A Good Drift on the Madison River with Alice Owsley

Episode 173 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – June 18, 2026.  Thanks to Redd's Flies for supporting the show Our destination is the legendary Madison River, one of Montana's most iconic trout fisheries.  Joining me is 27-year guiding veteran, Alice Owsley—owner of Riverside Anglers, West Yellowstone, Montana. The Madison is where big Western water meets technical fishing, where 90 miles of riffles can humble you fast—or reward you with the fish of a lifetime. It's a river shaped by dams but still wild at heart, with everything from controlled, almost spring-creek-like water to long, brawling freestone stretches.   Alice is known for doing things differently, reading water and planning her days in ways most anglers miss, and helping people unlock a river that can feel overwhelming at first glance.   In this episode: ·        Why the Madison River remains one of the most legendary trout fisheries in the world ·        How different sections of the Madison fish like entirely different rivers ·        The best times of year to fish the Madison and what to expect each season ·        Understanding the Madison's famous salmon fly hatch and how hatches move through the river system   ·        Walk-and-wade fishing versus floating ·        Reading water and identifying productive holding lies ·        The truth about fishing pressure, crowds, and finding solitude on a famous river ·        Yellowstone National Park, alpine lakes, and avoiding grizzly bears   ·        What Alice learned guiding celebrities, including Henry Winkler ·        The story behind the biggest brown trout Alice has ever seen landed on a dry fly With host Steve Haigh | Destination Angler Podcast — THE podcast for anglers who travel. Contact Alice:     https://riversideanglers.com/ Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber  Follow the show so you never miss a destination.  Destination Angler Podcast:   Website  |  YouTube  |  Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast  Please check out our Sponsors: TroutRoutes  The #1 Mapping Resource for Trout Anglers.  Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore 50,000 trout streams with TroutRoutes today.   Get 1 Month Free   Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes    High N Dry Fishing Where science and performance meet.  Check out the full lineup of floatants, line dressings, and sighter waxes at www.highndryfishingproducts.com    Facebook @highndryfishingproducts  Instagram @highndryfishing Redd's Flies Premium flies, tied with purpose. Redd's is a family-run company built around premium hand-tied flies — including exclusive patterns you'll only find at Redd's Flies. Delivered to your doorstep in days, not weeks. A portion of every order goes directly to organizations protecting trout habitat and restoring rivers. Use discount code DESTINATION to save on your next order. Facebook: @ReddsFlies Instagram: @ReddsFlies   Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email [email protected] Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Recorded April 18, 2026