Season:
Second week of June through the third week of September.
June 10, 2021 through September 24, 2021
Species:
Rainbow, brown, cutthroat trout.
Region/Terrain:
"No lodge in the U.S. is better located for trout fishing."
—Forbes, 2010
Each river, stream or creek will provide a different opportunity around each bend, options for anglers of all skill levels, interests, and physical ability. The Ranch's expert guides are skilled teachers and will patiently instruct you on everything from the fundamentals of casting, to reading the water and determining what bugs are hatching.
During your stay, you will be just minutes from casting on the Madison River, and a short drive from the Henry's Fork of the Snake in Idaho and Yellowstone Park in Wyoming.
The Firehole guides have years of guiding and fishing experience, and they enjoy sharing their hard- earned secrets with their guests. Whether you are new to the sport of fly fishing or a passionate angler, your guide will teach, challenge, and most of all ensure you have a memorable experience. In addition to being outstanding fly-fishing guides, they are fun, passionate and knowledgeable individuals that you will enjoy spending time with.
Madison River:
Famous in the fly-fishing community, the Madison attracts anglers from all over the world who want to test their skills in its fast-paced pockets, runs, and slicks. Flowing between the majestic Madison Range to the east, and the Gravelly Range to the west, the Madison offers many challenges to both the wade and float fisherman. Anglers return every year to relive precious memories created on this fantastic fly-fishing river.
The Madison River fishes well all season long, with a succession of prolific insect hatches that keep large feisty trout eagerly feeding on a rich buggy diet.
Madison Walk/Wade Water:
From the mouth of Quake Lake, passing through Slide Inn, Reynolds Pass, $3 Bridge, and ending at Lyon's Bridge, the Madison is tailor made for the wade fisherman. Heavily pocketed, this stretch is some of the best fishing this river offers. Typically the fish average a little bigger in this stretch, and the fish numbers are notably higher. The best hatches occur in the upper 8-miles, offering the rivers best dry-fly fishing day in and day out. Good wading skills are a must as the rocks in this stretch are numerous, round, and slippery. This is also the characteristic that makes fishing so outstanding.
Madison Float Water:
The 50-mile riffle: This is the stretch most anglers envision when the Madison is mentioned. Most often fished from a classic western Mackenzie style drift boat, the Madison is classic, big water Montana fly fishing at its best. Wide open plains framed by majestic snow-covered mountains cradle beautiful trout water that is begging for a fly to be cast here and there. Whether presenting a tandem dry fly rig, going deep with nymphs, or ripping streamers, this section's riffle and pocket-water nature will keep anglers happy all day long. Don't forget to pause every once and awhile to drink in the heavenly scenery.
Madison - The Braids:
Starting at Varney Bridge, the Madison begins to take on a new character. Instead of one main channel as in the upper 40 miles, the Madison approaching the town of Ennis, Montana and Ennis Lake, begins to splinter into a variety of smaller side channels. Noted for its large fish, this section routinely gives up the biggest trout of the year. This is mostly big, deep, and hard-core nymphing - Montana Chuck and Duck style - but the rewards can be a rainbow or brown that tops the 20" mark.
Fork of the Snake:
Known as “The Henry’s Fork,” this is one of the most notable and most written about rivers in the world, topping devoted fly fishers, “fish before you die” lists. It is a river not to be missed by any angler. The diversity and quality of water on this river is so great that anglers have been known to dedicate their lives to uncovering all of its watery secrets. Bubbling out of the nutrient rich ground of the Yellowstone Plateau, the Henry's Fork retains the chemistry of a spring creek throughout its entire length; from Henry's Lake and Big Springs, to its confluence with the South Fork of the Snake.
Yellowstone National Park:
Only a short drive from Firehole Ranch, the park offers almost limitless walk/wade opportunities. From small streams loaded with brook trout, to larger rivers meandering through bison filled meadows, there is something for almost every angler to enjoy. If conditions allow, you may even have a chance to fish the legendary Firehole River, called “the strangest trout stream on earth” by famed author and angler Charlie Brooks.
Typical Weather:
As is common in the Rocky Mountain West, weather varies throughout the season. It can literally snow or rain on any day of the year. June and September months are shoulder seasons and temperatures can vary widely from Indian summer warm temperatures in the 80s to snow showers. July and August are typically warm with daytime temps in the 70s and 80s and evening temps in the 40s.
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406-646-7294
info@fireholeranch.com
fireholeranch.com