Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Madison River Valley

A River Runs Through It

Based on a true story, Brad Pitt and Robert Redford brought this fishing tale to life on the big screen back in 1992. America was treated to beautiful Montana scenery, so lovely in fact that the film was awarded an Academy Award for Best Cinematography.

Not far from where this was filmed rests the Madison River Valley Lodge property selling at auction October 15th. Anglers enjoy some of the most diverse and consistent fly fishing here, making it one of the best trout streams in the Western US and Canada. Sentiments like “trophy sized” and “blue ribbon” are often shared in these parts.

But you don’t have to fish to experience Madison River! The whole family can partake in a meandering float trip downstream through the wondrous outdoors. There’s also plenty of opportunity for  boating and water sports on one of the many lakes in the valley.

Hikers, bikers, and campers love the surrounding Madison Mountain Range (the second highest range in Montana) where they enjoy national forests, high mountain lakes, a view of the famous Palisades, and plentiful wildlife.

Because of the rich diversity of Montana’s wildlife and its sprawling landscape, hunters consider it to be a premier destination. Montana is blessed with more than 30 million acres of public hunting land, populated by elk, bighorn sheep, mountain lion, bear, bison, antelope, moose, and waterfowl.

“Like many fly fishermen in western Montana where the summer days are almost Arctic in length, I often do not start fishing until the cool of the evening. Then in the Arctic half-light of the canyon, all existence fades to a being with my soul and memories and the sounds of the river and a four-count rhythm and the hope that a fish will rise. Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.”  — Norman Maclean, author