MONTANA’S BEST FLY FISHING RIVERS
Montana’s rivers are famous the world over for their thriving wild trout fisheries, whitewater recreation, and their clean, clear water. Montana still has what the rest of the country wants – plentiful clean water and free-flowing streams. Which is why Montana Fly Fishing Guides, llc. is a proud supporter of Montanans for Healthy Rivers. Please support their efforts to protect and conserve Montana’s most valuable natural resource.
Montana Fly Fishing Guides gets you on the best trout waters, period. Our backyard boasts some of the best fly fishing in the world and it’s our mission to give you the best experience possible. The incredible variety of water including spring creeks, large freestone’s and perfect tailwaters not to mention the hundreds of miles of fishable water make us unique.
The area around Livingston is considered to be a Mecca of fly fishing Montana by anglers the world over. Livingston is located just north of Yellowstone National Park near many famous Montana fly fishing rivers in Paradise Valley. Nearly a dozen world class Montana fly fisheries are within a few miles drive and we guide them all.
- ENTIRE RANGE
- BOULDER
- GALLATIN
- MADISON
- MISSOURI
- SMITH
- SPRING CREEKS
- STILLWATER
- TROPHY LAKES
- THE YELLOWSTONE
- YNP
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
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- June
- July
- Aug
- Sept
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
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
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- June
- July
- Aug
- Sept
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
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
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- June
- July
- Aug
- Sept
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
MISSOURI RIVER
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
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- June
- July
- Aug
- Sept
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
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
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- June
- July
- Aug
- Sept
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
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
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- June
- July
- Aug
- Sept
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
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
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- June
- July
- Aug
- Sept
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
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
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- June
- July
- Aug
- Sept
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
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
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- June
- July
- Aug
- Sept
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
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
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- June
- July
- Aug
- Sept
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
OUR HOME WATER
Is the Yellowstone River which is the longest freestone river in the country. This un-dammed river boasts the longest stretch of “blue ribbon trout stream” in the nation. Fly fishing Montana superb hatches of caddis, mayflies, stoneflies and terrestrials it’s a must on your fishing checklist. The Yellowstone River is undammed so the river levels fluctuate almost on a daily basis. So it’s important to go with a Montana fly fishing guide who knows what’s been happening on a day to day basis. You don’t get many vacation days away from work so why not spend at least one day with a Montana fly fishing expert.
NEXT ON OUR FLY FISHING MONTANA LIST
Are the nearby spring creeks of Armstrong spring creek, DePuy spring creek, and Nelson’s spring creek. These unique spring creeks offer spectacular views and world class walk and wade fly fishing. Fly fishing anglers from around the world travel to test wits with these selective trout. As private waters they are often booked years in advance, but due to our relationship with these landowners we have a number prime summertime rods available. On these fly fishing Montana gems you’ll see amazing hatches of Pale Morning Duns (PMD’s), Blue wing olives (BWO’s), Sulphur’s, Midges, Terrestrials, Caddis, and a number of other spring creek hatches.
WAIT THERE’S STILL MORE
Yes, more – the Missouri River may just be the best trout fishery in the world. We have confidence in saying that as there are over 8,000 trout per mile on this 40 mile stretch of water. Truly preposterous numbers, but as a tailwater (dam controlled) fishery these trout, which average 16″, can be picky. Feeding on the enormous amount of insect life does make them fat, but choosing the right flies in combination with technique are crucial. We spend our April, May and June on this amazing fishery and we’ve yet to find an angler that hasn’t appreciated this amazing fly fishing destination.
WET YOUR APPETITE FOR FLY FISHING MONTANA YET?
How about a wild raft ride through the upper Yellowstone River, the Boulder River, or the Stillwater River? In addition to drift boats our Montana Fly Fishing Guides also have a raft in order to fish some of Montana’s more exciting stretches of water. The next time you hire a Montana fly fishing guide ask them if they also have a raft. If not you might be missing out on a great Montana fly fishing adventure. These river have up to class II whitewater and are great Montana fly fishing trips. Our Montana fishing guides will show you how to fish pocket water from a raft and some other great techniques to make your day on the water more productive. Come and see for yourself and we guarantee you’ll be back for more.