Category:
Fly Fishing, Planning
Added Date:
Thursday, 21 Apr, 2016
Summary
The first major hatch of the season has begun. Spring fly fishing is in full swing here in Montana.
Content
The first major hatch of the season has begun. Spring fly fishing is in full swing here in Montana.
Mayfly Mania
The lower Madison is starting to show good numbers of blue winged olives (mayflies) and the fish are starting to figure it out. I fished with a couple of buddies down there a few days ago and we found a couple different pods of rising fish.
Read More Spring Fly Fishing is Here
To tell the truth they were kind of dumb. 4x to a size 18 Parachute Adams was money. Nothing big, but good fun after stripping junk for the last month.
BWO's will probably hold out for the next couple of weeks. Although the upper Madison never gets as many as the lower, they should start there soon and hopefully in high enough numbers to get the fish looking up. Next in line: Mother's Day caddis hatch. Oh boy! Until then, tight lines.
Read More Fly Fishing in Southwest Montana: Madison Midges
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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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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.
This is our 2-3 day, personalized introduction to fly fishing. You will learn knots, fly selection, how to find where the fish are and soooo much more. Our guides have been fishing ... moreall of their lives, they know what they're doing and are excited to share that knowledge with you! We offer this on the water, individualized, class in two and three day sessions. Besides another great day of fishing in Montana, booking the three day intro will give you a chance to: ask more questions as you learn more and start knowing what questions to ask, see more of a variety of water and better learn to adjust your fishing to different situations, get a better understanding of bug life (entemology) and what part that plays in your fishing plans, as well as more intricate fishing knowledge from one of our professional and experienced guides. The rivers you learn this wonderful sport will be determined by the guide and where he/she thinks you will be most successful. However, if there is a certain river (i.e the Madison) you would like to spend some time on, let us know and we are happy to accommodate.
Experience the Madison River Like Never Before
Learn the best spots on the Madison River with 3 great fishing days with Red Mountain Adventures. Eric Shores, with over 35 years of ... moreexperiencing guiding on the Madison River will take you down a journey of the best places to fish.
The journey starts on the Upper Madison River on a guided float trip covering about 8-11 miles of premier fly fishing water. The following day includes a recipe (location flies, and technique) on a do it yourself wade location near the fly fishing town of Ennis. The third day moves you on to where the Madison River dumps into Ennis Lake for a full float day stalking the giants.
Note: The order or location may change based on where the best spots are at the time.
The Madison River is our home stream, so we specialize in guiding on this great river. We cater to anglers of all skill levels, from beginner fly fishermen looking to catch that first ... moretrout on a fly, to the seasoned angler seeking a veteran Montana fishing guide who knows these waters like the back of their hand. Our experienced guides will work hard to help you have a first-rate Montana fly fishing experience.
Located in Ennis, Montana we offer guided fly fishing and spin fishing float trips on the Madison River. We are a fully licensed outfitter by the state of Montana. Although fly fishing ... morethe Madison River is the primary river charter, we can customize guided fly fishing and spin fishing float and wade trips to many of the waters around the Ennis, Montana area. Next time you are fishing the Madison River or visiting Ennis, Montana let Montana Fish Man Outfitting be your guide.
Ennis, Montana makes the perfect place to stage your fly fishing adventure from. Ennis, Montana is unique in that it is a small friendly mountain town that includes everything the visiting angler and vacationing family could need to make for a great trip. Ennis is located within driving distance of an international airport located in Bozeman, Montana. Being in Ennis, Montana offers some peace and quite and quick access to the Madison River as well as many of the other great south western Montana rivers and streams. Yellowstone National Park west entrance is located just 72 miles south of town and most of the drive takes one along much of the upper Madison River. There are numerous state parks including Lewis and Clark Caverns and that are great for the family and a nice way to spend a day off from the river. Ennis, Montana also puts you close to the Missouri Headwaters State Park, the beginning of the mighty Missouri River. There are numerous hiking trails and driving tours that offer the chance at seeing the abundant wildlife that inhabits the Madison Valley, all within reach of the great town of Ennis, Montana. Contact Us for more information. Montana Fish Man can help with planning your next trip to Montana.
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