A Few Things to Look Forward to for the 2023 Fly Fishing Season
A Few Things To Look Forward To by Jim Bob Terry As I’m sitting here in The Tackle Shop on April 15h I’m also daydreaming of and looking forward to some great dry fly fishing soon to come. While we’re still a ways out from throwing big Salmonfly patterns or drifting hoppers against the bank, we’re very near some of my favorite early season hatches. Blue Winged Olives After a long winter of squinting at midge dries, Blue Winged Olives are a welcome sight. Abbreviated...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 4-7
Nice Spring Weather on the Way for the Madison Spring is finally on the way here in the Madison Valley. Today it is over 50 and a string of nice days is in the forecast. This means only one thing. Good spring fishing is on the horizon. Get it now while we have some spring. Who knows what next week will bring. We are currently sitting at 127% of average snow pack so we should have good water all summer along with the lakes should be completely full. Right now they are running the river at ...
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Aquatic Invasive Species in Montana
AIS In Montana And The Laziness Of Mankind by guide Jim Bob A recent report published by Montana F.W.P showed 10 new detections of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in 10 separate bodies of water across Montana in 2022. AIS such as New Zealand Mud Snails, Flowering Rush, Eurasian Watermilfoil, Curlyleaf Pondweed, and Fragrant Waterlily were all found. I’m not going to name bodies of water due to some of these spots being sensitive, secret, and cherished but these spots range from Bozem...
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Fishing Alone in the Crowded West
Fishing Alone In The “Crowded” West By Jim Bob Terry Spend more than an hour in the local watering hole of any popular fishery and soon enough you’ll hear something to the extent of “this river is too damn crowded” from a visiting angler. While he or she might be right that the more popular access points on the more popular rivers were probably full of vehicles, their sentiment that the area is overrun comes from a lack of creativity, curiosity and quite frankly, ambition. I happen...
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The What, When, and How of booking your fishing trip
The What, When, and How of booking your fishing trip By Jim Bob Terry Going out with a Montana Fly Fishing guide is pretty great…. It can take the confusion out of new water, solve the “no boat” problem, take the legwork out of the day, and even grow your list of bad jokes. Overall, booking with an outfitter or lodge should make your trip a care and stress-free deal, but there are a few things to do on your end to ensure this. Let’s talk What, When, How…… What It is vital...
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Get your Gear Ready for Spring Fishing
Get Ready for Spring Fishing Now The glory days of spring fishing in Montana are not that far off and now is the time to start to prep. Before you know it, April will be here and all will be floating wild Montana Rivers in search of heafty browns and rainbows. Your first outing is never the time to find some of your gear is not up to the task. A non-floating fly line, leaky waders or just not the right fly will spoil your first outing. Now is the time to take stock and get y...
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Fishing Report for January 25 2023
MidWinter Fly Fishing on the Madison Mid winter fly fishing can be a fickle thing. Weather is everything. Find a nice day above freezing with a little sun and little wind and you are golden. Finding these days are rare in the Madison Valley but they do exist. Some Good Days on the River On those warm winter days fishing can be pretty good. You need to keep in mind this is not summer fishing. The fish are not scattered in all the heavy riffles and under every ...
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Float vs. Wade for your First Trip to Montana
Float vs Wade for your first trip to Montana. Well, you have done it decided to book your first trip to Montana. You have read stories for years about fabled waters, large wild fish and endless adventure. You have decided on a river and an outfitter now you need to decide if floating or wade fishing right for you. We have this conversation with guests all the time in the store. Many are undecided on what form of fishing is best for them. While each has...
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The Best Time of Year to Fly Fish in Montana
The Best time of year to fly fish in Montana Everyone knows the old saying. When is the best time to fish? When you can get here. It is true most any time of year a person can catch fish in Montana. With that being said Montana is a huge state and has tons of great trout water. Most likely the best place to Fly fish in the US. Somewhere out there the fish are biting in one of those great rivers of Montana on every day of the year. Taking this into ac...
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Fall Fishing in the Madison Valley
Fall Means Great Fishing on the Madison River By Hank Kuntzelman One thing our clients always seem to ask us is when is the best time for Montana Trout Fishing? Our answer every time is “spring and fall”. The Madison Valley is truly a special place in fall. Colors change, fair weather fisherman leave, and best of all the brown trout get after it. Every year the fall brown trout spawn happens. In Late September browns start their annual spawning cycle. Large brown trout run up from ...
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