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Blog Montana Fly Fishing

12+ Rivers
3 Spring Creeks
300+ River Miles
Drift, Raft, Wade

WE HAVE IT ALL!

Welcome to the Ultimate Montana Fly Fishing Trip!

Experience world-class fly fishing in the picturesque landscapes of Montana. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of this iconic fly fishing destination, where pristine rivers, abundant fish species, and expert guides come together to create an unforgettable angling adventure.

Why Choose Montana for Your Fly Fishing Trip?

  1. Montana’s Fly Fishing Paradise: As the Big Sky State, Montana boasts over 170,000 miles of fishable rivers, including the famous Yellowstone, Madison, and Missouri rivers. With diverse terrain, crystal-clear waters, and healthy fish populations, this is a fly fisherman’s dream come true.
  2. Expert Guides: Our team of experienced and knowledgeable fly fishing guides will ensure you make the most of your trip. From beginners to seasoned anglers, our guides provide personalized instruction and tips to help you improve your technique and catch fish.
  3. Abundant Fish Species: Montana offers a variety of fish species, including the elusive trout, such as rainbow trout, brown trout, and the famed Montana native, the cutthroat trout. From prolific hatches to thrilling dry fly action, there is something for every angler in Montana.
  4. Unparalleled Scenic Beauty: Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of Montana. From snow-capped mountains and roaring rivers to sprawling meadows and wildlife-rich forests, this destination offers a visual feast for your senses.
  5. Authentic Outdoor Experience: Montana’s fly fishing culture is ingrained in its DNA. Whether you choose to rough it in a remote backcountry river or enjoy the comforts of a high-end lodge, you’ll be immersed in the genuine Montana outdoor experience.

Trip Availability

Our Montana fly fishing trips are popular! Availability is not guaranteed, so contact us early if you’d like to add a day or two of fly fishing to your Montana vacation.

FLOAT & DRIFT BOAT TRIPS

Fishing from a drift boat or raft on a big river is truly a western fly fishing experience that every angler should enjoy

Southwest Montana offers some spectacular rivers that can only be fully appreciated from a drift boat or raft. Our guide staff have spent years learning the hundreds of miles of river we float in order to find our anglers the best fishing available. We recommend these trips for anglers of all experience levels.

DAY RATES START AT
$725/guide

  • Trips include rods, reels. flies, tippet & catered riverside lunches
  • Limit 2 anglers per guide, additional anglers require additional guide(s)
  • Suitable for most ages 12 & over
Montana Fly Fishing Trip

WALK & WADE TRIPS

There’s just something about standing in the water fly fishing that brings it back to what it’s all about.

Our Walk Wade fly fishing trips take place on a number of rivers including locations in Yellowstone Park, local area spring creeks and some special “No-Tell-Um” Creeks.

*Not recommended for beginner anglers, as the casting and mending techniques needed are a bit more advanced.

WALK & WADE RATES STARTING AT
$725/guide

  • Trips include rods, reels. flies, tippet & catered riverside lunches
  • Limit 2 anglers per guide, additional anglers require additional guide(s)
  • Private water fees not included
  • Suitable for most ages 12 & over
Montana Fly Fishing trip

HALF-DAY TRIP

When time is of the essence or you just want to expose a beginner to the great sport of fly fishing our Half-day trips are a perfect solution

We encourage anglers to enjoy as much fishing as possible, but sometimes lack of time gets the better of us. Our Half-day trips are a great solution. There is so much water in our backyard we can usually be fishing in just minutes. Take advantage of a 4 hour float or walk wade trip even if you just have a part of the day. This is great way to introduce beginner anglers to the sport as well as enjoy some quality time on the water.

HALF DAY RATES STARTING AT
$625/guide

  • Trips include rods, reels. flies, tippet & catered riverside lunches
  • Limit 2 anglers per guide, additional anglers require additional guide(s)
  • Suitable for most ages 12 & over
Montana Fly Fishing Trip

Plan Your Montana Fly Fishing Trip Today!

  1. Choose Your Adventure: Select from a range of guided fly fishing trips, whether you prefer single-day excursions or multi-day expeditions. We offer options for every skill level and can customize trips to suit your preferences.
  2. Select Your Location: Explore the renowned rivers of Montana, such as the Madison, Missouri, or Yellowstone rivers, where trophy-sized fish await. We also offer access to private waters for a secluded fishing experience.
  3. Book Accommodation: From cozy riverside cabins to luxurious lodges, we can recommend a variety of accommodation options to cater to your comfort and budget. Rest assured, we’ve partnered with the best lodging establishments in Montana. We understand that finding the perfect accommodation is crucial to enhance your overall fishing experience in Montana. That’s why we offer a wide range of options to suit every preference and budget. Whether you’re looking for a cozy cabin nestled nearby a riverside or a luxurious lodge with all the amenities, we have you covered.

BUILD YOUR ADVENTURE TODAY!

Frequently Asked Questions

ENTIRE RANGE

BOULDER RIVER

We describe our Boulder River fly fishing trips as half fishing half raft trip – in other words exciting fly fishing.

While your guide expertly rows the raft through class I, II & III rapids you’ll be hitting the pocket water in this fast paced fly fishing adventure. The Boulder River is a Blue Ribbon trout stream with quality rainbow and brown trout. This may be one of the best dry fly small streams in all of Montana. It has unusual purity giving it a unique clarity and beauty. Fly fishing the Boulder River depends on water levels and is typically floatable between late July and early August.

BEST TIME TO FISH THE BOULDER RIVER

  • Jan
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GALLATIN RIVER

The Gallatin River, near Bozeman Montana is small in size, which to many means little fish, but not so on this hidden gem.

This is a classic small Montana stream with shallow riffles leading to long runs and deep pools with undercut banks. Typically this is a hunting ground for large brown and rainbow trout using streamers and large crawfish patterns. We typically float the Gallatin River in a raft or drift boat due to the many braids and channels – it’s a long day of fishing, but it can be very rewarding for those anglers looking for that 20+ inch trout.

BEST TIME TO FISH THE GALLATIN RIVER

  • Jan
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MADISON RIVER

Want a famed Madison River fishing trip?

The Madison River originates in Yellowstone National Park and flows nearly 150 miles before joining the headwaters of the Missouri river. The Madison river fishing is divided into the upper stretch and lower stretch each of which seems to be completely different waters. Both the Upper Madison and Lower Madison are some of Montana’s premier wild trout rivers and it has been classified as a “Blue Ribbon” trout stream. Every foot of the river is capable of producing rainbow and brown trout eager to rise to a dry fly, grab a drifting nymph or a swinging streamer.

BEST TIME TO FISH THE MADISON RIVER

  • Jan
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MISSOURI RIVER

Missouri River Fly Fishing

Join Us for a Missouri River Fishing Trip

A Missouri River fishing trip is a truly unbelievable home for trout below Holter Lake through the town of Craig and downstream to Cascade, Montana. It boasted the highest trout population in the state of Montana in 2012 with over 8,000 fish per mile and 20′′ fish are common. Obviously, chances of having a good day while Missouri River fishing are high. Not only are the fish numerous, but like most tailwaters the Missouri river is abundant in aquatic bug life, making for exceptional sight and dry fly fishing. We offer this trip only during the best fishing time of the year which is from April until early July and then again in late September into November.

BEST TIME TO FISH THE MISSOURI RIVER

  • Jan
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SMITH RIVER

Smith River fly fishing trips can be summed up in almost one word – secluded.

Our Smith River fly fishing trips take place on the upper section of the Smith River, between its origin and above the Smith River Fly Fishing Access Site, flows through gently rolling prairie, flanked by the tall peaks of the Big Belt Mountains and Little Belt Mountains. It is beautiful country, with sweeping wide­ open vistas and incredible views. Other than the small town of White Sulphur Springs, the area is also very remote. Agricultural fields surround the river in this section, with extensive brush along its bank. A number of pools are also found on this stretch. Generally, the Smith River flows at a slow to moderate pace in this section, depending on water levels.

BEST TIME TO FISH THE SMITH RIVER

  • Jan
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SPRING CREEKS

The Paradise Valley Spring Creeks of Armstrong, DePuy and Nelson should be on every angler’s wish list.

These world famous creeks are a sight fishing wonderland – with consistent hatches of midges, baetis, Pale Morning Duns, and Sulphur’s anglers can test their skills against wary trout. Dry fly fishing, sight-nymphing and reach casts on 6X are useful tools to have in your angling arsenal, but don’t worry if you need a little more practice our guides will teach you these techniques and make you a better angler after just one day! Please make sure to plan ahead as these private locations have limited availability and in prime season reservations can book up to a year in advance.

BEST TIME TO FISH THE SPRING CREEKS

  • Jan
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STILLWATER RIVER

Don’t let the name fool you, our Stillwater River fishing trips take place on a wild and fast flowing river.

The beautiful Stillwater River begins in the Absaroka ­Beartooth Wilderness and flows north toward the town of Columbus, Montana where fishing access sites are good. Typically fishing this stream starts by mid July and August via rafts, but good wade fishing can also be had in the early spring with very good mayfly hatches starting around early March. This is definitely a dry fly fishing river and fishing this pocket water stream with a big hopper or stonefly pattern can be awesome.

BEST TIME TO FISH THE STILLWATER RIVER

  • Jan
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TROPHY LAKES

If you’re looking for trophy lake fly fishing trips then you need to check out a couple of the private trophy waters in the Livingston area.

They offer outstanding stillwater fly fishing for rainbows, browns and cutthroat trout. Fly fishing on these trophy lakes is more intense than most anglers realize. Stalking large trout and sight casting to gulpers can give even the most experienced angler the casting jitters. These trophy lakes have prolific hatches of damselflies, Callibaetis mayflies, midges and terrestrials. These lakes are also the ideal starting point for both beginner anglers and those younger anglers looking to bend the rod for the first time.

BEST TIME TO FISH THE TROPHY LAKES

  • Jan
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YELLOWSTONE RIVER

This is a classic western river and should be on every angler’s life list

Our Yellowstone River fishing trips include guiding on over 120 miles of blue ribbon trout water starting at Yellowstone National Park. The Yellowstone River is our home water and one of the great fly fishing trout streams of the world. It is the longest undammed river in the lower 48 states, and there is excellent trout water from its tributaries high inside Yellowstone Park, downstream through Gardiner, the Paradise Valley, Livingston, and on to well below Big Timber – a stretch of nearly 150 river miles. We float many different stretches of the prime water between Gardiner and Big Timber, depending on the Yellowstone River fly fishing conditions and water levels.

BEST TIME TO FISH THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER

  • Jan
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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Fly Fishing in Yellowstone National Park

Our Nation’s first National Park offers some of the most famous fly fishing waters in the country. Slough Creek, Soda Butte Creek, Lamar River, Yellowstone River and many other small streams are all within driving distance of Livingston, Montana. Our Yellowstone Park fly fishing guides have detailed knowledge of the waters in Yellowstone National Park and have spent decades learning these waters. They are pleased to show you some secrets to catching more trout in this amazing environment.

BEST TIME TO FISH YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

  • Jan
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Learn More