High-country trout fishing in southwest Montana
Montana’s blue-ribbon trout streams rightly garner the attention of anglers worldwide. Fueled by mountain snowmelt and artesian springs, the rivers and creeks of Montana are among the most fertile on the planet. They hold abundant trout populations, produce staggering insect hatches, and flow...
Backcountry fishing in Yellowstone National Park
No fly-fishing trip to Montana is complete without a visit to Yellowstone National Park. The world’s first national park, established by an act of the U.S. Congress in in 1872, is as iconic for its wild trout populations as it is for its geysers, bison and grizzly bears. Anglers visiting Yellowstone...
5 Tips for Montana Hopper Fishing
Late summer in Montana brings some of the most highly anticipated dry fly fishing of the season: "hopper fishing!". Montana's numerous large agricultural valleys filled with alfalfa fields are a haven for the large insects. Although grasshoppers fill the fields in the early summer, trout do not get...
Selecting the Best Streamers for Montana Fly Fishing
Choosing the Best Streamers for Montana Fly Fishing When fly fishing in Montana, anglers tend to push the envelope of new tactics and exciting ways to catch trout on streamers. Probing Montana rivers like the Yellowstone and Madison with large streamers and sink tips is a favorite method for Montana...
Using Stealth When Hopper Fishing Montana's Small Streams
Sneak Attack: Stealth Will Help Your Hopper Fishing Hopper season in Montana begins in July and peaks during the hottest months of the summer in August and September. It’s one of the most anticipated times of the year for fly anglers. Hopper fishing ranks right up there with the big hatches of...
Fly Fishing for Large Trout
Montana fly fishing has become synonymous with big rivers and large wild trout. With hundreds of thousands of miles of quality trout streams, spectacular scenery and an unspoiled landscape it is easy to see why the state holds a special place in the hearts of fly fisherman from around the globe...
Make Your First Cast Count
Do you have a friend that seems to consistently put more fish in the net that you? It would be nice to know what separates an average angler from a super charged, fish catching cyborg? When it comes to fly fishing in Montana or in the West on some larger rivers or streams, being a good caster is...
How to Catch Huge Montana Brown Trout in the Rain
Catching a truly massive brown trout is a lifelong pursuit for many anglers. While browns are common in many of Montana’s best fly fishing rivers, catching and landing big browns over 20” is a challenge. Rainy days can be a blessing for anglers in pursuit of the largest brown trout in the river...
How to Pack for a Fly Fishing Trip to Patagonia
I’ll never forget my first fly-fishing trip to Patagonia. There was a palpable sense of anticipation – the sort that goes on for months, creeps into every discussion, has you exploring far-flung rivers on Google Earth at work. The moment I booked tickets I was consumed. And there’s a solid chance...
How to Rig and Fish a Dry-Dropper Set Up for Montana Fishing
If you are in the process of planning your next fishing adventure to the fabled trout waters of southwestern Montana, you know there is a lot to think about. You’ll need to know which rivers have the hungriest fish, as well as what the fish will be feeding on. A savvy researcher can quickly learn...