Craig Amacker embarked on his journey in the fly fishing realm back in 1993. For over a quarter-century, he has shared his expertise by guiding anglers across local fisheries and conducting fly fishing tutorials. Initially assuming roles such as Fly Fishing Manager, Head Fishing Guide, Lead Fly Casting Instructor, and eventually Store Manager at Fontana Sports in Madison, WI, Craig provided invaluable advice to customers, assisting them in selecting optimal tackle for their ventures.
Madison Fly Fishing Company (MFFC) stands as a premier guide and instruction service nestled in Madison, WI, the gateway to the renowned Driftless Region trout streams. Boasting an array of diverse fisheries, Madison serves as the ideal locale for anglers seeking unparalleled experiences. At MFFC, our focus is on delivering top-notch fly fishing encounters by leading enthusiasts to picturesque, lesser-known fisheries right within their local sphere. These hidden gems offer a premium fly fishing experience without the need for extensive travel, sparing enthusiasts the hassle of journeying across multiple states or even flying overseas.
Both Craig and Madison Fly Fishing are an Orvis endorsed fly-fishing guide.
Casting through the year
Wisconsin’s waterways are always a source of beauty, excitement and incredible recreational activities. The Driftless offers an unimaginable number of changing opportunities throughout the year to explore Wisconsin’s unbridaled beauty.
Click any month to learn more about the experiences you might have, and what adventures Madison Fly Fishing offers that month.
January
Wisconsin early trout season opens this month! Madison Fly Fishing Co. only offers half-day trips during January because of shorter days, with the best fishing being between 9a.m. and 2p.m.
Trips are weather dependent, if daytime highs are below 28 degrees Fahrenheit, we don’t fish.
February
Wisconsin early trout season continues. Weather is warming and day are getting a little longer. Half-day trips are still emphasized but full-day adventures are an option during warming trends.
March
Still in early trout season. Longer days, warmer weather and water temperatures start to make the magic happen. Fish actively chase streamers and bluewing olive mayflies start hatching with fish feeding on the surface. Madison Fly Fishing Co. offers half, three-quarter, and full-day trout trips the month of March. Steelhead trips are available in the later half of the month.
April
One of spring’s magic months. Bluewing olive mayflies and the little black and Tax Day caddis are hatching – offering the best dry fly fishing of the season during what Madison Fly Fishing calls Banker’s Hours fishing, 9a.m. to 5p.m.
We offer full-day steelhead trips the first half of the month.
We offer half- and full-day trout trips throughout the month.
May
Spring’s other magic: longer days, comfortable temperatures, and good insect hatches. All of this magic gives way to good midday fishing during Trout Central.
Madison Fly Fishing offers half- and full-day trips throughout the month.
June
Trout fishing is still good with late spring/ early summer hatches, and smallmouth bass are hungry, feisty after the spawn.
June is a great month to book a two-day trip with Madison Fly Fishing. This opportunity gives anglers to chance to spend a full-day casting for trout one day, the next for smallmouth bass.
July
Smallmouth bass bite willingly, giving anglers the best chance of steady action while spending a full-day in the Driftless. Madison Fly Fishing offers full-day excursions for smallmouth bass.
Trout fishing is limited to early to late mornings, giving anglers the advantage of the coldest water temperatures of the day. Madison Fly Fishing only offers half-day trout trips in July.
August
Trout start eating grasshoppers, giving anglers good mid-day action! Madison Fly Fishing offers half-and full-day trout trips.
Smallmouth bass fishing continues to be exciting on both the rivers and area streams. Madison Fly Fishing offers full-day trips for smallmouth bass anglers.
September
Trout fishing is still good for late summer/ early fall in the Driftless during September. September is the month for fly fishing enthusiasts to pull out their favorite hopper dry flies to lure in ferociously hungry trout. Fish become more active throughout the day as the water, and weather, cool down.
October
Wisconsin’s trout season closes October 15. These two weeks offer some of the best dry fly and streamer fishing of the year. Streams offer some of the prettiest trout of the season as they put on the feedbag in preparation for the upcoming spawning season, and winter. Madison Fly Fishing offers half- and full-day trout outings.
October also introduces the Salmon Rodeo. The Salmon Rodeo is the King Salmon Run on the Lake Michigan tributaries. Madison Fly Fishing offers full-day Salmon Rodeo excursions.
November
November ushers in continued adventures on Lake Michigan’s tributaries. Madison Fly Fishing offers full-day trips for Coho Salmon, lake-run brown trout and steelhead.
December
Lake-run brown trout and steelhead fishing on Lake Michigan’s tributaries continues. Madison Fly Fishing offers full-day trips, weather dependent only. If there’s an early freeze, these rivers freeze over in all but the fast water stretches.