Ennis Lake Fishing Reports
The Tackle Shop Fly Shop and Fishing Guides in Ennis, Montana
Madison River Fishing Report for 8-25-24
Hoppers Still The Game Hoppers and ants are still the game on the Madison River. Most of the good dry fly fishing is happening after lunch. The golden hours for dry fly fishing is between say 10:30 and 4pm. Sleep in a little and get a good breakfast and fish past lunch. It will be worth it. The Madison River continues to drop. Currently we are sitting at 976 CFS at Kirby Ranch with morning temp of 56 degrees. At Varney Bridge we are at 1130 CFS with a morning temp of 55 degrees. ...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 8-18
Hoppers Anyone? The Madison River is in great shape for the middle of August. The flows have dropped to 988 CFS at Kirby and 1140 CFS at Varney Bridge. The cooler weather made it possible that the lower Madison did not need pulse flows to keep it cool. They no longer need to fill Ennis Lake daily so the flows on the Upper Dropped. While this may feel like a bad thing it is actually great for the dry fly fishing. The lower river gives more area river wide for fish to eat dry flies. M...
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Mid Summer Fishing Report for the Madison River
River Levels The Madison River is currently sitting at 1380 CFS at Kirby and 1570 CFS at Varney Bridge. Great water flows and good levels for this time of year. We currently have hoot owl fishing restrictions from Ennis FAS downstream all the way to the Jefferson River. This means no fishing after 2 pm. While it is warming up and Montana is in a huge heat wave the Upper Madison remains in the cool zone. I can not remember this many days in the 90's ever. The folks at the Dam are g...
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Life After Salmon Flies Fishing Report
Salmon Flies The salmon fly hatch on the Madison River this year was really really good. If you were here you know. We did not tie on a fly that sinks for over 2 weeks during daily guide trips. If your still hunting that big bug fix look up river. Lyons Bridge and upstream you will find them. Still some darn good fishing to be had you just need to do it with your feet in the water. Whats Next For many the salmon flies are the apex for the season. But, there are still some darn goo...
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Salmon Fly Madness on the Madison River
The Big Bugs have Arrived If you are around now get after it. The salmon flies are on the river. We are seeing them up to about McAtee Bridge and they will move up from there. We are thinking by tomorrow night they will be to Ruby. What to fish If your chasing the big bugs we like low riding salmon fly in smaller sizes. We like size 10-8 in chubby or other foamy creations. The real action right now is on the caddis like normal. We have been fishing a salmon fly with a caddis t...
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Salmon Flies are Close but not here Yet
Salmon Flies are so close we can taste it Forget what your bro buddy has told you they are not here yet. Yes can a guy scour the bank in the channels and find a single salmon fly to photograph and put all over the inter-webs to start the frenzy and migration? Absolutely and that has happened. Real talk they are not here and are defenitally not flying around. This cold snap and snow we had the past few days has put a damper on the hatch and dropped the water temps. Flows are still ...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 6/2/24
Runoff Season Runoff season has arrived on the Madison River. Currently we are at 1380 CFS at Kirby and 2180 CFS at Varney and both are stable. We are seeing a bump in water flows and a decrease in clarity every time we get temps over 70 for multiple days. It is that time of year. We should expect to see mud coming from Beaver, Cabin and the West Fork of the Madison. This will kick up when temps get above 70 ish for multiple days. While we did not get a ton of snow there is still st...
Read MoreEarly Spring Snow Pack Report
Southwest Montana Snowpack Report As we bound into spring here in southwest Montana, I find myself already dreaming of summer and all that comes with it… Late sunsets, wet wading, outdoor concerts at the Gravel Bar, grilling on the porch, and snowpack. I’m happy to report that we have above average snowpack here in the Madison River drainage as well as in most of the state! Here are some numbers… As of 3/23/2023 Madison: 122% Gallatin: 115% Upper Yellowstone:...
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Ennis Lake Fishing Report 3/5/2021
Even though we all would love it to be spring and ice out season. Winter is still in full swing. Ice fishermen have been having luck catching fish and a buzz out there. Please do not try floating into the lake. Unless you want to have your boat stuck until early May.
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Ennis Lake Fishing Report for 3/1/2021
Ennis Lake is frozen solid right now and there is not much fishing to be had. If your an ice fisherman get after it. We believe that ice fishing is a drinking sport so bring plenty of beer. The river above the lake is frozen and gourged up to above Ennis. Stay away from this area at the moment. The river ice is extremely dangerous.
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