2020 and 2021 were hectic seasons for a lot of reasons, most of which everyone knows. 2022 hasn’t really slowed down in terms of guide bookings. However, if you are still planning a 2022 fishing trip or even a couple days of fishing we do have SOME openings. Feel free to contact us with your dates and we’ll be happy to try and arrange something for you.
In light of current COVID-19 events, we want to share with you our perspective and updates regarding bookings this year. We are doing our best to adjust accordingly and with good judgement, based on our own past experiences. We also encourage everyone to adhere to the guidelines, just as we are personally doing. This isn’t about politics, it’s about science and basic math – the sooner we get this under control the sooner we can go back to normal.
Weâve spoken with many respected fishing outfitters throughout SW Montana. While we are all concerned about how to stay healthy and provide for our families, it is our collective sense that this will eventually pass. When exactly that day is, only time will tell. When it does come, we anticipate that many people will want get outdoors, and return to the rivers. This means a possible boom of anglers coming to SW Montana, as other worries subside.
In fact, we can infer historic relevancy to this with two notable economic downturns experienced here in SW Montana: 1) the recession in the 2000s, and 2) the 2016 PKD closure of the Yellowstone area fishery. During those stressful times, we only experienced slight dips in guided trips (<5% average).
We understand that this is a different situation, but plain and simple people want to come to Montana to fish and get back to nature whenever possible.
While we all are at the mercy of uncertainty, as well as, social and personal responsibility, it is our goal to accommodate anglers in the best way that we possibly can.
Below is our adjusted cancellation policy for trips 2020, with what we know as of today. Rest assured, as conditions change we will continue to adjust accordingly.
Bookings in Spring (March, April, May):
Bookings in Summer/Fall (June, July, August, September, October):
As professionals in the fly fishing industry for 25 years, we highly recommend:
Like everyone, we donât know how this will eventually play out.  I personally believe that panic and worry is not how anyone wants to live life, especially our guides and just about every angler I know. However, we are taking the guidelines and recommendations seriously.
Our regular, returning anglers, can attest to the fact that the Montana Fly Fishing Guides team is made up of men and women who are fully dedicated to their occupations. Our guides rely on advanced bookings to plan their yearly income. Most guides earn the majority of their yearly income in just a few months of very hard work.
As an outfitter, we need to balance the requirements of our anglers with the responsibility of supporting our guides income, including the ability to let them make alternate arrangements for income, if needed, to support their families. Itâs a delicate balancing act. Please know that our highest priority is to provide you with the most dedicated, capable and professional guides.
Thank you for understanding, and we respectfully ask that you consider your bookings or cancellations carefully.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. Remember to keep clam and fish on!
Sincerely,
Eric, Nikki and the entire MFG guide staff
As of March 11, 2020 all of Montana’s major fishing drainages are sitting at or above 100% of normal. Obviously, that’s great news for trout and anglers alike. If things continue on the current forecast we should be in for another great year of fishing in SW Montana. Check out the images below and see for yourself.
On another note, our regional 3 biologist Scott Opitz spoke with the our Joe Brooks Trout Unlimited chapter here in Livingston recently. According to their recent fish surveys and comparisons with past data the Yellowstone River trout numbers are maintaining historical averages. Another positive note was very good requirement of 3 year old (approx 16″) rainbows in the sampling. Of course that’s what all of us fly anglers love to hear!
The next few months (April, May & June) temperature and precipitation probability forecasts also look favorable for anglers and trout this year.
We describe our Boulder River fly fishing trips as half fishing half raft trip â in other words exciting fly fishing.
While your guide expertly rows the raft through class I, II & III rapids youâll 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.
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 â itâs a long day of fishing, but it can be very rewarding for those anglers looking for that 20+ inch trout.
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 Montanaâs premier wild trout rivers and it has been classified as a âBlue Ribbonâ 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.
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 20â˛â˛ 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.
Smith River fly fishing trips can be summed up in almost one word â 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.
The Paradise Valley Spring Creeks of Armstrong, DePuy and Nelson should be on every anglerâs wish list.
These world famous creeks are a sight fishing wonderland â with consistent hatches of midges, baetis, Pale Morning Duns, and Sulphurâs 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 donât 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.
Donât 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 ÂBeartooth 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.
If youâre 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.
This is a classic western river and should be on every anglerâs 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 â 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.
Fly Fishing in Yellowstone National Park
Our Nationâs 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.
