Madison River
Review of the Grunden’s Vector Wader
By Riley Smith, Manager of The Tackle Shop, Ennis Montana If you're serious about your fishing gear, then you know how important it is to have a reliable pair of waders. After spending years working with all kinds of fishing equipment here at The Tackle Shop in Ennis, Montana, I can say with confidence that the Grundéns Vector Wader stands out as one of the best options on the market for serious anglers. As the manager of this shop and someone who’s been an angler for fourteen ye...
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Family-Friendly Fly Fishing: Enjoying August Adventures with Kids in Southwest Montana
August is a fantastic time for families to explore the great outdoors in Southwest Montana, and there's no better way to do that than by introducing your kids to the joys of fly fishing. At The Tackle Shop, we believe that fly fishing can be an incredibly rewarding experience for the whole family. From the thrill of catching a trout to the serene beauty of the Madison River, your family adventure starts here. Why Fly Fishing is Perfect for Families: Fly fishing is more than just...
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Techniques For Success On The Eve Of The Salmonfly Hatch
“The Before Party” By: James “Jimbob” Terry As we enter the second half of June here in Ennis, Montana; we prepare for invasion. They will be here soon. They can’t be stopped. They are known for choosing favorable weather to invade. They will cover land, air, and sea in overwhelming numbers… Lucky for us, it is June of 2024 not 1944 and “They” are Salmon flies baby! “Pteronarcys California”, “Giant Salmonfly”, “The Big Bugs”… whatever you like to call them, ...
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Fish are Friends, Not Fodder
Keeping catch and release fishing as ethical as possible! By Guide: James “Jimbob” Terry “Game fish are too valuable to be caught only once” -Lee Wulff Wether we like it or not, fly fishing can be a blood sport. As gentle as we may try to be when handling our fishy friends, occasionally one just doesn’t survive the catch and release process. It happens to the best of us, and I think (hope) that Saint Peter will still let us into heaven despite it… That said, it...
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Gear Up and Get Outdoors: What to Pack for Your Ennis Fly Fishing Adventure
Are you ready to immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty and serenity of Ennis, Montana, while experiencing world-class fly fishing on the iconic Madison River ? As you prepare for your guided fly fishing excursion with The Tackle Shop, ensuring you have the right gear is essential for a successful and enjoyable day on the water. In this comprehensive packing guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to pack for your Ennis fly fishing adventure. Clothing Essentials: Layere...
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Check Your FLY Line While There’s Still Time
Check Your FLY Line While There’s Still Time By Guide James “Jimbob” Terry Here at The Tackle Shop, we like our dry flies. A quick scan of our fly bins will show you where our hearts are. Luckily here In Southwest Montana, we have seemingly endless dry fly-fishing opportunities and hatches with the options getting vaster as we steam into summer. We’ve already had some great sessions down on the lower river fishing the Mother’s Day Caddis hatch, with a variety of mayflies and baetis...
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Montana Spring Snowpack Summary
Spring Snowpack Summary By: James “Jimbob” Terry As we roll into May (which is my birthday month for those wondering) snowpack across the state is looking less than ideal, but not dismal! The Upper Madison is looking good enough, and I think our nearby rivers are too. Keep in mind while reading these percentages are taken from a 10-year average. On March 1st, we were sitting at 73% of our ten-year average here in the Madison River drainage and some of our neighboring watersheds ...
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Mastering the Art of Matching the Hatch: Mother’s Day Caddis Edition
The Mothers Day Caddis Might Just be the Madison Best Hatch As the days grow longer and the temperatures begin to rise, fly fishermen eagerly anticipate the arrival of spring and the emergence of one of nature's most captivating events: the Mother's Day Caddis hatch on the Madison River. For anglers seeking to capitalize on this seasonal bounty, mastering the art of matching the hatch is paramount. In this guide, we'll delve into the significance of matching the hatch during the Mother's ...
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Beyond the Fly: Wildlife Encounters Along the Madison River
The Madison is More than Just a Fly Fishing River Embarking on a fly fishing adventure along the Madison River isn't just about hooking trout—it's also an opportunity to immerse yourself in the wildlife that calls SouthWest Montana home. From majestic bald eagles soaring overhead to playful otters frolicking in the shallows, the Madison River offers wildlife encounters waiting to be discovered. Spend a day with one of our guides and explore t...
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New Fishing Regulations on the Madison River
New Fishing Regulations on the Madison River Among a list of revisions to the Montana Fishing Regulations starting in the 2024/2025 season is a new set of rules on the upper Madison River, specifically from Varney Bridge to Ennis Lake. These rules specially pertain to hooks. Anglers are now required to fish barbless, single pointed hooks. This was changed last fall by the Fish and Game Commission and went into effect the first of the year. The rational is that single point hooks bar...
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