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Recently Booked Fly Fishing Guides In Montana
River Fishing Trip in Yellowstone River
Yellowstone River Float
River Fishing Trip in Madison River
Multi Boat Madison River Float
River Fishing Trip in Emigrant
Yellowstone River Float Trips
River Fishing Trip in Gallatin Gateway
Full Day Float (Multiple Rivers)
Most Popular Types of Fly Fishing Trips in Montana
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More Fly Fishing Guides In Montana
Float your way on the water with your guide and get ready for an action-packed day of Montana fishing from one of the best guides around! On this fly-fishing trip, you'll be floating down the Missouri River to target some Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. The Missouri River is recommended for experienced fly fishers who are looking for a challenge that will pay off with some bigger fish. The upper stretch of the Missouri River (the “Mighty Mo”) from Toston, MT, to Townsend, MT, has very calm moving water with large, easily spooked Rainbow and Brown Trout. Just the sound of the line hitting the water can scare away these fish, so be prepared to make some smooth casts. Once you get down the technique, you can expect 20-plus inch Trout. Anglers looking for an even bigger challenge can target the Common Carp, which is becoming increasingly sought after in this river. On this half or full-day excursion, your guide will row you where you need to be in a maneuverable drift boat as you take in the beautiful scenery. From here, your guide will give you expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Drift boats allow anglers to cover a larger area and access places that may be unsafe for wading. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, your guide is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone, or Fort Smith, Montana – We have you covered. Your guide(s) will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. Your guide will provide all the rods, reels, flies, and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. Let them know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which he will provide at an additional cost. All you need to bring is a valid Montana fishing license. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with your guide! **We have several listings for float trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. They want you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river, they may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your float trip on this listing, and they will get in contact with you about the details!** Read More
Float your way on the water with your guide and get ready for an action-packed day of Montana fishing from one of the best guides around! On this fly-fishing trip, you'll be floating down the Bighorn River to target some Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. Offering year-round fly fishing, the Bighorn is considered the cream of the crop, not only in Montana but in the fly fishing world! In the first 13 miles from the Afterbay to Bighorn fishing access, the fish average 14 inches, though it’s not uncommon to take Trout over 20 inches. With all this excellent fishing, it can be hard to find a time when you are the only boat on the river, especially during the summer months. To avoid the crowds, We recommend floating from November through April. The Bighorn River is a fertile tailwater fishery with a high fish-per-mile population. Using a drift boat allows you and your guide to jump from spot to spot, not only fishing from the boat but also stopping to wade fish several runs holding numerous rainbows and browns. All guided trips on the Bighorn are two-day minimums from November 1st through April. On this half or full-day excursion, Nate will row you where you need to be in a maneuverable drift boat as you take in the beautiful scenery. From here he'll give you some of his expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Drift boats allow anglers to cover a larger area and access places that may be unsafe for wading. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, Nate is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone, or Fort Smith, Montana – We have you covered. Your guide(s) will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. Your guide will provide all the rods, reels, flies, and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. Let them know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which they will provide at an additional cost. All you need to bring is a valid Montana fishing license. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with your guide! **We have several listings for float trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. They want you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river, they may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your float trip on this listing, and they will get in contact with you about the details!** Read More
Wade your way into the water with one of our guides and get ready for an action-packed day of Yellowstone Park fishing from one of the best guides around! On this fly-fishing trip, you'll be wading into the Madison River from the grounds within Yellowstone National Park to target some Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. The Madison River hosts wild Rainbow and Brown trout ranging in size from 10″ to 28″ at an average length of 18″. The Fall spawning run out of Hebgen Lake will give you some of the best fish. In October through November, expect to see big Browns and Rainbows averaging 19 inches with the occasional 28″ Brown Trout. If you go fishing out here in the fall, be ready for winter conditions, where temperatures can drop below zero on any given day. The Madison River in Yellowstone National Park opens to fishing on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend each year and stays open through October 31 each year. We recommend waiting until the river clears up in early-mid June. Once the conditions are favorable, you can take advantage of the famous salmon fly hatch to catch a nice Brown Trout on a dry fly. Some other hatches that may be more productive depending on the day include Pale Morning Duns, Baetis, and Caddis. Your guide will quickly figure out which one the fish are targeting when you fish with him! On these full-day excursions, your guide will wade you into the river from one of the Yellowstone Park access points. From here, your guide will give you some expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, your guide is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone, or Fort Smith, Montana – We have you covered. Your guide(s) will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. Your guide will provide all the rods, reels, flies, and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. Let them know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which they will provide at an additional cost. You will also need to purchase a special Yellowstone National Park fishing license (no state license is required) and pay a $20 entrance fee to enter the park. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with your guide! **We have several listings for wade fishing trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. They want you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river, they may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your wade fishing trip on this listing, and they will contact you about the details!** Read More
River Fishing Trip in West Yellowstone
Madison River Walk-n-Wade In Yellowstone
Wade your way into the water with one of our guides and get ready for an action-packed day of Yellowstone Park fishing from one of the best guides around! On this fly-fishing trip you'll be wading into the Gallatin River from the grounds within Yellowstone National Park to target some Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. Open to fishing from Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through October 31st, the Gallatin River is a cold, high-elevation, freestone river with grassy meadows, thick willow banks, pocket water, healthy trout, and little to no crowds. This section won't have as many fish per mile as other rivers closer to Bozeman, but it makes up for this with fish size, incredible scenery, and low fishing traffic. Bears and moose have been spotted around here, so be sure to bring some bear spray! On these full-day excursions, your guide(s) will wade you into the river from one of the Yellowstone Park access points. From here, your guides will give you some expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, your guide is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone, or Fort Smith, Montana – We have you covered. Your guide(s) will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. Your guide will provide all the rods, reels, flies, and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. Let them know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which they will provide at an additional cost. You will also need to purchase a Yellowstone National Park fishing license (no state license is required) and pay a $20 entrance fee to enter the park. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with your guide! **We have several listings for wade fishing trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. They want you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river, they may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your wade fishing trip on this listing, and they will get in contact with you about the details!** Read More
River Fishing Trip in Gallatin Gateway
Gallatin River Walk-n-Wade In Yellowstone
Jet your way on the water with your guide and get ready for an action-packed day of Montana fishing from one of the best guides around! On this fly-fishing trip, you'll be propelling your way up and down the Missouri River to target some Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. The Missouri River is recommended for experienced fly fishers who are looking for a challenge that will pay off with some bigger fish. The upper stretch of the Missouri River (the “Mighty Mo”) from Toston, MT to Townsend, MT, has very calm moving water with large, easily spooked Rainbow and Brown Trout. Just the sound of the line hitting the water can scare away these fish, so be prepared to make some smooth casts. Once you get down the technique you can expect 20-plus inch Trout. Anglers looking for an even bigger challenge can target the Common Carp, which is becoming increasingly sought after in this river. On this full-day excursion, your U.S. Coast Guard-certified guide will use the jet boat to motor upriver, shut down the motor, and row you through the premium runs over and over again. This technique will allow you to access water that is too deep or dangerous to wade fish. From here, your guide will give you some expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, your guide is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone, or Fort Smith, Montana – Nate has you covered. He or another one of his guides will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. Your guide will provide all the rods, reels, flies, and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. Let them know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which they will provide at an additional cost. All you need to bring is a valid Montana Fishing license. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with your guide! **We have several listings for jet boat trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. They want you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river, they may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your jet boat trip on this listing, and they will get in contact with you about the details!** Read More
Missouri River Full-Day Jet Boat
Jet your way on the water with your guide and get ready for an action-packed day of Montana fishing from one of the best guides around! On this fly-fishing trip, you'll be propelling yourself around Hebgen Lake to target some Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. Fishing Hebgen Lake can be challenging, but the rewards can be large. Its calm waters are renowned for its Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout, which average 19″ in length. Using flies like Callibaetis, Trico’s and Spruce Moths are sure to get you some catches here. If you're an avid fly fisher who enjoys a dry-fly challenge, Hebgen Lake is a perfect spot on your fishing vacation! On this full-day excursion, our U.S. Coast Guard-certified crew members will use the jet boat to motor you around Hebgen Lake and find where the fish are biting. This technique will allow you to access water that is too deep or dangerous to wade fish. From here, your guide will give you some expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, we are eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone or Fort Smith, Montana – Nate has you covered. He or another one of his guides will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. Your guide will provide all the rods, reels, flies and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. Let us know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which they will provide at an additional cost. All you need to bring is a valid Montana Fishing license. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with one of our guides! **We have several listings for jet boat trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. They want you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river, they may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your jet boat trip on this listing, and they will get in contact with you about the details!** Read More
Missoula Montana offers a slew of incredible blue-ribbon rivers within a short distance from downtown. Mike and his guides know the Bitterroot, the Blackfoot, and the Clarks Fork rivers like the back of their hands and fish them all based on what river is fishing best. Generally, the hatches on each of the rivers rotate and trade-off perfectly so there is always action to chase in the vicinity. Mike's outfit and his slew of incredible guides are committed to offering you the highest quality Montana fly fishing experience available. He and his experienced guides will row the extra mile to ensure this fishing trip is one you’ll remember for a lifetime. They will provide all the terminal tackle (flies, tippet, floatant, etc). They've got you covered on rods and reels if you need them and will provide a gourmet on the river lunch for you as well. Rivers in the Area: **The Bitterroot River** in southwest Montana is a dry fly fishery. Not many rivers in the west can claim such a statement, but the “Root” is a unique stream. The fact that the infamous Purple Haze dry fly pattern was developed/invented by a long-time Bitterroot guide tells you that it’s a special place. A float trip down the Bitterroot River never disappoints and the scenery and caliber of fishing are hard to beat. Although the Root can fish well in the winter months the real start to the season here is March and April with the world-famous Skwala stonefly hatch. This event is one of the few places in the west that offers the angler a chance at catching nice-sized trout on size 10 or bigger dry flies in early spring. March Browns and Blue Winged Olive Mayflies also make a daily appearance and can offer outstanding topwater action. The river is characterized by cobblestone runs, deep pools, and woody debris that hold large Rainbow, Cutthroats, and Brown trout. Summer See’s the usual hatches of PMD’s, Sallies, and Tricos with Grasshoppers keeping trout looking up well into October. The fall is also a special time on the Root, with cooler weather and Mahogany dun mayflies and Hecuba drake’s offering the last substantial meal for trout before winter sets in. **The Blackfoot** is on every fly fisherman’s bucket list, and deservedly so. Blackfoot River Fly Fishing is an angler’s dream come true. A true classic western freestone river and its hatches are impressive: the Giant Salmon Fly, Golden Stones, PMDs, terrestrials, are just some of the hatches you’ll find on the Blackfoot. Come fish the Blackfoot River with Fishtales Outfitting and you’ll want to come back every year! The Blackfoot River or as it’s sometimes called the Big Blackfoot as to distinguish it from the Little Blackfoot in western Montana near Missoula is a truly special place. The Nez Perce of Idaho found this route as the way to the Upper Missouri Basin to hunt buffalo. The Nez Perce name for the Blackfoot is Cokahahalishkit which means river of the road to buffalo. A diverse and dynamic fishery fed by snowpack and springs with all of the main trout species present. Depending on the time of year, you have a shot at a Blackfoot “Grand Slam” catching a rainbow, cutthroat, brown, brook, cut-bow. The Blackfoot is characterized by large boulders and pocket water that’s stuffed with wild trout and offers an exciting float trip with outstanding hopper/dropper fishing throughout the summer. Many reaches of the Blackfoot River offer a beautiful wilderness setting with little development on its banks, plenty of wildlife, great trout fishing, and gorgeous scenery to add to the experience! **The Clark Fork River** is one of Montana’s best-kept secrets, hidden in plain sight. Many anglers drive by it on their way to fish other famous Montana rivers like the Bitterroot or Blackfoot. We at Fishtales Outfitting love elbow room and great trout fishing, we think you’ll agree! The largest river in Montana by volume it begins its 310-mile journey near the town of Butte MT, and as it meanders its way towards its terminus at Lake Pend Oreille it offers hundreds of miles of floatable water. The upper river is a smaller stream with many diverse types of water that mostly holds Brown trout and the occasional Westslope Cutthroat. This is fantastic streamer water with a legitimate shot at a trophy Brown. As the river heads west along I-90 towards Missoula it gains volume from many tributaries and becomes a large freestone river in a heavily forested corridor. This lower zone is a dry fly fishery that can rival the best hatches on the Missouri River. Large Rainbow, Cutthroats, and hybrid Cut-bows dominate the water here and eagerly come to the surface to devour the many species of mayflies that hatch here. The lower river also offers the added bonus of being a trophy Northern Pike fishery with some research showing fish of 45″ or better, which can be an exciting change of pace from trout fishing. The Clark Fork is typically pretty low on the visiting anglers’ list of rivers to float fish which makes it one of the lesser crowded in all of western Montana. Read More
River Fishing Trip in Sheridan
Missoula's Finest Fly Fishing
The bustling college town of Bozeman Montana serves as a hub to access an incredible slew of Blue Ribbon rivers throughout the local Gallatin Valley, and beyond. Right there in the Gallatin Valley you have the Gallatin River, the Lower Madison, and the Jefferson river all three of which flow in from different directions to meet up in Three Forks to form the headwaters of the Missouri River. Only a short distance to the east of Bozeman you've got the Yellowstone river with big flows, big hatches, and even bigger fish! The upper Maddison--known as the 50 Mile Riffle--only a 1.5-2 hour drive as well. Your destination for the day will depend on where your staying and which river is fishing best. Mike's outfit and his slew of incredible guides are committed to offering you the highest quality Montana fly fishing experience available. He and his experienced guides will row the extra mile to ensure this fishing trip is one you’ll remember for a lifetime. The will provide all the terminal tackle (flies, tippet, floatant, etc). They've got you covered on rods and reels if you need them and will provide a gourmet on the river lunch for you as well. Floating **The Jefferson River** is reminiscent of what Montana was generations ago: solitude, sweeping mountain views, ample wildlife, and super-model trout. By Montana standards, the Jefferson may not be the fish factory that other rivers are, but she delivers with a voice that few other rivers possess as she flows north and east 77 miles, meandering its way through pastures and farmland, eventually joining the Madison and Gallatin Rivers in Three Forks to form the Missouri. The Jefferson River has a similar feel as the lower Big Hole with its soft riffles, long runs, and cottonwood log jams left behind from high water. Flanked by the Highland Mountains to the west and the Tobacco Roots to the east, the river changes course and channels regularly here as a freestone river should, and lends itself nicely to drift boat fishing. Down river hatches range from caddis, PMD’s and Yellow Sallies to even Brown Drakes. The best dry fly patterns, water conditions permitting, are likely summer Stones or Hoppers, but the Jeff’s reputation as trophy brown trout water was built on knowing how to trigger the predatory nature of these carnivores. Stripping, and swimming streamers of all manner work wonders. Your guide will teach the needed streamer techniques to entice a hog from his hiding place. If its elbow room and a chance at a really big beautiful brown trout is you seek, join us on a Jefferson River fly fishing trip. **The Madison** has reached legendary status for every fly fisherman, and deservedly so. A blend of freestone and tailwater, it’s hatches are impressive: swarms of Mother’s Day caddis, PMDs, terrestrials, and the mighty Salmon Fly are all on the menu for these hungry trout. With 5000+ browns and rainbows per mile in the Pine Butte section and 2500+ residing in its swift currents throughout the rest of the river, the Madison is stuffed with wild trout. The Madison may look like a simple float and cast-to-the-bank river, but truly she is the siren of Southwest Montana’s rivers. To uncover her secrets takes time, discipline, and many years of experience. Mike and his Guides know this well and they’ll prove it to you by coaxing impressive trout from lies that you would think no sizable trout would ever think to call home. The Madison River is born inside Yellowstone Park at the junction of the Gibbon and Firehole Rivers. It flows 140 miles due north, where it is joined by the Gallatin and Jefferson Rivers to form the Missouri River in Three Forks Montana. It’s from Lyon’s Bridge down to Ennis that many anglers have nicknamed “The Fifty Mile Riffle”. The braided water below Varney Bridge, through the Valley Garden into Ennis Lake, is very different from the single-channel river above, with countless side channels and out-of-the-way spots for large, wild trout to hide. The Madison River enters Ennis Lake – formed by the dam built in 1906 – then rips through the seven-mile Bear Trap Canyon Wilderness Unit. Finally, flowing northward another 28 miles to meet the Gallatin and Jefferson Rivers in Three Forks to form the Missouri River. Join FishTales Outfitting for a fantastic Madison River fly fishing trip that you’ll never forget! The Yellowstone River is one of the greatest trout streams of the world and holds the title for the longest undammed, known as a ‘freestone’ river in the lower 48 states. There is outstanding trout water from its tributaries high inside Yellowstone Park, downstream through Gardiner, the Paradise Valley, Livingston, and down below Big Timber; a total of almost two hundred river miles. We float fish in several different sections of the prime trout water between Gardiner and Big Timber, depending on the time of year, water conditions, and water levels. Highway 89 takes you through the Paradise Valley to the town of Gardiner, the Gateway to Yellowstone National Park. The Yellowstone is a large river varying from 75 to 300 feet. in width. It is wadable later in the summer when flows drop but there is no question it is best fished from a drift boat. You’ll see much more water to present your fly which increases your opportunities to catch fish. The section through “Paradise Valley” is the most scenic and this is also some of the best Montana fly fishing. The sections closer to Livingston holds the highest numbers of trout. Here you’ll find a healthy mix of browns, rainbows, and our native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout, and Rocky Mountain Whitefish. The Yellowstone’s hatch list includes Mother’s Day Caddis, Salmon flies, Pale Morning Duns, Yellow Sallie’s, Summer Stones, and terrestrials. The Yellowstone offers diverse types of holding water, from the fast pocket water at Tom Miner Bridge to Point Of Rocks where the gradient lessens and the river changes to more long, deep pools with wide riffles and wide, flat tailouts. Downstream past Mallards rest through Paradise Valley is where the spring creeks join the river. This section is one of the most popular with breathtaking views of the Absaroka to the east and Gallatin mountains to the west. The section through Livingston known as the “town run” is a local favorite and offers some great wade fishing opportunities once the flows have dropped later in the summer. Read More
Lake, River Fishing Trip in Bozeman
Finest Fly-Fishing Guides - Bozeman
Jet your way on the water with your guide and get ready for an action-packed day of Montana fishing from one of the best guides around! On this fly-fishing trip, you'll be propelling your way up and down the Bighorn River to target some Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. Offering year-round fly fishing, the Bighorn is considered the cream of the crop, not only in Montana but in the fly fishing world! In the first 13 miles from the Afterbay to Bighorn fishing access, the fish average 14 inches, though it’s not uncommon to take Trout over 20 inches. With all this excellent fishing, it can be hard to find a time when you are the only boat on the river, especially during the summer months. To avoid the crowds, We recommend floating from November through April. The Bighorn River is a fertile tailwater fishery that offers a high fish-per-mile population. When the water is high and fast, having the opportunity to motor back up to a run and float through again can be the difference that makes your trip great! All guided trips on the Bighorn are two-day minimums from November 1st through April. On these full-day excursions, Your U.S. Coast Guard-certified guide will use the jet boat to motor upriver, shut down the motor, and row you through the premium runs over and over again. This technique will allow you to access water too deep or dangerous to wade fish. From here, your guide will give you some expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, your guide is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone or Fort Smith, Montana – We have you covered. Your guide(s) will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. Your guide will provide all the rods, reels, flies, and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. Let them know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which they will provide at an additional cost. All you need to bring is a valid Montana Fishing license. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with your guide! **We have several listings for jet boat trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. They want you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river, they may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your jet boat trip on this listing, and they will get in contact with you about the details!** Read More
River Fishing Trip in Bighorn River
Bighorn River Full-Day Jet Boat
Bozeman Montana area includes the Yellowstone, Madison, both of legendary status. The Sheridan area that is home to the Ruby, Big Hole, Beaverhead and Jefferson. Craig is on the banks of the Missouri. Missoula Montana offers a slew of incredible blue-ribbon rivers within a short distance from downtown. Mike and his guides know the Yellowstone, Madison, Ruby, Big Hole, Beaverhead, private water on the Beaverhead, Missouri, Blackfoot, Bitterroot, and the Clarks Fork rivers like the back of their hands and fish them all based on what river is fishing best. Generally, the hatches on each of the rivers rotate and trade-off perfectly so there is always action to chase in the vicinity. Mike's outfit and his slew of incredible guides are committed to offering you the highest quality Montana fly fishing experience available. He and his experienced guides will row the extra mile to ensure this fishing trip is one you’ll remember for a lifetime. They will provide all the terminal tackle (flies, tippet, floatant, etc). They've got you covered on rods and reels if you need them and will provide a gourmet on the river lunch for you as well. Rivers in the Area: **The Bitterroot River** in southwest Montana is a dry fly fishery. Not many rivers in the west can claim such a statement, but the “Root” is a unique stream. The fact that the infamous Purple Haze dry fly pattern was developed/invented by a long-time Bitterroot guide tells you that it’s a special place. A float trip down the Bitterroot River never disappoints and the scenery and caliber of fishing are hard to beat. Although the Root can fish well in the winter months the real start to the season here is March and April with the world-famous Skwala stonefly hatch. This event is one of the few places in the west that offers the angler a chance at catching nice-sized trout on size 10 or bigger dry flies in early spring. March Browns and Blue Winged Olive Mayflies also make a daily appearance and can offer outstanding topwater action. The river is characterized by cobblestone runs, deep pools, and woody debris that hold large Rainbow, Cutthroats, and Brown trout. Summer See’s the usual hatches of PMD’s, Sallies, and Tricos with Grasshoppers keeping trout looking up well into October. The fall is also a special time on the Root, with cooler weather and Mahogany dun mayflies and Hecuba drake’s offering the last substantial meal for trout before winter sets in. **The Blackfoot** is on every fly fisherman’s bucket list, and deservedly so. Blackfoot River Fly Fishing is an angler’s dream come true. A true classic western freestone river and its hatches are impressive: the Giant Salmon Fly, Golden Stones, PMDs, terrestrials, are just some of the hatches you’ll find on the Blackfoot. Come fish the Blackfoot River with Fishtales Outfitting and you’ll want to come back every year! The Blackfoot River or as it’s sometimes called the Big Blackfoot as to distinguish it from the Little Blackfoot in western Montana near Missoula is a truly special place. The Nez Perce of Idaho found this route as the way to the Upper Missouri Basin to hunt buffalo. The Nez Perce name for the Blackfoot is Cokahahalishkit which means river of the road to buffalo. A diverse and dynamic fishery fed by snowpack and springs with all of the main trout species present. Depending on the time of year, you have a shot at a Blackfoot “Grand Slam” catching a rainbow, cutthroat, brown, brook, cut-bow. The Blackfoot is characterized by large boulders and pocket water that’s stuffed with wild trout and offers an exciting float trip with outstanding hopper/dropper fishing throughout the summer. Many reaches of the Blackfoot River offer a beautiful wilderness setting with little development on its banks, plenty of wildlife, great trout fishing, and gorgeous scenery to add to the experience! **The Clark Fork River** is one of Montana’s best-kept secrets, hidden in plain sight. Many anglers drive by it on their way to fish other famous Montana rivers like the Bitterroot or Blackfoot. We at Fishtales Outfitting love elbow room and great trout fishing, we think you’ll agree! The largest river in Montana by volume it begins its 310-mile journey near the town of Butte MT, and as it meanders its way towards its terminus at Lake Pend Oreille it offers hundreds of miles of floatable water. The upper river is a smaller stream with many diverse types of water that mostly holds Brown trout and the occasional Westslope Cutthroat. This is fantastic streamer water with a legitimate shot at a trophy Brown. As the river heads west along I-90 towards Missoula it gains volume from many tributaries and becomes a large freestone river in a heavily forested corridor. This lower zone is a dry fly fishery that can rival the best hatches on the Missouri River. Large Rainbow, Cutthroats, and hybrid Cut-bows dominate the water here and eagerly come to the surface to devour the many species of mayflies that hatch here. The lower river also offers the added bonus of being a trophy Northern Pike fishery with some research showing fish of 45″ or better, which can be an exciting change of pace from trout fishing. The Clark Fork is typically pretty low on the visiting anglers’ list of rivers to float fish which makes it one of the lesser crowded in all of western Montana. Read More
Lake, River Fishing Trip in Sheridan
Finest Fly-Fishing Guides - Sheridan
Missoula Montana offers a slew of incredible blue-ribbon rivers within a short distance from downtown. Mike's outfit and his slew of incredible guides are committed to offering you the highest quality Montana fly fishing experience available. He and his experienced guides will row the extra mile to ensure this fishing trip is one you’ll remember for a lifetime. They will provide all the terminal tackle (flies, tippet, floatant, etc). They've got you covered on rods and reels if you need them and will provide a gourmet on the river lunch for you as well. The Yellowstone River is one of the greatest trout streams in the world and holds the title for the longest undammed, known as a ‘freestone’ river in the lower 48 states. There is outstanding trout water from its tributaries high inside Yellowstone Park, downstream through Gardiner, the Paradise Valley, Livingston, and down below Big Timber,a total of almost two hundred river miles. Explore the legendary river with our Yellowstone fly fishing guides for a fun, guided fly fishing day trip in Montana. The quality of the fly fishing is excellent here. We float fish in several different sections of the prime trout water between Gardiner and Big Timber, depending on the time of year, water conditions, and water levels. Highway 89 takes you through the Paradise Valley to the town of Gardiner, the Gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Explore and catch cutthroat trout, large whitefish, rainbow trout, and brown trout with our Yellowstone fly fishing guide. Join our guided tour at Fishtales Outfitting and enjoy some fantastic fly fishing on the Yellowstone River today! Read More
River Fishing Trip in Sheridan
Yellowstone River Fish Frenzy
Welcome to Montana! We offer guided fly fishing and spin fishing trips on either the river or lake. This is the best way to experience Montana by floating down the river, enjoying the most breathtaking scenery, and working on your skills as an angler. We are centrally located in Ennis, Montana and provide services to nearby Big Sky, Bozeman, West Yellowstone, Three forks, and Virginia City. We operate out of drift boats and rafts and will teach you how to catch fish. Our trips are focused on targeting wild trout. Each trip includes everything needed for fishing (other than a MT fishing license that can be purchased online at ols.fwp.mt.gov). Rods, tackle, water, shore lunch, and transportation to and from meeting location. We recommend bringing a jacket and or rain coat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Weather can be variable all year, but most trips in the summer are shorts and sandals and beach wear. Our main focus on all trips is to have fun and catch fish. We want to make your vacation memorable and fun and will go the extra mile to make sure your day fishing with us is up to expectation. Trip options: 8 Hour full day fly fishing or spin fishing 4 Hour half day fly fishing or spin fishing 1.5 hour scenic float. Evening scenic floats are also available from 6-9 pm Read More
Lake, River Fishing Trip in Bozeman
Madison River Float Fishing
Jet your way on the water with your guide and get ready for an action-packed day of Montana fishing from one of the best guides around! On this fly-fishing trip, you'll be propelling yourself up and down the Yellowstone River to target some Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. The longest free-flowing river in the lower 48 states, the Yellowstone River is most effectively fished from a drift boat or jet boat due to its size. Its fishing season typically starts later than tailwaters like the Madison, Bighorn, and Missouri Rivers. We recommend that every angler experience the incredible scenery and quality trout fishing of this river at least once. From Emigrant, Montana to Livingston, the Yellowstone offers a variety of species such as Rainbows, Browns, Cutthroats, Cutbows, and Mountain Whitefish. The region from Livingston, Montana, downriver to Columbus, Montana, may not be as scenic, but it is home to some larger-than-average brown trout! This stretch of river offers outstanding terrestrial fly fishing because the river cuts through miles of hay fields loaded with grasshoppers. On this full-day excursion, your U.S. Coast Guard-certified guide will use the jet boat to motor upriver, shut down the motor, and row you through the premium runs over and over again. This technique will allow you to access water that is too deep or dangerous to wade fish. From here your guide will give you some expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, your guide is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone or Fort Smith, Montana – Nate has you covered. He or another one of his guides will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. Your guide will provide all the rods, reels, flies, and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. Let them know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which they will provide at an additional cost. All you need to bring is a valid Montana Fishing license. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with your guide! **We have several listings for jet boat trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. They want you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river, they may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your jet boat trip on this listing, and he will get in contact with you about the details!** Read More
River Fishing Trip in Yellowstone River
Yellowstone River Full-Day Jet Boat
Meet up on the Mighty Mo (Missouri River) for an awesome Jet Boat trip chasing Monster Rainbows and Big Browns on a blue ribbon tailwater with your pro guide Ikaika. Expect big, and very calm, moving water which is usually pretty difficult to cover in a drift boat, but with a jet boat to motor you around you will have much more flexibility to hit all the best spots on the river (multiple times even!). This river is known for its extremely large fish and is located in the Gates of the Mountains where Lewis and Clark Rowed through themselves exploring the West. The average size fish is ~17-18in and there are really great chances at 20+ inch fish all over. On this full-day excursion, Ikaika will use his jet boat to motor upriver, shut down the motor, and row you through the premium canyon runs over and over again. This technique will allow you to access water that is too deep to wade fish and allow you to really hone in on the best runs. From here he'll give you some of his expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, Ikaika is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Read More
Float your way on the water with your guide and get ready for an action-packed day of Montana fishing from one of the best guides around! On this fly-fishing trip, you'll be rowing out into Lake Ennis to target some Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. Lake Ennis offers great sight fishing for Rainbow and Brown Trout. Casting accurately at the fish is most productive but not necessary. With its shallow waters, you can either fish directly from the drift boat or fish on the flats with your waders. Occasionally with your guide you will start off casting to rising trout on Ennis lake and transition to fly fishing the Madison River in the afternoon. Fishing starts in Ennis Lake when the ice melts in mid-February to mid-March, offering mostly rainbow and brown trout averaging 14″-16″, and larger trout in the 18″-24″ range are not uncommon. In the summer months, large browns and rainbows (""gulpers"") cruise the lake subsurface, rising to catch mayflies and creating a ""gulping"" sound. The warmer months of August into September can present a great opportunity to spend a couple of hours chasing gulpers. Fishing Ennis Lake in the fall, mid-September through October can be a great opportunity to catch a larger-than-average brown trout. On this half or full-day excursion, your guide will row you where you need to be in a maneuverable drift boat as you take in the beautiful scenery. From here, your guide will give you some expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Drift boats allow anglers to cover a larger area and access places that may be unsafe for wading. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, your guide is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone, or Fort Smith, Montana – We have you covered. He or another one of his guides will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. Your guide will provide all the rods, reels, flies, and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. Let them know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which they will provide at an additional cost. All you need to bring is a valid Montana fishing license. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with your guide! **We have several listings for float trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. They want you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river, they may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your float trip on this listing, and they will get in contact with you about the details!** Read More
Wade your way into the water with your guide and get ready for an action-packed day of Montana fishing from one of the best guides around! On this fly-fishing trip, you'll be wading into the Bighorn River to target some Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. Offering year-round fly fishing, the Bighorn is considered the cream of the crop, not only in Montana but in the fly fishing world! In the first 13 miles from the Afterbay to Bighorn fishing access, the fish per mile has been estimated as high as 6,000 trout per mile, and the fish average 14 inches, though you'll probably see some trout over 20 inches. With all this excellent fishing, it can be hard to find a time when you are the only boat on the river, especially during the summer months. To avoid the crowds, we recommend floating from November through April. All guided trips on the Bighorn are two-day minimums from November 1st through April. On these full-day excursions, your guide will wade you into the river from one of the public access points. From here, they will give you some expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, your guide is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone or Fort Smith Montana – Nate has you covered. He or another one of his guides will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. Your guide will provide all the rods, reels, flies, and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. Let them know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which they will provide at an additional cost. All you need to bring is a valid Montana Fishing License. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with your guide! ** We have several listings for wade fishing trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. They want you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river, they may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your wade fishing trip on this listing, and they will get in contact with you about the details!** Read More
River Fishing Trip in Fort Smith
Bighorn River Full-Day Walk-n-Wade
Float from Pine Butte down to Lyons Bridge on the Upper Madison to get away from the crowds and access lower-pressure sections of the river. They call the Madison river ""The 50 Mile Riffle"" as it babbles smoothly down out of Reynolds pass, offering fantastic wading opportunities for the entire stretch of river. The upper portion of the river stays cool throughout the hot summer months as cold water is released from the Hegben Lake Dam, attracting tons of recreational (solo) fishermen to this area. Thus most of the pedestrian access points see a lot of traffic. This trip combines the best of both worlds for those looking to dissect sections of the river on foot. The section of the river above Lyons Bridge cannot actually be fished from the boat and can only be fished on foot; thus, your guide will float you down the river to the best spots and anchor up the drift boat to hone in on the best sections of the river! The Madison River hosts wild rainbow and brown trout ranging in size from 10″ to monsters reaching up to 28″ with an average length of 15″. The Fall spawning run out of Hebgen Lake will give you some of the best fish. In October through November, expect to see big Browns and Rainbows averaging 19 inches with the occasional 28″ Brown Trout. If you go fishing out here in the fall, be ready for winter conditions where temperatures can drop below zero on any given day, and in the summer, be sure to prepare for rain showers as they can pop up out of nowhere! But as they say in Montana: ""If you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes!"" Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone or Fort Smith, Montana – We have you covered. Their guides will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. The guides will provide all the rods, reels, flies and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. Let us know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which they will provide at an additional cost. All you need to bring is a valid Montana Fishing license. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with one of our guides! **Nate has several listings for float trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. He wants you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river he may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your float trip on this listing and he will get in contact with you about the details!** Read More
Float your way on the water with your guide and get ready for an action-packed day of Montana fishing from one of the best guides around! On this fly-fishing trip, you'll be floating down the Jefferson River to target some Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. The Jefferson River is not all about fish numbers. The ""Jeff"" is about solitude and getting away from the crowds for a shot at a trophy fish! Streamers, dry flies, or nymphs are all successful techniques used on the Jefferson River. Fishing the Jefferson is best in March, April, and into May during pre-runoff. The spring offers some incredible hatches with species such as March Browns, Caddis, Skwalla’s, and Blue Winged Olives (Baetis). The late summer months into the fall can be productive with terrestrials such as grasshoppers, beetles, or ants. In the Fall months of October and November, the “Jeff” can offer up big browns. Because the brown trout are more vulnerable during the pre-spawn period, they are willing to eat a streamer that is invading their space. If you’re looking for a scenic float away from some of the higher-pressure rivers then consider a day on the Jefferson! On this half or full-day excursion, your guide will row you where you need to be in a maneuverable drift boat as you take in the beautiful scenery. From here, your guide will give you expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Drift boats allow anglers to cover a larger area and access places that may be unsafe for wading. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, your guide is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone, or Fort Smith, Montana – We have you covered. Your guide(s) will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. Your guide will provide all the rods, reels, flies, and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. Let them know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which they will provide at an additional cost. All you need to bring is a valid Montana fishing license. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with us! **We have several listings for float trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. They want you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river, they may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your float trip on this listing, and they will get in contact with you about the details!** Read More
Everything to Know About Booking a fishing trip in Montana
What are the best fly fishing trips in Montana?
Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 34 fly fishing trips in Montana, and the most popular trips in the area are Yellowstone River Float guided by Nate, Multi Boat Madison River Float guided by Nate, and Holter Lake Full-Day Jet Boat guided by Nate.
Our guides in Montana are rated a 5 out of 5 based on 2570 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.
All guides on Captain Experiences are licensed, insured, and vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.
The most popular cities to book a Fly Fishing charter in Montana are Ennis, Twin Bridges and Helena.
Looking for kid friendly fly fishing guides / fishing lessons in Montana? Check out our beginner and family friendly fly fishing guides in Montana.
What types of fly fishing trips are common in Montana?
River fishing is the most popular for fly fishing in Montana as well as lake fishing.
The most commonly sought after species for fly fishing in Montana are: 1. brown trout, 2. rainbow trout, 3. cutthroat trout, and 4. brook trout.
How much does a Montana fly fishing fishing trip cost?
for fly fishing in Montana prices can range anywhere from about $500 to $2,202, but the average price for a half day trip for fly fishing in Montana is $533. The average price for a full day trip for fly fishing in Montana is $1,202.
What month is best for on a fly fishing trip in Montana?
The most popular season to go on a fly fishing trip in Montana is summer, and most anglers book their trips 8 days in advance.
Do I need a Montana fishing license and what are the bag limits in Montana?
See here for more information on fishing licenses in Montana, bag limits for target species, and fishing season regulations in Montana. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right rules and regulations in Montana.
Recent Reviews of Captain Experiences
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★★★★★
Jordan is an absolute Master of his craft. His understanding of fish is unparralled. Honestly its like he is one. The yellowstone was blown out due to heavy rains so we audibled to a 17 mile float on the Lower Madison. We fished a new and totally unique set of techniques fishing indicators with crayfish pattern followed by a nymph. He told me exactly when to mend, when to let the flies drag a hair, and when to re adjust with a new cast to get the perfect action on the flies. I missed a lot of big eats and landed some beautiful (and fat) rainbows and browns! Back at the ramp no one had the succes we did. I learn so much from Jordan everytime im out there. Can’t reccomend booking a trip with him enough.
David I. with Jordan G. of Emigrant, Montana
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★★★★★
The trip was great, from beginning to end. Ian was very helpful on the phone booking the trip, especially since we only booked it the night before. Nate and his team were helpful, and Matt was particularly generous with his time. His enthusiasm for his job and for our trip were contagious. We had a beautiful day on the water and had some success with the fishing, but the trip would have been great even if they weren’t biting that day.
Danny O. with Nate S. of Gallatin Gateway, Montana
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★★★★★
Had a great trip on the Missouri River drift boat fishing with Shelly. Extreamly knowledgable & helpful for a couple of first time fly fishermen. Caught my first Rainbow off of a fly rod. Highly recommend for the beginner or veteran fisherman.
Bob F. with Nate S. of Craig, Montana
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★★★★★
One of the things I wanted to be dang sure I did while I was there was fish the Yellowstone in a drift boat, and was lucky enough to get it done. With lots of fishing travel under my belt you never know how it will go and in this case the plan came together and it was a good day to be alive. The Boss and I met our guide Nathan at the ramp at 8:00 and it was not long before we were on the water. The Boss and I are really fly fishing neophytes with lots to learn and Nathan was a perfect guide and teacher for our day on the water. He has fished those rivers for 35 years, was patient, technically proficient, and just an overall good guy to spend the day with. As I noticed in the park there were lots of grasshoppers and it turned out to be our plan for the day. In my case catching any particular fish on topwater is the bomb, and we spent most of the day fishing larger hoppers with a smaller floating “something or other” on a dropper around 8″ behind. And it was so interesting to see the fish react. A few smashed it, (At least for a trout.) most barely slurped it under, and others could not resist rolling on it, or just taking a look. It took me a bit to get the hang of setting the hook like you need to and after a while I managed to toss a couple of small rainbows completely over the boat. It really was a new way to fish for us and it took a while to get the hang of it but I intend to put those lessons to work in Colorado when I head there this fall. Since this was our 5 or 6th run at it the Boss commented that each place and method was different, it is all part of the learning process. I probably went about 10 for 20 with one whitefish, the Boss struggled. So late in the day Nathan put us on a nymph rig with an indicator. (Or as we regular folks call it, a bobber.) He wanted to be sure the Boss caught a fish and she finally boated a rainbow and a native whitefish. But the Boss was happy just sitting in the back and enjoying the day and the view, but I give her credit, she kept casting like a trooper. He was so patient as we tangled, crossed, casted like the rookies we are, and he just continued to act like the professional he is. (Except we all laughed like crazy when at one point when we were thrashing multiple messes he said; “Stop casting!”) Of course I told him I would trash him here so let me do it now – One of the best guides to spend the day with I have had the pleasure to fish with. So take that homie. From the Great Barrier reef, Belize, Colorado we have fished with our share and today was one of the best all around experiences we have ever had. The fishing was not fast by any means, but the bite was consistent. I was not surprised by the number of refusals with the traffic and it being late in the season. Nathan made several fly changes during the day until we finished the day with the nymph rig and put the last couple in the boat. He worked hard to put me on a little bigger fish and his efforts were appreciated. Probably if I would have bullshitted less and fished harder I might have boated one of the better fish I missed, but I could have cared less as numbers were not the reason for the day. Being a Saturday there was quite a bit of traffic, but it is a big river, and when compared to Froggie’s on the weekend no big deal. Of course we had a few incidents where both guides and the public cut us off, or were just plain were clueless. (Sound familiar you coastal boys?) As you know one of my rules to live by on our busy waterways – Be nice, be the bigger man, and just because you have the right of way let them go. Nathan naturally lives and practices that making our day on the water pleasant and fun and he is a credit to the profession. I can be pretty hard on guides. It really was comfortable fishing from the drift boat. The Boss loved the safe manner he operated and being able to stand up and cast from the leaning post, or whatever it is called. I learned a lot about the drift boat and how it preforms on the water. As we accelerate our search for our place in the mountains Montana has made the list. Of all the places I have fished Montana gets an A+ for the access available to the public. (So thanks Nathan for offering to be my new best friend and take me fishing all the time if we end up in the area. At least I thought I heard him say that!) And a big thanks to Jonathan of Captain Experiences for booking and following up on our trip. The home of Damn Good Fishing Guides, this site has guides all over the country and they lived up to their name when they hooked us up with Nathan. Nathan guides out of Bozeman, Montana, fishing the Yellowstone, Madison, and a couple of other great Montana rivers. Nate, the owner, kept us informed with a full written itinerary, with constant follow up both before and after the trip. It was a professional job all the way around. So if you are looking for a guide anywhere, or wanting to fish the Yellowstone area, give Jonathan a call and he will put you with the best. Overall a first class trip. So when it is all said and done it was a great way to spend a day along with our park expedition. And here is a taste of what is next, as soon as I organize all of the park stuff. We saw almost everything we wanted to this trip and were so fortunate to see the wolves everyday along with enough wildlife to keep us happy. (For a while!) And to Nathan, I have added the Madison to my bucket list. Thanks for reading my stuff.
Doug C. with Nate S. of Yellowstone River, Montana
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★★★★★
Had a really great time fishing the Yellowstone, Upper Madison on drift boats. Caught nice browns and rainbows. Wades the Gallatin and caught nice fish on dry flies. Our guide was Matt and he was great to work with not to mention he’s a trained chef so the lunches were fantastic. Highly recommend these trips. The booking process was simple and effective thanks to Captain Experiences.
Jay W. with Ennion W. of Gallatin Gateway, Montana
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