NEW license year started March 1st. Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. Our spring fly fishing season is officially here. Our Montana fly fishing guides are on the water working as well as fishing on their day's off. While we are fishing regularly, conditions are still day to day as rivers are in their typical spring temperaments. Which means most trout are still in deeper slower water and deep nymphs or slow stripped streamers are the name of the game. It is not until we get regular hatches of Blue Winged Olives and March Browns can we safely say it is "Go Time" for our spring fly fishing season here in southwest Montana. But...each day we get closer and closer to being able to headhunt rising trout or have our strip streamers for actively feeding trout.
Be sure to read our Best Not-So-Secret Places to Fish in Montana This Spring and check our Instagram and Fishing Reports regularly for all the latest and greatest.
To get some useful knowledge and to expand your fly fishing horizons, be sure to read some of our recent blog posts featuring: 9 Great Flies for Large Trout Anywhere in the World, What Do Trout Need And How to Use That to Catch More Fish, Best Not-So-Secret Places to Fish in Montana This Spring, and The Mayfly You Need to Know: Catch More Fish by Understanding Blue Winged Olives.
Southwest Montana Fishing Reports Overview
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Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. Read our Best Not-So-Secret Places to Fish in Montana This Spring and check our Instagram and Fishing Reports regularly for all the latest and greatest. We are now in the spring and late winter window where you might be lucky...
Yellowstone River Fishing Report
- Fair
Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. The Yellowstone River has moved out of winter mode and is now in spring mode...which means some days it can fish well and some days it is windy, cold and tough fishing. And because the Yellowstone River is a freestone, the good...
Upper Madison River Fishing Report
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Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. We are oh so close to midge-a-palooza on the Upper Madison and what could be the start of some very good fishing. For those that know, mid-March can be a pretty fun time to fish the walk-and-wade section. There have been sporadic...
Lower Madison River Fishing Report
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Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. The Lower Madison has been fishing well this week. The fish are in their usual early spring spots--deeper runs, holes, and drop-offs. Most fish are being caught on subsurface rigs and most fish are eating high-protein munchies like...
Gallatin River Fishing Report
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Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. An important component of fishing the Gallatin River right now is timing your day. Things start later on the Gallatin--give time for the water to warm up. If a BWO hatch occurs, bugs likely won't pop until between Noon and 2 PM...
Montana Spring Creeks Fishing Report
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Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. The Spring Creeks near Bozeman and Livingston Montana right now are in their typical late winter to spring transition mode. Each day more and more rainbow trout are moving into the creeks to begin to spawn. It is very important to...
Stillwater River Fishing Report
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NEW license year starts March 1st. Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. We are so close for this river to be back on the menu. The Stillwater River is low and clear. Baetis hatches aren’t showing up in strong abundance yet but should be right around the corner. This...
Boulder River Fishing Report
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Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. The Boulder River near Big Timber and half way to Billings is running cold right now and mostly clear. The Boulder River is a viable option. Fishing is still good but requires a stealthier approach and a decent cast to get to fish...
Jefferson River Fishing Report
- Fair
Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. The Jefferson is an ok option right now. Fishing on the Jefferson River right now can be relatively hit or miss until things stay consistently warm. Sporadic hatches of Blue Winged Olives can occur. Focus on the foamlines and you...
East Gallatin River Fishing Report
- Fair
Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. The East Gallatin is a legit option right now. Flows typically remain steady and clarity remains good enough for solid fishing. If rain or warm temps occur, it can become muddy enough for tougher fishing, but even with rain and...
Missouri River Fishing Report
- Fair
Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. The Missouri River is one of the more consistent options for spring fishing in Montana. With fish counts well over several thousand fish per mile on this tailwater, anglers can typically find feeding trout every day of the year...
Ruby River Fishing Report
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Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. The Ruby River could fish very well for those willing to give it a try....but remember access is tough and the fishing can still be very hit and miss until consistent weather patterns dominate. If you are willing to give it a go...
Montana Lakes Fishing Report
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Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. We're still in auger mode...but in a few weeks there may be a few lakes that are starting ice-out. Good reports of ice fishing from Hebgen and Hyalite Reservoirs. Haven't gotten any word about Canyon Ferry...but we're sure its good...
Small Streams Fishing Report
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Check curent regulations as not all small streams are open in winter. Visit Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park for current regulations. The smaller streams around Montana can be options, but check local regulations, spring creeks such as DePuy's and Armstrong's and the larger waters like the Madison...