MADISON VALLEY DECEMBER “HAPPENINGS” → What’s happened in Ennis, the Basecamp of the Madison Valley?  → The annual Spirit of Christmas Stroll was held in downtown Ennis.  → The annual Splendid Feast was held at The Elling House in Virginia City.  → The first annual performance of The Nutcracker was produced by DC Dances MT with a talented local cast.  →  Big Sky Resort hosted New Year’s Eve fireworks!  → Ennis was quite busy through the holidays but will start to slow down soon.  There are parking spaces on Main Street, and the shops are open and full of good stuff, on sale!  Shop small; shop local; shop Ennis! The sidewalks are not rolled up for the winter! 

MADISON VALLEY JANUARY “HAPPENINGS” → The Madison Valley Ranch will be hosting their Wine Pairing Dinner on Jan 20^th. https://www.madisonvalleyranch.com/. → Come to the Master Gardener – Level 1 class at the Madison Valley Library on the 25^th.  → Join the fun on Mondays for Fly Tying Nights at the Burnt Tree Brewery.  → There will be a Seed Swap at the Madison Valley Public Library in Ennis at 10 am on Jan. 30^th.  → There IS snow on the mountain at Big Sky!  Check it out at:  https://bigskyresort.com/snow-report.  →  Celebrate a milestone at the Big Sky Resort 50^th Anniversary Party.  For more info, go to:   https://bigskyresort.com/events/50th-anniversary-celebration. → Make plans to attend The Johnny Cash Concert in Big Sky on Jan 31^st.   More at: https://warrenmillerpac.org/event/johnny-cash-the-official-concert-experience/. →  And you can go ice fishing at Hebgen Lake, downhill skiing at Bridger Bowl or Big Sky, x-country skiing in West Yellowstone, ice skating in Virginia City, play disc golf in Ennis, or stay inside and go bowling, visit the library, do yoga, take exercise classes, have a facial and a massage, play Pickleball, Mahjongg, visit the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, or eat, drink, stroll through Ennis, and go shopping!  Just do it all!

FUTURE “HAPPENINGS” → Enjoy a true rock & roll band, at the Gravel Bar on Feb 2^nd. → Be at the Pioneer Bar in Virginia City on Feb. 3^rd for a Lip Sync Contest!.  → Check out the 6^th annual Big Sky “Best in the West” Ski Joring” on Feb. 3–4. → Reserve tickets for “Pour and Roar: Raptors & Romance,” the annual prehistoric Valentine’s date-night experience, https://museumoftherockies.org/signature-events/pour-and-roar-raptors-romance, on Feb. 14^th. → Reserve a space for Wildlife Tracking in a Winter Wonderland event at Jack Creek Preserve on Feb. 10^th.   And enroll your 12-17 year olds in the Winter Outdoor Skills Camp, Mar. 22-24.  https://www.jackcreekpreserve.org/.  → More Wine Pairing Dinners at the Madison Valley Ranch on Feb. 9 & 10, March 23, April 12 & 13 and May 24 & 25. So, mark your calendars and check out their fly fishing packages as well, at: https://www.madisonvalleyranch.com/.

MONTANA NEWS → Last week the Federal Railroad Administration announced that it awarded a $500,000 grant to the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority to explore the feasibility of restoring passenger rail service along the North Coast Hiawatha route, which passed through many of Montana’s largest cities along its Chicago-to-Seattle route before the service was scrapped four decades ago. The planning grant will allow the authority, which formed in 2020 under an obscure, century-old piece of Montana law, to catalog what needs to happen to get passenger train service running once more through Billings, Bozeman, Missoula and smaller communities in between.

FISHING REPORT → The new year is here and now is the time to reflect on the past year and make plans for a much better 2024.  I am going to get on my fishing guide soap box for a moment.  Don’t worry, it is a small box.  Lots of things are messed up in this country right now.  Everyone wants answers on how to fix it.  Republican, Democrat, they are both a bunch of losers.  I always believe that if you want a better America, everyone needs to be better Americans.  Chasing personal excellence is the best rebellion and the only way to change society.  If everyone focuses on being a better person, neighbor, community member and society member, these problems will take care of themselves.  Don’t pin your hopes on politicians – be the change, starting in your own community.  This is how I am living my life now, and into the future.  Off my soap box now.  Thanks for listening to the views of an old fishing guide.

Speaking of goals for the new year, how about this one?  Catch one trout on the Madison River each month in 2024!  If you want even more of a challenge, do it on a dry fly.  Now that is a goal I can get behind.  With the mild winter we have been having, there is some legitimate opportunity to get your new year fish.  You will need to go sub-surface to increase your chances.  Where you fish is as important as what you fish.  Think the Bear Trap and the $3 Bridge area.  Less floating ice and more open water.  If you’re a nymph guy, the typical winter stuff will work.  Eggs, worms, midge larva and stone fly stuff will get you bent.  The fish are in the winter spots.  The slowest, deepest spots will hold your fish.  If you are still not getting them, add some weight.  The water is cold, and the fish will not move to your fly.  You will need to hit them in the face.

If you’re looking to do it on a dry, you really need to pick your days.  We like the Bear Trap for the winter midge hatches.  Look for days when the wind is down, and the temps are up.  Bonus, if it is also overcast.  Look for risers in the back eddies and inside turns.  These fish will eat a para midge or buzz ball, most days.  Remember, all the rules of small dry flies liking a drag-free drift.  They are hungry, but not chumps.

Get out and get your new year fish!  Stop by the store on the way for some new bugs (on sale) along with some new tippet.  That stuff that has been in your vest for the past year needs replacing.  When you’re thinking about your resolutions and kissing your honey on New Year’s eve, remember this – make your goals so big they scare you.  Those losers who make small achievable goals never get anywhere.  Go big or go home in 2024!  Looking forward to an awesome new year filled with growth, fish, and fun times.   Cheers! Good Fishing and God Bless, John Way.  http://www.thetackleshop.com)  Ennis, Montana, the CULTURAL EPICENTER OF TROUT.  (406) 682-4263, or cell: (406) 370-5206.

If people concentrated on the REALLY important things in life,  there would be a shortage of fishing poles!

And check out:  https://mtflyfishmag.com/

Check out other fishing reports at:

• Madison River Fishing Company at: https://www.mrfc.com/
• Dan Delekta at: https://www.beartoothflyfishing.com/
• The Madison Valley Ranch at: https://www.madisonvalleyranch.com/
• Joe Dilschneider’s Montana Trout Stalkers at http://www.montanatrout.com/
• Yellowstone Fly Fishing at http://www.yellowstoneflyfishing.com/madisonreport.htm.

WEATHER →We just barely had a white Christmas in Ennis!  It is hard to remember such a dry fall.  We will see what El Nino brings, through the spring!   The daytime high in December was 62°.   The daytime low was 30°.  The nighttime high was 39°,  with a nighttime low of 11°.  Not much different from November.

REAL ESTATE TIPS → 6 TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME IN WINTER. Save yourself big headaches and big bills by avoiding burst pipes. Winter is officially here, and it’s best to take preventative measures to avoid broken or burst pipes in your home.  Even if a pipe does not burst, the expanding ice can still cause damage to pipes.  This could lead to leaks which can cause significant damage over time, if they go unnoticed.  The average insurance claim in 2022 for frozen pipes was more than $20,000, according to State Farm.

1. Cover Exposed Pipes.  Exposed water pipes are more susceptible to freezing and bursting, especially if they’re located along exterior walls or in unheated spaces like a basement or attic. To prevent this, cover pipes with insulation.  It is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to prevent burst pipes.  And remember to unhook hoses from all outside faucets!
2. Insulate Unheated Areas.  When you have plumbing running through an unheated basement, attic, garage or crawl space, the pipes don’t get as much warmth as they would in a heated bedroom or living room. By insulating the unheated areas in your home, your pipes will stay warmer and be less likely to burst. Plus, well-insulated homes contain heat more effectively, which can save you money on winter heating bills.
3. Keep a Tap Running on Cold Days.   Something as simple as running a tap can help prevent frozen pipes. It’s one of the most effective things you can do. You don’t need to leave your tap running at full blast, just make sure you’ve at least got a slow drip.  For the best results, choose the faucet that’s furthest away from your water source, which will force the water to run through a large portion of your plumbing system, keeping it active and less likely to freeze. Similarly, if you have any taps that are served by exposed pipes, it’s a good idea to keep them trickling as well.
4. Open Bathroom and Kitchen Cabinet Doors. Another strategy to prevent burst pipes is to open the cabinet doors under your kitchen and bathroom sinks.  By doing so, the heated air from your home will start to circulate beneath your cabinets and warm up your pipes.  It’s particularly important to open cabinet doors located along an exterior wall of your home, as they are more likely to freeze, being closer to the cold outdoors.
5. Don’t Adjust Your Thermostat. The Department of Energy recommends adjusting your thermostat to save energy, but that guidance doesn’t apply during a cold snap.  Instead, you should keep your thermostat at a constant temperature throughout the day and night.  Doing this will help your pipes stay warmer, making them less likely to freeze and burst. Plus, maintaining a steady temperature will put less stress on your furnace, which is important during periods of extreme cold.  Get a smart thermostat and take control of your home’s temperature and heating schedule whether you’re home or away.
6. Patch Leaks and Avoid Drafts. Our final tip to prevent burst pipes this winter is to patch or cover up drafty areas in your home. When you have gaps or leaks between the inside and outside of your home, it’s possible for cold air to come in, lower the temperature around your plumbing and cause your pipes to burst.

HOME FOR YOUR SOUL. FEATURED PROPERTY OF THE MONTH. THE BEST BARGAIN for 20 ACRES in the MADISON VALLEY!   

A great place to build your vacation or fishing cabin, in the heart of the valley, 15 miles South of Ennis, 90 minutes to Yellowstone Park & Bozeman AP, and just a short walk to the famous Madison River! Close to great fishing, hunting, hiking, trail riding, exploring or just getting away from it all!  Underground power available & fiber optic cable in.  Sphinx Mountain Sub., Lot 68, MLS # 371661, $185,000.  GoogleEarth Coord. Lat.- 45.155313°, Lon.-111.695959°, Elevation 5,337’.

REAL ESTATE NEWS → WASHINGTON   (December 28, 2023) – Pending home sales in November were identical to those in October, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.  The Northeast, Midwest and West posted monthly gains in transactions while the South recorded a loss.  All four U.S. regions registered year-over-year declines in transactions.  The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI)* – a forward-looking indicator of home sales based on contract signings – stayed at 71.6 in November. Year over year, pending transactions were down 5.2%.  An index of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001.  “Although declining mortgage rates did not induce more homebuyers to submit formal contracts in November, it has sparked a surge in interest, as evidenced by a higher number of lockbox openings,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist.

Pending Home Sales Regional Breakdown –The Northeast PHSI rose 0.8% from last month to 64.4, a drop of 6.4% from November 2022. The Midwest index increased 0.5% to 76.2 in November, down 2.2% from one year ago.  The South PHSI declined 2.3% to 83.2 in November, decreasing 6.5% from the prior year. The West index climbed 4.2% in November to 54.0, falling 4.9% from November 2022.  “With mortgage rates falling further in December – leading to savings of around $300 per month from the recent cyclical peak in rates – home sales will improve in 2024,” Yun added.

The National Association of Realtors® is America’s largest trade association, representing more than 1.5 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.  The term Realtor® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. 

LOCAL REAL ESTATE MARKET STATISTICS: Real estate activity is slowing down, waiting to see what happens in 2024! Interest in Montana is still strong, and people are still coming. Big Sky Country Multiple Listing statistics for the Madison Valley area (including Ennis, Cameron, McAllister, Norris, Virginia City, Nevada City, Harrison, Pony), for the month of December were as follows:   

• HOMES: 52↓ homes listed ($275,000 to $9,995,000); 3↓ pending sales ($479,000 to $1,490,000); and 59 homes have sold in 2023 ($300,000 to $3,700,000), totaling $49,711,334 at 9% of list prices.
• LAND: 130↓ vacant lots listed ($39,900 to $2,250,000); 6↓ pending sales ($84,900 to $349,000); and 79 lots have sold in 2023 ($6,497 to $925,000), totaling $18,897,094 at 7% of list prices.
• COMMERCIAL: 6 commercial properties listed ($365,000 to $2,995,000); 1↑ pending sale; and 4 commercial properties have sold in 2023 ($85,000 to $2,250,000), totaling $4,835,000, at 5% of list prices.
• RANCHES: 4 ranches listed ($960,000 to $13,750,000); 1↓ pending sale ($1,490,000), and 1 ranch sold in 2023 ($6,811,000) at 3% of list price.

“The best investment on Earth is Earth.” Louis J. Glickman, real estate mogul/philanthropist

Also, according to Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan, in their hit song, “Buy Dirt!” 

MONTANA TRIVIA…. Did you know that…. The Montana Constitution dictates that the legislature meet in regular session for no longer than 90 days in each odd-numbered year?  According to Wikipedia, the Montana State Legislature is composed of the 100-member Montana House of Representatives and the 50-member Montana Senate. The primary work of the legislature is to pass a balanced biennial budget which must then be approved by the governor. If the governor vetoes a bill, the legislature may override the veto by a two-thirds vote.

Since the beginning of statehood for Montana, the Legislature has been split along party lines fairly consistently and evenly. Since adoption of the current state constitution in 1972, which mandated single-member legislative districts for the first time in the state’s history, the Montana Senate has been controlled by Democrats in 9 sessions and Republicans in 16 sessions.  During the same period, the Montana House has been controlled by Democrats in 8 sessions and Republicans in 15 sessions, with two ties. According to state law, in the instance of a tie, control goes to the party of the sitting governor. The 67th Legislature (2021–2022) was controlled by the Republican Party with the House having 67 Republican members and 33 Democratic members; the Senate has 31 Republican and 19 Democratic members.

The 68th Legislature (2023-2024) is controlled by a Republican “supermajority,” meaning that Republicans control two-thirds of the seats in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, allowing them to override gubernatorial vetoes and potentially pass proposals for amendments to the Montana Constitution.  Members are limited to serving no more than eight years in either chamber, but the term limit is consecutive, not lifetime. The Montana State Legislature meets in the state capitol in Helena.

The 25^th governor of Montana is Greg Gianforte (R).  He is an American businessman, politician, software engineer, and writer.  Montana’s senators are: Jon Tester (D) and Steve Daines (R).  The state’s representatives are:  Ryan Zinke (R) and Matt Rosendale (R).

HAPPY NEW YEAR! → SEE YOU IN MONTANA!

A wise Old Timer from the area once told me,  

“Don’t try to change the Madison Valley… let the Valley change you!”