If you don't like dirt roads, small rivers and big trout, then this is not the river for you! Located in the heart of the Ruby valley and just outside the town of Alder, Montana, the area is brimming with history and rustic charm. The Ruby is a river you hear a lot about but don't get many specifics. And, that's the way the locals like it. That's where MFFT comes in--we know which turns to make, which flies to fish and which bridges are public and where all those Rocky Mountain jewels, that we call trout, live and play.
Highlights
- Transportation to the river and back from Ennis, Alder, Sheridan or Twin Bridges
- Access to top of the line fishing equipment
- Wonderful streamside lunch
- Instruction and local knowledge from a professional, experienced and enthusiastic MFFT fishing guide!
What is Included:
Lunch Drinks & Snacks Flies Tackle Rod & Reel Transportation
| Angler | 1 - 2 anglers | Daily | 1 day | $ 450 | | Angler | 1 - 2 anglers | Daily | 4 hours | $ 400 |
Ruby is the perfect name for this river, for it is a largely hidden, sparkling gem. Its crystal clear waters begin in the pristine Beaverhead National Forest in southwest Madison County, ... morebetween the Snowcrest Mountains and the Gravelly range. While it starts as a rather thin trickle, it picks up more than a dozen mountain, freestone creeks, and gains velocity as it flows for 40 miles past Alder and into the Ruby Reservoir. Past Alder, the river runs north between the beautiful Tobacco Root Mountains to the northeast and the Ruby Range to the southwest. Nestled in the quaint Ruby Valley, the river is conveniently located a mere thirty minutes from Ennis and a lovely one-hour drive from Bozeman. Like many other rivers in this region, the Ruby is small at only 76 miles in length, but it is full of surprisingly large fish.
Leaving Alder, the Ruby exits the reservoir as a tailwater and supports abundant midge, caddis, and Pale Morning Dun (PMD) hatches. For a short time the river passes through a scenic, arid canyon before abruptly transitioning into a meandering open agricultural valley. At this point the Ruby runs over vast swaths of private land, sometimes making access difficult. The 40 mile descent from Alder to Twin Bridges also crosses over high-end ranch properties, where again, access can be challenging although public access points do exist and can be easily located.
The river is open year round to fishing and conditions are good through all seasons. Springtime on the Ruby brings hatches of baetis and early season caddis. When the water warms in summer, the river will explode with Yellow Sallies and Pale Morning Duns (PMDs), along with hoppers and other terrestrials. Late summer and early fall is considered by many to be the best time to fish, as clouds settle in the high mountain valley providing fast paced action for the streamer enthusiast. Running a nymph rig subsurface, or using a dry/dropper combo is the best technique on the Ruby throughout the year.
Fish will jump for hoppers during the late summer months, while streamer-fishing can very satisfying throughout the summer and early fall. A predominantly brown trout fishery, the Ruby is full of trophies that often reach 18 – 20 inches. The greatest numbers of rainbow trout are found in the first few miles of the river just below the dam. If you seek a unique opportunity, the upper portions of the Ruby rumored to hold rare cutthroat trout and arctic grayling.
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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.
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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
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Upper ruby is starting to run off. Lower ruby is fishing really well, lots of rainbows in the system! Bugs: streamers color is a key to the ruby this time of year; don't be scared ... moreto experiment with lots of colors and tie's, like sparkle minnows or jj cone heads. The ruby this time of year is a fundamental fishery in the sense that traditional flies are the hot ticket to success. Prince nymphs of different varieties, pheasant tails, worms, small girdle bugs, and hares ears! In the evening midges and BWO's and fish can be taken readily in the afternoon hours on these dry fly imitations.
Secret of the Week: Small Chubby Chernobyl!
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Date: Wednesday, 13 Apr, 2016
Cancellation Policy
Custom policy
- Cancellations made 30 days before will be fully refunded.
- Cancellations made 14 days before will be refunded 50% of the amount paid.
- Cancellations made at a later date will not be refunded.
Payment directly with Ruby River Walk/Wade Trips with Montana Fly Fishing Trips.
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