Madison River 2010 – Ennis, Montana

Time: August 6th-14th, 2010

Brought the families with us this time to the Madison River Valley in Ennis, Montana. It worked out very well. We still had enough of the usual antics and everyone enjoyed themselves. The general area has a wide variety of activities to keep everyone entertained while out on the river. Be sure to check out Virginia City, West Yellowstone, and Bozeman.

When fishing in Montana, we always plan ahead & set up a float trip on the Madison River. Our guides of choice are Montana Trout Stalkers. They are simply the best guides I have ever dealt with. Joe Dilschneider has always been very accommodating and has always made it a very productive day on the water. We haven’t fished with all of the Trout Stalker guides, but if the rest are as good as Joe and Chris Knott, well then your in for a great day. There have been many times over the years when it was “like shooting fish in a barrel”. They are very professional, very enthusiastic, always prepared for anything, fun, and….good at what they do. Highly recommended.
We always try to set up the Madison float with Joe and his folks earlier in the week in an effort to learn and pick up on any tips that will be useful on our own during the rest of the trip….always a good idea to learn early from the pros.

Weather was great, and kids caught their first fish….both rainbows on the Lower Madison River in Bear trap canyon.

Day 1: Friday – Drove to Spokane, stayed at the Red Lion.
Day 2: Saturday – Drove to REI in Missoula to pick up a bike for the wife, then on to the El Western, again.
Day 3: Sunday – Fish, release, Fish, release, BBQ, Fish, release – Sunday was a day for all the rookies to acclimate themselves to the area, so most of the fishing was done around the Ennis Bridge and Valley Garden.
Day 4-6: Fish, Fish, more fish, Float the Madison with Montana Trout Stalkers, adventure, pan for gold, fish, fish, fish
Day 7: Friday – Drove to Spokane, stayed at the other Red Lion….much better.