Fly Fishing Outfitter #30115
Guide · USCG Licensed Boat Captain
406-570-0749
RIVERS WE FISH
MONTANA'S RIVER SYSTEMS
This is a visual layout of many of Montana's famous rivers. To learn more about each of these fisheries you can go to (The Nature Conservancy - Image). The places we focus on are listed below with a short description.
You can also download the fishing access sites and map here. Go to the Central Fishing District Maps (pages 30-38) for the sections we most frequently fish - Courtesy of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website.
For the latest river data for all Montana river systems, see --> USGS Flow --> Click Here
MISSOURI RIVER
Toston Dam to Canyon Ferry Reservoir – Mainly known for it’s fall fishing for trophy brown trout, this stretch has a short season for rainbows that run up from Canyon Ferry in the Spring and early Summer. Later in the heat of the summer, this stretch also turns into a world-class carp fly fishery where you can hook up with an 8-15lb. fish that fight like a bone fish.
Canyon Ferry to Hauser Reservoir – This very short stretch of the Missouri River becomes a lake, “Hauser” almost as fast as it comes off the dam. We fish this mainly in the Spring using a jet boat for large rainbows that will test your drag.
Hauser Dam to Holter Reservoir – Because there are no boat ramps on this stretch (AKA, Land of the Giants) it is fished best by starting at The Gates of the Mountains Marina and motoring across Upper Holter Lake and up the Missouri toward Hauser Dam. This part of the Missouri is what dreams are made of due to it’s abundance of large trout and it’s jaw-dropping canyon wall views.
Below Holter Dam – This stretch of the Missouri, loaded with rainbows and browns, is the most popular due to 35 miles of river with many public boat ramps and walk-in access points. This year-around fishery also has some of the largest aquatic insect hatches that a river can produce and this at times will make sight-fishing for large trout with a dry fly as good as it gets.
The Reservoirs Themselves - At certain times, fishing the lakes can be where it’s at. This slower-pace fishing can produce some action-packed trophy trout fishing that will test your arm strength.
MADISON RIVER
The Madison is one of the three headwaters of the Missouri River. This year-round fishery has it all with winding meadows, riffles and pocket water, a tailwater stretch between two lakes and weed beds that are loaded with shrimp and crayfish. You can walk-wade the upper stretches, anchor a drift boat to high-stick behind a boulder for a jumping rainbow, or float through the weed beds in the lower stretch with a crayfish pattern looking for that hungry brown.
GALLATIN RIVER
Starting in Yellowstone National Park (YNP), this freestone river winds through meadows where you can walk-wade fish for rainbows, cutthroat, browns, whitefish and cutbows. The lower river also holds great walk-wading opportunities and a short float stretch you can seasonally strip streamers for large brown trout. This river is also one of the three headwaters of the Missouri River.
BLACKFOOT RIVER
The Blackfoot is a beautiful freestone river that became famous in the book "The River Runs Through It". Here you can catch native cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout. Float down river in a raft and enjoy the stunning scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities. Stop and walk-wade when you find the honey holes.
In Yellowstone National Park
FIREHOLE RIVER
Flyfish in the majestic beauty of one of our nation’s National Parks. See buffalo, elk, and other wildlife in their natural habitat while wading this unique river.
The Firehole River is located in northwestern Wyoming, and is one of the two major tributaries of the Madison River. It flows north approximately 21 miles (34 km) from its source in Madison Lake on the Continental Divide to join the Gibbon River at Madison Junction in Yellowstone National Park. It is part of the Missouri River system.