best fly fishing in montana

Once it enters Montana, it flows through Hebgen Lake. For anglers, fishing in Montana is about as close as you can get to heaven. The fishing regulations can be found here: Information on fish stocking is found here: Fly Fishers International located in Livingston Montana has great information about fly fishing: Montana Trout Unlimited is also a great resource. With plentiful road access through the National Forest and pull-offs throughout, the Gallatin is a great option for a DIY unguided fly-fishing trip in Montana. Don’t forget some spruce moth patterns as they are particularly plentiful on the Gallatin. This section of the river primarily flows through public National Forest land. With fishing season quickly approaching, we start compiling a list of “go-to” flies we are low on and need to tie up for the season. Top Montana Fishing Trips. This wild trout fishery flows through the Crow Indian Reservation. Stop by a park visitor center to get a current copy of the regulations. The gravel Rock Creek Road that parallels the water also makes finding spots on the river easy. If it is windy and you are fishing big water, a six weight might be a good idea to bring as well. Rainbow and brown trout are your main targets although cutthroat and grayling can be found as well. This section gets crowded and has special regulations on float access so check the current regulations for more info. Challenging access and uncertain flows from irrigation dams lend to limited fishing pressure on the Sun River. While the explorers didn’t find the hoped for water route to the Pacific, they did discover one of the best trout streams in the country. This makes it ideal for fly anglers. Book your trip today! However, since access is quite limited, floating is really the only way to fish this lower section. Montana's premier fly fishing guide service. 5 Bighorn River. 6 Smith River. Leeches and crawfish patterns fished on sinking lines are best if you want to get down where the big trout are. Montana fly fishing inherently means different things to different people and the destinations are many and varied. The valley is home to Bozeman, where several outfitters love to flex their knowledge of the waterway. Hopper Imitations, mid to late summer, size 2-8 Wade anglers generally have access to both banks along the river, thanks to the shallow depths. This change in scenery and river flow also provides visitors with a healthy mix of techniques to try. Hebgen Lake is a special trout fishery. The famous $3 Bridge wade access is always crowded, but there is good reason. The scenery surrounding the river is quintessential Montana. Bring a heavy rod and big streamers for the bull trout. It’s the time of year that some of the biggest trout in the Bitterroot are willing to come out and gobble up a big foam dry fly, and catching fish on a dry fly in the spring will cure any cabin fever you might have from a long, cold winter. Each February a drawing for permits is held. Want to catch big fish? Fishing to these risers out of a drift boat with callibaetis or trico imitations provides consistent action as long as the wind is not blowing too hard. We offer guided fishing trips across the state. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. Rainbow, brown, brook, cutthroat, and lake trout are all found in Yellowstone along with grayling and mountain whitefish if you know where to look. Brown trout caught while fly fishing the Bighorn River. The good news is that this river also features phenomenal mayfly and caddis hatches along with some stoneflies. ” Learn More The Missoulian Angler Fly Shop Missoula. Salmonflies, golden stoneflies, and yellow sallies are found on many streams and rivers. One of the most beautiful states anywhere in the US. Because they are within a designated wilderness area, both require hike-in fishing. While waiting for your big catch, take a moment to see the mountains cascade around you or catch a glimpse of Montana wildlife. Today, angler’s come from all over to try for the large rainbow and brown trout that call this river home. Take me to Vrbo. Commercial outfitters are happy to share their knowledge of the rivers to first-time fly casters. That is because float fishing is not allowed on a majority of the Gallatin River so waders will have the river to themselves as far as the fishing is concerned. The Jefferson River is one of the three main tributaries of the mighty Missouri River and also happens to be the least fished. Below Yellowtail Dam, the Bighorn River tailwater provides world class fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout. The abundant trout in the Clark Fork is much in thanks to massive cleanup efforts on the river over the last decades. While wade fishing is possible with low water levels, the section of the river below the dam swarms with boats throughout much of the year. The steep landscape and rapids here make fishing more challenging, though rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout teem in the turbulent water. Another excellent option is fly fishing on the South Fork or North Fork Sun River within the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. On the lakes, sinking line will help in the deeper water. Dry flies are often the best choice on this perfect fly fishing river. Much of the waterway passes through private land in this remote part of Montana, making fishing access a little more difficult. Check current regulations if you intend to target bull trout to make sure that you stay legal. Today, thousands of locals, tourists, and trout make good use of the clean water. Because the river flows through wilderness, you will have to walk to get to the stream. My buddy and I were on a weeklong camping trip to Yellowstone National Park. Fly fishing season in Montana occurs every day of the spring runoff, summer, and fall, depending on the river. Looking to catch good numbers of trout? If you intend to fly fish with streamers for larger trout, then a seven weight fly rod with sinking or sink tip line is a good choice. Large rainbow and brown trout are common although hooking and landing them can be challenging. A Golden Stone hatch follows and lasts through July. 1. These challenges deter many anglers, which lends to the trout biting at anything that drops in the water. As with the upper river, anglers will probably have to stay in the river if they want to get away from access points. Montana’s natural beauty never ceases to amaze. Bring a variety of leaders and tippet material. For anglers willing to make the hike, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone provides a productive fishery. The Sun River is born in the high elevations on the east side of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. Check out the lakes there for potentially enormous trout. "When is the best time to fish Montana" we respond, "when can you get here". Some sections of the Big Hole provide excellent access for wading. With several access points, though, the action is pretty well spread out. Angler heading onto the Missouri River near Wolf Creek Bridge. That said, it can provide memorable fishing opportunities if you take the time to fish it. The fish are a bit more willing here than on some other Montana Rivers. Surrounded by the Bitterroot Mountains to the west and the Sapphires to the east, the Bitterroot River offers textbook trout fishing. Access is difficult but the fishing can be good to excellent for adventuresome anglers. Check. The Clark Fork River originates between Butte and Deer Lodge and flows along Interstate 90 past Missoula to the Idaho border. It is probably the best fishing of the year. Montana Fishing Guides is the top fly fishing outfitter in Montana. A weight forward floating line will work for most applications. Because of the tumbling nature of Rock Creek, stoneflies are plentiful including the salmonfly hatch that brings anglers from all over. The 60-mile section between Camp Baker and Eden Bridge is iconic fly fishing. It has information on individual local chapters and can be found here: There are many excellent fly shops across Montana. Fly-fishing is growing all across the United States. We recommend serious anglers stick to the Madison or Grayling arms of the lake. As with most cutthroat trout, standard attractor dry flies from size 8-16 are best. Anyone who is already in the vicinity owes it to themselves to spend at least a day or two here. All the way to Ennis Lake is worth exploring although you won’t have the river to yourself. Backpacking or a horse pack trip is the best way to fish the South Fork of the Flathead. The following are the best of the best, but don’t forget to get off the beaten path and find those hidden gems as well. Clean water, fresh air, mountain vistas, rich culture - what’s not to love in Montana? The far upper river is much like a spring creak. The river originates near White Sulphur Springs and travels approximately 100 miles before meeting the Missouri River. And because of the calm waters regulated by the dam, a variety of fishing vessels take to the water. The trout fishing here is famous for a reason, and big hatches occur throughout the spring and into summer. If you are planning on spending a lot of time on streams like the Gallatin or Rock Creek, a longer rod might be a good idea for the extra reach. For the lakes, make sure you bring callibaetis and trico patterns as well as some leech and crawfish patterns. The Big Hole River is also one of only a few places in Montana where you can catch native grayling. A particularly good plan is to fish the lake in the morning until the winds pick up. Several access sites along the river help spread out the gaggles of anglers who visit during summer. From here, this near 700-mile river flows uninterrupted until it meets the Missouri River in North Dakota. Heavy hatches of mayflies like pale morning duns bring seemingly every fish in the stream to the surface. Surrounded by serene wilderness, and with dozens of bites per hour, these wild rivers provide an unforgettable Montana fishing experience. While the explorers didn’t find the hoped for water route to the Pacific, they did discover one of the best trout streams in the country. The Missouri River is a true bug factory. River pressure eases after the Skwala hatch in the spring, and the river provides excellent fishing throughout the summer and fall. Small nymphs and light tippets are the key to success here. Although these are mostly all privately owned making access somewhat pricey, the fishing is worth the price of admission. The only natural lake on the Madison River, Quake Lake was formed by a strong earthquake in 1959. Add a name or favorite quote. This is probably because of the lower overall fish counts on the Jefferson. Contact us. However, the river fishes well throughout the warm months. Here are a few of the flies you shouldn’t leave home without. Unlike other Montana rivers, anyone who wants to fish the Smith River needs a permit. Brown and cutthroats have also been pulled from the water. Bring light rods, long leaders, and fine tippets for these educated trout. The river contains rainbow, brown, brook, cutthroat, and brown trout. The river makes dramatic changes along its path, widening from a small stream to a large river by the time it reaches Missoula. Big Hole River Home to the last population of native fluvial Arctic grayling in the contiguous US, the Big Hole River is … This was one of the most epic fishing trips I have ever taken. “ Our guides (Dan and Will) were extremely knowledgable, friendly and worked exceptionally hard to give us the best fishing experience possible. Chances are, though, anglers are going to land something on the Big Hole River. Also, keep an eye out for the grizzly bears that call the park home. Fly fishing on the South Fork Sun River | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane. 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