The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Wow....life is good.....even in a recession!
I'll be fishing SW Montana late this week....staying in Twin Bridges, about 60 miles S-SW of Bozeman.

I usually float the Big Hole, Beaverhead and the Madison, and fish the Poindexter Slew.

But I'm wondering if anyone can share recent/past rivers, locations or access where they've had good experiences so that I might broaden my horizons.

I'll have a car to make day or overnight trips, happy to wade, walk or get a guide to flaot any of it too.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.
Mike

Malibumlk,

Hmmmm, maybe here:

http://pla.../set-3-mad-sunset-01.jpg

Which is the Channels section of the Madison at Valley Gardens just South of Ennis ( no drift boats allowed here) and it is the last place to silt or muddy when there is rain in the valley. There be some BIG fish in here but 'yer gonna work for 'em...


"Below the Highway 287 Access Site, float fishing is not allowed. The current of the river begins to become very slow as well. Of all the places on the Madison River above Ennis Lake, this stretch of the Madison has the least fly fishing pressure, despite its close proximity to town. The relatively low fishing pressure combined with the prohibition on float fishing makes this an ideal place for the wade angler who is in search of large brown trout. Additionally, the Madison River takes on more of a characteristic trout stream look, with vegetation along the banks, some holes and undercut banks. Numerous braids and channels on this section also exist, creating a wide variety of fishing conditions not found elsewhere on the Madison River.

This section of the Madison River probably holds the largest trout of any place on the river, although their numbers per mile are not as dense as found further upstream. While rainbow trout can still be found in decent numbers, brown trout are the dominant trout species on this stretch."

BIG SKY FF



Or, here:

http://pla...om/2008/05/ally-bear.jpg

Below Ennis Lake, down in Beartrap Canyon- and they call it Beartrap for a reason. Stop in at the MRFC in Ennis for details.

Both are a short drive over from Twin Bridges and will give you a wonderful opportunity to check out some good wading spots... I love the Channels section...work the small islands on the far side of the river, towards Ennis Lake...

Might be a good idea to tie up some of these...and the pattern "Fishing the Madison in June?" ...heh, heh...


http://pla...09/05/06/the-aura-larva/





PT/TB

Thnaks Planettrout.....sounds good. I'll check it out. Mike

Mike,

FYI, here is a photo of one of the residents that lurks in the Beartrap...

http://big....com/category/bear-trap/

PT/TB

You're also not too far from the Ruby. Don't know the regs on when this is open, however. Ooops....last time I mentioned the Ruby on this Board the thread went on for days because is was supposed to be a secret!

Phil

Thanks Phil. I have fished the Ruby and I can tell you....it's no secret in that area. Pretty fishey.....but i have never had or seen many there. It's public and easily accessed.....I guess that's why. But thanks for taking the time. Mk

Last time I mentioned that river, it started one of the longest threads ever on the old Board. A curmugeon from that area took offense at my mentioning this, or any other river in Montana on a public forum. Was a pretty enthusiastic thread!

Hey Phil, did you get my email a couple of weeks ago? You were out of the office at the time.