 |
| Home | Classes | Fishing Journal | Articles | About Us |
| First Time Casting Intermediate Casting Introduction to Fly Fishing Intermediate Fly Fishing Women Only Introduction to Fly Tying Rates | Guided
Float or Wade Trip
MADISON RIVER: It is born of geyser
water high up in Yellowstone National Park, passes through Hebgen and
Earthquake Lakes and rushes by the Slide Inn. It dances under the
fabled $3 Bridge, down through fifty miles of riffles and finally braids
and channels its way among the islands and cottonwoods below Varney
Bridge, through the town of Ennis and finally reaches Ennis Lake.
Below the lake is the wild and wooly Bear Trap Canyon. Spilling
out of the canyon the Madison wanders lazily to join the Gallatin and
Jefferson to form the Missouri and to eventually reach the Gulf of
Mexico. A day on the Madison is a rich experience of breathtaking
scenery, wildlife and bird viewing, soul-purifying cold mountain
water and beautiful trout. These trout are wary and not
easily fooled. It is a true accomplishment to hold one briefly in your
hands and admire the wildness and brilliance. Some days it's caddis flies
or mayflies, other days stoneflies are the ticket. Big browns love a meaty
streamer and teasing late summer fish with hoppers is exciting. Floating down the Madison is magical. A moving picture of
slicks, riffles, boulders, cut banks, holding water everywhere - it all
looks good. Wading gives a little more time to dissect a "good
spot". Make a few casts, try different flies, work a fish, unlock
the secrets of that microcosm at that moment in time. We can do
both - mixing great wading stops along a float. Or if you just
want to wade we can work the Madison or other smaller waters in the
area.
(The Montana Board of Outfitters requires that I tell you that I am a guide and not an outfitter - I book my trips through Brett Greco #8861, Dan Delekta #680 and Craig Mathews #302 - please click on these fine gentlemen's names to go to their websites and related information.)
GRANDE RONDE: The Grande Ronde is spectacular. Canyon walls 1,000 feet deep, strong fish that have traveled down the Snake and Columbia rivers, out to sea and back again, and the best blackberry pie in the west. Boggan's Oasis is our base camp. In the morning they'll send us off with a trucker's breakfast and a personalized lunch; then when we return, they'll have a hot shower, huge dinner and soft pillow waiting for you.Steel heading takes a certain quirky personality. It is not for the glass half empty individual, nor for the "how many did you catch" kind of guy. As a matter of fact, fishing for steelhead is more an act of faith, the search for unattainable perfection and a dance with the soul of the river as you two-step down each run.
Patience and persistence (and good casts) are rewarded. Whether it be a boil on a skating dry, or a subtle tug on a Lady Caroline swung greased line style, or a solid grab down deep on a dark November day.... when you do get one of those silver streaks on, its like being tied to the tail of a wildcat. Your knees will go weak, your heart will race and all of your fishing skills will be tested. And when that buck or hen is brought to hand, it will be worth it all... even if it is a rainy day...
BOOK ME: A day on the river is a great time to learn more about the subtleties of the sport - entomology, fly selection, fishing strategies... How to work a dry fly, nymphs or a streamer. Casting... well that is a favorite subject of mine, so we can explore the elements of a good cast or the infinite possibility of presentation casts to satisfy the fickle currents of the river. Interested in gear? I have some fun rods to try. You tell me what you want to do, see, learn and experience and I'll help you do it - we'll have fun, and of course, be safe. To check for available dates call 406-682-3238 or send me an email cezanne@madisonrivercasting.com . Click here for rates and details.
MT Guide License # 11621/ Outfitter #8861 |
|
"A fly-fisherman, to be comfortable with his sport, needs to be a pretty good caster... - Roderick Haig-Brown c. 1951 |