Montana is home to nearly a dozen world-class rivers. With a broad network of roads and towns, accessing these world-class waters has never been easier. From the Madison's famous "50 Mile Riffle" to the majestic peaks of Paradise Valley overseeing the broad Yellowstone River, a fly fishing trip to Montana can feature a mind-blowing diversity of water. Many of these well known rivers also boast some of the state's finest fly fishing lodges. However, not every trout river is easily accessible or serviced by a destination fishing lodge. In all of Montana's vastness and diversity of fly fishing opportunities, many off the beaten path fly fishing trips exist. Here are Five Montana Fishing Trips to Get Off the Beaten Path.
It is known around the world Montana is home to some exceptional fly fishing rivers. The Smith River near Helena and Great Falls is one of those rare rivers with plenty of trout, spectacular scenery, and carefully managed to preserve a special experience. The river winds through 60 miles of wilderness between public access points and is strictly regulated by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks to ensure the pristine beauty of the canyon is preserved. The Smith River corridor is comprised of towering limestone cliffs and heavily timbered forests broken only by a few small clusters of cabins on private land. Because of the strict permit system, fishing pressure on the Smith is much lighter than on other major Montana rivers. Both Rainbows and Browns are present in good numbers, and fish over 20" are taken on virtually every trip. Floating and fishing on the Smith generally takes place in May, June, early July and September. Late July and August are generally too low for floating. A Smith River camping and fly fishing trip is one any serious angler or lover of scenery and rivers should take.
Ever dreamed of "living in a van down by the river?" Well...with the Ultimate Road Trip you get to live down by the river for awhile and fish some of Montana's unique fisheries but also access to the more well-known rivers. Release your inner "Trout Bum" and explore Montana in style on an Ultimate Road Trip. With the well-appointed amenities of the mobile camp program, anglers can always be at the "right place at the right time" on one of the best Montana fly-fishing trips available for remote and secluded fishing. At over 147,000 square miles, Montana is a big state (larger in area than the country of Germany). The Big Sky state offers an incredible array of mountain ranges to explore, roads to drive, and most importantly, rivers to fish. Guests will enjoy deluxe camp accommodations including high clearance No Boundaries campers, large outfitter tents or wing tarps for the outdoor kitchen, and fantastic stream side meals. The camp chefs and crew will move camp, campers and mobile kitchen while anglers and guides progressively fish across Montana and sampling some of the state's known and no-so-known fly fishing rivers, creeks, and lakes.
A custom river camping and fishing overnight trip on Montana's larger rivers like the Yellowstone or Madison allows you to fall asleep and wake up to the sounds of a flowing Montana River. And, if you're an early riser or night owl you can fish as early or as late as you want on your own river fishing and camping trip. There is no better way to appreciate the uniqueness and grandeur of Montana's fly fishing rivers than with a team of personable and highly trained guides specialized in overnight trips. You can camp and fish like you have never dreamed possible. With all of the cooking done, and striking, and breaking down camp also done while you relax and enjoy the camping and fishing, this is a great trip to get off the beaten path and relax while doing it. Each evening you can enjoy camping at its finest with great meals, beverages and company. Wake up to the smell of hot coffee and the sound of a sizzling breakfast and possibly rising trout. Trip lengths are truly custom and can last from 2 days with 1 night camping to 5 days with 4 nights camping.
Bob Marshall Wilderness Floats for Native Bull and Westslope Cutthroat Trout
As one of the last vestiges of native Bull trout in Montana, a wilderness float fishing and camping trip down the South Fork of the Flathead and deep into the Bob Marshall Wilderness is as off the beaten path as it gets. This trip is special in many ways: there is some horseback riding, some whitewater, some spectacular fishing opportunities for rising trout on large dry flies, and a backcountry camping and dining experience of no comparison. The Bob Marshall wilderness complex (Bob Marshall, Scapegoat and Great Bear Wilderness areas) offers over 1.5 Million acres of forests, mountains and crystal clear streams and rivers, and was America’s first ever designated wilderness area. Wildlife is found in copious abundance in the "Bob" where grizzly bears, black bear, elk, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, mule deer, mountain lion, lynx, wolf and bald eagles all roam and fly in healthy numbers. The focal point of these unique fisheries are the South Fork of the Flathead River and its tributaries. This remote river drains much of the "Bob" and is home to the largest genetically pure native trout population in Montana. The South Fork is also one of the few places in Montana where the threatened bull trout may be directly targeted by anglers.
At the foot of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and on a secluded small stream, the Boulder River Outpost is strategically located to fish remote waters but also the famous Yellowstone River is within striking distance. This comfortable and fishing-centric lodge is located on the banks of the East Boulder river and just a 1/2 mile from the main Boulder and twenty miles from the Yellowstone. From the Outpost fly-fishing lodge there is a huge variety of waters at our fingertips including access to private ranches, numerous rivers and technical spring creeks. The dry fly opportunities in the Boulder Valley and its surrounding waters are some of the best in the state. After a great day of fishing, come back to the rustic and comfortable cabins and enjoy a delicious meal. If you haven't had enough you can grab a rod for a few more casts on the East Boulder or enjoy the sweeping views of the ranch country where Robert Redford's "The Horse Whisperer" was filmed. The Outpost is the ultimate location for small groups that want a lot of fishing variety with a unique lodging experience.
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Horse Pack Trip
Exploring the backcountry around Yellowstone National Park is as off the beaten path as an angler can get. The region around Yellowstone National Park is home to the area that is the farthest from any road in the Lower 48. To explore this unique area anglers often saddle up and ride. The Hellroaring Creek Base Camp is located high in the mountains just north of Yellowstone Park. Guests ride deep into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and spend 6 days on a horse pack, camping, and fishing adventure. Accommodations are in well appointed wall tent camps and guests are accompanied by expert horse wranglers as well as fishing guides. The Hellroaring Plateau offers excellent small stream, attractor dry fly fishing for native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout. Several high mountain lakes are also accessible from camp, adding variety to your fishing experience. In addition to fishing, the Hellroaring Plateau is major wildlife country, giving a chance to view the same animals seen in Yellowstone Park without the crowds.
Getting off the beaten path for a fly fishing trip is a desire of many anglers. As many people's lives get busier and as technology takes over more and more facets of daily life, you can still get away from it all and find seclusion, scenery, and great fishing on any of these best fly fishing trips to get off the beaten path.