Madison River Valley in Montana

MADISON RIVER – MONTANA'S MOST OUTSTANDING RIVER
The Madison River is considered to be Montana's most outstanding river. Why? One: it features the best dry fly fishing. Two: it has one of the highest densities of catchable trout per mile. Three: it offers the most consistent fishing action. And four: it presents some of the most picturesque scenery imaginable.

MADISON RIVER VALLEY, MONTANA

As a state, Montana has a smorgasbord of natural treasures to offer and one of its best is the Madison River Valley.

In the heart of the Madison River Valley lies the town of Ennis. Named after William Ennis, who homesteaded the site along the Madison River two months after gold was discovered in Alder Gulch in 1863, the quaint town of Ennis is a small place with big things to offer.

A population of 11,000 trout and 1,000 people located near blue ribbon trout streams, pristine lakes, and the majesty of Yellowstone National Park, Ennis is an authentic western town. It is surrounded by three ranges of the Rocky Mountains and three million acres of the Beaverhead National Forest.

A population of 11,000 trout and 1,000 people!

MADISON RIVER – MONTANA'S MOST OUTSTANDING RIVER

Located in Southwestern Montana, the Madison river is formed by the Firehole and Gibbon Rivers within Yellowstone National Park. It runs north to Three Forks where it joins the Jefferson and Gallatin Rivers to form the headwaters of the Missouri.

The Madison River is considered to be Montana's most outstanding river. Why? One: it features the best dry fly fishing. Two: it has the highest trout density. Three: it offers the most consistent fishing action. And four: it presents some of the most picturesque scenery imaginable.

The best dry fly fishing; the highest trout density.

THE FIFTY MILE RIFFLE

Known as the "fifty mile riffle", it seems that the waters of the Madison between Quake and Ennis Lakes never changes. This is a world renowned stretch with huge rainbow trout and brown trout as the main attraction. There are no boulders, deep slow pools, tumbling runs, or undercut banks, just a straight wide river characteristic of a long giant riffle.

Since the river flows at a steady pace of five miles per hour, the large trout do not get a chance to consider whether your fly is actually real fish food or not; the novice fisherman experiences greater catch success; and the river becomes very accessible, easy to wade, and easily drifted.

A world renowned river with huge trout!

The Madison offers superlative fishing for most of the year except the extreme winter months. Key species include Yellowstone cutthroat trout, whitefish, and Arctic grayling. The rainbow and brown trout average between 14 to 16 inches, although 20 inches or larger are caught regularly during all seasons.

Madison River holds out the promise that at any time, on any day, with every cast, a fly fisherman can achieve his personal best. Even given this joy, however, the trout can still often be a runner-up to the non-aquatic wildlife. Bald Eagles and Osprey fishing are quite a common sight, and you may even be lucky enough to spot a Moose, River Otter or Black Bear paying a visit to the river.

Fishing success any time, on any day, with every cast!

THE MADISON RIVER VALLEY – JUST ABOUT PERFECT

The Madison River Valley has pleasantly cool summer days with very low humidity. Fall presents nature's colors in all its glory; the Aspens turn to gold and the pastureland to beige. Winter brings snow and cold weather, but the sun continues to shine throughout the season, creating a unique and quiet beauty. Spring rains herald the warming trend and the completion of nature's cycle of life.

No pollution, no traffic, no crowds, no stress.