Madison River Lodge

The Madison River Lodge is an all-inclusive experience just steps away from the legendary Madison River. The location simply can't be beat as the lodge is situated in the center of the famous Upper Madison's "50-mile riffle." The river bends around the property allowing plenty of opportunities for guests to cast a line at their convenience. The lodge is surrounded by protected public BLM lands that adjoin the Wall Creek Wildlife Management area which is home to abundant wildlife. Each guest room has its own private bath and walk-out deck overlooking the river.

The legendary waters of Yellowstone Park are only 40-minutes away and the trophy dry fly fisheries of Hebgen and Quake Lakes are just minutes upstream. A longer drive will land guests on the Ruby, Jefferson, Gallatin or Missouri Rivers as well as several private access fisheries. This traditional fly fishing lodge has a classic look and welcoming atmosphere with its warm wood accents and stone fire places. The huge back deck provides amazing views upstream along the river and surrounding mountains. The private setting, incredible access, and inviting staff make this a truly special location.

The outfitter guides the legendary Madison River from its headwaters in Yellowstone Park to its mouth at the formation of the Missouri river in Three Forks. Few other rivers in Montana change in character from top to bottom like the Madison and each section has its own personality. The lodge is located in the center of the watershed, on the most consistent portion of the river with the highest trout densities. Fishing out of the lodge also extends far beyond the Madison River. Yellowstone Park is just upstream with numerous famous waters within. There are three trophy lakes (Hebgen, Quake and Ennis Lakes) with large wild trout that offer technical dry fly fishing within a stone's throw. Small mountain streams like the West Fork of the Madison, Grayling Creek, South Fork of the Madison and several others are also close by. The outfitter can also make trips to the Jefferson, Missouri, Ruby and Yellowstone Rivers to add even more variety. The Madison River is one of the most consistent in all of Montana. It fishes well in both high-water years and drought years and with trout densities at over 5,000 trout per mile near the lodge there are plenty of big wild brown and rainbow trout to keep every angler happy. Guests fish two anglers per guide and have both boat fishing and wade fishing options.

Madison River in Yellowstone Park

Most of the upper river above Hebgen Lake is within Yellowstone National Park. The river here varies in character with both shallow riffles and large deep pools. The hydrothermal action of the Firehole drainage warms this section up in July and August, but the spring and fall fishing can be exceptional. It is especially worth fishing in the fall when huge browns run into the Park from Hebgen Lake. The salmonfly hatch comes off in mid-June in the park and can also produce great fishing.

Hebgen Lake

Hebgen Lake is a large reservoir located just outside of Yellowstone Park and about 20-minutes upstream of the lodge. It is famous for its "gulper" fishing when large rainbow and brown trout in the 18- to 25-inch class aggressively feed on the surface during the trico and callibaetis hatches in mid-summer. Spring streamer fishing can also produce great results on Hebgen Lake.

Madison River "Between the Lakes"

This short section is only a few miles long and is wade only. It is a tailwater and the upper portion always runs clear below Hebgen Lake. Trout numbers are high and hatches can be prolific. Some huge trout also make their way up from Quake Lake at times as well.

Quake Lake

Just upstream from the lodge is another gorgeous smaller lake. It was formed when an earthquake caused a landslide and damned the river. Large brown trout patrol the lake and streamer fishing can sometimes produce great results. The gulper dry fly fishing on Quake Lake can also be solid in late July and August.

Madison River - Quake Lake to Lyons Bridge

This stretch offers the highest trout concentrations on the entire river with strong hatches and outstanding holding water. It is also regulated for wade fishing only which keeps the float traffic to a minimum (boats are permitted but you must get out to fish). We often use boats on a few different stretches here to hop from run to run on guided trips. This section fishes well from late May to October.

Madison River - Lyons Bridge to Ennis "the 50 mile riffle"

The "float fishing" section of the Upper Madison begins at Lyons Bridge. The next 50-miles contain some of the most storied trout water in the west and a classic drift boat trip with seasoned guides here is a great way to experience it. It fishes well from May to October.

Madison - Ennis to Ennis Lake "the Channels"

This is another wade only area. The river here braids into multiple channels that change from year to year. It can produce outstanding fishing just after run-off or earlier in the day later in the summer (water temps can get warm after lunch). Fall is another nice window here.

Ennis Lake

This shallow but productive lake is best fished in August during the callibaetis hatch when large rainbow and brown trout come to the surface to aggressively "gulp" the mayflies.

Bear Trap Canyon of the Madison

This remote wilderness area is home to rugged scenery and some major white water. The salmonfly hatch in Bear Trap Canyon can be intense and it fishes very well early in the summer and again in the fall. Early mornings in the summer can also be productive.

Lower Madison River

From the exit of Bear Trap Canyon to the river's mouth at Three Forks the river broadens and large weed beds produce excellent habitat for aquatic insects. Some huge trout reside in this section. It is a great spring and fall fishery. Mid-summer water temperatures prevent good fishing on most years in July and August but is a favorite April through June and September and October.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is home to several world-famous trout fisheries including the Firehole, Gibbon, Upper Yellowstone, Gardiner, Lamar, Soda Butte, and Slough Creek to name just a few. The fishing in Yellowstone is wade fishing only by regulation. Yellowstone Park is only 40-minutes from the lodge is often well worth a visit.

Bighole River

The Bighole River is a productive and scenic option. It is a little over an hour from the lodge but can add some nice variety when it is fishing well. The Bighole is smaller than the Madison but still large enough to float fish. It can offer terrific dry fly fishing during hatches or terrestrial season.

Jefferson River

This large river has lower trout counts than the Madison and gets low and warm in the summer. It does hold some very nice trout and is a great place to enjoy a secluded float with the hopes of catching a few quality trout. It is best fished in the early summer and fall.

Ruby River

This small but productive wade fishing river holds some surprisingly large trout. It is the perfect size: easy to wade but large enough to hold good fish. Strong hatches of midges, pale morning duns, yellow sally stones and baetis mayflies can produce great action in the spring, early summer and fall.

Missouri River

The lodge mostly fishes the Upper Missouri. This section is best targeted in September and October when water temperatures are just right for some very large trout. This water is a place to swing for the fences with the hopes of hitting one or two monster trout in a day's fishing.

Gallatin River

The Gallatin is a smaller river that offers nice wade fishing and some float fishing near its mouth. It is about an hour from the lodge. If guests have an early flight the outfitter can often arrange to pick them up and fish the Gallatin before driving to the lodge in time for dinner.

Private Ranches

The outfitter leases several ranches and has permission on a few others within an hour drive of the lodge that offer intimate and lightly pressured fishing opportunities on small but productive wading streams and a few trophy stillwaters.

The lodge sits on the banks on the Madison River - the river literally wraps around the lodge in a large bend. The river rock fireplaces and wood accents help to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Views from the massive decks are some of the best in Montana with the Madison River in the foreground and thousands of acres of protected BLM land and National Forest just beyond. The lodge has five guest rooms with a maximum occupancy of 10 anglers to preserve a warm and intimate atmosphere. The rooms each have two queen beds and a private bath. Each room also has a walk-out deck that overlooks the river.

The Lodge Location and Surrounding Area

One of the truly great features of the lodge is its location, in the of the famous 50-mile riffle section of the upper river. Guests can put in or take out right at the lodge or make a short drive to the wade areas upriver and down. Yellowstone National Park is just 45-minutes upstream with multiple legendary fisheries to access and several other rivers and exclusive private ranch fisheries can be targeted in the other direction downstream. The closest commercial airport is in Bozeman, approximately an hour from the lodge. Private aircrafts and charter flights can land about 15-minutes away at a smaller airport.

The menus at Alphonse Island Lodge are built around fresh-caught local fish and produce from the garden. Entwining the influences of local Seychellois Creole and French cuisine, their meals take inspiration from all corners of the Indian Ocean.

Day 1:Arrive Madison River Lodge.

Days 2-6:Full days of guided fishing.

Day 7:Depart lodge

2025 Rates: Per person based on double occupancy

• 7 night/6 day package: $6,920
• 6 night 5 day package: $5,880
• 5 night/4 day package: $4,840
• 4 night/3 day package: $3,800
• 3 night/2 day package: $2,760

Included: Accommodations, meals, guided fishing, alcohol, fly fishing equipment, terminal tackle, tax.

Not Included: Airfare, transportation to/from the lodge, staff and guide gratuities, fishing license.

Species: Brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout

Season: May - October

Capacity: 10 guests