Fishing and Species
Madison Valley Ranch Property
The “Channels” section of the Madison River flows right behind the lodge and is a great section to fish. This area is wade fishing only with limited access and has a variety of water to fish. The “Channels” section is a great dry fly fishery with an abundance of caddis hatches throughout the summer. Our guests particularly enjoy fishing this section in the evening, although it can also be a great way to warm up your fly fishing muscles on arrival or departure days.
Jack Creek, a tributary of the Madison River, flows through the lodge property and is a great little dry fly stream. With this private access, you can expect plenty of action with the resident brown trout.
The Jurassic Pond at the Madison Valley Ranch covers 2 acres and is located right next to the lodge. It is loaded with large, feisty Kamloop rainbows. Most folks fish from shore. The pond is a great place to learn or sharpen your skills. And, don’t be surprised if you catch yourself heading out after dinner to catch on a large trout during the evening hatch before bed!
Guided Fishing
The Madison River – Probably the most recognized trout stream in the world. The Madison offers 130 miles of trout bearing water. Known for its amazing salmon fly hatch and great hopper fishing, the Madison offers the most consistent fishing of all the rivers we fish. Day in and day out the Madison offers more and bigger fish. This river is great for both wading and floating combinations. Whether you are a novice or seasoned pro, the Madison River will appeal to your angling desires.
The Yellowstone River – The longest un-dammed trout stream on Earth. This is a great dry fly river with lots of gravel bars. The Yellowstone provides your best opportunity for catching cutthroat trout. The Yellowstone is known for its great hatches; we like to fish it in May, August and September.
Gallatin River- Another classic western trout stream. It’s wade fishing only with lots of access.
Ruby River – This wade-only river is narrow and meandering, with bushy and undercut banks along with some nice deep holes. Because of its challenges, the Ruby is not fished as much as other area rivers and the solitude and rewards of nice browns can make it worth the effort.
The Beaverhead River – This river offers great opportunities for large brown trout. It can be the most challenging river we fish, due to its smaller size and finicky fish. The Beaverhead is not ideal for the beginner but can be well worth the effort.
The Big Hole River – This is a classic western trout stream. The Big Hole is loaded with drop-offs, gravel bars, and lots of structure. We do a lot of wading on this river and use the drift boats more for access than to fish from. The Big Hole is known as a brown trout fishery but it also provides your best chance at catching a grayling.
Private Water Spring Creeks – In southwest Montana there are a variety of great private water spring creeks we fish. Based on your fishing goals, we will help you determine the best creek to fish during your stay. Milesnicks, Depuys, Armstrong, and Nelsons all provide great dry fly hatches. Rod fees vary based on individual creeks. After dinner hit the hatch for our private Jurassic Pond rainbows. Or test your skill on Jack Creek, and even sneak down the path for more wild trout in our backyard Channels of the Madison River.
Arrivals and Departures
The lodge is flexible on length of stay and arrival and departure days of the week.
Accomodations
Main Lodge Rooms: Connected to the main lodge, these 4 rooms each have private entrances, bathrooms, and porches. The bed configurations range from rooms with a queen and double bed, to a queen and a single bed.
Duplex Suites and Channels Lodge Lower Deck Rooms: The Duplex Suites are in a separate cabin. In addition to having private entrances, bathrooms, and porches, each suite has a back bedroom and a front sitting room with a wet bar and table for lounging, organizing flies, or just spreading out your gear. In the back room there is a queen and a double bed. In the front room, two couches can transform into twin beds – great for kids! These suites are significantly larger (50% more than the Main Lodge rooms).
The Channels Lodge lower deck rooms were completed in 2007 and have more square footage than the main lodge rooms, in addition to having private entrances, bathrooms and porches. These rooms each have 2 queen beds. The Channels Lodge lower deck rooms face to the west, towards the Madison River and offer additional privacy and superb wildlife viewing. One of the rooms offers a handicap accessible bathroom.
Upper Deck Channels Lodge Rooms: Treat yourself to spectacular views of the ‘Channels’ section of the Madison River, Ennis Lake, and the surrounding mountain ranges. Designed by the owners to maximize the views, and be luxuriously comfortable during an extended stay. Each room has 2 queen beds.
Non Anglers / Activities
Options include scheduling a horseback ride, spending the day in Virginia City (a must see town only 14 miles away), visiting Bozeman, Big Sky, Yellowstone or nearby Ennis is a great place to spend the day. It is always an option to ride along on the fishing trip for a day. It's a great way to relax, see wildlife and spend a nice day outside. Or you can just take it easy and hang out at the Madison Valley Ranch.
Airport / Logistics
The nearest commercial airport is Bozeman, Montana - Gallatin Field, serviced by Delta, Big Sky, Alaska/Horizon, Northwest & United Airlines. The cost of the Airport Shuttle is $280.00 round trip for the first two, each additional guest- $20.00. The airport is approximately one hour from the Ranch.
Climate
The temperature ranges from frosting in the early and late season to a mid summer range of 50's to 80's.
Included
Accommodations based on double occupancy, all meals: buffet breakfast, streamside lunch, evening appetizers, and a 4 course casual gourmet dinner (including complimentary beer & wine), guided drift and/or wade fishing (Madison River, Big Hole River, Yellowstone River, Ruby River, and Beaverhead River), use of ORVIS rods, reels and waders, and use of property amenities including fishing on the Jurassic Pond, Jack Creek, and the “Channels” section of the Madison River. Staff gratuity.
Not Included
Montana fishing license, Montana lodging tax, airport transfers, store/fly purchases and guide gratuities.
Currency/Credit Cards
Credit cards are accepted at the lodge. Please bring cash if possible for gratuities.
Gratuities
Guide gratuities should be paid direct to the guide. A suggested ammount is $150 -$200 per day per boat.
Lodge gratuities should be paid at the end of your stay by cash or credit card.
Medical Facilities
There is an hospital in Ennis, 10 minutes from the lodge.
Documentation
You will need a drivers license to purchase your fishing license.
Beverages
The lodge has complimentary beer and wine. Guests are welcome to bring their own spirits.
Laundry
The lodge has laundry facilities that guests may use.
Phone, Internet, Power
Phone: paid phone
Internet: free internet
Power: 110 volts
The Madison Valley Ranch is located in the heart of Montana trout fishing, three miles north of Ennis. A short walk out the back door will find you casting to rising fish in the famous "Channels" section of the Madison River, Jack Creek or their own Jurassic Pond. Other waters they fish in the area are the Bighole, Beaverhead, Yellowstone, Ruby or Gallatin Rivers. With this choice of water there are always options for different hatches, conditions and sport to be had.
Each room's front porch offers a countryside view of the surrounding mountain ranges, the ever-changing Montana sky and wildlife in the fields. The common areas, lodge rooms and duplex suites are decorated with a western theme and furnished with locally-made accessories. The ranch offers all the modern conveniences with that comfortable cowboy touch.
