Montana is everything they say it is

[frobombs]

Wife gifted me a surprise trip to madison valley ranch in ennis MT for my 40th. 2 days guided and then self guided at night before dark on the Madison river behind the lodge. Cant recommend them enough. And yeah, Montana lived up to its hype.

[Maine Guide]

Gorgeous country. 
 

Hang onto that wife!

[TopStriperAngler]

I actually been there for one night. The river was real tough wading. The pond in front of the lodge was fun to fish caught a real big one. And they had bootfoot waders you could use. Rooms real nice. 

 

The fishing we did on the river with guide was bobber fishing at its very very worst. I think we just threw the bobbers infront of boat and sat there. 

Edited September 9, 2022 by TopStriperAngler

[frobombs]

13 mins ago, TopStriperAngler said:

I actually been there for one night. The river was real tough wading. The pond in front of the lodge was fun to fish caught a real big one. And they had bootfoot waders you could use. Rooms real nice. 

 

The fishing we did on the river with guide was bobber fishing at its very very worst. I think we just threw the bobbers infront of boat and sat there. 

That's a bummer. May have just been guides choice? My guide was a kid from jersey who moved out there a few years back and basically lives out of his truck, and we threw streamers the entire time hunting for biggins. I threw hoppers at night, river was low while I was there, super easy wading and warm enough that I just borrowed boots and wet waded. 

Edited September 9, 2022 by frobombs

[flyangler]

Gotta love wives, particularly those that are not anglers but they’re very understanding. Don’t know your situation but my non-angling spouse sent me to Argentina as a surprise 40th, 20+ years ago

 

 

 

Edited September 9, 2022 by flyangler

[frobombs]

14 mins ago, flyangler said:

Gotta love wives, particularly those that are not anglers but they’re very understanding. Don’t know your situation but my non-angling spouse sent me to Argentina as a surprise 40th, 20+ years ago

 

 

 

Similar, Ive always talked about getting to Montana so she wanted to make sure I got there, 3 little kids makes it hard to get out normally so Im very grateful.

[TopStriperAngler]

1 hour ago, frobombs said:

That's a bummer. May have just been guides choice? My guide was a kid from jersey who moved out there a few years back and basically lives out of his truck, and we threw streamers the entire time hunting for biggins. I threw hoppers at night, river was low while I was there, super easy wading and warm enough that I just borrowed boots and wet waded. 

That's awesome. I guess it was the time of the season we were there. Streamers would be lots of fun. Hoppers too. River was low when i was there but it was the boulders + having to cover a fair amount of distance to find water to fish. But that was a single trip I made might have made wrong turn. One of the owners was there he was real nice. 

[adam42]

does she have a sister?

[saltfisherman]

3 hours ago, flyangler said:

Gotta love wives, particularly those that are not anglers but they’re very understanding. Don’t know your situation but my non-angling spouse sent me to Argentina as a surprise 40th, 20+ years ago

 

 

 

Wife stories are great. I went bonefishing on Anegada the day after our wedding, with the rod and reel she bought for me as my wedding gift. We were in the BVIs at the time. I almost missed the boat back to Josh van **** and would have spent the night on the island away from her. 
 

so many of our ladies are great thru and thru. 

[kype]

4 hours ago, frobombs said:

That's a bummer. May have just been guides choice? My guide was a kid from jersey who moved out there a few years back and basically lives out of his truck, and we threw streamers the entire time hunting for biggins. I threw hoppers at night, river was low while I was there, super easy wading and warm enough that I just borrowed boots and wet waded. 

name? pm me if you like. looks like a great trip. nice fish. 

[charliestriper]

What’s better than having a vacation home in Montana? 

Answer: having two brother’s with vacation homes in Montana. They spend spring, summer and fall scouting out all the best spots on the best rivers, knowing the hatches and what flies to use. And they insist at being at the oars in their drift boats, so for me it is non-stop fishing.

 

I just have to show up and start catching.

I guess I was born under a lucky star.

 

[adam42]

12 mins ago, charliestriper said:

What’s better than having a vacation home in Montana? 

Answer: having two brother’s with vacation homes in Montana. They spend spring, summer and fall scouting out all the best spots on the best rivers, knowing the hatches and what flies to use. And they insist at being at the oars in their drift boats, so for me it is non-stop fishing.

 

I just have to show up and start catching.

I guess I was born under a lucky star.

 

Do you have a sister?

[Jim McFeeley]

22 hours ago, adam42 said:

Do you have a sister?

Lol

[JKingston]

On 9/9/2022 at 3:02 PM, frobombs said:

Wife gifted me a surprise trip to madison valley ranch in ennis MT for my 40th. 2 days guided and then self guided at night before dark on the Madison river behind the lodge. Cant recommend them enough. And yeah, Montana lived up to its hype.

Oh ya … Montana is a special place. Amazing public access. Endless water. Healthy fish.  I spent 10 summer trout bumming around SW Montana and I know many Montana natives will say it’s very overcrowded now days. For me … it will always be a special place to recharge and get in touch with my fly fishing roots.  
 

- see obligatory Paradise Valley photo 

[John P]

Too bad the rest of America isn't like Montana ,been there and loved it, My son lived there after college and is still out west, Now in BC Canada in the mountains. A million miles of open space.and wildlife.