwaters of the Madison above Hebgen Lake consist of the Firehole and Gibbon which, in their own right, are excellent trout streams. They combine to form the Madison which eventually flows into Hebgen Lake. The upper stretch of the Madison has slower water and is great for dry fly fishermen. It is easily waded and provides exceptional fishing throughout most of the season. The 19 miles of the Madison in the park, although easily accessible, is not suited for beginners and offers technical dry fly and nymph fishing for rainbow and brown trout averaging from ten to fourteen inches with an occasional 20-incher.Most of the river inside the park resembles a large spring creek and has been called the world's largest chalkstream. The Madison, in this section, is an early summer and fall fishery. It offers poor fishing in midsummer because of high temperatures contributed by the Firehole River. Fishing in the fall is excellent when significant numbers of brown and rainbow trout enter the river from Hebgen Lake. These are usually taken with large streamer patterns. Many pools and runs on the Madison have angler-given names reminiscent of eastern trout stream and British salmon rivers—The Barns, Beaver Meadows, Grasshopper Bank, Cable Car Run and Baker's Hole.
The Madison River is fly fishing only in Yellowstone National Park and all fishing is catch and release.
Yellowstone Park Boundary to Quake Lake
After the Madison River takes its leave from Yellowstone Park, it meanders out into the beautiful ranch lands of southwestern Montana. It is here that its true character is revealed and its reputation as a world-class fishery is secured. The Madison rolls majestically through cottonwood lined banks and over riffles and quiet runs that harbor large rainbows and trophy browns. The Madison River flows along Yellowstone’s West Entrance road into Hebgen Lake outside the park.
After the Madison River takes its leave from Yellowstone Park, it meanders out into the beautiful ranch lands of southwestern Montana. It is here that its true character is revealed and its reputation as a world-class fishery is secured. The Madison rolls majestically through cottonwood lined banks and over riffles and quiet runs that harbor large rainbows and trophy browns. The Madison River flows along Yellowstone’s West Entrance road into Hebgen Lake outside the park.
Upper Madison – Quake Lake to Ennis
Directly below Quake Lake a three mile long whitewater section resulted from the 1959 earthquake. It is characterized by a steep gradient of river including large boulders with Class III and Class IV whitewater. Below the whitewater section, the river turns into a swift flowing but gentle river for 53 miles to Ennis lake. The riverbed consists of gravel and small stones. It flows through an open environment of brush, hills, scattered trees and surrounding mountains. This section has often been called the Fifty Mile Riffle and provides the best fly fishing on the river. Large rainbow and brown trout are the main attraction.
Directly below Quake Lake a three mile long whitewater section resulted from the 1959 earthquake. It is characterized by a steep gradient of river including large boulders with Class III and Class IV whitewater. Below the whitewater section, the river turns into a swift flowing but gentle river for 53 miles to Ennis lake. The riverbed consists of gravel and small stones. It flows through an open environment of brush, hills, scattered trees and surrounding mountains. This section has often been called the Fifty Mile Riffle and provides the best fly fishing on the river. Large rainbow and brown trout are the main attraction.Lower Madison – Ennis to Three Forks
The lower section is the closest to Bozeman and is formed by a dam that is located at the bottom of the shallow Ennis Lake. The layout of the river is relatively flat so there is not a lot of fast water or boulders. The water has more of a tailwater look than any other part of the river. The Lower Madison is known to have a good mid-range population of Rainbow Trout. But, what you are really looking for when fishing the lower Madison are its big and bad Brown Trout. All of the browns, and pretty much any fish in this river, are predators and have their big meals on the large crayfish and sculpins populations. Big flies mean big fish and a day on the lower is as about as fun as it gets for chasing some big ones.
The lower section is the closest to Bozeman and is formed by a dam that is located at the bottom of the shallow Ennis Lake. The layout of the river is relatively flat so there is not a lot of fast water or boulders. The water has more of a tailwater look than any other part of the river. The Lower Madison is known to have a good mid-range population of Rainbow Trout. But, what you are really looking for when fishing the lower Madison are its big and bad Brown Trout. All of the browns, and pretty much any fish in this river, are predators and have their big meals on the large crayfish and sculpins populations. Big flies mean big fish and a day on the lower is as about as fun as it gets for chasing some big ones.
Madison River Details
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LIVE HELP!
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RATES
Rates for the Madison River
- $450 / day, 2 person max.
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WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Full day on the river
- Daily boat use
- Rods
- Reels
- Terminal Tackle – Tippet, Weight, etc…
- All Flies
- Lunch
- Bottled Water
- Sodas
- River Shuttle
- Round Trip Transportation to and from river
- Sunscreen
- Insect Repellant
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WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- MT fishing license
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Waders/Boots
- Guide Gratuities
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Terms and Conditions/Cancellation and Refund Policies
Once Castafly Travel, LLC receives a deposit or final payment for any type of trip, it is anacknowledgment and agreement by the client to all Terms and Conditions and Cancellation and Refund policies:
Non-refundable deposits and payment.
Your payment for a trip is non-refundable, regardless of the means for payment, be it credit card, cash or check.Deposits
Unless otherwise noted by the vendor,- 50% of the total package price per angler/trip package is due to Castafly Travel, LLC within 14 days of initial booking. This deposit will secure all reservations.
- The balance or full payment of package price per angler/trip package is due to Castafly Travel, LLC at least 90 days before first day of scheduled trip
- Castafly Travel, LLC reseves the right to charge a service fee of $100 for any changes to the reservation after initial booking.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Unless otherwised noted by the vendor,- All cancellations for any type of trip must be made in writing to Castafly Travel, LLC. Castafly Travel, LLC reserves the right to charge a service fee of $100 for any cancellations of any type of reservation.
- Cancellation outside of 90 days prior to scheduled departure – 90% of deposit or payment refund or transfer of funds to another scheduled time or another angler.
- Cancellation between 60 and 90 days prior to scheduled departure - 70% of deposit or payment refund or transfer of funds to another scheduled time or another angler.
- Cancellation between 30 and 60 days prior to scheduled departure – 60% of deposit or payment refund or transfer of funds to another scheduled time or another angler.
- Cancellation 30 days or less prior to scheduled departure – No refund of deposit or final payment.
Trip cancellation insurance and evacuation insurance.
Because your deposit and other payment is non-refundable, Castafly Travel, LLC suggests you consider trip and medical evacuation insurance. This insurance is the best way to avoid losing your deposit due to unanticipated circumstances or emergencies. Because Castafly Travel, LLC has no ability to control your deposit onceit is forwarded to the respective lodge, outfitter, etc., we have developed a relationship with Sportsman’s Travel Insurance.
We also recommend trip evacuation/rescue insurance with Global Rescue, a medical and security evacuation service. We strongly urge to consider these types of insurance, be it with Sportsman’s Travel, Global Rescue, or some other trip and medical evacuation insurance company. A brochure for each company is included in your pre-trip planning package.
Castafly Travel, LLC is merely an agent.
Castafly Travel, LLC and its affiliated companies and agents act only as agents for contractors or owners and outfitters, hotels, airlines, shipowners, and charter air carriers providing means of transportation or other services. All tickets, vouchers and contracts of such hotels, airlines, outfitters, lodges, operators and owners are issued subject to any and all tariffs, terms and conditions under which such accommodations, means of transportation or other services are offered or provided, and the issuance and acceptance of any such tickets, vouchers and contracts shall be deemed to be consent to their further conditions.
Castafly Travel, LLC and any of its affiliated or associated companies or agents shall not be or become liable or responsible in any way in connection with such hotels or lodges, means of transportation or other services, or for any loss, injury or damage to or in respect to any person or property however caused or arising out of your vacation booked through our company.
Itinerary alterations.
Castafly Travel reserves the right to make such alterations in the itinerary as it deems in its discretion, necessary or desirable, to refuse to accept or retain as a member of the party any person at any time (in such case refund will be based on the actual cost of the unfinished portion of tour) and to pass on to tour clients expenditures caused by delays or offense beyond our control.
Cancellation.
Castafly Travel, LLC reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the client.
Prices subject to change.
All prices are subject to change without notice.
Baggage and personal effects.
Baggage and personal effects, including items purchased, are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times and no member or agent of Castafly Travel, LLC or its agents, affiliated or associated companies is authorized to accept these for storage, safekeeping, or transportation -
HATCHES
HatchSizeDate RangeBaetis16,18,20April 1 to May 30Caddis14,16April 15 to Sept.30Trico18,20,22August 1 to Sept. 15Midge18,20,22January 1 to Dec. 31PMD14,16,18July 1 to August 30Golden Stone2,4,6June 1 to July 30Green Drake14,16June 20 to July 15Salmonfly2,4June 20 to July 15Baetis16,18,20Sept. 20 to Oct. 30
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