Madison River Fishing Report
The Tackle Shop Fly Shop and Fishing Guides in Ennis, Montana
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 MoreLooking Forward to June and Summer on the Madison River
June is here, the entire Madison Valley is turning a beautiful shade of green. It is always amazing to watch the valley and hills green up as we look at tan and brown for much of the year. A pop of color is nice. Wildflowers are starting to bloom and the entire valley is a photographers dream. Green valleys, wildflowers giving way to snow-capped peaks. We have been seeing consistent rain and in fact got an inch just yesterday. Hebgen lake is at 94% full and filling fast. We should...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 5-1-24
Good Fishing Continues to Roll Along This spring has just been amazing on the Madison River. Really good fishing, low clear water and plenty of solitude. It just does not get any better than this. With the pulse of cooler and more spring like weather we should see good fishing for the next few weeks. Worms, eggs, caddis, BWO and stone fly stuff will keep you bent all day long. Caddis The famed Mothers Day Caddis hatch is just getting going. Below the lake the fish are in full ca...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 4/19/24
This Spring has been Awesome on the Madison If you have had a chance to fish you know. The fishing on the Madison River this spring has been off the charts. Low clean water, decent weather and hungry fish have been making this a spring to remember. While most of the fishing has been sub surface it has been on fire. Look for a few more dry opportunities in the near future. We are having a little cold snap as of late but the fishing has stayed really good. When the weather warms back ...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 4-3-24
Good Fishing on the Madison Despite what your friends might have told you spring is the best time to fish the Madison River. Right now hungry trout have cold water, less pressure and are looking to fatten up after a long winter. If you are around right now get after it why the getting is good. Right now the flow is about 1050 CFS at Varney and 842 CFS at Kirby. This is low for the Madison River. Take advantage of it. The fish are stacked up in the green water buckets. The water ...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 3/20/24
Fish are Hungry The fish in the Madison River are hungry right now. They are waking up from the winter snooze and want to put on a few ponds. Our guides have been running trips this week and everyone is catching plenty of fish. This is why spring is our favorite time to fish the Madison. These fish are eating everything. Eggs, worms, midges, stone fly nymphs. Just get them in front of their face and game on. Rainbow Spawning The rainbows have started the spring spawning dance an...
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Madison River Fishing Report for 3/16/24
Spring is in the Air Spring like temps and longer days are the norm right now on the Madison River. The fish have noticed and have started to get into the spring swing. Good fishing can be had river wide with nymphs and some dry flies. Our first spring special guide trips are headed out the door. Be careful out there. Valley Garden and Ennis town access are still closed because of the ice jam this winter. Burnt tree hole access is open but there is significant ice on the boat ramp...
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