flyfishing
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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Exploring Ennis’ Rich History: Museums, Historic Sites, and Local Culture
Nestled in the picturesque Madison Valley of Montana, Ennis beckons visitors with its blend of natural beauty and rich historical heritage. As you wander through this quaint town, it's impossible not to feel the echoes of its pioneer past resonating through the streets and landmarks. Let's embark on a journey to uncover Ennis' historical charm, from its museums and historic sites to its vibrant local culture. Madison Valley History Museum A cornerstone of Ennis' historical narrative, the Mad...
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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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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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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 the wildlife that...
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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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April Snow Puts Snow Pack in the Green on the Madison River
April Snow has elevated the Madison River Snow Pack You know the old saying. "April Showers bring May Flowers"? Here in the Madison River Drainage this year it should say. "April Snow makes August a go". Winter has come late to the Madison River but it showed up just in the nick of time. We are currently sitting at 95% of average on our Snow pack. Just a month ago we were just over 70%. Keep doing the snow dance For those...
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