May 2024

MADISON VALLEY MAY “HAPPENINGS” → What’s happened in Ennis, the Basecamp of the Madison Valley? → The Madison Theatre presented a sold-out film premier of the documentary, “The Frontman – Dave Walker,” followed by a reception with the star and the film makers. → The Madison Ranger District co-hosted Annual Bear Creek Days. → The Ennis Chamber hosted Tap into Ennis – Brew & Spirit Festival. → Virginia City celebrated their Season Kick-Off Parade & Duck Race + Horseback Poker Ride.  → The VC Elks Lodge held a Poker Tournament and a Mothers’ Day Brunch.  → The Brewery Follies in VC opened for the season.  →  The outdoor Cowboy Church started up on the 26^th and will run through Labor Day, at 10:00 AM, somewhere between Virginia City and Nevada City. →  There were  Memorial Day ceremonies throughout the county plus an Honor Luncheon at the Ennis Rodeo Grounds.  → Shop small; shop local; shop Ennis!

MADISON VALLEY JUNE “HAPPENINGS” →There will be a SummerKickoff Rodeo on June 1, with bronc & bull riding, at the Ennis Rodeo Grounds. →  For music lovers! iBaroque Music Montana performs “Musical Delights” at Trinity Episcopal Church in Jeffers on the 12^th at 7 PM. → Volunteer for the Madison Stream Team and attend a training at the MV Library on the 13^th. Call (406) 682-3181. → There will be an Open House at the Madison Valley History Museum on the 15^th. → The Jackson Hole Jazz Festival, a fund raiser for the MV Public Library, will be held at Discovery Park in Virginia City at 4 PM on the 15^th. → Madison Foods market will be open at their new store on the 20^th! →  Check out the schedule for the Madison Theatre, at:  https://ennismovies.com/ →  Up in Virginia City, plan to attend Irish Weekend on the 7^th & 8^th;  the Vigilante Music Festival on the 8^th; Brothel Days on the 15^th and Virginia City Players Opening Night on the 21^st. For information on the many other events in Virginia City – check them out at: https://virginiacity.com/events.   →  The Summer Music in the Park Series will begin on Thursday, the 27^th from 5-7 PM in Peter T’s Park and run through September 26^th, weather permitting! → The Jack Creek Preserve will host Wild About Wildlife, a Conservation Field School for Teachers, June 20 – 22.  Plus, many more events, at: https://www.jackcreekpreserve.org/. → Enjoy a BBQ Cook-Off at the Ennis Rodeo Grounds on the 22^nd. → The Beaverhead–Deerlodge National Forest management has prescribed spring fires planned, with 3 scheduled in the Madison Valley. For updates, visit: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtbdf-beaverheaddeerlodge-nf-prescribed-fire-operations.  → And you can go fishing, floating, hiking, trail riding, play golf, go bowling, visit the library, do yoga, go to the gym, take exercise classes, have a facial and a massage, play Pickleball, Mahjongg, take in a movie, or eat, drink, stroll through Ennis, and go shopping!  Extend your visit and Just do it all!

FUTURE “HAPPENINGS” → If you need lodging, it may be too late, for the 4^th of July Rodeo & Parade on July 3 and 4.  → The Annual Gravelly Range Wildflower Tour will be led by the Madison Ranger District on July 9^th. → A new dock system is coming to Kobayashi Beach on Ennis Lake this summer!  → Enter the raffle to win an Elk Hunt! RAFFLE – 2025 Archery Elk Hunt — Jack Creek Preserve Foundation! → The Ennis Chamber will also be hosting a Golf Tournament at the Madison Meadows Golf course on July 22.  → The Ennis Arts Association will host their annual Madison Valley Arts Festival on July 27 from 10-5 in Peter T’s Park. → The 11^th Annual Montana “Ride to Remember” will go from Helena through Ennis to West Yellowstone on August 17^th. https://mtridetoremember.org/. → The Ennis Arts Association Garden Tour will be held on Aug. 17.  For more info: https://ennisarts.org.  → The Fly Fishing & Outdoor Festival will be held on Aug. 24, from 10 – 6. in Peter T’s Park.  https://www.ennischamber.com/fly-fishing-and-outdoor-festival. → The Hunters Feed will start at 3 PM,  Oct 25.  → The annual Ennis Christmas Stroll will be on Dec. 6.

MONTANA NEWS → Montana ranks second in the nation among states where drivers are most likely to have a collision with wildlife, according to the Montana Department of Transportation’s (MDT)  “Watch for Wildlife!” safety webpage.  To better understand where these collisions may occur, the Montana Wildlife & Transportation Partnership, which includes MDT, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and other partners, has developed a new planning tool: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4057f135e589433db600f388adc0ca08. This tool includes a map of Montana’s highways, evaluated based on five criteria that could influence having a collision with wildlife. Users can see the map by each of the criteria individually, the final analysis map with all of the factors combined, or the final analysis broken out by MDT district. This tool can be used to identify areas where further focus is needed.  →  Montana is Bear Country!  Bear activity picks up in the spring and Grizzly bear sightings in MT have increased over the years.  Read what you need to know at: https://fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware. → The Montana Department of Commerce Community Reinvestment (MCR) has a grant program to create more affordable workforce housing in the state.  The Town of Ennis will receive $30,000 of MCR grant funding for updating our Growth Policy.  → Road construction season has begun, across the state.  Take your time, be patient, and enjoy the views!

FISHING REPORT → June is here, the entire Madison Valley is turning a beautiful shade of green. It is always amazing to watch the valley and hills green up since we look at tan and brown for much of the year.  The pop of color is nice. Wildflowers are starting to bloom, and the entire valley is a photographer’s dream.  Green valleys, wildflowers giving way to snow-capped peaks.  We’ve had consistent rain and in fact, got an inch just yesterday.  Hebgen Lake is at 94% full and filling fast.  We should have a completely full lake in no time at all.  This means good, consistent, cool water, all summer long.

A few months ago, things were looking super dire with no snow. The late winter and spring produced nicely, and we are now very close to normal.  (Whatever normal is anymore.) So, what does this mean?  Will we see wildfires in Montana and the local ranges this summer?  Most likely.  Will there be drought and some dry conditions?  Absolutely.  Will the Madison have decent flow all summer?  Most likely.  Will we see hoot owl restrictions on the lower Madison or the Upper?  Most likely on the lower, and at this point, not expected on the Upper. But, anything can change.   All I know is that it’s June and it is about as good as it gets in Montana.

If you are going to be fishing this month, you should get ready, because it is going to get really good.  We are looking forward to the salmon fly hatch, goldens stones, tons of caddis and PMD’s will all be on the Menu.  The first few weeks of the month will have some bumps in runoff.  But it should not get super high or even unfishable.  The Madison River will get color from the smaller creeks and keep it dirty but have no fear of the dirty water.   Muddy water madness is one of our favorite times of year!  When it gets high and off color the fish get pushed to the bank.  Think fishing in the first 5 feet from shore.  You know where the fish are, so just get a stone fly nymph or streamer in their face and it is game on.

Once it starts to drop and clear, the real party starts.  Lots of folks want to know the date of the first salmon fly fishing.  Here is my prediction.  On June 21^st, at the Ennis bridge, there will be salmon flies.  Bam, on the record.   This is one of the greatest months to fish. Some really good fishing is on the horizon.  This will be worth trading in some sick days at work for.  Great new gear in the fly shop.  Come support a family-owned local fly shop for friendly service and the best selection of bugs in Ennis.  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 →May was another schizophrenic month – with sun, snow and then summer again!  At least we never become bored with our weather! The daytime high in May was 81° and the daytime low was 38°.  The nighttime high was 50°,  with a nighttime low of  23°.  Summer is here! No, spring? No, summer?

REAL ESTATE TIPS →HOW TO AVOID BUYERS  REMORSE.  According to a recent survey, as reported in REALTOR Magazine, 82% of home buyers express regrets about their recent property purchase.  The most common regret is buying a home that requires too much maintenance.  Most buyers said they were shocked at the cost and time needed to maintain their property. Many blamed the sellers for not being upfront about how much maintenance the home required. Others claim that the home did not meet all of their needs.  So, the question is, “Why the disconnect?” Are house hunters distracted by a home’s fixtures and finishes while overlooking other key elements? Flashy features may receive more attention than the more basic condition of a home.  Those cosmetic fixes can mask structural or operational problems that may cause safety hazards that could lead to expensive repairs. House hunters should ask plenty of questions and take notes and photos during tours.  Don’t just depend on what a Home Inspector might find and report.

Here are few tips to keep in mind:

• Ask about maintenance costs, such as landscaping, staining the siding, cleaning chimneys, etc.
• Check on high-use items, such as plug sockets, outlets, switches, toilets, faucets, water pressure
• Ask age of items, such as roof, HVAC systems, wells, septic, siding, etc.
• Notice smells, such as a damp, musty, moldy stench; fishy odors suggesting electrical issues
• Check the house’s orientation to the sun, which can affect heating, cooling & maintenance costs
• Judge vehicle accessibility, such as sufficient garage space, disability requirements, deliveries
• Consider neighborhood and location in relation to amenities, traffic, and/or nuisances
• Observe structural integrity, especially around doorways, windows, additions, wall cracks, etc.

You might take this checklist on your next viewing: printable-home-tour-checklist.pdf (hippo.com).

HOME FOR YOUR SOUL. FEATURED PROPERTY OF THE MONTH → LOG CABIN IN THE WOODS.Nestled among the picturesque wilderness of the Madison Valley, sits this charming, vintage cabin in a quiet, wooded setting.  Rural & rustic, but with all the creature comforts you want, in 2,345 SF.  The main level features a cozy living area with wood stove, an efficient, updated kitchen & dining area with glass doors opening on to a very private back deck. There are 2 bedrooms on the main floor with a full bath, a loft area with a half bath overlooking the main floor, and a mostly finished daylight basement with family room, laundry, mechanical room + lots of storage.  There is also a detached garage/shop, all on 1.97 acres.  303 South Meadow Creek Road, McAllister, MT, 59740.  $625,000.  MLS# 392030.  GoogleEarth Coordinates:  Lat. 45.448768°, Lon. -111.817571°, Elevation 5,602’.  Sorry, but this cabin only lasted 13 days on the market!  It is now under contract.  The good ones go fast, so let me help you find your dream home.  Home – Toni Bowen (erarealestate.com)

REAL ESTATE NEWS → WASHINGTON (May 30, 2024) – Pending home sales in April fell 7.7%, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. All four U.S. regions registered month-over-month and year-over-year decreases. The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) – a forward-looking indicator of home sales based on contract signings – decreased to 72.3 in April. Year over year, pending transactions were down 7.4%. An index of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001. “The impact of escalating interest rates throughout April dampened home buying, even with more inventory in the market,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “But the Federal Reserve’s anticipated rate cut later this year should lead to better conditions, with improved affordability and more supply.”

Pending Home Sales Regional Breakdown. The Northeast PHSI fell 3.5% from last month to 62.9, a decline of 3.1% from April 2023. The Midwest index dropped 9.5% to 70.7 in April, down 8.7% from one year ago.  The South PHSI lowered 7.6% to 88.6 in April, dropping 8.2% from the prior year. The West index decreased 8.5% in April to 55.9, down 7.3% from April 2023. “Home prices are hitting record highs, but the pace of gains should decelerate with more supply,” said Yun. “However, the prospect of measurable home price declines appears minimal. The few markets experiencing price declines will be viewed as second-chance opportunities for buyers to enter the market if those regions continue to add jobs.”

Existing Home Sales Regional Breakdown – receded in April.  All four major U.S. regions posted month-over-month declines. Year-over-year, sales decreased in the Northeast, Midwest and South but increased in the West.  Total existing-home sales (completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops) slid 1.9% from March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.14 million in April. Year-over-year, sales fell 1.9% (down from 4.22 million in April 2023).  “Home sales changed little overall, but the upper-end market is experiencing a sizable gain due to more supply coming onto the market,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.

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: More new land and residential listings, so more to choose front. Prices are coming down on many listings that haven’t sold over the winter.  Therefore, if you are planning to buy property in Montana, don’t wait.  Prices are predicted to continue going up.  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 May were as follows:   

• HOMES: 49↑ homes listed ($250,000 to $9,500,000); 10↓ pending sales ($399,000 to $2,255,000); and 21 homes have sold in 2024 ($450,000 to $1,235,000), totaling $14,344,500, at 8% ↑ of list price.
• MULTI-FAMILY: 6 listings ($575,000 to $2,800,000); 0 pending sales; 1 sold in 2024 ($830,000) at 98% of list price.
• LAND: 171↑ vacant lots listed ($15,000 to $8,500,000); 4↓ pending sales ($150,000 to $1,800,000); and 23 lots have sold in 2024 ($5,000 to $450,000), totaling $4,843,500 at 8% ↑ of list price.
• COMMERCIAL: 10↑ commercial properties listed ($240,000 to $2,995,000); 1↑ pending sale ($215,000); and 1 commercial property has sold in 2024 ($553,300), at 6% of list price.
• RANCHES: 2 ranches listed ($9,500,000 to $13,750,000); 0↓ pending sales, and 1 ranch has sold 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 Montana Constitution of 1972 has a great history?  According to an article from the Bozeman Daily Chronicle in April 2023, authored by Thomas E. Towe, the old 1889 Constitution was a disaster.  It was drafted primarily by mining company supporters (copper King, William Clark, was chairman), and it sharply limited the state’s ability to tax mining, leaving the government intentionally weak and ineffectual.  The governor was largely ceremonial and for 80 years, Montana was controlled with a “copper collar.” Enforcement of equal assessment for property taxes was left to the local County treasurers, which was a disaster.  There was no audit of government agencies, no centralized management of state funds, and no statewide documentation of water rights. Even then, authorizing the drafting of a new Constitution was not easy.  Bills authorizing a Constitutional Convention were killed for at least a decade before the Legislature finally passed a referendum in 1969. A huge bipartisan effort finally led to a Convention in 1970 and subsequent approval by the people.  The new Montana Constitution has been heralded as the best Constitution in the United States, maybe the world.  https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/opinions/guest_columnists/guest-column-what-makes-the-montana-constitution-so-special/article_772f5b6e-d2f5-11ed-a602-2fca59f01bb7.html

For more information:  https://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current/?type=intro&group_key=basin_cd;  The Curse of the Black Pearl | Outside Bozeman; https://www.kbzk.com/community/this-week-in-fish-and-wildlife/this-week-in-fish-and-wildlife-river-safety-tips-from-montana-fwp; https://fwp.mt.gov/activities/boating/river-ethics; https://www.trailheadmontana.net/2015/3267/; https://guiderecommended.com/fly-fishing-dangerous/#:~:text=Fly%20fishing%20can%20be%20surprisingly%20dangerous%20if%20you,plants%2C%20snakes%2C%20and%20hooks%20that%20can%20impale%20you.  Yikes!

CHECK OUT THE NEW FILM, “Mending the Line,” on Netflix

A wise Old Timer from the area once told me,  

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