Fly Fishing,    Planning,    Perfect Fishing Days

Top Locations Near Ennis for a Couple Hours of Fly Fishing

By Alex Hammer 11/16/2015 5 minutes

You’ve just spent a great day. The weather is perfect and there are but a few hours of daylight remaining. Whether you were out earlier in the day or spent the day with non-fishing related pursuits, you know that itch. That itch when the river is calling, when you can feel a hatch coming off and your fly rod is begging you to be taken out. You want some more of that Montana fly fishing. If you’re staying in Ennis, Montana you are in luck. Within minutes of town you have a pick of prime fishing spots. Here are a few that lend themselves to one of those shorter days.

Read More Madison River Fishing Report

Fly Fishing at the Ennis Campground

Take highway 287 out of town. Immediately after you cross the Madison River you’ll find an exit to the campground on the right hand side of the road. Park near the takeout and take a leisurely stroll through the campground heading up-river. At the end of the campground you’ll find a path that will take you right up the Madison’s left bank. Immediately you’ll find a few deep holes next to the bank. You can either fish off the path or drop into the water at any point. Wading will be knee deep from mid-summer to fall. Fish up the left-most channel. After periods of heavy traffic I’ve been productive by focusing on secondary water. On hot days make your way across the Madison to where the river bends. You’ll find a deep big hole where heavy flies can find their target deep down below. You can wade this area all the way back down to the takeout. Pick a line down the middle of the river and make your way over as you approach the takeout.

Read More Top Fly Fishing Bars in Ennis Montana

Burnt Tree Fishing Access

On the other side of town you take 287 towards Virginia City. At the edge of town where the road bends 90 degrees to the right you’ll find the turn leading to Varney Bridge. A few miles down, the Burnt Tree fishing access has ample parking and a restroom. Wading is easy going, which pretty much gives you access to both banks.

Deer crossing Madision River While Fly Fishing

The river is wide here so water pressure won’t be a problem any time other than spring. The view down there is fantastic and occasionally you’ll see wildlife cross the river. Antelope and deer are pretty common and in the fall I’ve spotted moose. Drift boards have plenty of room to make their way around you so your water will remain relatively undisturbed. You’ll see a few houses on the bluff above you, but there will be no road noise.

Read More Where to Fly Fish When it's Windy

Stranded Without a Car? Lions Club Park Has Great Fly Fishing

No car, no problem. Walk to the edge of town and you’ll find Lions Club Park. The pond there offers fishing for the younger ones. You on the other hand will walk right up to the river and pick your way down the left bank. Late afternoon Cadis hatches can be prolific, making this a great spot to land some smaller fish. If you encounter traffic, just jump back on the path and walk down a bit. Access from the path that follows the river down can be easy, as is fishing from shore. Some of these runs get fairly deep so be careful if you decide to jump in and cross the river. Walking down, you’ll find the river branching. Lots of grass covered islands and current seams. If you brought a lighter weight rod, this would be the place to break it out. Fish tend to be on the smaller side, but on a good day I’ve hooked 20 plus in this stretch.

 

I’d love to hear about your favorite 2 hour spot. Drop us a note and let us know how it worked out.

Destinations
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This is a small town with a big heart, a veritable fisherman’s paradise. Located near the fish-filled Madison River, and surrounded by the waters of Ennis Lake, the Ruby River, Hebgen ... moreLake, Quake Lake, Henry’s Lake, the Big Hole River and scores of smaller streams, the town boasts what many consider the best trout fishing in the world. As well known for its wranglers as its anglers, Ennis has succeeded in maintaining the look and feel of its original, gold town roots. Warm and hospitable, the area offers a wide variety of accommodations ranging from simple campsites, rustic motels and gracious hotels, to full-service, luxury resorts. Fly shops are numerous, stocked by local experts ready to advise and assist, while guides can be booked for trips throughout the area.

Boredom is the only thing unavailable in Ennis. Throughout the summer season the city hosts a series of events, including its renowned 4th of July Celebration Parade and a genuine, old-fashioned rodeo. In August, fly-fishing luminaries from around the US, flock to Montana to compete in the Madison Fly Fishing Festival. Athletes also find their way to Ennis to compete in the city’s Madison Trifecta, two shorter races followed by a full Marathon at 9000 feet, the highest elevation run in America. For the true sportsman, October falls in with the annual Hunter’s Feed. What’s caught, typically elk, moose deer, pheasant and bobcat, gets cooked on the streets and served up to hungry spectators.

Flanked by three grand mountain ranges, The Tobacco Root, Gravelly and Madison, Ennis is scenic and entertaining – truly an authentic, fly fisher’s haven.
Fishing Waters
 (5)
The Madison River is arguably one of the best trout fishing rivers in all of southwest Montana, if not the entire world! It’s certainly the most talked over, written up and frequented ... morein the state of Montana – which is considered by some the capital of fly fishing. Anglers will find plenty of great access sites to wade or float along the Madison’s banks and reservoirs (including Hebgen Lake and Ennis Lake). Rainbows, browns, cutthroats, and more abound in this majestic fishing stream.

The Madison begins its course almost twenty miles into Yellowstone National Park. Within the Park, fishing rules apply: no live bait and catch and release only. Once outside the Park the river meanders past working ranches, stately conifer forests and cottonwood lined banks, interrupted by riffles and quiet runs that contain large rainbow and trophy brown trout. Flowing alongside Yellowstone’s West entrance road, the river enters Hebgen Lake, created by Hebgen dam, until it reaches Quake Lake, a bit downstream from the dam. At this point the river is commonly called either the Upper Madison or the Lower Madison, although in fact, they are one and the same.

Upper Madison – Quake Lake to Ennis Lake
Directly below Quake Lake the river roars into 5 long miles of Class V whitewater with steep gradients and large boulders along the way. As the rapids decline, the magic begins. For the next 53 miles, often referred to as the 50 Mile Riffle, the cold river runs north and the fish jump high. Annual runs of spawning trout make their way from Hebgen Lake, rainbows in the spring and browns in the fall. Known the world over for its “hard fighting” trout, it’s not unusual to pull a 25” brown from these upper waters. In deference to the purists and fly-fishing enthusiasts, it’s wading only from Quake Lake to Lyons Bridge. Boats may be used to access the river, but if you’re going to fish, your feet must be on the riverbed. Fortunately, the Hebgen Dam releases water throughout the year, leveling its flows and relieving it of spring runoff issues and summer shrinkage.

Lower Madison – Ennis Lakes to Three Forks
A short section of the river between Ennis Dam and the power station maintains relatively low water levels and provides wonderful opportunities for wading. Past the power station the river regains its muscle and for 7 miles winds through Bear Trap Canyon. Hiking trails offer the only entry, great for those that like to walk and seek the solitude of a designated wilderness area. Floating is permitted but requires a lengthy shuttle and the ability to work through Class III-IV whitewater. Once out of the canyon the river flows in shallow riffles until it reaches Three Forks and joins the Missouri. From Warm Springs to Greycliff, the river is easily accessible for drifters and wading.
Trips
$
400
-
$
495
/ Angler
Capacity:
1 - 2 anglers
Days:
Daily
Duration:
4 hours - 1 day
Destination:
The Madison River is an incredible river to fish no matter how you do it. Our guided walk/wade fishing trips take you to some of the legendary Montana fishery’s best trout hiding spots. ... moreThere are myriad locations to find these clever fish and our experience helps you find the best ones. The side channels flowing below Varney Bridge and into Ennis Lake offer unnumbered trout hideouts where the fishing is sublime. Let us guide you on a trout fishing experience you’ll never forget!

Full day trips include lunch provided from locally sourced vendors so you experience the Madison Valley to its fullest.
$
500
/ Boat
Capacity:
1 - 2 anglers
Days:
Daily
Duration:
1 day
Destination:
Full day float trip with lunch and flies provided. Come experience the Madison River, one of Montana's most famous trout fisheries, and for good reason. We are located near Ennis for ... moreyour convenience.
$
550
/ Boat
Capacity:
1 - 2 anglers
Days:
Daily
Duration:
1 day
A full day float trip on Ennis Lake is a great experience. Ennis Lake offers very diverse opportunities for great trout fishing. Countless tactics and approaches work for wade and ... morefloat fishing Ennis Lake. Montana Fish Man can help unlock the Ennis Lake secrets and give you the angling tools for future success. This is a great summer season option for beginners and expert anglers alike. Fly fishing and light tackle spin fishing. For one or two people.
Outfitters
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What do you think of when you hear "Montana?" Small towns? Cowboys? Cows? BIG TROUT?! The answer is D, "All of the above"! Montana is still the place it was 80 years ago, where a man's ... morehandshake means something and big trout thrive. Located in the "Trout Mecca" of Southwestern Montana, our location and our guide's experience allow us to guide on a number of world class rivers; the Madison, Jefferson, Ruby and Yellowstone rivers are arguably the best trout streams in the lower 48.

Whether you have never held a fishing pole in your life or if you've been fishing since you could walk, the versatile, select guides we employee at MFFT all live on, and spend all they're free time on, these select rivers. They know how satisfy ALL of our clients, from novice to pro.

But Montana is so much more than just a trout haven. With picturesque mountains, abundant wildlife and under a million people, you actually have to try to not enjoy our beautiful state. As longtime client and friend Don Patton once wrote me after a trip, "fish count is only one criteria, there are many more markers for success. We hit them all." Here at MFFT we strive to give our clients much more than just a fishing trip, we want to share our passion for fishing and our love of Montana with all of our guests and new friends.

Charles P. Graham

Owner-Montana Fly Fishing Trips

Montana Fishing Outfitter#10349
Type:
Fishing

AuthorPicture

Alex Hammer

Alex got hooked on the fly rod 20 years ago. This passion for outdoor adventures led him to partner with his college buddy Reza and his long time fly fishing friend and mentor Eric to found Yobi Adventures. The idea was born on a drift boat one lazy afternoon while beating the water frothy.

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