Northwest Fishing Magazine September 2025 Volume 5 Issue 1 - Flipbook - Page 11
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I’m sure a few of you
reading this are football
fans like me. Seattle seems
to have had a generally
successful run since about
the 2010s, with obvious
jubilation in 2013, followed
by tear-jerking (or, in my
case glasses glassesthrowing across the room
and breaking them) despair
in 2014. To those Millennials
and older, or perhaps
some Gen Z and below
anglers who are dialed into
their football history, the
Monsters of the Midway
elicit memories of imposing
dominance. The 1985
Bears. Coach Ditka. Mike
Singletary. Richard Dent.
Refrigerator Perry. Icons in
the football world. I couldn’t
help but call back to that
imposing connection on
our latest fishing adventure
on the Madison River in
the Madison River Valley of
Montana.
We connected again with
our good friends Ed and
Jeanne Williams of the
Rainbow Valley Lodge in
Ennis. Of course, we talked
about fishing, but also
some updates on life: their
trip to Disneyland with
their grandkids, the most
recent trip to Argentina,
among other things. Downto-earth hosts who enjoy
seeing their guests enjoy
themselves.
The plan had been to
fish the Jefferson River,
to the north of Ennis, and
explore the Jefferson River
Canyon. Unfortunately, the
weather didn’t cooperate,
and the river wouldn’t
make for a productive
fishing day. Having had as
much success as we did
on our last episode on the
Madison, a quick audible
was in order. Fishing again
with Hunter and Sam,
outfitting out of the lodge,
we knew we’d get into
some beautiful country and
big fish.
The first day was wet.
Very wet. Like, I’m glad
we have our rain gear,
and no wonder there
wasn’t anybody else on
the water kind of wet. It
made me appreciate the
professionalism and love for
guiding the river I saw from
both of our guides for the
trip. Both Hunter and Sam
are what I would describe
as “good dudes”. Easy
to talk with, personable,
and genuine. That, paired
with their knowledge,
patience, and excitement
for the water, made them
the guides I’d absolutely
recommend if you head to
Ennis to fish in a beautiful
part of the country.
The fishing produced some
great memories and tons of
fish.
