Rivers We Fish
Fly Fish Montana provides Experienced Guides on the Best Water to ensure you have a Successful and Memorable fishing trip.
Rivers We Fish
The rivers around Bozeman Montana offer some of the best trout fishing in the world. With options ranging from large tailwaters to tight technical creeks - the rivers, lakes, and streams around southwest Montana offer something for everyone. This area is truly a fly fishing paradise!
Here’s where the Best Fishing is:
The Upper Madison
Known as the "50-mile riffle," the Upper Madison is a scenic stretch of river that flows through the Madison Valley from Quake Lake to Ennis Lake. Tucked between the Madison Range to the east and the Gravelly Mountains to the west, it offers some of the most spectacular scenery in Montana.
In addition to breathtaking views, the Upper Madison offers some of the most consistent fishing in the state. Fish counts average more than 3,000 per mile, most of which are strong and healthy rainbows and browns. Hooking into a 20-plus-inch trout on the Upper Madison is not uncommon, and pound for pound, these fish are stronger than most.
This is exciting and sometimes challenging fishing, where good fly selections and long drifts are the keys to success. With many different hatches occurring, knowledge and experience make a difference. Our years of experience on the upper Madison provide great opportunities for success on this scenic and exciting river.
The Lower Maddison
Beginning downstream of Ennis Dam, the Lower Madison flows through a twelve-mile stretch of wilderness known as Bear Trap Canyon. This section of river requires expert oaring skills as it drops through class IV whitewater. Once the river exits Bear Trap Canyon, it opens up to expansive vistas as it meanders towards the headwaters of the Missouri River near the town of Three Forks.
This stretch of river is much slower than the Upper Madison and provides ideal drift boat fishing during the spring and fall months. The Lower Madison is known for large rainbows and browns that gorge on a variety of insects and larger prey, such as crayfish and sculpins. It is ideal for targeting large fish tucked under shallow weed beds. Located only 30 minutes from Bozeman, the Lower Madison is a great option for half-day and full-day float trips.
The Yellowstone
The Yellowstone River is the longest free-flowing river in the continental United States. It flows over 680 uninterrupted miles from its source in Yellowstone Park to its confluence with the Missouri River in North Dakota. This river is as diverse as it is long, providing anglers with a wide variety of fishing options.
Due to challenging wading conditions, the Yellowstone River is ideal for drift boat fly fishing. The most popular section of the Yellowstone River is the picturesque Paradise Valley, located just outside Livingston, Montana. This iconic stretch is surrounded by mountains on all sides and offers some of the most spectacular scenery found anywhere. In addition to breathtaking views, the Paradise Valley stretch provides incredible fishing for wild cutthroat, brown, and rainbow trout.
The Gallatin
The Gallatin is a stunning freestone river that begins in Yellowstone Park and flows approximately 120 miles north to its confluence with the Missouri River. It is one of three rivers, alongside the Jefferson and Madison, that converge near Three Forks, Montana, to form the Missouri. The upper portion of the river winds through the beautiful Gallatin Canyon, surrounded by dense timbered forests and large rock walls. The lower section flows through the cottonwood bottoms and ranchlands of the picturesque Gallatin Valley.
Although the Gallatin is sometimes overshadowed by larger rivers, it offers a wide variety of fishing options in a spectacular setting. Wild rainbows and browns dominate in the Gallatin, but cutthroat and grayling can also be caught in the upper stretches of the river. Due to the smaller nature of the Gallatin, wade fishing is the norm; however, the lower stretches can be floated if conditions allow. Its numerous public access points and close proximity to Bozeman make it an excellent choice for both half-day and full-day walk-wade trips.
Missouri River
The Missouri River is the longest river in North America, extending the Mississippi by just 23 miles. This remarkable river system begins near Three Forks, Montana, where the Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson Rivers meet. As the river flows north, it encounters a series of dams that create a diverse system of reservoirs and tailwaters.
The section between Wolf Creek and Craig, Montana, below Holter Dam is by far the most popular, but the tailwaters below Hauser and Toston Dams shouldn’t be overlooked. The stretch from Hauser Dam to Hauser Lake is aptly named the Land of Giants (LOG), where trout measuring 24-30 inches are quite common. If you’re seeking a true Montana fly-fishing experience, the Missouri River should be on your list.
Boulder River
The Boulder River is appropriately named as it harbors countless granite boulders from its origin in the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness to its confluence with the Yellowstone River near Big Timber, Montana. The Boulder is a pristine river that is stacked with gorgeous rainbows and browns. These fish are hungry and willing to attack both dry flies and nymphs.
With limited public access and water made for inflatable rafts, the Boulder is a great option for a scenic and adventurous day on the river. Wade fishing and float fishing are both productive methods when targeting deep pools and long runs. Thanks to a very healthy fish count, it’s not uncommon to pull numerous large trout out of one hole. The Boulder is a unique option for those seeking an adventurous day on the water combined with excellent fishing.
Let’s Go Fishing!
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