About  
Dear Friends,

June has arrived and with it comes the full on summer season for the Madison Valley in Montana. Green in the hills chases away the departing snow, wildflowers bloom in the shadow of towering Mountains, the river swells in its seasonal pulse, birds of all shapes and sizes can be heard singing every morning and fisherman arrive to the sleepy little town.  While this year the world is different the natural world we live here in Montana stays the same. 

The river is currently in full on runoff stage. While it is not fishable currently we know things are moving and shaking below the tinted waters. The salmon fly nymphs are making their perilous migration to the banks to emerge.  When the final emergence will happen is still a guess but this wonder of nature will happen soon. When it does the fish will take notice and clear water or not they will help complete the prehistoric ritual. They will eat constantly for several weeks on the emerging insects.  While this years salmon fly hatch will not draw the crowd of most seasons, will you be one of the luck anglers to fish the hatch in solitude?

Ennis like the rest of Montana is slowly coming alive after the shutdown. Restaurants are open, Yellowstone is operational, hotels are accepting guests even though the vacancy signs are something new, out of state visators are slowly rolling into town and if you did not know Ennis of old all would feel normal. This might just be the year to come and fish the Madison. Montana is expecting a 50% reduction in the number of out of state fisherman this year. This will give solitude and great fishing to those making the trip. It could just be the perfect season to fish Montana. Less crowds, better fishing and more big views and elbow room all to yourself.
  
If your thinking of grabbing some of Montana’s famous Big Views and Elbow Room this summer give us a call at the store and we can help you out.  Looking for a great guide in another area of Montana?  Give us a call we have associates and trusted partners on every fishing river of the state.  Want to know where to camp? Yup, we can help with that. Just want to talk fishing, what flies to bring and when the fish might be eating hoppers? We love conversation and helping others with their Montana Vacation. Check out our Fall Streamer Season Stay and Fish package. Fall in Montana might just be the get a way you are looking for. 

We are here to help.

  Good Fishing and God Bless,
John Way
Ennis Fly Fishing Festival--Labor Day Weekend
With the State of Montana going to Level 2 of opening the Ennis Fly Fishing Festival is still being planned for Labor Day Weekend. This has been a town favorite and an unofficial end to the Summer season. This year the Chamber of Commerce who manages the festival partnered with Madison Gallatin Trout Unlimited for management and promotion. This partnership with such a respected and loved conservation organization was just the right fit. This year we have a great line up of fly-fishing celebrities for the speaker tent, most of the major gear manufacturers will be on hand as well as casting, fly tying, food and music.  Mark your calendars to be in Ennis Labor Day Weekend as we celebrate everything we love about Fly Fishing, Ennis and Montana.  

Crossfit Stonefly Comes to Town
For those of you in the Cross Fit community who do not want to miss a work out during your Montana trip now we have a box of our own. Local boy Bryce Shows and wife Katy moved back to Ennis recently and opened Cross Fit Stonefly.  Look them up and drop in for a class when you’re in town. They have classes multiple times a day and I am sure you can find one that does not conflict with the hatch. Never tried Cross Fit? Now might just be the time. Constantly varied high intensity exercise will get you moving and on the road to fitness. I have been doing Cross Fit with Bryce and Katy since their opening in January. If I can do it anyone can.  They are both great instructors/coaches and work with all skill levels. Give them a try when you are looking for your next sweat session or to blow of some anxiety. Highly recommended.  
Salmon Fly Season Salmon Fly Season
The star of the June show in Montana is the Salmon Fly. We expect to see him start on the Madison about June 20th and on the Big Hole around the 10th. Keep in mind this all depends on how mother nature treats us in the next week or so.  If you’re planning on hitting the salmon fly hatch on one of these blue ribbon rivers start packing.  The Madison River should be in great shape by then. Give us a call as there are still great guides available for the hatch .   


The Great American Road Trip
Most research shows that for summer vacation this year families are thinking of hitting the open road. Fear of airports, flying and crowds are the biggest reasons given for the shift in habits. When planning your road trip keep Montana in mind. Two great National Parks, millions of acres of uncrowded beauty, the best fly fishing in America and very little crowds. Follow this link to see some of the great stuff to do on the road around Ennis. Road Warriors Welcome.   
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Stand with Ennis
Montana FWP has released their Environmental Assessment for the Madison River with alternatives for management. All alternatives will significantly impact the tourism economy of Ennis during a time when all small business are fighting for their life. FWP released the document only 10 days prior to the vote all during a pandemic when those most affected by these regulations are busy saving their business.

We feel there needs to be a plan for the Madison River Recreation but now is not the time. Lets get past the severe consequences of the Pandemic. We kindly ask you sign the petition asking FWP to stand down at this time and let our town and business heal.

Visit Ennis Video

Take a quick look at a new video that highlights Ennis Montana and our great little town.

Fall Streamer Stay and Fish Special
September 15-November 1
Get two days of guided streamer fishing for two anglers, this fall with one of your favorite Tackle Shop Guides. Two nights of lodging with our favorite partner The McAllister Inn Lodge and a $200 gift card to the McAllister Inn Steak House and Bar.
$1800 for two anglers.

Do you want to win an Orvis Helios 3 Fly Rod of your choice? Here's how:

  1. Click the buttons below - "Leave a Google Review" and "Leave an Orvis Review"
  2. Go to "Write A Review"
  3. Leave an honest 5-Star review from your experience with us.
  4. 5-Star reviews from both Google and Orvis will be entered (you can do both).
  5. Winner will be randomly selected after the December 1st deadline.
  6. Winner will be contacted and may choose between the Orvis Helios 3F or 3D and the length/weight they desire.

Get Your 2020 MT Fishing License!

Stop in the shop and get your 2020 License today!
There's a small change to licenses for 2020. You will recieve a regular printed sheet and will be allowed to carry a digitized copy of the license on your phone.

If you still want to carry it on your person, I highly suggest you check out some of the great waterproof items we have in the shop.
The Tackle Shop 
127 Main Street, P.O. Box 625, 
Ennis, MT 59729
(406) 682 4263