Montana Blue Ribbon Immersion

A full-service fly shop in downtown Ennis that specializes in Madison River fly fishing trips and gear. It is close to the Upper Madison and well suited to anglers visiting the area.

Historic fly shop on Main Street in downtown Ennis serving Madison River anglers since 1937. It is one of the best-known places for gear, local fishing intel, and guided trips.

The vast majority of fly fishing here is done by foot via the Bear Trap National Recreation Trail, which tracks along the eastern bank. Anglers park at the lower trailhead off Highway 84 and hike upstream. The further you hike into the canyon, the less educated the fish are and the more solitude you will find.

Varney Bridge is one of the most critical access points and transition zones on the Upper Madison River in Montana. Located south of Ennis, the Varney Bridge Fishing Access Site acts as the final destination for long, sweeping upstream floats and the launch point for the river's technical, high-reward braided sections downstream.

Fishing: Renowned for world-class fly fishing, specifically targeting rainbow and brown trout. A permanent walk-in trail on the east side of US Highway 87 connects four continuous miles of public wade fishing between Raynolds Pass and Three Dollar Bridge.

Prewett Creek Fishing Access Site (FAS) is a prime, year-round access point for world-class fly fishing on the Missouri River tailwater near Cascade, Montana. Located roughly at river mile 22.4, it serves as a critical transition zone where the river leaves its deep, red-walled canyons and spills out into the slower, flatter grasslands.

9 mi from stop (~21m drive)

a premier outfitting service owned and operated by licensed Montana Outfitter Trevor Madden (License #11272). Strategically based out of Craig, Montana, the service specializes in custom, multi-day float trips targeting world-class wild rainbow and brown trout. They frequently guide the exact stretch of the Missouri River passing through Pelican Point.

• Target Species: The river here is heavily populated with world-class wild Rainbow Trout and hefty Brown Trout.
• Wade Fishing: Unlike the upstream canyon sections where deep water heavily restricts foot travel, wade fishing is very good directly at Pelican Point, stretching both upstream and down.

34 mi from stop (~1h drive)

Bighorn Trout Shop & Lodge is a premier, full-service fly fishing outfitter and lodging facility located in Fort Smith, Montana. Operating for decades, it serves as a central hub for anglers targeting the blue-ribbon trout waters of the Bighorn River, offering a well-stocked fly shop, professional guide services, and comfortable accommodations just minutes from the Afterbay launch point.

Mallard’s Landing Fishing Access Site (FAS) serves as the primary takeout point for floats through the lower section of the Bighorn River. Located near Hardin, Montana, this remote Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks facility sits approximately 9 miles downstream from the popular Bighorn Access point (near St. Xavier). It offers a vastly different, low-traffic fly fishing experience compared to the crowded upper tailwaters near the dam.

This organization listing includes Big Timber Fly Fishing with a Big Timber address, which supports it as a real local service. It may be useful if you want another contact point for the same business.

Boulder Forks Fishing Access Site (FAS) is a premier 72-acre public access point for fly fishing the lower mainstem of the Boulder River. Managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, this site is situated 16 miles south of Big Timber, Montana. It sits immediately downstream from where the East and West forks join the mainstem, marking the beginning of the river's fast-paced, boulder-strewn float waters.

Otter Creek Fishing Access Site (FAS) is a prominent public launch and camping area providing direct entry to the upper-middle Yellowstone River. It serves as a vital staging point for fly fishing the Yellowstone's renowned wild trout waters.

The Target Species: Anglers primarily catch hard-fighting, wild rainbow trout and large, predatory brown trout. Native Yellowstone cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish are also common catches.