Madison Valley Ranch

Accommodations

Lodge Rooms

Season

April-October

Species

Rainbow & Brown Trout

Ideal for

All Anglers

Conservation

YDCCF Matching Funds

A Fly Fisherman's Playground

The backyard of the Madison Valley Ranch is a fly fisherman’s playground. Spectacular Big Sky Country views inspire any guest and the daily wildlife viewing is reminiscent of the West as seen by Lewis and Clark. You can escape from the hectic pace of everyday life and indulge in a luxury adventure where all the details are someone else’s worries. With the details handled by the ranch’s attentive team, you can focus on what truly matters. With friends, family, or colleagues, enjoy a memorable time together while immersed in the much-revered culture of Montana fly fishing and the thrill of “fish on.” The Madison Valley Ranch is located on the banks of the “Channels” section of the world-famous Madison River, three miles outside the quintessential fly fishing town of Ennis. Centrally located in the heart of southwestern Montana, the Ranch provides excellent access to a variety of blue ribbon wild trout fisheries. The Ranch is among the nicest and best-run operations in all of Montana, with beautiful rooms, great amenities, and a kitchen staff that takes pride in serving gourmet meals.

Lodging Details
The Ranch offers all the modern conveniences with a comfortable cowboy touch. Various gathering areas – from the great room to game rooms to broad porches – provide a relaxing environment to catch up with friends, check emails using Wi-Fi or the house computer, watch HD satellite TV, or even schedule a corporate meeting using the fully-equipped conference space. Enjoy the hot tub as a relaxing way to marvel at the outrageously clear Big Sky. Combine all of this with your well-appointed guest rooms and you’ll be rejuvenated for the next day’s great adventure!

All rooms at the Ranch have their own outside entrance, a covered front porch, private bathrooms, and very comfortable double and queen-sized beds. Outside, each room’s front porch offers a countryside view of the surrounding mountain ranges, the ever-changing Montana sky, and wildlife in the fields.

Main Lodge Rooms
Connected to the Main Lodge, these four rooms each have private entrances, bathrooms, and porches. The bed configurations range from rooms with a queen and a double bed to a queen and a single bed. Northside rooms are treated with views of the pond and Tobacco Root Mountain range. Southside rooms look down the valley towards the Shining Mountains and wildlife-rich fields.

Duplex Suites and Channels Lodge Lower Deck Rooms
 The Duplex Suites are in a separate cabin. In addition to having private entrances, bathrooms, and porches, each suite has a back bedroom and a front sitting room with a wet bar and table for lounging, organizing flies, or just spreading out your gear. In the back room, there is a queen and a double bed. In the front room, two couches can transform into twin beds – great for kids! These suites are significantly larger (50% more than the Main Lodge rooms). It’s also a treat to be the shortest distance to the Ranch’s outdoor hot tub or the pond.

The Channels Lodge Lower Deck Rooms
These rooms were completed in 2007 and have more square footage than the main lodge rooms, in addition to having private entrances, bathrooms, and porches. These rooms each have two queen beds. The Channels Lodge lower deck rooms face to the west, towards the Madison River, and offer additional privacy and superb wildlife viewing. One of the rooms offers a handicap-accessible bathroom.

Upper Deck Channels Lodge Rooms
Treat yourself to spectacular views of the “Channels” section of the Madison River, Ennis Lake, and the surrounding mountain ranges. Designed by the owners to maximize the views and to be luxuriously comfortable during an extended stay, these spacious rooms are available on a limited basis. Each room has two queen beds. The Upper Deck rooms give a perspective you won’t want to miss!

Food and Beverages
The food at the ranch is memorable and the perfect complement to your adventure. Orvis’ Guide to Great Sporting Lodge Cuisine says it best: “After a day spent in the outdoors, the chance to come back to a meal from world-class chef Scott Warren is a fitting end to the day. Using the finest local ingredients as well as imported mainstays, Scott sets a table that ranks at the top of the lodge cuisine anywhere in the world.”

Non-Angling Activities and Options
We are happy to assist you or your family in the organization of non-angling activities during your stay. Remember that we can customize your package! If you want to fish less and sightsee more, let us know. We can create an adventure package for you. Whether it’s horseback riding, taking a scenic float, touring Yellowstone National Park (the Ranch is only 72 miles from the West entrance and is an awesome day trip for guests), hunting, hiking, or exploring, give us a call to discuss your needs and desires.

Internet / Communications
Wi-Fi is available free of charge and most cell phones work in Montana. Be sure to check with your service provider prior to your trip regarding specific coverage in the area.

How To Get There
The nearest commercial airport is Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), located in Bozeman, Montana. Serviced by Delta, United, Alaska, Frontier, and Allegiant Airlines, the airport is approximately 1.5 hours from the lodge.

Arrival and Departure Details / Times
Guests can then either rent a car, or a shuttle can be arranged for an additional cost. Check-in time is any time after 3 PM and check-out time is before 10 AM.

Documents Required
Montana fishing licenses are available at all area fly shops and sporting goods stores, or online by visiting the following website: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. You will need to present a valid driver’s license in order to purchase your fishing license.

Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes.

Travel Tools
– Airline Ticketing
– Moon Phases
– Rent This Rod
– Trip Insurance and Emergency Evacuation
– Global Rescue Membership

General Information
Daily float or wade trips with experienced, professional guides can easily keep experts challenged, while at the same time providing guidance, enthusiasm, and patience to novices and intermediate anglers as well. With their backgrounds in teaching, instruction, and wildlife biology, you’ll enjoy long days fishing for wild trout just as much as you’ll enjoy talking and spending time with your guide on the water each day. And, don’t be surprised to find yourself reluctantly putting your rod down to take in all there is to see on their area rivers: snow-peaked mountains, the ever-changing flow of the river, and the abundant wildlife.

Jack Creek
This tributary runs through the Madison Valley Ranch property and is a great little dry fly stream. Expect a lot of brown trout action.

The “Channels” section of the Madison River
An amazing piece of water that flows behind the Ranch. This area is wade fishing only with limited access and has a variety of water to fish. The “Channels” section is a great dry fly fishery with an abundance of caddis hatches throughout the summer. Guests particularly enjoy fishing this section in the evening, although it can also be a great way to warm up your fly fishing muscles on arrival or departure days.

The Madison Valley Ranch Private Pond
This well-stocked two-acre pond is a great place to practice and hone your casting skills. Loaded with big Kamloops rainbows, you can either fish the pond from the bank or use one of the float tubes provided by the Ranch.

Madison River
Probably the most recognized trout stream in the world, the Madison River offers over 100 miles of fishable water. Legendary for its salmon fly hatch and great hopper fishing during the summer months, this is a great river to experience float and wade combos on the famous “50-Mile Riffle” section. The “Channels” section of the Madison runs right behind the Ranch and is a great stretch to fish. It is a wade-only section with very limited access and many different channels that hold trout. It offers good caddis and hopper action and is ideal for evening fishing after dinner.

Yellowstone River
As the longest undammed trout stream on earth, it provides over 300 miles of fishable trout-bearing water. This river is known for its prolific hatches and excellent cutthroat and rainbow fishing. Great for long floats and wading!

Beaverhead River
Offering Montana’s most consistent fishing for trophy brown trout, this is also the most challenging river in all of Southwest Montana. Because of its smaller size, thick vegetation, and undercut banks, it is not an ideal fishery for beginners. For those willing to put in their time, however, it can well be worth the effort.

Big Hole River
This is the classic western trout stream with lots of gravel bars, drop-offs, and great fish-holding structure. This is an ideal river to wade and one where you end up using the boat more for access than for fishing. Boasting an immense number of trout per mile, the big Hole offers ample opportunity for trophy brown trout as well.

Boats and Equipment
Float fishing on area rivers is done via McKenzie-style drift boats designed for fly fishing. The Ranch offers a full selection of top-of-the-line rods, reels, waders, and other equipment complimentary to all guests.

Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge.

2023 Pricing (based on double occupancy)
Lower Madison Lodge (main lodge)
3 nights / 2 days = $2,875.00 per person
4 nights / 3 days = $3,950.00 per person
5 nights / 4 days = $4,925.00 per person
6 nights / 5 days = $5,950.00 per person

Upper Madison Lodge (main lodge)
3 nights / 2 days = $2,950.00 per person
4 nights / 3 days = $4,050.00 per person
5 nights / 4 days = $5,050.00 per person
6 nights / 5 days = $6,100.00 per person

Lower Channels Lodge
3 nights / 2 days = $2,875.00 per person
4 nights / 3 days = $3,950.00 per person
5 nights / 4 days = $4,925.00 per person
6 nights / 5 days = $5,950.00 per person

Upper Channels Lodge
3 nights / 2 days = $2,950.00 per person
4 nights / 3 days = $4,050.00 per person
5 nights / 4 days = $5,050.00 per person
6 nights / 5 days = $6,100.00 per person

Duplex Suite
3 nights / 2 days = $2,800.00 per person
4 nights / 3 days = $3,850.00 per person
5 nights / 4 days = $4,800.00 per person
6 nights / 5 days = $5,800.00 per person

What’s Included:

Lodging
Guided fishing
All meals
All house beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages at the lodge
Rods/reels, flies, and tackle provided by the guide
Waders and wading boots
Lodge staff gratuities
Guide pick up & drop off on each day of fishing
River shuttle fees for guide’s vehicle

What’s Not Included:

Airfare
Airport transportation (can be provided at an additional cost)
Fishing licenses
Gratuities for guides
Alcohol on guide trip (BYO)
Lodging axes (will be added to invoice upon booking)

Madison Valley Ranch (Ennis, Montana)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking for all trip packages and reservations, and final payment if due 90 days prior to arrival. All trip cancellations must be received in writing, sent to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, LLC. For all lodging and fishing cancellations outside of 90 days of scheduled arrival at the lodge, a full refund or a trip credit (minus a $200 per person lodge cancellation fee and a $100.00 per person Yellow Dog cancellation fee) will be issued. For cancellations 89 to 30 days prior to trip date, no refunds will be issued, but a 50% trip credit (minus a $100.00 per person Yellow Dog cancellation fee) good for one year will be issued. For cancellations inside of 30 days from start of trip, all payments will be forfeited, although a 25% trip credit (minus a $100.00 per person Yellow Dog cancellation fee) good for one year will be issued. If a cancelled package is resold by either the outfitter or by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, then a full refund will be sent minus a $100.00 per person Yellow Dog cancellation fee. In the case of cancellation by the client, both deposit and final payment may be transferred to another guest or angler for those same (original) dates if facilitated and arranged by the client. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these packages. Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance for this trip.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW YELLOW DOG GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND CANCELLATION POLICIES

Payment Terms For All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings
In order to lock in your trip reservation, we ask that you please remit payment within 10 days of receipt of invoice. For your convenience, Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a direct and secure ACH platform – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Note that all Yellow Dog invoices include a live link that takes you directly to the Yellow Dog ACH platform for fast and easy payment. For open and existing invoices with a remaining balance, payment reminders also include this easy link to the ACH page.

Other customary forms of payment that are accepted are checks or wire transfers. If you would like to pay in a different way or have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (888) 777-5060 or (406) 585-8667. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Beginning September 1st, 2020, Yellow Dog will apply a 3% convenience fee for all credit card transactions.

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures Standard Forms For Payment

ACH online payments (for US banking institutions only).
Traditional checks (sent via mail)
Electronic wire payments (client is responsible for any wiring fees)

*Please contact us if you prefer or require a different payment option. Convenience fees may apply for other payment methods.

**Please be aware that the ACH platform is only available for US financial institutions and bank accounts. International payments can be made via wire or with a credit card.

“The whole MVR experience was great. Great staff, delicious food and beautiful surroundings. And the fishing was pretty good too.” – Michael S.