MADISON VALLEY FEBRUARY “HAPPENINGS” → What’s happened in Ennis, the Basecamp of the Madison Valley?  → The Madison Valley  Ranch hosted another outstanding Wine Pairing Dinner. → There was live music at the Gravel Bar and a Lip Sync Contest at the Pioneer Bar in Virginia City.  → Big Sky held a “Best in the West” Ski Joring.” → Ennis Lions Club hosted a Texas Hold ‘em Poker Tournament. → Willie’s Distillery hosted Trivia Night.  → Great food and wine at another Wine Pairing Dinner at the Madison Valley Ranch.  → There was a Kids’N’Snow program, in W. Yellowstone.  → You could have gone Wildlife Tracking in a Winter Wonderland at Jack Creek Preserve.  → The Museum of the Rockies hosted their annual prehistoric Valentine’s date night experience, “Pour and Roar: Raptors & Romance.” → The Elling House Arts & Humanities Center in Virginia City held a Chautauqua.  → The Missoula Childrens’ Theatre performed Treasure Island with Ennis school children. →  The Madison Theatre will be reopening in March!  →  The Alley Bistro and the Bowling Alley have sold and will be operating under new ownership!  → Shop small; shop local; shop Ennis! The sidewalks are not rolled up for the winter!

   Josi Severson, new owner of the Madison Theatre

MADISON VALLEY MARCH “HAPPENINGS” → The first, and most exciting event is the reopening of the Madison Theatre on Friday, the 1st! Check out their schedule at https://ennismovies.com/.  The First movie to be shown will be A River Runs Through It, with a local resident, Faith Conroy, sharing her experience of her time on the set of this movie, along with her partner, Jim Wilson, who won an Oscar for producing Dances with Wolves! → An MSU Extension Horticulture Specialist will be presenting Xeriscaping and Water Wise Landscaping at the Madison Valley Library on the 11^th. → The Elling House Arts & Humanities Center will be presenting a Youth of Madison County Art Show Artists Reception on the 16^th. http://www.ellinghouse.org/ →  The Jack Creek Preserve will host a Winter Wonders Field Day on the 16^th and a Winter Outdoor Skills Camp for teens, the 22^nd – 24^th. https://www.jackcreekpreserve.org/. → You might still be able to reserve a spot at the table at the Madison Valley Ranch for their Wine Pairing Dinner on the 23^rd. →  Hunting licenses go on sale on the 1^st.  https://fwp.mt.gov/homepage/news/2024/feb/0216—new-hunting-fishing-and-conservation-license-year-begins-march-1.  →  On March 17, 1872, William Ennis, the founder of Ennis, was born in County Down, Ireland.  He founded our beloved town on August 13^th, 1863.  He prospered but was shot in Virginia City and died on July 4^th, 1898.  https://www.madisoniannews.com/community/son-ireland.  →  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, take in a movie, visit the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, or eat, drink, stroll through Ennis, and go shopping!  Extend your visit and Just do it all!

FUTURE “HAPPENINGS” → There will be more Chautauqua’s at the Elling House Arts & Humanities Center in Virginia City in April. →   Make reservations for one of the Wine Pairing Dinners at the Madison Valley Ranch on  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/. → The Ennis Chamber will be hosting a BBQ Cook-Off at the Ennis Rodeo Grounds on June 22.  → The Jack Creek Preserve will host Wild About Wildlife, a Conservation Field School for Teachers, June 20 through 22. https://www.jackcreekpreserve.org/. → The Music in the Park Summer Series will resume in Peter T’s Park, every Thursday evening from June 28 – Sept. 26. → And if you need lodging, better plan ahead for the 4^th of July Rodeo & Parade on July 3 and 4.  → The Chamber will also be hosting a Golf Tournament at the Madison Meadows Golf course on July 22.  → The Fly Fishing & Outdoor Festival will be held on Aug. 24. → The Hunters Feed will be on Oct 25.  → The annual Ennis Christmas Stroll will be on December 6.

MONTANA NEWS → At the beginning of January, more than half of the NRCS snow monitoring stations in Montana and surrounding river basins reported their lowest snowpack on record! If precipitation is not above normal over the next several months, streamflow in Montana during the upcoming spring and summer season are likely to be below normal, impacting the ski industry, agriculture, fish health, and increasing fire danger. See a full monthly report at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/montana/montana-snow-survey/water-supply-outlook-reports-montana. →  Not much else going on in Montana, except for politics.  There is a long list of candidates running for office in Montana in 2024.  Check them out at: https://montanafreepress.org/2024/02/28/whos-running-state-federal-office-montana-2024-election/. → Happy Birthday to Yellowstone National Park!  It was established on March 1, 1872, and was the first national park in the US.  It has 2.2 million acres within its borders.  We are fortunate to have a little corner of it in Montana!

FISHING REPORT → March 1^st might just be the happiest day of the year.  Not just because football is over, and we no longer need to see Taylor in the stands. Not because winter is over (which it is not).  Not because the shortest/longest month of the year is done.  The real reason is that the license year for Montana FWP starts today!  Everyone needs a new fishing license today.  It is like being reborn in a world full of possibilities.  New license, new year, new me.  I think I will buy a new fly rod to go with the new license.  Hint! Hint!  I happen to know a place that sells them.  

Here is where we are sitting, regarding snow and water.  Yes, we are down on snow.  But it snowed in Ennis two of the last 4 days.  But, basin-wide, we are between 70-80% of where we should be this time of year.  On  March 1^st, we were at 76%.  That might sound bad, but do not “Break glass in case of emergency” just yet.  We still have our snowiest months of March and April ahead of us, for adding to mountain snowpack.  Also, Hebgen Lake is only 4.38’ from being full.  Last year, at this time, it was down 12 ft.  So, we should see the lake full, for summer flows.  The “Damn” Dam folks were conservative this winter, so “Good job!” to them.  If we all do our “snow dance” and pray for a wet spring, we will be good.  If the snow faucet turns off, that would be bad.  Give us another 30-45 days and we will know for sure.  Lots still up in the air.  I have a feeling the El Nino is weakening, and we will see some moisture this spring.  Just the John Way weather prediction.

If you’re looking to fish now, get after it.  The river is in good shape. We have been hitting the midge hatch, mid-afternoon, in the Beartrap Canyon.  We are also nymph fishing from Lyons Bridge, upstream.  Stone fly nymphs, midges, and eggs have been getting the boys bent.  Things will only get better as the month goes along.  Warmer water temps, less wind (hopefully!) and hungry trout.  By the end of the month, think BWO mayflies and skwala stone flies, along with egg patterns. The rainbows should start to spawn this month.  Remember, if you see reds where fish are spawning, please stay away and do not walk on them.

Lots of good stuff starting to happen this month.  Getting a new fishing license is just the beginning.  Start your fishing year right, with a new license, new fly line, new waders, or even a new fly rod.  New gear makes you happy,   Look good – fish good.  Keep doing the snow dance.  We like mid ‘90’s hip hop and Willies Whiskey to get us going.  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 →  Much like January, the first and last parts of February consisted of nice, mild, sunny, weather. But again, Mother Nature roared in with a 2-day, Arctic deep-freeze, in the middle of the month. The daytime high in February was 57° and the daytime low was 18°.  The nighttime high was 38°,  with a nighttime low of minus 10°!  We had on and off snow showers, but still not enough to increase our snowpack.  Praying for more, much-needed snow.

REAL ESTATE TIPS → SURPRISING CONSIDERATIONS. Who Knew?!

1. All Renovations are Not Created Equal. The greatest return for your investment in 2024 would be:  Hardwood flooring refinishing or replacing; new roofing; new garage door; and insulation upgrades. These remodeling projects have a 100% to 147% ROI!
2. Seven is an Unlucky Number. Homes with “777” as their address sell for 2.1% less than their estimated value; house numbers that just include 777, sell for 1.8 % less.  Oddly, houses with just “7” as their number sell for 1.8% more than the estimated sale price.
3. Psychological Pricing Works. Listings with a nine in the thousand digit ($849,000 vs, $850,000) sell more quickly.
4. Find a Female Agents – Female agents tend to sell homes faster and for higher prices. (See Toni!)
5. Buy a House on Sunset Way. Homes on named streets tend to be 2 percent more valuable nationwide than numbered ones (except for New York City).  But Main Street homes bring 4 percent less than American’s median home value.  Street names with “Lake or Sunset” will sell upwards of 16 percent higher.  Suffixes also matter.  Avoid “Street,” which has the lowest home values nationally, and find a “Way,” which has the highest home values.  Also look for “Lane, Court, Boulevard, Trail, etc.”
6. Paint your Living Room “Peach Fuzz.” The Pantone Color Institute has named this as their 2024 color of the year.  Pantone describes Peach Fuzz as “a gentle, velvety peach that enriches the heart, body, and mind, bringing feelings of kindness and tenderness, and highlighting our desire for togetherness. An appealing peach hue softly nestled between pink and orange, it is poetic and romantic with a vintage vibe, while simultaneously evoking a sense of modernity. Peach Fuzz reflects the past yet has been refashioned with a contemporary ambience.”   How sweet. 

HOME FOR YOUR SOUL.FEATURED PROPERTY OF THE MONTH → THE BEST PRICED 20 ACRE LOT, WITH POWER, AND ACCESS TO THE RIVER, in the Madison Valley!  Spectacular views & wide-open spaces. This lot is directly across from the BLM & approx. 3,260′ from the river. There is fiber optic cable to every lot & POWER HAS BEEN INSTALLED ON THIS LOT! No HOA at this time, but one could be set up by property owners in the future. All lots will require wells & septic systems. Covenants require 1,200 SF of living space, no modular/mfg. homes & no more than 7 acres may be permanently fenced. Sphinx is located in the middle of the Madison Valley with abundant access to great recreational opportunities in the many mountains, rivers, lakes & public lands. Just 15 miles South of Ennis & approx. 1-1/2 hours to the Bozeman AP & to Yellowstone Nat. Park. A great place for that Montana dream fishing cabin!   Sphinx Mountain Subdivision, Lot 67, $245,000, Big Sky MLS # 389702.  20.040 acres.    GoogleEarth Coord.:  Lat. 45.156530, Lon. -111.696998; Elevation: 5,334′.   My Active Listings – Toni Bowen (erarealestate.com).

REAL ESTATE NEWS → WASHINGTON (February 29, 2024) – Pending home sales in January dropped 4.9%, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. The Northeast and West posted monthly gains in transactions while the Midwest and South recorded losses. All four U.S. regions registered year-over-year The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI)* – a forward-looking indicator of home sales based on contract signings – decreased to 74.3 in January. Year over year, pending transactions were down 8.8%.  An index of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001.

“The job market is solid, and the country’s total wealth reached a record high due to stock market and home price gains,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “This combination of economic conditions is favorable for home buying. However, consumers are showing extra sensitivity to changes in mortgage rates in the current cycle, and that’s impacting home sales.”

Pending Home Sales Regional Breakdown –The Northeast PHSI increased 0.8% from last month to 63.6, a decline of 5.5% from January 2023. The Midwest index decreased 7.6% to 73.7 in January, down 11.6% from one year ago.  The South PHSI declined 7.3% to 88.5 in January, falling 9.0% from the prior year. The West index rose 0.5% in January to 61.1, down 7.0% from January 2023.  “Southern states and those in the Rocky Mountain time zone experienced faster job growth compared to the rest of the country,” added Yun. “As a result, long-term housing demand is increasing more significantly in these regions. However, the timing and number of purchases will largely depend on the prevailing mortgage rates and inventory availability.”

Existing-home sales grew in January, according to NAR. Among the four major U.S. regions, sales accelerated in the Midwest, South and West, and remained steady in the Northeast. Year-over-year, sales improved in the West, and decreased in the Northeast, Midwest and South.  Total existing-home sales  – completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – elevated 3.1% from December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.00 million in January. Year-over-year, sales slipped 1.7% (down from 4.07 million in January 2023).

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: The “mostly” mild weather which continued through most of February is still making it easier for buyers to view properties and we are starting to see more new listings. New inventory will spur buyer interest.  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 February were as follows:   

• HOMES: 46↑ homes listed ($275,000 to $9,995,000); 6↓ pending sales ($469,000 to $1,495,000); and 4 homes have sold in 2024 ($460,000 to $717,000), totaling $2,126,000, at 4% of list price.
• LAND: 135↑ vacant lots listed ($39,900 to $1,250,000); 5↓ pending sales ($165,000 to $2,250,000); and 10↑ lots have sold in 2024 ($5,000 to $420,000), totaling $1,898,500 at 4%↓ of list price.
• COMMERCIAL: 7 commercial properties listed ($365,000 to $2,995,000); 0↓ pending sales; and 1 commercial property has sold in 2024 ($553,300), at 6% of list price.
• RANCHES: 3 ranches listed ($3,995,000 to $13,750,000); 1 pending sale ($2,260,000), and 1 ranch  closed, so far, in 2024 ($1,350,000) at 6% 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 first female owner of a water utility in Montana was Sarah Bickford, a former slave, and likely the first Black woman, water utility owner in the country?!   Sarah arrived in Virginia City working as a nanny for an associate justice of the Montana Territorial Supreme court.  She married a miner, John Brown, who was an abuser.  She had 3 children, but 2 died from childhood diseases.  She was granted a divorce and left Montana, but returned to VC, and later married Stephen Bickford, a white miner and farmer, and they had 4 children, all of whom grew into successful adults.  She and her husband owned the Virginia City Water Company, which Sarah helped run.  At Stephen’s death in 1902, she inherited the water utility and successfully ran it on her own.  Sarah was recognized by the community as a prominent and respected business owner.  Want to know more? https://virginiacitymt.com/Preservation/Sarah-Bickford. We celebrate Women’s History Month in March!

MONTANA is for Lovers!

A wise Old Timer from the area once told me,  

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