If you are looking for one location on the planet where fly fishing reigns supreme; Bozeman, Montana deserves a look. It is physically impossible to walk three blocks in Bozeman without running into fly fishing references. Gift shops are full of fly fishing motifs. The town is flanked by numerous fly shops and outdoor sporting goods stores. It feels like each home comes ready-made with a boat and a raft and when the locals aren't chasing powder they make their living as fishing guides. Of course that isn't the case, but it is clear the fly fishing culture permeates Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley. Bozeman is an amazing location because you can actually fly fish some of the small creeks right in town and have off-the-hook fly fishing. Then stop by one of the pubs in town for a drink in your waders and continue fishing afterwards. Drive 10 minutes out of town and you are on the world famous Gallatin River, 20 minutes and you are on the Madison River, and 30 minutes gets you to the Yellowstone River.
Bozeman has the highest concentration of fly fishing and wildlife photographers of any town on earth: flip open your Trout Unlimited calendar or any fly fishing media and many of the photos and videos are from the area. Realtors' business cards are adorned with grip and grin portraits of the large fish they have caught on local waters. Montana State University is the de facto institution of higher learning to focus on trout ecology, and even informally calls itself Trout U in certain social circles. Fly Fishers International is located across the pass in Livingston and is the world's primary organization to advance the sport. The local breweries malted beverages have names like Hopper Pale Ale and Trout Slayer. Want a drift boat?...some of the best in the world are made at the edge of town at RO Drift Boats. Some of the best waders on the planet? They're made by SIMMS here in Bozeman. Where do the wave of hip, Warren Miller-esque, fly fishing movies make their debuts? Most years right here in Bozeman to an always packed house of fishing crazed locals and fishing guides.
So if you want to live on the cutting edge of art, go to Paris. If you want to hang with the world's best rock climbers: live in your van in Yosemite. Beach volleyball...Rio De Janeiro; big wave surfing...Hawaii; pheasant hunting...South Dakota. - you get the picture. If you have caught the fly fishing bug, and want to not only experience great fishing, but want to fully immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of modern day fly fishing then you absolutely must spend some time marinating in Bozeman's angling culture.
Perhaps the greatest aspect of the fly fishing culture core in Bozeman, Montana is the shear quantity of expert anglers and fly fishing guides that call Bozeman their home. The area attracts the best of the angling world's best. The sheer density of world class anglers promotes a vibrant exchange of all ideas related to catching trout on flies. Unless you live life with your head buried in the sand, you cannot help but to learn by simple osmosis when you are surrounded by so many great fly fishing minds when in Bozeman.
So what serves as the keystone of the fly fishing culture so strongly immersed in this hip western town?....the fishing of course. Bozeman fishing waters include an amazing number of the world's best trout rivers within an hour and a half drive. It is hard to justify traveling two hours from town to fish, because you literally have to drive by so much quality fishing along the way that the urge to pull over and wet a line becomes to great. For example, to fish the Kootenai (a blue ribbon river in Northern Montana), we have to pass up the Gallatin, Madison, Jefferson, Missouri, Big Hole, Clark Fork, Black Foot, Bitterroot and not to mention countless small spring creeks, stillwaters, and fantastic stream fishing. Let me tell you, it isn't easy.
It's a no-brainer that Bozeman is home of the world's best fly fishing guides. Expert fisherman realize that being at the right place at the right time far surpasses all of the advance casting tips a lifetime subscription to Fly Fisherman magazine can provide. The beauty of basing fishing trips out of Bozeman is the amazing diversity that our guides have at their fingertips for finding quality water that is "on fire". Another perk to the Gallatin Valley is the density of fishing options for guided trips is that we are able to play match maker with our guests to find the best fishing scenario that matches what folks are looking for. If we have beginner anglers we can do a nice float trip on one of the stretches of the Madison or Yellowstone that has uncomplicated drift lines or maybe a wade trip on the Gallatin that is loaded with eager rainbows. Adventurous guests may want to combine some white water with their fishing to experience the frenetic pace of casting into roiling pocket water or perhaps make a hike into the bottom of a wilderness canyon.
With such amazing fisheries as the Madison, Yellowstone, Boulder, Missouri, Jefferson, Ruby, Gallatin, East Gallatin, Spring Creeks, small streams, Private ranches and large lakes with a short drive away it is no wonder that Bozeman fly fishing attracts fisherman from around the world!