June: Big Water, Big Bugs!
What’s the Fishing Report?
The fishing in May was absolutely stellar! We were landing multiple brown trout a day, and the sucker spawn was off the charts! Without a doubt, May was a brown trout month.
We are excited to keep things rolling into June! The runoff started a bit earlier this year, which for us means one thing: “BIG water, BIG bugs!” For June, its your chance to fish big and catch big! We are fishing bigger dry flies, large streamers and heavy nymphs everywhere.
On the freestones, we’re throwing worms, big stone flies (Salmon Flies and Golden Stones), and maybe even may fly patterns if the water clears up and continues to drop.
On the tailwater rivers, moss and weeds are getting flushed down from the dams, so we are switching up our flies to sow bugs, leeches, streamers and worms. If flows are low towards the end of the month, PMD’s and Caddis will be on the menu too.
We expect high water fishing to continue through mid-June, with lower water towards the end of the month.
Reminder to sign up for our Atlas Outfitting Hunting and Fishing all inclusive camping trip in Molokai, Hawai’i!
Truck to Shirt — New AO Swag from Anetik!
Atlas Outfitting has teamed up with Anetik to bring you ultra-high-quality sun hoodies at incredibly reasonable prices — arriving this month! Our friend Jake from Oregon and Jake from Montana (local AO Dillon guide) has been helping us dial in our awesome new logos, and we’re stoked to share them with you. We’ll be offering sun hoodies in 4 fishy colors — grey, navy, blue and green (yes, that’s a compliment… the fish won’t be able to resist your style)! Each sun hoodie features one of our custom designs: the brand new raft rack graphic or the Land of the Giants artwork. Rep Atlas Outfitting on and off the water — and take home the perfect souvenir from your favorite fishing trip yet!
Atlas Outfitting teams up with Pro Lite Custom Fly Rods
This Spring, we met up with Tannis and his crew from Pro Lite Rods at a trade-show in Washington. In May, we reunited for a fishing trip at the Land of the Giants to test out their custom rods. As guides, we know better than anyone that time on the water is precious, and gear can make or break a day. In fishing, timing is everything—and these rods delivered. Pro Lite Rods are fully custom—length, weight, style, color, species-specific, even angler-specific. You name it, they’ll build it.
We’re excited to be working with them on some Atlas Outfitting-branded rods built specifically for the fisheries we fish. We’ll be landing some serious hogs on these and will be dialing in our gear like never before.
High water, high stakes — be SAFE!
As we enter high water season, please prioritize safety on the river! Water levels are rising, currents are stronger and conditions can change quickly. Stay safe and enjoy the beautiful Montana rivers responsibly.
Wear your life jacket!
Talk to local fly shops for up to date info on safe stretches to float.
Know your route — where you are launching, taking out, and any hazards along the way.
Float in groups (at least 2 boats is best).
Tell someone your plan — including launch and takeout locations.
This could be you! :)
