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Bozeman, MT Fly Fishing Report 7/17/18

Bozeman, MT Fly Fishing Report 7/17/18

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

Summer has arrived in Bozeman, MT. The sun is out, bugs are hatching, trout are rising, and all of our local rivers and creeks are fishing well. Expect great fly fishing any which way you drive from Bozeman. The Madison River and Yellowstone River is where you can find most of our Montana fly fishing guides and anglers, but the Missouri River has been a dry fly anglers paradise and will continue to be so in the coming weeks. Head to Yellowstone National Park to stay on the salmonfly hatchand enjoy some of the best wade fishing around. Grab your rod, a few of your favorite flies, and hit the road or give us a call to experience some of the best fly fishing of the year. Summertime and the living is easy in Bozeman, MT.

Yellowstone River Fly Fishing Report

Fishing on the Yellowstone River has been nothing short of great for the past week and will only continue to improve in the coming weeks as flows continue to drop. The salmonflies have moved on but the golden stones are flying around from Gardiner down through Livingston, as well as daily hatches of caddisflies, little yellow sallies, and flying ants. Plenty of bugs to keep the fish looking up. We’ve had a bit of a heat wave the past week which has meant the morning bite has been better than the afternoons, but look for this to change as the fish adjust to lower flows and summer weather. Dry fly, dry-dropper rigs, nymphing, and streamers can all get it done. Hoppers are starting to buzz in the bushes, look to see them on the water soon. The new Sage Lodge has opened for the summer season. Check them out on the web at www.sagelodge.com/ for the newest lodging around for anglers.

Madison River Fly Fishing Report

What a year it has been so far on the Madison River.  Hebgen dam is fixed, our guides and anglers were treated to an excellent salmonfly hatch, and continue to have great fishing daily as the summer hacthes progress on. The river has been littered in PMDs, caddisflies, little yellow sallies, and green drakes. All you can eat buffet for wild trout. We like early starts and late evenings on brighter days for the best dry fly fishing, but nymphing has remained steady all day long. Prince nymphs, PTs, stonefly nymphs, hare’s ears, and of course worms can all get it done subsurface. Look for ants and hoppers to enter the dry fly equation soon. If the river runs cold through August, 2018 on the Madison River will be one for the books.

Missouri River Fly Fishing Report

6000 CFS, water temps in the mid-60s, plenty of bugs hatching daily, and lots of happy fishermen. The trico hatch has begun and will only continue to improve in the coming weeks. PMDs, caddisflies, and smaller terresterials are around to round out the dry fly fare. Nymphing remains great. Expect good fishing from the Dam all the way down to Cascade. Fish the middle, to the bank, on the seams, in the swirlys, or strictly on top. No bad way to go right now.

Paradise Valley Spring Creek Fly Fishing Report

Hard to beat summertime on the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks. The PMD hatch has begun to fade, but tricos, caddis, midges, and terrestrials in good enough numbers to keep the dry fly action going. Great time of year to spot and stalk big single fish. Walk slow, keep your eyes peeled for subtle takes, and make your first cast count. Head to the faster water for nymphing success. Midges, sows, scuds, and mayfly nymphs are all winners. Head out early to catch the spinner fall.

Yellowstone National Park Fly Fishing Report

Salmonfly mania goes on! The big bugs have moved out of the floatable stretches of rivers in Bozeman, MT but continue to fly around in full force in Yellowstone Park. Strong hikers can head into the black canyon of the Yellowstone River to hit the hatch. The Lamar River is quickly coming into shape and anglers can expect to find great hatches of golden stones, green drakes, and little yellow sallies. Terrestrials soon to come. Soda Butte, slough creek, and the many other tributaries of the Lamar and Yellowstone River are all great options now. Just don’t forget to leave your felt soles at home in 2018.

Madison River Summer Fly Fishing Trips

Madison River Summer Fly Fishing Trips

Madison River Fly Fishing

Summer Fly Fishing on Montana’s Madison River

Fly fishing the Madison River during the summer is one of the classic Montana fly fishing trips every angler needs to experience. From Hebgen Lake to Ennis Lake, the 50 mile riffle stretch of the Madison River runs cold and clear through the town of Ennis, Montana, one of the trout capitals of the world.

The summer fly fishing options are endless here. There is great wade fishing from the Slide Lake down to Lyons Bridge, float fishing from Lyons Bridge to Ennis, and more great wade fishing from Ennis down to Ennis lake. There are big brown trout and rainbow trout feeding from bank to bank, hiding behind the many rocks and boulders that are characteristic of this blue ribbon river.

What to Expect

There are too many hatches to cover here: caddisflies, big mayflies, little mayflies, Salmonflies, Goldenstones, hoppers, a variety of ants, and enough others to fill up an entymology textbook. Dry flies, nymphs, and streamers all work well throughout the summer with each having its star moment at different times. Fly fishing the Madison River during the summer is a classic experience both our Madison River fly fishing guides and anglers treasure.

November 2018 Bozeman, MT Fly Fishing Forecast

November 2018 Bozeman, MT Fly Fishing Forecast

Montana Fly Fishing Forecast

November 2018 Montana Fall Fly Fishing Overview

What happened to Fall? Seems like Winter arrived early in Bozeman, Montana this year. The snow is already starting to stack up in the mountains, skies are getting grey, and the forecast is calling for high temperatures in the mid 30’s to low 40’s. The warming huts on DePuy’s Spring Creek are fired up daily. Just about perfect for November fly fishing. I’ve heard it said before that there is nothing worse than a sunny day in November and April for fly fishing. Sure it may be comfortable, but bright skies will often mean little or no hatches and poor streamer fishing. We’ll take the cold and grey any day.

Our Winter/Spring Guide Trip Specials started November 1. $400 for a full day of fishing from now until April 30 with our Montana fly fishing guides. Can’t beat that. Anglers coming to fish in November and through the Winter and Spring can expect solitude on our local rivers. And solid fishing. In the past week I have floated the Yellowstone River and Madison River several days and have seen a combined total of 1 other boats. I’ll take it.

Our daily hatches of fall BWOs and midges will start to thin out in November, but still some good dry fly fishing to be had when conditions align. Large attractor mayflies and midge clusters will be your best bet on the Yellowstone River and Madison River. Hatches on the Missouri River will continue to thin out as we move through the month but expect to see fish rising here and there to BWOs and midges when they do hatch.

It is never a rush to the river in November. Enjoy that extra cup of coffee.
Streamer fishing has been good on both the Madison River and the Yellowstone River. Look for this to only improve as we move through November. The worse the weather, the better generally. Had the pleasure of fishing with some streamer junkies on the Madison River on a bright sunny day last week. Lots of follows, good number of eats, and a few landed. Starting to get good out there.

Nymphing will be the key to consistent success in November. As our fish start to move into winter water, they will group up in predictable lies and are easily targeted with nymph rigs. Stoneflies, worms, princes, and buggers are all great top flies on the Yellowstone River, Madison River, and Gallatin River. Small mayflies and midges are great second flies. Worms, sowbugs, and scuds will be king on our tailwater rivers. Deeper slower water will be your best bet.

November isn’t the most popular month for guided fly fishing trips in Montana. Never has been and never will be. But if solitude, snow capped peaks, and good fishing is what you want, we’ve got plenty of it, all month long.

Yellowtone River Fall Fly Fishing Trips

Yellowtone River Fall Fly Fishing Trips

Yellowstone River Fly Fishing

Fall Fly Fishing Trips on Montana’s Yellowstone River

Fall is a special time of year for Montana fly fishing trips on the Yellowstone River. Lower flows, clear water, happy trout, and lower angling pressure make for some of the best fly fishing of the year. Our Yellowstone River fly fishing guides particularly like this time of the year for the diversity of fly fishing options. You can fish dry flies, nymphs, and streamers and can expect to be successful anyway you choose.

The Yellowstone River fishes well all the way from the mouth of Yellowstone lake, through Paradise Valley, and below Livingston, Montana. Hatches remain consistent with hoppers, ants, BWOs, larger drakes, and lingering stoneflies all available for our wild trout. Lower flows make wade fishing the Yellowstone River an effective tactic in the fall.

By late September the brown trout start becoming more aggressive and some of the larger fish are known to get a little less wary of streamers through October. Weather stays stable through the first half of October with cooler daytime temperatures than in the summer, but perfectly comfortable for all day angling. The cottonwoods trees put on their finest fall colors by the first week of October and it is hard to imagine a more scenic place than the Yellowstone River through Paradise Valley this time of year. There is just a certain peace about fly fishing trips on the Yellowstone River in the fall that keeps anglers coming back year after year.

Bozeman Fly Fishing Guides, Trips, and Outfitting

Bozeman Fly Fishing Guides, Trips, and Outfitting

Bozeman Fly Fishing

Guided Fly Fishing in Bozeman, MT

Our Montana fly fishing guides consider Bozeman, MT to be the heart of fly fishing in Montana and our home base for Montana fly fishing trips. Bozeman truly is the trout capital of the west and offers anglers the unique combination of proximity to hundreds of miles of blue ribbon water and the best lodging, dining, and amenities in Montana. The world-famous Yellowstone River, Madison River, and Gallatin River all sit just outside of town and offer excellent fly fishing all year long.

The Montana Angling Company offers guided fly fishing trips on the rivers, streams, and lakes in Bozeman, MT. Our Day Trip destinations include both float trips and wade trips on the Yellowstone River, Madison River, Gallatin River, Boulder River, Stillwater River, Jefferson river, Missouri River, and Paradise Valley Spring Creeks. We also offer guided fly fishing trips in Yellowstone National Park.

Custom Trips and our Lodging Packages are the best way for anglers to experience the wide variety of fly fishing opportunities we have in Bozeman, MT. We work with anglers to build custom itineraries that include guided fly fishing on the best waters available. Our lodging partners offer the premier accommodations in Bozeman, MT with all-inclusive options available.

Bozeman Fly Fishing Guides

Our Bozeman fly fishing guides have the local knowledge and experience to make your next Montana fly fishing trip, your best one yet. All of our guides are dedicated professionals that value their clients’ experience above all else and emphasize learning, safety, and having fun on every trip. Our guides work well with anglers of all skill levels. We utilize high end drift boats and rafts outfitted for fly fishing on float trips and have modern rods and reels available for our anglers’ use.

Bozeman, MT Fly Fishing Trips

Fly fishing trips in Bozeman, MT center around the blue ribbon fly fishing on the Yellowstone River, Madison River, Gallatin River, and their tributaries. These rivers are the lifeblood of anglers in Montana and boast excellent hatches that make for blue ribbon fly fishing throughout the Montana fly fishing season.

Float trips on these famous rivers are our most popular trips. Anglers of all skills level can expect a fun and successful trip. Beginner anglers will find the fly fishing to be rewarding and filled with learning opportunities. Seasoned anglers will enjoy truly world-class fly fishing with opportunities for trophy trout and fresh angling challenges.

The prime fly fishing season runs from April-October in Bozeman, but blue ribbon fly fishing is available year-round. Winter & Spring Special Trips are a great way to enjoy fly fishing on our rivers in solitude, at a discounted rate. Annual spring run-off affects our Bozeman area rivers from May 15-July 1 and we would encourage anglers planning a trip during this time to consider our Missouri River Basecamp Trips as the best alternative.

Our Bozeman Fly Fishing Trips include:

Bozeman Fly Fishing Outfitting

Delivering custom outfitting, expert guides, and authentic Montana experiences is at the core of our Bozeman fly fishing outfitting business. Our outfitter works with anglers to build custom fly fishing trips designed to showcase the best guided fly fishing in Montana. Anglers can expect personal service throughout both the booking process and during their Bozeman fly fishing trip. Our outfitter handles all bookings personally and invites anglers to contact us to learn more about guided fly fishing in Bozeman, MT with the Montana Angling Company.