trout
Top 5 Fly Fishing Tips from Tackle Shop Guides for Success on the Madison River
If you’re dreaming of a day spent casting on the legendary Madison River, you’re not alone. Anglers from around the globe travel to Ennis, Montana to experience some of the best fly fishing anywhere. Whether you’re brand new to the sport or a seasoned fisherman looking to sharpen your skills, a little local advice goes a long way. At The Tackle Shop in Ennis, our guides have been fishing the Madison for decades—rain, shine, snow, or third winter (yes, it’s a thing here). Tod...
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Fishing Report for the Madison River 3-18-2025
Spring is the Thing March has arrived and we are in an massive tug of war. On one side Old Man Winter and the other Mamma Spring. Some days winter wins but the following day spring is victorious. Mamma spring will get stronger and win more days as the month rolls along. We are currently sitting at 97% of average for snow pack. This is a great start and we are sitting good. We still have several more months of snow building left but as we sit today we are in good shape. Lets keep these...
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The Fly Guy
Overview Of My Job My Main Job here at The Tackle Shop is Flies, from doing some of the ordering of the flies, to getting them checked in and put out on the floor, labeling the flies correctly by name and size of the pattern and making sure all our patterns are organized here, or simply just putting them in the right backstock section. And the best part of all at the end of the season around November, COUNTING ALL THE FLIES IN THE SHOP. I am constantly working on organizing the flies here...
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Spring Into Adventure: Top Things to Do in Madison Valley from March to June
Discover the Beauty of Madison Valley in Spring Springtime in Madison Valley is a true treasure, offering stunning views, a variety of outdoor activities, and a prime opportunity to experience the unspoiled charm of Montana’s wilderness. Whether you're an adventure seeker or someone craving a quiet escape, the Madison Valley from March to June is the perfect spot for your next getaway. With abundant sunshine, vibrant wildflower displays, and the Madison River in top fishing condition, it's ...
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What to Bring When Fly Fishing the Madison River in the Winter Months
By. Kade Klubertanz, Shop Employee Fly fishing on the Madison River in January is a unique and rewarding experience, but it requires special preparation. The cold, often harsh conditions can make a great day on the water a little more challenging, but with the right gear and mindset, it can also be incredibly rewarding. The Madison River, located in Montana, is known for its big trout and beautiful surroundings, but fishing in the winter months brings a different set of consid...
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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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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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