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Founded in 1947, the Pasadena Casting Club is a group of fly fishing enthusiasts dedicated to the art of angling and casting, conservation, education, catch and release philosophy, and camaraderie through Club meetings, outings and events.
HomeJanuary 2013

The Magnificent Madison

with Chris Eaton 
7:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 10th, 2013
San Marino Masonic Lodge






January is a month we usually start out our speaker program with a bang, and this year is no different. We’ve got a great speaker on an equally great topic. Montana’s Madison River is justifiably famous trout water, and we’re bringing in Chris Eaton, one of the top guides, to talk to you about it.

You’ll learn why the Madison is called the 50-mile riffle, how and when to fish it, and why it is so famous and fun. Chris Eaton’s own description of his program does a better job than I could:

Many of the Madison River’s fans have said,“You can learn a lot about the Madison by fishing it a few times.” I believe that spending a lifetime on this river is really only the beginning.
 
I love the Madison River. I love the fact that in 140 miles of this river on any given cast, you can catch a fish of a lifetime. I love the fact that all the fish you hookup on this river are naturally reproducing wild fish. I love the fact that on the Madison River there are numerous fishing access sites, so no matter how you like to fish – wade or drift using dries, nymphs or streamers -- you can get it done and be successful doing it. They call Montana Big Sky Country and the last best place. When you spend a day in the Madison Valley casting a line on the famous Madison River, you will understand why.

My name is Chris Eaton and it’s been my privilege to spend the last 17 years (more than 3,500 client days) taking people fly fishing on the Madison River. As I am drifting down this lovely river watching clients catch fish, I often have to remind myself that this is not just a dream. I have been very fortunate in my fly fishing career.

I get to work with my wife, Julie, who is also a guide on the Madison, and who, by the way, did SoCal fly fishing club presentations back in 1997. I have been the featured Madison River Guide on 10 different TV shows including “Trout Unlimited TV” and “Fly Fishing the World.” Eaton Outfitters is also the fishing outfitter for the Madison Valley Ranch, an Orvis-endorsed lodge just outside Ennis, Montana.

I made my first cast to a trout more than 40 years ago with my dad on the North Platte River near Saratoga, Wyoming. In 1994 I conducted my first guide trip on the Big Thompson River outside of Estes Park, Colorado. Two months ago I finished my 17th year as a guide on the Madison. In the meantime, I grew up in Colorado, graduated from college with a degree in public relations, lived in Idaho (where I met and married my wife), moved back to Colorado where I spent nine years as a stock broker (eight years too many) and then moved to Ennis, Montana as a fishing guide. Julie and I just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary and our kids, Josh and Hannah (who are both really good anglers), are 14 and 11-years-old.

When I am not guiding, skiing, watching soccer games or working as a paid fire fighter out of Big Sky, Montana (with two days on and then four days off), I might actually get to go do some personal fishing on my own.


Whether you have fished the Madison before, dream about fishing it or are trying to decide if the Madison River should be on your bucket list, you will not want to miss this presentation. You can check out more about Chris and Julie and fishing the Madison by going to www.eatonoutfitters.com. Start out the year with some fly fishing excitement. Join us Thursday evening, January 10th, at 7:30 p.m. at the San Marino Masonic Lodge, 3130 Huntington Drive, San Marino, 91108.



Seymour R. Singer
PCC President