The Beaverhead River in June
Fishing the Beaverhead River in June By: James “Jimbob” Terry The Beaverhead River is one of the most unique rivers I’ve ever fished and over the past 5 or so years it’s also become one of my favorites. Us Tackle Shop guides especially love it in June when our options become limited due to high water. Being a true tailwater, the Beaverhead doesn’t experience runoff in the sense that many other western rivers do, it also happens to fish damn good in June, so there’s that… ...
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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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Still Water Ice Out Fly Fishing
Still Water Ice Out Fly Fishing By James “Jimbob” Terry There’s plenty to love about spring. The weather gets warmer, the days get longer, and angling opportunities broaden. Yellowstone National Park opens up (not for fishing until the third Saturday in May) for the critter watchers too. One of my personal favorite spring happenings is “Ice Out” on our local lakes. As the ice melts off the lakes the fish cruise the oxygen rich open water and eat, then continue to scavenge ...
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Introducing the Orvis Mirage LT: The Ultimate Companion for an Angler
As the manager of The Tackle Shop and Outfitter Service here in Ennis, Montana, I've had the privilege of testing out some of the finest equipment available to anglers. Among the array of reels that have crossed my path, the Orvis Mirage LT stands out as a true game-changer in the world of fly fishing. What sets the Orvis Mirage LT apart from the competition? Let's start with its construction. Crafted with precision engineering and cutting-edge materials, this reel embodies durability lik...
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Unlocking the Mysteries of Permit Fly Fishing in Belize
Welcome, fellow anglers, to the world of Permit fly fishing—a pursuit that combines skill, patience, and a touch of mystery. Today, we invite you to join us on a journey to the pristine flats of Belize, where the pursuit of Permit takes on a whole new level of excitement and challenge. The Allure of Permit Fishing What is it about Permit fishing that captivates the hearts of anglers worldwide? Perhaps it's the elusive nature of this silver ghost, known for its wariness and selective feeding...
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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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