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Madison River Fall Fly Fishing Trips

Madison River Fall Fly Fishing Trips

Madison River Fly Fishing, Montana Fly Fishing

Madison River Fall Fly Fishing Trip Overview

It’s fair to say that when anglers think about fall fly fishing trips on the Madison River in Montana, the first thing that comes to mind is the fall run of trophy trout from Hebgen Lake into the Madison River in Yellowstone National Park. There is good reason for this. But we’re going to save that for our write up on Yellowstone National Park Fall Fly Fishing.

Often overlooked in the fall are the great fly fishing opportunities on the Madison River above and below Ennis, Montana. The upper 50 mile riffle fishes well through the fall. The float stretch sees significantly less angling pressure by mid-September and the fly fishing can really come alive. Dry flies, nymphs, and streamers can all be effective.

Like elsewhere in Montana the brown trout get bold and aggressive pre-spawn and will often eat bigger streamers through October. Many of the biggest fish of the year are caught in fall on the Madison River in Montana. There is also an under appreciated run of lake fish out of Ennis lake into the braids below Ennis which can provide wade fisherman the chance at the fish of their lifetime.

Below Ennis lake, the Lower Madison turns back into a great fishery by mid-September. Low water and high temperatures in the summer can make for tough fishing on this stretch close to Bozeman, Montana, but once the water cools off, the bite turns back on. Fly fishing on the lower Madison is rarely pretty, with crayfish, worms, and sculpins generally the fly of choice, but many of our Madison River fly fishing guides think the lower Madison River may be the best place to find a truly trophy sized brown trout in the fall.

Bozeman, MT Fly Fishing Report 9/13/18

Bozeman, MT Fly Fishing Report 9/13/18

Fishing Reports, Madison River Fishing Reports, Missouri River Fishing Reports, Montana Fly Fishing, Paradise Valley and Spring Creeks Fishing Reports, Yellowstone National Park Fishing Reports, Yellowstone River Fishing Reports

Bozeman Fly Fishing Overview

Is it mid-September already? Seems like summer started just yesterday but into early fall we go. The leaves have started to change, rivers are dropping and cooling, mornings have been crisp, and the big brown trout are on the feed on the many rivers near Bozeman, MT. Our anglers and Montana fly fishing guides welcome these changes and consider fly fishing in mid-September to be some of the best of the year. And so far in 2018 we have seen just that.The local favorites like the Yellowstone River, Madison River, and Missouri River have all been fishing great. 2018 has been the year of the dryfly for our anglers and fly fishing guides and that doesn’t look to change anytime soon. Hoppers, caddis, mayflies big and tiny, and even stoneflies are all around in good numbers, keeping the fish looking up. Lots of targets and opportunities on a daily basis. Still need to book your 2018 Montana fly fishing trip? Give us a shout at 406-579-9553 today.

Yellowstone River Fly Fishing Report

As consistently good as it gets right now. Lots of ways to get it done too. The fish are looking up, down, and side-to-side. Hoppers, ants, and mayflies have been the main fare on the surface. Hard to beat the hopper fishing this year. The streamer bite has started to pick up. We like smaller buggers and fast water. You could do worse than nymphing with a size 8 stonefly nymph to a size 18 mayfly nymph, 3.5 ft from indicator to top fly. Our anglers and Bozeman fly fishing guides have been fishing the Yellowstone River from top to bottom and having great success all over. Look for the bite to stay good for the foreseeable future.

Missouri River Fly Fishing Report

If sight fishing to large trout with small (or not so small) dries is your idea of a good time, the MO is the place to be. If hopper fishing is your idea of a good time, the MO is the place to be. If nymphing for numbers is your idea of a good time, the MO is the place to be. If streamer fishing action is your idea of a good time, the MO is the place to be. That about covers it. Lots of bugs out there now. Terrestrials, caddis, pseudos, callibaetis, midges, and maybe a trico or two are on the menu now and for the coming weeks.  Guess the MO is the place to be.

Madison River Fly Fishing Report

The consensus amongst Madison River fly fishing guides is that 2018 has been the best hopper fishing in at least a decade on the Madison. And the bite continues on. Look for the window of good action to shrink as we move later into the month, but there are still a few more big trout looking to crush a well presented hopper yet. Our fly fishing guides have primarily been fishing the float stretch from Lyons Bridge to Ennis, but wade fishing will become a great option again as flows drop throughout the month. The nymphing has remained great with lots of action on the usual fare. #6-10 worms, stoneflies, or prince nymphs as the top fly and #16-22 caddis or mayflies and the bottom fly. Lots of fish coming out of the middle of the river. Streamer fishing will only improve as me move later into the month.

Yellowstone National Park Fly Fishing Report

Most of our anglers and Bozeman fly fishing guides heading into Yellowstone have been fishing the northeast corner of Yellowstone Park, and have been treated to solid dry fly fishing. The fish in the more popular spots like Soda Butte Creek, the Lamar River, and Slough Creek have seen a few flies at this point, so don’t expect them to throw themselves at any old hopper, but anglers willing to perfect the drift and match the hatch have had great results. Grey drakes and a variety of other large fall mayflies are hatching. Smaller terrestrials still around too. Cooler mornings have meant there is no rush to get to the river. The Madison River drainage fisheries will continually improve through the end of the month as water temps drop. Not long now before we’ll be chasing the fall run of brown trout into the Madison River.

Paradise Valley Spring Creek Fly Fishing Report

Getting better by the day but still a little of a lot of different bugs. Sulphurs, midges, ants, and hoppers are all around with a random caddis and PMD as well. Fly fishing on the creeks will improve as the month progresses with pseudos and BWOs starting to show up. Nymphing will be the most productive option until they do. Our Montana fly fishing guides like small midges. And the trout do too!

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Winter 2019 Bozeman Fly Fishing Trips

Winter 2019 Bozeman Fly Fishing Trips

Bozeman Fly Fishing

Winter Fly Fishing in Bozeman

Things are starting to look a lot like winter in Bozeman. The snow is stacking up and all but the most dedicated of anglers have called it a season. While winter fly fishing in Montana isn’t for everyone, there is still great fly fishing to be had, all throughout our winter months. While we wouldn’t recommend planning a fly fishing trip to Bozeman during the winter, if you find yourself out here and need to wet a line you can count on our Bozeman fly fishing guides being ready to work and show anglers the best winter fly fishing in Bozeman, MT.

Our winter fly fishing trips are always subject to weather as safety is our primary concern. That being said, we frequently get periods of sunny weather that make for great fly fishing even during the dead of winter. Generally speaking temperature highs below 15F are not suited for fly fishing.

Winter Fly Fishing Trip Overview

We offer a special Winter Guide trip rate for anglers fly fishing from December through March with our Bozeman fly fishing guides. We will be changing our rate from $400 per day in 2018 to $350 per day in 2019. Days are shorter in the winter, weather can be challenging, and we generally fish close to town. Our Winter rate reflects that. Winter fly fishing trips are a great way to break up a skiing trip to Big Sky Resort or Bridger Bowl with a great “off day” activity.

Our primary angling destinations for winter guided fly fishing trips are DePuy’s Spring Creek and the Gallatin River. Float fishing trips in Bozeman during the winter are limited by ice-damming on our larger rivers, so we generally focus on wade fishing.

DePuy’s Spring Creek is one of our area’s great fisheries, and offers great fly fishing year round in a unique setting on a large private-access ranch. Warming huts are located along the creek that provide a nice retreat when the weather gets western on our guides and anglers.

The Gallatin River has great access for wade-fishing close to Bozeman and offers great fly fishing throughout the river when the water runs ice-free. By March, guided fly fishing trips in Bozeman generally expand to include the Yellowstone River, Madison River, and Missouri River. Our Bozeman fly fishing guides brush the snow off their drift boats and float trips become an option again.

Bozeman, MT Fly Fishing Seasons

Bozeman, MT Fly Fishing Seasons

Bozeman Fly Fishing

When to Fly Fish in Bozeman, MT

We are lucky in Bozeman, MT to have great fly fishing for wild trout all year-long. Even during the doldrums of winter, anglers can find open water and feeding fish.

Our fly fishing outfitting and guide service offers anglers in Bozeman, MT the best guided fly fishing experience across all of our seasons. Where we fish may change throughout the year, but anglers can count on the same great fly fishing experience and quality guiding every trip. It is part of what makes fly fishing in Bozeman, Montana so great.

Our access to such a great diversity of water that changes in character and mood throughout the year means our anglers can count on fresh angling opportunities every trip. Anglers can expect custom Bozeman fly fishing trips all year long with the Montana Angling Company.

Spring Fly Fishing Trips in Bozeman, MT

It’s on. Spring means the beginning of our primetime fly fishing season in Bozeman. Guided fly fishing trips are going out daily and all of our local rivers are fishing well pre-runoff. We even offer a special spring guide trip rate before May 1st that lets anglers hit the rivers with our professional fly fishing guides before the crowds arrive.

Our anglers can expect to fish the Missouri River, the Madison River, the Yellowstone River, the Jefferson River, and the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks during the months of March and April. We generally employ a variety of tactics including dry fly fishing, nymphing, and streamer fishing. Hatches consist of midges, blue winged olive mayflies, and march brown mayflies.

Anglers can expect to fish the Missouri River, the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks, and the Madison River during the month of May. We employ similar tactics to match the hatches of blue winged olive mayflies and mother’s day caddisflies during the month of May. Don’t miss out on our Missouri River guided fly fishing trips in May. This is can’t miss fishing.

Summer Fly Fishing Trips in Bozeman, MT

Summertime in Bozeman means the fly fishing is great and the living is easy. The summer months of June, July, and August are peak season on all of our local rivers and for good reason.

By July run-off is over and all of our rivers offer great fishing on a daily basis. Thick hatches of stoneflies, mayflies, and caddisflies get even the biggest of trout looking up for dry flies. Summer also means the widest variety of fishing destinations for our anglers. Anglers can expect to fly fish the Missouri River, the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks, the Madison River, and Yellowstone National Park during the month of June.

Hatches consist primarily of caddisflies, stoneflies, and pale morning dun mayflies. The month of July offers anglers the widest variety of waters including: the Yellowstone River, the Madison River, the Missouri River, the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks, the Boulder River, the Stillwater River, the Jefferson River, Yellowstone National Park, and many private waters near Bozeman. Hatches are prolific and varied in July including caddisflies, stoneflies, mayflies, and terrestrials.

August means more of the same for our anglers on normal and high water years. During low water years some of our rivers become too low to float but still offer fantastic wade fishing. The hatches of July dwindle by August but anglers can expect consistent hopper fishing all month long. And who doesn’t love catching wild trout on big hoppers?

Fall Fly Fishing Trips in Bozeman, MT

September is the start of our fall fly fishing season in Bozeman. Many of our longtime anglers find fall to be their favorite time to fly fish in Montana. The crowds of summer are gone, the fly fishing is great, and the options are endless.

Hopper fishing remains great through the end of September and by October our hatches come full circle and blue winged-olives and larger mayflies including callibaetis and grey drakes fill out the trout menu. Our brown trout get aggressive pre-spawn and the streamer bite becomes one of the main attractions.

The hills are orange as the leaves begin to turn and snow caps the high mountains. Hard to think of a better backdrop for a Montana fly fishing trip. Our anglers can expect to fish the Yellowstone River, the Madison River, the Missouri River, the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks, the Jefferson River, the Stillwater River, and Yellowstone National Park during the fall months.

Winter Fly Fishing Trips in Bozeman, MT

When most people think of winter in Montana snow, skiing, and cold are what they think of before fly fishing. But our Bozeman fly fishing guides know that the fishing doesn’t stop when the snow hits the ground. Winter fly fishing isn’t for everyone, but if solitude is what you value there is no better time to fish our great rivers and streams than during the winter months.

While we cannot book trips more than a few days in advance due to inclement weather, if you find yourself in Bozeman from December to February and need a quick fishing fix, give us a call. Anglers can expect to fish the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks, the Madison River, the Gallatin River, and the Missouri River during the winter months. Midges are the primary hatch. Just don’t forget your hand warmers!

Bozeman, MT Fly Fishing Report 11/15/18

Bozeman, MT Fly Fishing Report 11/15/18

Fishing Reports, Gallatin River Fishing Reports, Madison River Fishing Reports, Missouri River Fishing Reports, Paradise Valley and Spring Creeks Fishing Reports, Yellowstone National Park Fishing Reports, Yellowstone River Fishing Reports

Bozeman Fly Fishing Overview

Winter and Fall are having their usual November exchange in Bozeman for the past few weeks and its looking like Winter is finally taking over. The snow has started to stack up in the high mountains and smaller freestone rivers near Bozeman have started to freeze up. What is an angler to do when the seasons start to change? Go fly fishing of course. Still lots of good fly fishing to be had in Bozeman. The Paradise Valley Spring Creeks will be your best bet from here on out. Winter rod fees are just $40. The top destinations for our anglers coming on their Bozeman fly fishing trips with our guides over the next few months. The Gallatin River is a close second. The Missouri River, Madison River, and Yellowstone River will continue to fish well as long as you can still launch a boat. Nymphing and streamer fishing will be the name of the game from here on out. Dry fly hatches will be limited to midges and a rogue BWO or two. If there bugs are there, go for it, but results will be inconsistent. Nymphing in deeper pools and stripping streamers low and slow will be more reliable. Read on for more.

Madison River Fly Fishing Report

Fly fishing on the Madison River has and will continue to be good until the river gets slushy. Smaller nymphs #18-20 have produced good numbers while larger #8-12 attractors including stoneflies, worms, and large princes/hares ears will turn up the bigger Madison River trout. Great time of year to get out of the boat and wade fish or just leave the boat at home. The Madison River trout have started to stack up in deeper, slower drop-offs in good numbers, and usually where you find one, there are more. Streamer fishing continues to be good with buggers and bunny strip patterns. Still lots of spawning beds out there, tread lightly and be mindful of redds.

Yellowstone River Fly Fishing Report

Good fly fishing on the Yellowstone River through the end of the month as long as the wind plays along. The river is low and cold, so look for trout to be predictably holding in deeper water, well off the edge of the main current. Nymphing with larger attractor nymphs including stoneflies, hares ears, lightning bugs, and prince nymphs, will be your best bet from here on out. A well fished large parachute-style dry fly will get strikes, but there will be some water staring in between. Streamer fishing reports have been decent, larger buggers stripped low and slow on sinking lines will be your best bet.

Missouri River Fly Fishing Report

The main show for float fly fishing right now. The nymphing below Holter Dam continues to be solid. Streamer fishing ok. Sow bugs, firebeads, zebra midges, scuds, Czech nymphs, worms, and lightning bugs will be your best bets from now through mid-March. Winter holding water on the Missouri River is similar to spring, look for slower, deeper drop-offs, inside or below the main current. And set on anything: once things get cold, takes are often subtle.

Paradise Valley Spring Creek

If you are coming on a Bozeman fly fishing trip this winter, count on the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks being your best bet for good fly fishing. Our anglers and Bozeman fly fishing guides are treated to great fly fishing year round on DePuy’s, Armstrong, and Nelson’s Spring Creeks. Winter 2018/19 will be no exception. Good numbers of fish have started to push into DePuys Spring Creek and the nymphing has been excellent. Dry fly fishing has been limited, but localized midge hatches will bring fish to the surface. Great time of year to keep your feet moving, body warm, and explore new water on the creeks if you haven’t walked it all yet. Lots of interesting water out there.

Gallatin River

Here’s a secret: want to know where most Bozeman fly fishing guides go on their off days over the winter to fish? The answer isn’t the Keys, or Mexico, or Belize, the Bighorn, the Missouri, or any of the other big name places. They go fish the Gallatin River. Close to home and solid fly fishing as long as it isn’t too slushy. The Gallatin River has and will fish well from Big Sky down through Four Corners all winter long. Nymphing and streamer fishing will be the top producers. No need to get too technical, large attractor nymphs should do the trick. Flows are perfect right now to effectively wade fish long lengths of water. As fun as fly fishing gets.

Yellowstone National Park

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