Montana Fly Fishing Forecast
April 2020 Fly Fishing Overview
A lot of uncertainty in the air as we move into April 2020. Our thoughts go out to everyone during these hard times. We are hoping recently put into place shelter in place orders are able to bring about positive change in the near future and we are all able to get back to living soon. Be well and stay safe.
Our guided fly fishing trips are on hold until at least 4/10/2020 when the Montana shelter in place and closure of non-essential business directive expires. We are still open and available to book trips and talk fishing. In the meantime, local anglers will still be able to get out and enjoy some great fly fishing. We would encourage all anglers to exercise caution and follow all CDC and State guidelines if they do choose to go outside.
Things we can count on in April: strong hatches of Blue Winged Olives (BWOs), solitude on the water, and quality dry fly fishing throughout April on our rivers in Bozeman, MT. The BWO hatch is the kick-off to the Montana spring fly fishing season. Anglers will find plenty of rising fish on the Yellowstone River, Madison River, and Missouri River throughout the month on a daily basis. Calm and overcast days will make for the best fishing. April fly fishing can be as good as it gets, but it’s good time of year to be the last one on the water. Have that extra cup of coffee, get out late, and stay out late.
Skwala stoneflies will also be on the menu through the month of April. Anglers that know when and where to look for them will be rewarded. By the end of the month we can expect the Mother’s Day Caddis hatch to kick off on the Madison River.
Nymphing will remain the most productive tactic most mornings. Streamer fishing will improve as water temps rise throughout the month. Dry fly and dry-dropper fishing will make for some exciting afternoons.
Our Spring Guide Trip Specials run through the month of April. It is anyone’s guess at this point if we will be back in business before the end of the month. If we are, we look forward to some great days on the water with our anglers. If not, then we will hope to see everyone in May. We are all in this together: stay local, stay apart, stay safe, and we will all be back on the water soon.
Montana Fly Fishing Forecast
March 2020 Fly Fishing Overview
Spring seems to be right around the corner in Bozeman, MT and it is shaping up to be an excellent March for fly fishing in Montana. Winter 2020 has been snowy but mild, leaving most of our rivers open to fly fishing throughout the past few months and setting things up nicely for both float and wade fishing trips in March. Our Montana fly fishing guides couldn’t be more excited to get back out on the water with anglers this March and will be spending the next week excavating drift boats from snow drifts, rigging up new gear, and tying the last of their winter flies all in preparation for the beginning of another great Montana fly fishing season.
March fly fishing in Montana is all about the experience. While early season conditions often present themselves and anglers should expect to fish in any and all conditions, there is a certain allure to early season fly fishing. Our rivers are quiet, mountain peaks still covered in snow, and anglers can find true solitude.
Looking at the Montana Snowpack report, pictured above, all of our river basins are just at or above average. A lot can change over the next few months, but as it stands now we are looking forward to another great season with cold water and good flows on all of our Montana fly fishing rivers.
March 2020 Fly Fishing Trips
Anglers joining us on trips this March have a lot to look forward to. Thanks to a mild winter, float trips on the Yellowstone River, Madison River, and the Missouri River will be good to go right out of the gate this year. Most floats will be available and we look forward to some excellent early spring midge hatches this year, which should make for some good dry fly fishing. The streamer fishing on the Yellowstone River is usually solid in March, and we expect 2020 to be no different.
Wade fishing trips on the Gallatin River and the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks will be the main focus throughout the month for our guides and anglers as they offer some of the best fly fishing of the year. Low flows on the Gallatin River make for great access, easy wading, and productive fly fishing close to Bozeman. Consistent water temperature on the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks and a large seasonal influx of trout that migrate from the Yellowstone River make them a great choice for anglers interested in a truly unique fly fishing experience.
Our Winter Trip Specials run through the end of March. Same great fly fishing, with the same great guides, and all at a really great rate. We would encourage all anglers interested in Montana fly fishing trips in March and beyond to contact us today to learn more and to book your next Montana fly fishing adventure.
Montana Fly Fishing Forecast
November Fly Fishing Overview
The winds of winter are in the air as we move into the home stretch of the 2019 Montana fly fishing season. And what a season it has been. Our anglers have enjoyed some of the best dry fly fishing in recent memory on their Montana fly fishing trips. Our Montana fly fishing guides enjoyed a great season filled with time spent on the water with so many great people. We are looking to closing our season out strong with a great end-of October and November.
It has been a cold and snowy Fall so far in Montana. While it has made for generally favorable conditions for great hatches of BWOs and a good streamer bite, we did miss the normal Fall weather this year. Very few days that were sunny and 60 degrees. But that is just how it goes in Montana. Some years you get fall, some years you get a late summer, this year we got winter. Will the trend of cooler temps and snow continue into November? Who knows! But our guides are prepared for whatever lays in store and excited to share our love for fly fishing in Montana with anglers, regardless of conditions.
As for the fly fishing, anglers can expect good fishing on most of our area rivers through the end of the month. For years, we have had a big group of anglers that fish over Thanksgiving week. We have fished all over the state and seen every condition imaginable. One common thread: lots of fun regardless.
November 2019 Fly Fishing Trips
Our guides will be found spending most of their time on the Missouri River, the Yellowstone River, and the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks through the month of October. These fisheries are generally the most reliable late season options. Hatches of BWOs and Midges will remain strong through the early part of the month, but taper off if temperatures drop. Last year we enjoyed great dry fly fishing on Thanksgiving day on the Missouri River on a cold but calm and sunny day. Looking forward to more of the same this year.
Anglers looking for targeting trophy trout on our rivers will find streamer fishing to be the best bet through the month of November. This means giving up quantity of fish, in favor of quality of fish. Streamer anglers wanting to net the largest of Montana brown trout have to be willing to commit to long days, filled with lots of casting, and through all conditions.
What to Expect in November
We are often asked by anglers if November is a good month to fly fish in Montana. Our answer? For the right angler absolutely. Anglers can count on empty rivers, a good bite, and fun days on the water. Are there the best hatches, catch rates, or conditions we get? Nope. Hatches are often unpredictable, catch rates aren’t nearly as high as the spring and summer months, and conditions are often tough. But there may very well be no better time for anglers that appreciate the little things: hard fighting trout, incredible scenery, complete solitude, and the hunt for wild trout.
If you are interested in a November fly fishing trip to Montana, give us a shout anytime to talk fishing. Bookings are also starting to roll in for 2020, if you have dates in mind or want to try and hit the best hatches, contact us today to plan your next Montana fly fishing trip with the Montana Angling Company. See you on the water soon!
Montana Fly Fishing Forecast
It’s going to be a good one folks. Looking forward into October our Montana fly fishing guides are excited for what’s to come. We have had a taste of winter with all-time early season snow storms moving through Montana, but looks like classic fall weather will be back this week and the trout will be on the feed.
Fly fishing was great across all of our area waters through the end of September with BWOs hatching on the Missouri River, Yellowstone River, and Madison River daily as well as some of the best streamer fishing in recent memory. Look for all of this to only improve as we move through the month. We found whole banks boiling with rising fish during this last cold spell and expecting this to become a regular event in the weeks to come.
We often get asked: where is the best place to fly fish in Montana in October? The answer really is there is no wrong answer. Weather permitting anglers can expect a solid bite, great scenery, and strong hatches all throughout our region. For true solitude we recommend the waters around Bozeman, MT. For the best catching there is nowhere better to be than the Missouri River.
For anglers interested in targeting the biggest and baddest of Montana brown trout, October is one of our favorite months for fly fishing with streamers in pursuit of trophy trout. Anglers can expect to fish hard but be rewarded with quality fish. Our guides always recommend hitting the water early for the best streamer bite as the action generally tapers off as bugs (BWOs, caddis, etc.) begin to hatch. We often have to spend the afternoons sight fishing to rising fish. Tough problem to have!
Looking at our guide calendar we do have some availability in October for 2019 but many of our guides are just about booked up. If you are interested in an October fly fishing trip, contact us and we would be happy to answer any and all questions. See you on the water!
Montana Fly Fishing Forecast
September 2019 Montana Fly Fishing Forecast
Fall is in the air and we are looking forward to a great September full of fly fishing. 2019 has been the year of the hopper with some of the best hopper fishing in recent years. The bite should continue on through the middle of the month and into early October. Exciting news for our anglers and just as exciting for our Montana fly fishing guides.
Both our Bozeman Fly Fishing Basecamp and Missouri River Basecamp offer great fly fishing in the month of September. Anglers visiting Bozeman will have the widest variety of water to fish while those visiting our Missouri River Basecamp can expect some of the best fly fishing of the year on the Missouri River and the Blackfoot River. Still time to plan your 2019 September fly fishing trip.
September is always one of the best months for the dry fly angler as hoppers, stoneflies, mayflies, caddisflies, and small terrestrials are all in play. The bugs get smaller through the end of September with BWOs becoming significant to trout, anglers, and our guides by the last week. Strong hatches of bugs on the Missouri River make for great sight fishing to actively rising fish. Cooler days and quiet rivers are a bonus too.
The Yellowstone River is another great September option as flows are perfect for wade fishing, pressure is low, and hatches remain strong. Streamer fishing also picks up on the Yellowstone River as well as the Madison River, giving anglers shots as some of the biggest fish of the year. Hard to imagine a better time to fly fish in Montana.
Planning a 2020 Montana fly fishing trip? Bookings have started to roll in already for prime dates. Give us a call at 406-579-9553 anytime with questions or to book your trip.
Montana Fly Fishing Forecast
August 2019 Montana Fly Fishing Forecast
Great days on the river have kept us busy with anglers and away from the computer, but the fly fishing has been great so far in August 2019 all across Montana and looks to remain the same through the end of the months. Hoppers, hoppers, and more hoppers this year making for great dry fly action on all of our local waters. The Yellowstone River and Madison River have been giving it up daily, making for one of the best Augusts in recent memory. The Missouri River has rewarded the skilled and patient. Will the hopper fishing remain great through the end of the month and in to September? Almost certainly.
Anglers joining us on custom multi-day adventures have and will continue to enjoy great fly fishing across all of our rivers. 5 rivers in 5 days? Yellowstone River, Madison River, Stillwater River, Yellowstone National Park, and Jefferson River. Great fly fishing for our anglers with our Montana fly fishing guides. August 2019 has been kind to the dry fly angler. Terrestrials and strong hatches of stoneflies, ants, caddisflies, and mayflies have made dry fly fishing great on a daily basis. Look for conditions to only improve through the end of month as average temperatures drop.
Interested in a trip in late August, September, or October of 2019? Still some availability. Book today before your dates are booked. Hopper fishing should be great through the end of September and solid flows will make for a great October. See you on the water!
