About 30 minutes south of Ennis, Montana the Madison river winds itself in wide loops around boulders and grass covered banks. Stop by the fly shop and pick up a small selection of tasty treats. The area you’re going to is dry fly fishing heaven so make sure you’re stocked up.
To get there you take highway 287 south out of Ennis. On your way you pass through Cameron, which is so small that it is easily missed. You leave behind Varney Bridge, McAtee fishing access and Lyons Bridge, which marks the beginning of the drift fishing section of the river.
After a short wooded section, the river opens up and you’ll discover a campground on the other side called West Fork. Find this fishing access on our Madision River Fishing Report. Hang a sharp right down the embankment and cross the river.
On the other side a dirt road parallels the river. Your choice is to fish downriver into the wooded section or up-river where ample pocket water, deep pools and lots of bank area awaits you. Set up here for the morning and either walk the banks or work your way into the river.
There are a number of parking spots. I usually drive the road all the way to the last parking area and then make my decision. You are now in the wade section of the Madison River so boat traffic will be sparse.
Read More Top Hidden Fly Fishing Locations Near Ennis Montana
The West Fork for Great Wade Fishing
The deeper water is productive with rainbows and some sizable browns. The old standby rig of a black size 4 or 6 wooly bugger with a size 10 beaded prince nymph is consistently consumed. Fish are fairly consistent and either sit behind boulders or in the current seams training behind their home.
You only get a few shots, so make them count. A method I learned from our Chief Fish Whisperer is to let the fly float in the back door. Lay your cast about 5 feet above the rock on the opposite side. Lift your rod and guide or mend your line over the rock.
Then let it drag, strip it with short bursts or simply twitch your rod tip. As your fly floats through the trailing water it is now already at a nice depth to pick up fish. In faster water, strip it all the way until you can spot your fly and any potential chaser that hunts it.
Large browns feed on the banks. Up here it’s a game of inches. Anglers taking risky shots to the banks are rewarded with hungry gobbles.
In the afternoon I like to drive about 5 minutes south of here. On your way you’ll pass the Grizzly bar, a favorite spot for good burgers, steaks and high quality food all around. Prices are accordingly.
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Shortly after you pass the restaurant and a group of green cabins you’ll see the river laying below you. Eventually the road catches up and you find yourself again right next to the river. A small exit marks the spot to a grassy parking area and an “off-road” boat launch.
Don’t expect much. This doesn’t have the look of a full-fledged fishing access. This is dry fly heaven. In summer and fall the river has rocky little islands that make moving around very easy. A large selection of riffles and current seams make this area productive.
Dinner at the Grizzly
After you call it quits, stop by the Grizzly bar for some food. The drive back to Ennis is an easy 30 minutes. For those of you that will undoubtedly fall in love with this area, there are simple cabins right next to the Grizzly Bar.
Stay the night and visit the river for an early morning fish. There is nothing like walking these banks in early morning light with insert teaming grasses buzzing with life. The next day head up to Slide-in and Reynolds Pass, which we’ll save for another post.
What to pack:
- Flies: Black #4, #6 wooly bugger, #10, #12 beaded prince nymph, assortment of medium to smallish dry flies.