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The Montana Rivers We Fish
Introduction - We are fortunate to live in Ennis, Montana
where we are within an easy drive to many of this state's finest and most
beautiful rivers. The Madison is our "home stream" and we do much of our fishing
here on this diverse river. However there are many more great waters nearby.
If there is
Madison River -
(Back to Top) - The
Madison is our "Home Stream." We know every rock in the river
and fish it from top to bottom! Quake Lake to Three Forks, MT where it joins the
Gallatin and Jefferson to form the headwaters of the Missouri. The Madison
is a beautiful river with majestic high mountain scenery in every direction. This is classic Big Sky country
with plenty of wide open space.
We fish the Madison predominately from a drift boat, but there are also
many opportunities to wade fish.
Both the middle and lower sections of this Blue Ribbon river fish well for good size Rainbows and Browns. The average fish are Brown and Rainbow Trout 14-16" but many very large Rainbows and Browns, 20 inches and larger, are being caught regularly during all seasons. Go to the Hall of fame to see a few Pigs. The Madison fishes well throughout most of the year except the extreme winter months when we'd rather being skiing or casting to Bonefish anyway. April and May can be two of the best months of the year on the lower Madison. The water begins to warm as the days grow longer and we start to see significant insect hatches. First there are Midges, then Baetis, then finally the much anticipated Mother's Day Caddis hatch in early May. This is often some of the best dry fly fishing of the year. Any serious angler should consider a trip during this pre-runoff spring bonanza.
Beginning in late June the Madison usually turns on for the summer action. Great fishing can be had at virtually any time between July and September. Action comes on a variety of patterns and tactics. Larger trout are often caught on streamer patterns.
Big Hole River
- (Back to Top) - The Big Hole is a
classic western Trout stream. It has the classic structures; riffles, runs pools,
and cut banks. The big Hole is a very long river with many miles of Dry fly action on this river is usually very good for much of the prime season beginning in early spring with the Sqwalla and Baetis' hatches in April. Streamers are also very effective, especially for larger fish. Several 6-8 lb. Brown Trout have been taken on streamers. And then there's this 16 lb. beast!>
Beaverhead River- (Back to Top) - A unique Trout stream in every way. It is very small yet hosts one of the state's largest populations of trophy(20" +) Trout. Population surveys have revealed approximately 700 Trout per mile that were 20" or better. The best section is directly below Clark Canyon Reservoir. Drive time is about an hour and a half each way from Ennis but it's usually well worth the trip. We typically float the
Beaverhead, however the best fishing is had by stopping frequently to wade fish. The best fishing is often had using small nymphs and large streamers. There are certainly times when drys work well too, especially the PMD, Yellow Sally, and Cranefly hatches. The prime stretch of the Beaverhead opens to fishing on the third Saturday in May, and it fishes well from then until it closes again in November.
Ruby River - (Back to Top) - The Ruby is a beautiful small stream. In fact, to call it a river is really a misnomer. Most Montanans would refer to it as a "crik". It is located just over the Virginia City hill from Ennis, about a 25 minute drive each way. We fish the Ruby on foot and it is ideal for your light rods (1-4 wt.). The fish however are usually not that light. Average trout are 12-18" Browns, but there are many in the 18-20" class also. Light rods, fine tippets, and small flies make a large Trout quite a challenge here. Unless of course you get 'em on our favorite tactic; stripping buggers~! There are good hatches all year beginning in early April with the midges and Baetis. Fish will rise readily to drys on overcast days. Small nymphs fished through the riffles and deep runs also work well. However, when it's just right treamers are the real killers on this little gem. My vision of Heaven includes a stream just like the Ruby where only I am allowed to fish! What more can I say.
Yellowstone River -
(Back to Top) - The Yellowstone is the last
truly "wild" major river in the lower 48. It is a spectacular
river from top to bottom. We fish anywhere in the large stretch from Yankee Jim
Canyon to the town of Big
Timber. This is the area known as Paradise Valley and if you've fished the
Yellowstone there, you know why. The views of the Beartooth/Absaroka mountain
range are spectacular. It's about a 90 minute trip each way from Ennis. The Yellowstone is a large western river and is best fished from a drift boat although there are also plenty of good wading spots. It offers good dry fly, streamer, and nymph fishing at different times of the year. It has all the structure of a classic trout stream, but on a magnum scale. There are also many magnum fish in this big river. Streamers are usually the best way to catch the big ones. Dry fly action is good during late summer and early fall using the ubiquitous hopper patterns. Due to its wild nature, runoff on the Yellowstone is substantial and can extend well into July or even August. For this reason the Yellowstone usually fishes best in the spring (march-may) and in the fall (Sept.-Nov.).
Jefferson River - (Back to Top) - Named by Lewis and Clark after Thomas Jefferson, this river is what's known as a "sleeper." Trout populations aren't that good compared to other area rivers, however fishing pressure is almost non-existent and there is something to be said for that. When the Trout of the Jefferson do turn on though, there are more than enough to make for some good fishing. And, there have been many true lunkers (5-7lbs.) caught there over the years. The Jeff is a large slow moving river formed by the confluence of the Ruby, Beaverhead, and Big Hole. It is generally an early and late season river due to water temperatures and flows. It will usually fish best on cloudy days with big junk. If you got some time to explore it's worth a day trip. If nothing else it's cool to float a stretch of river that the Lewis & Clark Expedition also floated.
Smith River
-(Back
to Top) Yet another named by the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Robert
Smith
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Montana Trout Stalkers |
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a
specific river you want to fish, let us know and we'll take
you there. If you want to sample several different rivers over the course of
several days, we can do that too. We keep close tabs on the fishing in all of
these rivers so we will know what's hot and what's not! 
Runoff
usually happens between about May 15th and July 1st. Fishing can be good through
the high water periods but conditions vary
year to year so be sure to check with us if you want to fish during this time.
good trout
fishing. It is well suited to both wading and floating. We prefer to float.
There are many
possible full day floats on the Big Hole. Drive times range from
about 40 minutes to an hour and a half each way.
As I mentioned this is a small stream. The willows put a tight press on the
river, targets move fast and change quickly making this a difficult stream to
fish out of the boat.
