Where we fish in Montana
Guides based in five towns, each fishing their own home rivers. Pick where you're staying and we'll take you to the best water nearby.
Helena
Home of the Missouri River tailwater and Land of the Giants.
Lower Missouri River · Year-round · Dry fly, nymph, streamer. Tailwater below Holter Dam near Wolf Creek with steady temperatures all year.
Land of the Giants · Jet boat only · Nymph, streamer. Trophy trout below Hauser Dam in the Gates of the Mountains. See the Land of the Giants page.
Where to stay: Flagg Crew Airbnb (Boulder, MT), Comfort Suites, Holiday Inn Express, On Demark Lodge
Bozeman
Easy to pair with a trip to Yellowstone National Park or Big Sky Resort.
Yellowstone River · June–September · Dry fly, nymph, streamer. Long freestone river with strong dry fly and streamer fishing.
Madison River · Year-round · Dry fly, nymph. Flows out of Yellowstone through Ennis. The lower river shines in spring and fall; the upper river is a summer favorite.
Where to stay: Gallatin River Lodge, Kimpton Armory Hotel, C'mon Inn, Hatch Adventures
Dillon
Quiet, secluded southwest Montana. Season runs April 1 to October 1.
Beaverhead River · April–October · Nymph, streamer. Tailwater below Clark Canyon Reservoir, mostly brown trout.
Big Hole River · June–September · Dry fly, nymph. 153 miles of tea-colored freestone water, with some arctic grayling.
Jefferson River · Spring and fall · Streamer. 83-mile Missouri tributary known for streamer fishing.
Where to stay: Quality Inn, Best Western Paradise Inn, Sportsman's Lodge. Nearby: Winston Fly Rod Company in Twin Bridges.
Missoula
Four major rivers within reach of town.
Blackfoot River · Spring and fall · Dry fly, nymph, streamer. Starts in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Native Westslope Cutthroat and Bull Trout.
Clark Fork River · Early spring–late fall · Dry fly, nymph. Runs right through downtown Missoula.
Bitterroot River · Spring and fall · Dry fly, nymph. Starts near Conner and joins the Clark Fork south of town.
Where to stay: DoubleTree by Hilton, Holiday Inn Downtown
Whitefish
Good for family or work trips that add skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort or a visit to Glacier National Park.
Flathead River · June–September · Dry fly. Big, scenic freestone near Glacier with native Westslope Cutthroat.
Where to stay: Hampton Inn & Suites, The Pine Lodge
Flying in? Ridgeline Aviation
Private charters within Montana and from out of state on a Pilatus PC-12 (8 passengers), plus a PA-18 Super Cub for backcountry access. Learn more at Ridgeline Aviation →