Festival News

Ennis Fly Fishing Festival a Huge Success

The Madison River Foundation’s sixth annual Ennis on the Madison Fly Fishing Festival was held over Labor Day weekend and by all accounts it was an enormous success. More than 300 area residents and visitors attended the Friday evening unveiling of the “Fish out of Water” sculptures sponsored by the Madison County Economic Development Commission. Attendees admired the beautifully painted trout and rocked to the music of the Flatland Mountain Band while munching Wooly Bugger sandwiches, a specialty of the festival.

The official festival painting by Ennis artist Bern Sundell was sold at auction Friday night to Kim and Jeff Montag of McAllister. The original painting appeared on the cover of the festival guide book, poster and T-shirt.

Jean Mueller of Cameron and Pasadena, California won the ClackaCraft drift boat in the drawing Saturday during the “Main Street BBQ.” Jean bought the winning ticket in July at the Hutchins Bridge (West Fork) birthday party. This was the fourth year in a row that ClackaCraft donated a boat and trailer to the Foundation for the raffle. When informed by telephone that her ticket had been drawn Jean said simply, “I can’t believe it! I just can’t believe it!” Jean and her son Kevin are avid fly fishers and intend to put their new boat to good use on the Madison.

More than 100 children attended the festival’s kids program Friday morning where they constructed fly fishing lanyards and took turns learning or practicing their fly casting. Ennis First Grader Austin Aufdenkamp won the drawing for a new fly rod and reel donated by the Madison River Fishing Company.

“The festival was bigger and better than ever,” said Richard Lessner, executive director of the Madison River Foundation. “I can’t thank enough all the volunteers who work long, long hours to make the event a success. We’re also grateful to ClackaCraft for their generosity, as well as to all the sponsors, guest speakers, tackle companies and representatives, and local businesses who donate their time and talents to help make the festival a wonderful event. We’ve already started planning for next year’s festival. We have some new and creative ideas to make the event even better.”