Madison River Valley in Montana
The Madison River Valley is one of Montana's precious treasures. In the heart of the Madison River Valley lies a small and quaint town, Ennis, Montana. William Ennis quickly homesteaded the site along the Madison River in 1863, during the gold rush discoveries in Alder Gulch. Today, the Madison Valley is primarily cattle country with prize Herefords and Black Angus raised along with hay and grain. The spirit of the old west lives on in the local farms, ranches and rodeos. Ennis continues as the hub of this active region, a community of 1,000 people. The folks in the community are all eager to make you feel welcome.
Located in southwestern Montana, the famous Madison River is known as the "fifty mile riffle". It seems as if the water between Quake Lake and Ennis Lake never changes. There are no slow pools, boulders, fallen trees, or tumbling runs to be found. What you will find is a strait wide river characteristic of a long giant riffle.
It is not terribly common that a river lacking diversity in character and/or structure would or could be a famous river. The Madison River is an exception however. The river is remarkable as it flows at a steady pace which makes it easier for beginners to be successful. The trout do not have the greatest of opportunity to examine your fly with the water's consistent flow. The river is very accessible, easy to wade and easy to drift just the same. It has an excellent diverse population of large trout including rainbows, browns, and a few cutthroat and cutt-bows.
The headwaters of the Madison above Hebgen Lake consist of the Firehole and Gibbon located in Yellowstone National Park. These are excellent trout streams. They combine to form the Madison which eventually flows into Hebgen Lake. As the Madison leaves Hebgen Lake it flows into Quake Lake, created by an earthquake in 1959. Below Quake Lake, the Madison makes its famous journey to Ennis Lake, approximately 50 miles to the north. This is the long strait journey that is considered the "50 mile riffle". The stretch is world renowned and runs cold throughout the year due to the water releases from the dam at Hebgen Lake. Large rainbow and brown trout are the main attraction here. The riverbed consists of gravel and small stones. It flows through an open environment of brush, hills, scattered trees and surrounding mountains.
Below Ennis Lake, the Madison makes another 30 mile journey until meeting with the Gallatin and Jefferson to form the Missouri. This stretch of river is similar to the section above Ennis Lake, except for the warmer water and raging conditions of the Bear Trap Canyon stretch which is located a few miles below Ennis Lake and is considered too dangerous to float for most boatsmen.
The Madison River offers exceptional fishing in a beautiful setting. From its origin in Yellowstone National Park, it flows for more than 140 miles through spectacular country. Whether an accomplished fisherman or a novice, the Madison River is a great river for all to enjoy. Even the non-fisherman can enjoy the Madison River and the Madison River Valley by driving its scenic route as it carves the landscape.
