JANUARY 2026

 MADISON VALLEY JANUARY 2026 “HAPPENINGS” → What’s happened in Ennis, the Basecamp of the Madison Valley? → We celebrated New Year’s Day Dinner at the Longbranch → Big Sky Resort officially opened. → They tried the first Comedy Night at Willie’s Distillery. →  Hardy folks went Wildlife Tracking on Snowshoes at Jack Creek Preserve. → The Museum of the Rockies was still running their new exhibit, Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall.  → There was  Sunday Bingo at Sportsman’s Lodge and Trivia Night the Gravel Bar. → There was an Ice Fishing Class offered at the Ennis HS! → The Elling House in Virginia City presented a Chautauqua.  → The Ennis Library had their Annual Seed Exchange.  → There was Live music at Willie’s Distillery, Gravel Bar,  Long Branch & Silver Dollar Saloon. → Local gals enjoyed Ladies’ Night at the Sportsman’s Lodge.  → And of course, Happy Hour Yoga at Willie’s Distillery!  → It was actually quite busy, for a January, considering that 25 years ago, Ennis rolled up the sidewalks in the winter!

MADISON VALLEY FEBRUARY 2026 “HAPPENINGS” → Plan your ski season at https://www.bigskyresort.com/. →  Ennis Lions Club holding their Annual Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament on Feb. 1. → Montana History, Poetry & Music event at the Ennis Library on Feb. 6th. → Big Sky Resort is hosting their 8th Annual Skijoring – Best in the West Showdown on Feb. 7th. → Enjoy a Stockman Soiree at the Stockman Bar in Sheridan to support the Women’s Resource Center.  (406) 683-6106. →  Join the crowd at the Ennis Polar Plunge, for Special Olympics, at the Lake Shore Lodge at 1 PM on Feb 14. https://p2p.onecause.com/2025ennispolarplunge → Check out the 14th Annual Auction for the Arts, a Fundraising Mardi Gras Gala at the Center for the Arts in Big Sky.  https://bigskyarts.org/pages/auction. →  The Elling House Arts & Humanities Center will host a Chautauqua on Feb. 21.  http://www.ellinghouse.org/. →  Another Rancher Roundtable program, “How Well Do You Know Your Grasses?,” at the Ennis Library on Feb. 26, 12-1 → Sign up your 12-16 year-olds for the Winter Outdoor Skills Camps, Feb. 27 – Mar.1, https://www.jackcreekpreserve.org/winter-outdoor-skills-camps. → The Missoula Children’s Theatre presents, “Beauty Lou and the Country Beast,” at the Ennis Schools on Feb. 28 at 3:30 and 6 PM. →  And, you can go fishing, disc golfing, play pickleball, go skiing, exploring, bowling, visit the library, sit on the Mark Twain bench; do yoga or Pilates, go to the gym, take exercise classes, have a facial & a massage, see a movie, or eat, drink, stroll through Ennis, and go shopping!  JUST DO IT ALL! 

FUTURE 2026 “HAPPENINGS” → The Elling House Arts & Humanities Center will host a special program on March 28, plus more events through the Spring.  Check: http://www.ellinghouse.org/. → The Madison River Foundation will sponsor a Fundraising Event at the Madison Valley Ranch on June 4th and their Annual Fundraising Gala on July 11.  The MRF will be presenting a Speaker Series June 25 and Sept.17. https://www.madisonriverfoundation.org/ → And so much more to come…

MONTANA NEWS. → The Montana Department of Commerce has put the 99-year lease applications on hold, after so many Virginia City businesses refused to sign new leases.  https://www.madisoniannews.com/news/99-year-lease-applications-put-hold-department-commerce.  → The MT Dept. of Labor & Industry reports that the MT unemployment rate is at 3.4%.  The Construction Trades sector is a leading engine of MT’s continued economic expansion, growing at 3.7% per year since 2019, the 4th fastest rate in the U.S. https://news.mt.gov/Department-of-Labor-and-Industry/construction-sector-record-growth → The Bureau of Land Management has proposed a decision to cancel grazing permits authorizing bison grazing, previously issued to the American Prairie Reserve (APR), which is a win for MT ranchers, our agricultural producers and the rule of law, as stated by Governor Gianforte. https://montanafreepress.org/2026/01/16/bureau-of-land-management-revokes-american-prairie-bison-leases/.    

FISHING  REPORT → It is February, or the month of Love, according to the Hallmark people!  Things I love about Montana: wild fish, the Madison River, my wife, Rolex watches (I cannot afford to own one, but I like the idea – maybe someday!), our friends, and family, and fishing!   Why can’t they make a holiday for love of fishing?  A special day, when we buy each other new fly rods, reels or even drift boats.  Much better gifts than flowers, jewelry and candy that guys will be buying shortly.   Unfortunately, none of these can be purchased at the Tackle Shop.  Also, why is that it is the guys who give the gifts on Valentine’s Day, anyway?  Oh well, a discussion for another day.  

February is the shortest month of the year, but it always feels like it takes the longest.  After super scientific analysis, I’ve determined this is because after you get through February, things start getting good.  Did you know that The Cultural Epicenter of Montana will get almost 70 minutes more of daylight daily by the end of the month?  Now that is something to love and celebrate! 

If you are around Ennis now, and want to fish, there are two things you need to do. First, is do a snow dance.  No fishing without the snow dance. I prefer mid 90’s hip hop for my snow dance.  Second, is to think deep green.   Anywhere you find water that is deep and green there will be fish.  Call them buckets, pools, slots – whatever you call them, fish them now.  Even though it feels like spring, it is still winter, and the fish are acting like it.   Deep nymph fishing is the name of the game.  Worms, eggs, stone fly and midge stuff will all get you bent.  Just fish it in the deep green and make sure you are low and slow.   Put on weight if you’re not ticking the bottom. As the month rolls along, we will see some darn good hatches of midges.   You will need to catch them on warm days with no wind.   That’s almost as lucky as finding a wife who can cook and row the drift boat.   But, if you do, it will be epic.   

Lots of good stuff on the horizon.  I say get your wife a new rod for Valentines Day and go fishing on the 14th.   No fancy dinner, just fishing. I am sure your wife will understand.  Let us know if we can help – just have her call us! Lots of new gear arriving daily at the store.  Get in and check it out.   Good Fishing and God Bless, John Way, The Tackle Shop, Ennis, MT, the CULTURAL EPICENTER OF TROUT, 406-682-4263, Cell: 406-370-5206, www.thetackleshop.com, Lodging – www.montanaway.com. 

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

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 → This December was one to remember! We prayed for a white Christmas, but it never came to Ennis! The Madison Valley, north of Cameron, stayed dry except for the foothills, but the Upper Madison did have snow cover. This was the warmest, dryest December in recent memory, but weather is cyclical so we know there will be epic winters again. The December daytime high was 60° with a daytime low of 26°. The nighttime high was 49° and the nighttime low was 0°. We wonder what January will bring??   

• • REAL ESTATE TIP:  GOLDEN RULES FOR BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR.  Being a good neighbor is more than just having a cup of sugar at the ready, if your neighbor runs out.  Practicing neighborhood etiquette benefits you and the people living near you by forming friendships and avoiding tensions before they arise.  Here are some reminders for ways in which you can be a good neighbor:
  • Know thy neighbors.  Introduce yourself; get to know them; exchange contact information.
  • Keep the noise to a minimum – Consider how your actions affect others and be respectful.
  • Maintain your own curb appeal – Keep your property up, at least as well as the neighborhood.
  • Respect community or HOA rules – The rules are there to protect property values and peace.
  • Solve problems directly – If you have a problem with a neighbor, talk to them first.
  • Keep it private – Don’t fight with your neighbors on social media.
  • Control your pets – Pick up poop; don’t let your dog roam loose or let them bark incessantly.
  • Participate in Community events – Get involved; attend community events and meetings.
  • Be friendly – Smile and wave; know your neighbors names; offer help to neighbors in need.
  • Remember the Golden Rule – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

• HOME FOR YOUR SOUL. FEATURED PROPERTY OF THE MONTH → 23.433 REMOTE ACRES with SPECTACULAR VIEWS!  This is a premium lot on Haypress Lake Trail, behind the locked gate for Shining Mountains III.  The unobstructed views span from Ennis Lake to the north, the Madison Range to the east, and the Madison River as it winds its way through the valley below.  There are power lines along the backside of the lot, affording good access to power.  This lot is ideal for building your vacation or year-around home, with lots of space, privacy and wildlife.  Shining Mountains property owners enjoy access to private stocked lakes and easy access into public lands for recreation and hunting.  Conveniently located approximately 15 miles from Ennis but very much in the country!  Shining Mountains II, Lot 209, $350,000, MLS# 408414. Google Earth Coordinates: Lat. 45.207297°, Lon. -111.817768°, Elevation: 6,118’. https://www.era.com/property/detail/mt/ennis/209-shining-mountains-sub-2/lid-P00800000H5rtBrxXKuxgc2dSMx27SE4TQzR959a

• • NATIONAL REAL ESTATE NEWS – WASHINGTON (January 21, 2026) – PENDING HOME SALES in December decreased by 9.3% from the prior month and 3.0% year over year, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. The Pending Home Sales Index (PHS), a leading indicator of housing activity, measures housing contract activity, and is based on signed real estate contracts for existing single-family homes, condos, and co-ops. Because a home goes under contract a month or two before it is sold, the Pending Home Sales Index generally leads Existing-Home Sales by a month or two. Month-over-month pending home sales declined in all four regions. Year-over-year pending home sales rose in the South and declined in the Northeast, Midwest and West. “The housing sector is not out of the woods yet,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “After several months of encouraging signs in pending contracts and closed sales, the December new contract figures have dampened the short-term outlook.”

  “Data shows closing activity increased in December. However, new listings did not keep pace, so inventory decreased. Consumers prefer seeing abundant inventory before making the major decision of purchasing a home. So, the decline in pending home sales could be a result of dampened consumer enthusiasm about buying a home when there are so few options listed for sale. In December there were only 1.18 million homes on the market – matching the lowest inventory level of 2025.”

  EXISTING HOME SALES  Existing-Home Sales Report. The Report provides the real estate ecosystem – including agents and homebuyers and sellers – with data on the level of home sales, price, and inventory.  December 2025 brought 4.35 million in sales, a median sales price of $405,400, and 3.3 months of inventory. The median sales price is up 0.4% year-over-year, and inventory was up 0.1 months from December 2024.   “2025 was another tough year for homebuyers, marked by record-high home prices and historically low home sales,” said Lawrence Yun. “However, in the fourth quarter, conditions began improving, with lower mortgage rates and slower home price growth. December home sales, after adjusting for seasonal factors, were the strongest in nearly three years. The gains were broad-based, with all four major regions improving from the prior month.”

  “Inventory levels remain tight,” Yun added. “With fewer sellers feeling eager to move, homeowners are taking their time deciding when to list or delist their homes. Similar to past years, more inventory is expected to come to market beginning in February.”

  
  

  Mortgage Rates:  According to Freddie Mac, The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 6.10%,  as of January 29, 2026, and the average 15-year fixed-rate mortgage is 5.49%. 

  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:  January was pretty quiet 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:
  
  
  • RESIDENTIAL: 60↓ listings ($325,000 to $12,900,000); 9↓ pending sales ($355,000 to $3,600,000); and 85 homes sold in 2025 ($165,000 to $3,725,000), totaling $62,775,440, 97% ↑ of list price.
  • MULTI-FAMILY: 3 listings ($950,000 to $1,789,000); 0 pending sales; 1 sold in 2025 ($764,000), 89.9% of list price. (multi-family units are not great investments in this area.)
  • VACANT LAND: 116↓ listings ($7,102 to $7,900,000); 11↓ pending sales ($115,000 to $495,000); and 88 lots sold in 2025 ($16,000 to $825,000), totaling $18,311,350, 93.7%↓ of list price.
  • LAND w/STRUCTURES: 4↓ listings ($250,000 – $2,500,000); 2↑ pending sales ($495,000-$1,799,000); 6 lots w/structures sold in 2025 ($150,000 to $725,000), totaling $2,347,500, 88.4%↓ of list price.
  • COMMERCIAL: 8↓ listings ($465,000 to $1,950,000), 1↑ pending sale ($380,000); and 1 commercial property sold in 2025 (I sold the old Camper Corner!), ($1,195,000) 92.6% of list price. 
  • RANCHES: 3↓ listings ($2,750,000 to $23,500,000), 0 pending sales, 0 ranches sold in 2025. 
  
  

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

• MONTANA TRIVIA…   Did you know that the little town of Cameron, Montana, lying 11 miles south of Ennis, includes the Blue Moon Saloon & Café, a General Store, a few cabins, and a post office, all on 2.44 acres?  But the interesting thing about Cameron, is that “Cameron, MT” is the address for everyone living from there on down to the Idaho border and east to the Quake Lake Visitors Center!  That is a distance of 42 miles south and 38 miles SW to the Idaho border, and everything in between – totaling 3,603 square miles! Cameron is situated along U.S. Highway 287 in the Madison Valley, a rural, agricultural area, surrounded by the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.  The surrounding region is characterized by ranch land, with proximity to the Madison Range on the east side of the valley and the Gravelly Range on the west side.  The area serves as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Cameron was named for a pioneering family who started the settlement, originally known as Bear Creek.  Addison Bovey Cameron and his brother James took up desert claims here in 1886.  Addison Cameron had the first post office in his home in 1890-93. Later he had a store and a post office on the ground floor of a building and a dance or community hall on the upper floor.  In 1919, the Cameron Store building was purchased and moved six miles down the road to take advantage of the highway business generated by tourists traveling between Ennis and Yellowstone Park. This angered Bear Creek settlers, and for years none of them would trade at the Cameron Store.  (This history is from the book, “Names on the Face of Montana” by Roberta Carkeek Cheney – one of those early settler families!) https://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/MT/Cameron-Demographics.html#:~:text=Demographics%20in%20Cameron,66.4%25%20are%2065%20or%20older 

A wise old timer from the area once told me,

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