River around Livingston, Montana
“What’s your favorite river to fish?” – probably the question we hear the most when guiding. You wanna know? Here you go:
- Yellowstone River – obviously, it’s our home river. We guide 120 miles of the longest freestone (un-dammed) river in the lower 48 States, how could you not love fishing that?
- Boulder River – this small rafting stream is a half raft trip half fishing adventure.
- Soda Butte Creek – this small little gem in Yellowstone National Park has huge Cutthroat that eat dry flies.
- Armstrong Spring Creek – one of the best sight fishing for big trout spring creek anywhere in the world!
- Smith River – walk/wading through the upper stretches of this small stream can produce some big brown trout.
- Lower Madison – OK we know it can be a bit weird to fish and it’s mostly nymphing or streamers, but this is the river where you’ve truly got a chance to catch a Montana trophy.
- Stillwater River – it’s a bit of a drive, but it’s a bigger version of the Boulder River and stays floatable through out the season.
- DePuy Spring Creek – with over 3 miles of spring creek and predictable hatches it’s another Paradise Valley gem.
- East Gallatin – we might get in trouble for this one with some of the locals, but it’s true. This tiny stream right by the Gallatin Airfield holds some huge trout which might be eating Trico’s in the morning and Hoppers in the afternoon.
- Missouri River – Alright it’s not really that close to Livingston, but we head up there every June for about a month and it’s one of our favorites because it doesn’t experience the major run-off like the majority of the rivers in our area. Oh yeah did we mention the huge trout.
What are your favorite Montana Rivers?
Eric Adams teaching a novice angler to read water
This time of the year we are flooded with people making reservations for their Montana fly fishing trips. Part of helping people make their plans is listening and answering their questions. One of the most common questions is related to lesser experienced anglers. We get excited to guide beginners, adolescents, and casual anglers. Our guide staff loves the sport and wants to teach those eager to learn. Having said that here are a few things that will make your Montana fly fishing trip better if you are fishing with a novice or if you are the novice.
Let us preface this by saying that you’ve already made the best decision to improve your angling skills by hiring a guide. They are on the water daily, have great local knowledge, and are passionate about sharing this information with beginner and experienced anglers alike.
6 Tips for Beginner Anglers:
- Make sure to TELL YOUR OUTFITTER that you are a novice when you first book your trip or that you have a novice angler fishing with you. Then the outfitter can get you the best possible guide and make the best plan for learning and catching fish during your stay.
- ASK QUESTIONS, ask before you come out, while you’re fishing and afterwards. There aren’t any dumb questions about fishing if you don’t know and you’ll never learn if you don’t ask.
- COMMUNICATE throughout the day with your guide. If your guide explains something and you still don’t get it ask him to explain it again or show you – don’t just nod your head in agreement. Personally, we love it when people are passionately trying to understand the sport we love.
- Ask your outfitter about the EQUIPMENT YOU NEED. Don’t spend a lot of $ on equipment that you might only use a few times, likewise don’t use poor quality gear either. Have the outfitter provide quality gear or rent it from a fly shop. Borrowing your ‘uncle’s’ old fiberglass rod from the 1960’s won’t help you enjoy your time on the water.
- Tell you outfitter your EXPECTATIONS. Do you want to just try and catch a bunch of fish or do you want to learn the when/where/how/why of fishing? Any guide worth their salt will be happy to teach you while also catching fish.
- LISTEN to your guide. We know it seems simple, but honestly it’s the most important part of learning. If the person you’ve hired as the expert suggest something or makes a point to explain something it’s probably important.
Do you have any tips for novice anglers going on a guided trip that you’ve found helpful? Be sure to comment if you do.
Most of the time we will be the first one’s to say, “Fishing and politics don’t mix”! At least when you’re floating the river looking for Mr. Trout to eat your dry fly. Sometimes anglers/hunters/avid outdoorsmen have to take a serious look around and become involved. We here at Montana Fly Fishing Guides aren’t political by nature, but when topics are debated that directly effect our resources we try to stand up and be counted. Please visit the resource below to learn more about how you can ensure your children will enjoy the same recreational activities you do today. We aren’t saying that the proposed legislation is THE solution, but all of us should be informed and willing to get involved in this discussion!
The following is an excerpt from Climate Central, we encourage you to watch the video and learn more. We’ve already contacted our Montana Congressmen and given them our opinions. We urge you to learn more about this topic, contact your local congressmen, and get involved:
“The flow of water in Montana’s rivers is lifeblood for its economy, both through tourism and agriculture. Montana’s trout and the $300 million recreational fishing industry depend on cool waters flowing from melting snow high in the mountains throughout the summer. Irrigated crops play a prominent role in Montana’s $2.4 billion agricultural industry, and these crops rely on the same strong river flows during the summer when soils are driest and plants thirstiest. But a broad trend is changing the way streams and rivers flow in Montana. Read more & view video…
You can also email Derek Goldman directly at dgoldman@mrss.com to become involved.
Another spring storm warning in Montana
Winter Storm Warning in SW Montana | Really?!? 18-24 inches are predicted through today in the Beartooth/Absaroka mountains. The cool weather has been great for fishing and good for our snowpack which in now up to 85% snow water equivalent, but even the most hardy Montanans are ready for some warmer weather.
Fortunately, it looks like it’s going to get warmer this weekend – middle to upper 60s. Take advantage as the Yellowstone River is likely to start it’s spring run-off! Caddis are still popping and the March brown’s have also been abundant.
Here are just a few of our favorites…
How do you know you’re in Livingston, Montana?
You may have heard the following story, but I thought I’d post it for those of you who haven’t read it yet. Sure it’s an obvious comment on the capitalistic society model, but we like it because it fits our midset.
An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The fisherman replied, only a little while.
The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish?
The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.
The American then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life.”
The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”
“But what then?”
The American laughed and said that’s the best part. “When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.”
“Millions.. Then what?”
The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.
Who are you, the Banker or the Fisherman?
