One of the great advantages of providing Montana fly fishing trips in the Greater Yellowstone area is the large diversity of fishing waters found in our region. Although large rivers like the Madison, Gallatin and Yellowstone deservedly draw a lot of attention, some of Montana's most unique fishing can be found on private-water fly-fishing streams and ponds on large ranches in the region. Many of these land owners have generously offered permission to our guests to access their ranches and enjoy unique opportunities for stillwater fishing for trophy trout as wells as secluded small stream fishing.
We have access to numerous private fly-fishing waters in Southwest Montana and the each offer a unique fly fishing experience. Permission is always limited when we are fishing private access waters. We generally charge a trespass fee for most ranches in the region that we pass along to the ranch owners. Several of the ranches we visit offer outstanding opportunities to hook and land trophy trout, while others have potential for great action on smaller fish in a scenic setting. A fishing trip to one of Montana's working ranches is one of the best ways we can think of to experience the Big Sky State!
"I've fished with multiple outfitters in Montana, and I keep coming back to Montana Angler. They have access to some of the best private waters that I've fished, and their guides are consistently the best I've fished with." -Scott Simonet
North Fork Musselshell River
The North Fork of the Musselshell is a small tailwater fishery located below Bair Reservoir. Montana Angler has access to over 10 miles of the stream, which is located east of White Sulphur Springs, MT. Extensive stream and habitat restoration has taken place over the years, returning this once neglected stream into an outstanding fishery.
East Gallatin River (private access)
The East Gallatin River is a smaller river that is a very productive wade fishery. It is located very close to Bozeman, MT and makes for a very easy and convenient day trip. Montana Angler has access to a private ranch in the area and approximately 2 miles of the East Gallatin. The East Gallatin is a technical fishery and spring creek style techniques are often employed.
North Fork Smith River
Montana Angler has access to several miles of this productive small stream above Sutherlin Reservoir. Located east of White Sulphur Springs, the creek is set in the bottomland surrounded by open fields in the middle of a large ranch. Elk are often seen grazing on the hillsides that rise in all directions and wildflowers are plentiful in the early summer.
Sweet Grass Creek
A fantastic small stream that drains the rugged Crazy Mountains, Montana Angler has permission to access several miles of Sweet Grass Creek on the WD Ranch, a 25,000 acre cattle ranch near the small town of Melville, MT. This is dry fly country, and the fish rise eagerly to various attractor patterns and terrestrials.
Smith Creek
Smith Creek is a tributary of the East Gallatin River and in many ways fishes just like a miniature version of the larger river. Montana Angler has access to several miles of Smith Creek, which is conveniently located very close to Bozeman. The stream lies in the heart of the Gallatin Valley with sweeping views of four different mountain ranges.
Willow Creek
Willow Creek is a small tailwater stream located below Harrison Reservoir and is an easy day trip from both Bozeman and Ennis. The stream is located at the bottom of a beautiful canyon and can only be accessed after a 4x4 drive across a private ranch and a short hike. Getting to the creek is a real adventure! Once at the bottom of the canyon, anglers have access to miles of productive pools and runs.
Nelson Lakes
Nelson Lake's are a group of three lakes that sit in the rolling hills just above the North Fork of the Musselshell River. The lakes are surrounded by the open hills that gradually fade into forested ridgelines. Elk and deer are frequently sited on the property. All three lakes contain good sized Rainbow Trout that can exceed 20" on occasion.
No-Tellum-Creek
There are some things better left off of the internet. Montana Angler has several private leases on some streams that will remained unnamed here. These are mostly small stream fisheries that cannot handle much fishing pressure and we don't feel the need to publicize. In general, these streams will fish best during the summer months and are excellent dry fly streams. Don't expect huge trout, but do expect great action and larger fish than most people would anticipate given the size of the water.
Burns Lake
Burns Lake is a small, 30 acre reservoir near Big Timber that offers terrific fishing to very large trout. Rainbows, Browns, and Brook Trout are all present in the lake, with many specimens stretching over 20". The wide open vistas of the valley and the Crazy mountains are always impressive.
Flagstaff Lakes
Located near the small town of Checkerboard, MT, Flagstaff lakes offer high quality stillwater fishing with a spectacular back drop. Both the upper and lower lake sit in a small bowl surrounded by open hillsides that give way to timbered ridgetops. Elk and deer are sighted frequently while fishing on the lakes. The upper lake is home to Rainbows as well as some of the biggest, most beautiful Brook Trout you will find in Montana.
Hanson Lakes
The Hanson Lake's are located on a large ranch just south of White Sulphur Springs, MT. There are two lakes on the property, and each are filled with extremely hard fighting Rainbow Trout in the 18-22" class. These fish will make hard charging runs and are not afraid to put on an aerial show.
Jones Lake
Jones Lake is a trophy trout lake located in open country just east of the Crazy Mountains. The vistas of the open ranch land with Crazies in the background are always a hit with visitors. Jones Lake contains a hard fighting strain of Kamloops Rainbow Trout that grow up to 10 pounds in the fertile waters of the lake.
Sitz Lakes
The Sitz Lakes are located on a large working Angus ranch near the town of Harrison, Montana. There are three lakes on the ranch holding large brook, rainbow and brown trout in the 18"-24" range".
Ruby River (private access)
Montana Angler has access to several miles of the lower Ruby River outside of Twin Bridges, MT. Public access is scarce on the lower river so the trout here see very little pressure. The lower Ruby is classic meadow water. It twists and turns endlessly throughout the ranch, creating high, undercut banks. These undercut runs and the riffles that lead into them are primarily home to Brown Trout. This small but productive wade fishing river holds some surprisingly large trout. It is the perfect size: easy to wade but large enough to hold good fish.
Beaverhead River (private access)
When most folks talk about the world famous Beaverhead River, they are referring to the upper stretch of the river just below Clark Canyon dam. This stretch of river fishes very well, but is prone to crowding. This crowding drops off dramatically as you move downstream, as boat ramps are few and far between and the river is locked up in large private ranches. Montana Angler has access to this lower, uncrowded stretch of the Beaverhead.
Mill Creek
Mill Creek is a small tributary to the Ruby River outside of Twin Bridges, MT. It is heavily spring influenced, so it is a sort of hybrid between a spring creek and a freestone meadow stream. Mill Creek is a Brown Trout fishery, and the fish grow quite large for such a small stream. Fish from 12-15" are common and they range up to 18" and beyond. The stream has intermittently brushy banks surrounded by open ranch land and wetlands.
Leonard Spring Creek
Leonard Spring Creek is located on a private ranch near Twin Bridges, MT. It is a unique spring creek for the fact that you could practically jump across it in places, yet it is typically between knee and waist deep and holds some very large Brown Trout. It is located in an open valley with lots of wetlands that are full of birds and other wildlife.
Musselshell River
The Musselshell River in Central Montana offers a secluded setting and a chance for some nice sized browns. This medium sized river is a wade fishery and offers one undercut bank after another.
South Boulder River
The South Boulder River is a small tributary that joins the Jefferson near Cardwell, MT. The South Boulder is primarily a Brown Trout fishery with a smattering of Rainbows thrown in. Public access is scarce on the South Boulder, meaning the fish do not see much fishing pressure. The water is well suited for dry fly fishing. Long, choppy riffles and glides give way to deep bends along grassy banks.