Alder Fishing Guides

Float the Upper or Lower Madison, Yellowstone, or Gallatin River fishing with Ikaika and his team for an unforgetable fishing trip through the always gorgeous big sky state! Open to fishing from Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through the first Sunday in November, the Gallatin River is a cold, high-elevation, freestone river with grassy meadows, thick willow banks, pocket water, healthy trout, and little to no crowds. This river won't have as many fish per mile as other rivers closer to Bozeman, but it makes up for this with fish size, incredible scenery and low fishing traffic. Bears and moose have been spotted around here, so be sure to bring some bear spray! On this 8 hour excursion, Ikaika will float you into the river from one of the Yellowstone Park access points. From here he'll give you some of his expert fishing tips and let you try your luck. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, Nate is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of your fishing needs, Ikaika's got you covered. Ikaika will provide all the rods, reels, flies and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. You will also need to purchase a special Yellowstone National Park fishing license (no state license is required) and pay a $20 entrance fee to get into the park. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with Ikaika! Read More

Wade your way into the water with Ennion for a memorable day of Big Sky fly fishing! Big Sky is well known for its hundreds of miles of Trout-filled waterways, which is why fly fishers are always flocking to this scenic hotspot. On this half or full-day trip, Ennion will wade you into one of these productive rivers such as the Madison, Yellowstone, Beaverhead, Bighole or Missouri where you'll be targeting Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout. From here he'll give you some of his expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. These rivers are great for throwing your first fly casts or honing in your skills on a relaxing day of river fishing. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, Ennion will give you some helpful pointers to help get some fish on your line! Ennion will provide all rods, reels, flies, transportation to and from the river, snacks and non alcoholic beverages. Let him know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which he will provide at an additional cost. All you need to bring is a valid Montana Fishing License. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Come enjoy the beautiful mountain waters with Ennion! Read More

Bozeman Montana area includes the Yellowstone, Madison, both of legendary status. The Sheridan area that is home to the Ruby, Big Hole, Beaverhead and Jefferson. Craig is on the banks of the Missouri. Missoula Montana offers a slew of incredible blue-ribbon rivers within a short distance from downtown. Mike and his guides know the Yellowstone, Madison, Ruby, Big Hole, Beaverhead, private water on the Beaverhead, Missouri, Blackfoot, Bitterroot, and the Clarks Fork rivers like the back of their hands and fish them all based on what river is fishing best. Generally, the hatches on each of the rivers rotate and trade-off perfectly so there is always action to chase in the vicinity. Mike's outfit and his slew of incredible guides are committed to offering you the highest quality Montana fly fishing experience available. He and his experienced guides will row the extra mile to ensure this fishing trip is one you’ll remember for a lifetime. They will provide all the terminal tackle (flies, tippet, floatant, etc). They've got you covered on rods and reels if you need them and will provide a gourmet on the river lunch for you as well. Rivers in the Area: **The Bitterroot River** in southwest Montana is a dry fly fishery. Not many rivers in the west can claim such a statement, but the “Root” is a unique stream. The fact that the infamous Purple Haze dry fly pattern was developed/invented by a long-time Bitterroot guide tells you that it’s a special place. A float trip down the Bitterroot River never disappoints and the scenery and caliber of fishing are hard to beat. Although the Root can fish well in the winter months the real start to the season here is March and April with the world-famous Skwala stonefly hatch. This event is one of the few places in the west that offers the angler a chance at catching nice-sized trout on size 10 or bigger dry flies in early spring. March Browns and Blue Winged Olive Mayflies also make a daily appearance and can offer outstanding topwater action. The river is characterized by cobblestone runs, deep pools, and woody debris that hold large Rainbow, Cutthroats, and Brown trout. Summer See’s the usual hatches of PMD’s, Sallies, and Tricos with Grasshoppers keeping trout looking up well into October. The fall is also a special time on the Root, with cooler weather and Mahogany dun mayflies and Hecuba drake’s offering the last substantial meal for trout before winter sets in. **The Blackfoot** is on every fly fisherman’s bucket list, and deservedly so. Blackfoot River Fly Fishing is an angler’s dream come true. A true classic western freestone river and its hatches are impressive: the Giant Salmon Fly, Golden Stones, PMDs, terrestrials, are just some of the hatches you’ll find on the Blackfoot. Come fish the Blackfoot River with Fishtales Outfitting and you’ll want to come back every year! The Blackfoot River or as it’s sometimes called the Big Blackfoot as to distinguish it from the Little Blackfoot in western Montana near Missoula is a truly special place. The Nez Perce of Idaho found this route as the way to the Upper Missouri Basin to hunt buffalo. The Nez Perce name for the Blackfoot is Cokahahalishkit which means river of the road to buffalo. A diverse and dynamic fishery fed by snowpack and springs with all of the main trout species present. Depending on the time of year, you have a shot at a Blackfoot “Grand Slam” catching a rainbow, cutthroat, brown, brook, cut-bow. The Blackfoot is characterized by large boulders and pocket water that’s stuffed with wild trout and offers an exciting float trip with outstanding hopper/dropper fishing throughout the summer. Many reaches of the Blackfoot River offer a beautiful wilderness setting with little development on its banks, plenty of wildlife, great trout fishing, and gorgeous scenery to add to the experience! **The Clark Fork River** is one of Montana’s best-kept secrets, hidden in plain sight. Many anglers drive by it on their way to fish other famous Montana rivers like the Bitterroot or Blackfoot. We at Fishtales Outfitting love elbow room and great trout fishing, we think you’ll agree! The largest river in Montana by volume it begins its 310-mile journey near the town of Butte MT, and as it meanders its way towards its terminus at Lake Pend Oreille it offers hundreds of miles of floatable water. The upper river is a smaller stream with many diverse types of water that mostly holds Brown trout and the occasional Westslope Cutthroat. This is fantastic streamer water with a legitimate shot at a trophy Brown. As the river heads west along I-90 towards Missoula it gains volume from many tributaries and becomes a large freestone river in a heavily forested corridor. This lower zone is a dry fly fishery that can rival the best hatches on the Missouri River. Large Rainbow, Cutthroats, and hybrid Cut-bows dominate the water here and eagerly come to the surface to devour the many species of mayflies that hatch here. The lower river also offers the added bonus of being a trophy Northern Pike fishery with some research showing fish of 45″ or better, which can be an exciting change of pace from trout fishing. The Clark Fork is typically pretty low on the visiting anglers’ list of rivers to float fish which makes it one of the lesser crowded in all of western Montana. Read More

Missoula Montana offers a slew of incredible blue-ribbon rivers within a short distance from downtown. Mike's outfit and his slew of incredible guides are committed to offering you the highest quality Montana fly fishing experience available. He and his experienced guides will row the extra mile to ensure this fishing trip is one you’ll remember for a lifetime. They will provide all the terminal tackle (flies, tippet, floatant, etc). They've got you covered on rods and reels if you need them and will provide a gourmet on the river lunch for you as well. The Yellowstone River is one of the greatest trout streams in the world and holds the title for the longest undammed, known as a ‘freestone’ river in the lower 48 states. There is outstanding trout water from its tributaries high inside Yellowstone Park, downstream through Gardiner, the Paradise Valley, Livingston, and down below Big Timber,a total of almost two hundred river miles. Explore the legendary river with our Yellowstone fly fishing guides for a fun, guided fly fishing day trip in Montana. The quality of the fly fishing is excellent here. We float fish in several different sections of the prime trout water between Gardiner and Big Timber, depending on the time of year, water conditions, and water levels. Highway 89 takes you through the Paradise Valley to the town of Gardiner, the Gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Explore and catch cutthroat trout, large whitefish, rainbow trout, and brown trout with our Yellowstone fly fishing guide. Join our guided tour at Fishtales Outfitting and enjoy some fantastic fly fishing on the Yellowstone River today! Read More

Float your way into the water with Ennion for a memorable day of Big Sky fly fishing! Big Sky is well known for its hundreds of miles of Trout-filled waterways, which is why fly fishers are always flocking to this scenic hotspot. Float trips like this offer the advantage of being able to cover more ground than typical wade fishing trips, so get ready for some bites! On this 10-hour trip, Ennion will float you down one of these productive rivers such as the Madison, Yellowstone, Beaverhead, Bighole or Missouri where you'll be targeting Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout. From here he'll give you some of his expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. These rivers are great for throwing your first fly casts or honing in your skills on a relaxing day of river fishing. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, Ennion will give you some helpful pointers to help get some fish on your line! Ennion will provide any rental gear you need, transportation to and from the river, snacks and non alcoholic beverages. He will even provide a tasty lunch for you on this float trip. All you need to bring is a valid Montana Fishing License. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Come enjoy the beautiful mountain waters with Ennion! Read More

Head out with Dan, aka "Rooster," for an action-packed overnight fishing trip in Twin Bridges, Montana! This area of Southwest Montana is home of the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Ruby, Madison, and Jefferson Rivers. Experience world-class fly fishing, accommodations, fly shop, and guides located in the heart of Montana's Blue Ribbon Trout Country! Rooster and his team's goal is simple, to give you an experience you will never forget. With the best in the business Montana fly fishing guides, they have packages for all anglers. Stay at the Stonefly Inn, bring your fly rod, your buddy or spouse, and do a self-guided trip and they are happy to point you in the right direction. Rooster and his team consists of a very diverse, seasoned guide staff - one that has been cultivated over the last 15 years. Whether you are a beginner or experienced angler, they make sure to pair you up accordingly. While everyone has their niche - these guides have a very good sense of teamwork and will stop at nothing to make certain you walk away a better fisherman than when you arrived. **Available Waters:** The Big Hole River - Fed by three different mountain ranges, dozens of freestone creeks and flowing over 100 miles, the Big Hole River is one of those places you just can't get off your mind. Often referred to as "The Last Best River", the Big Hole fishes well from ice out in April until the winter weather hits in November. Limited outfitter use makes this river a first choice for many guest anglers. The Beaverhead River - One of the three great tailwaters in Big Sky Country. Stable water flows, dense populations of trout, and great insect life make this river a great option almost any time of year. Multiple spring creek influxes below Dillon create some great clear water opportunities to fish dry flies during the heat of the summer. Big browns on hoppers. A great river to fly fish. The Madison River - They say you have to have an ace in the hole. If Rooster had to pick a river to fit that bill, it would be the "Maddy". Astonishing numbers of trout and good water flows through the summer months keep the rods bent when fishing might be tough elsewhere. The Jefferson River - Formed in Twin Bridges by the confluence of the Big Hole, Beaverhead, and Ruby Rivers, the Jefferson flows northbound over eighty miles to the confluence of the Madison and Gallatin Rivers to form the Missouri. Receiving less pressure than any of the others, this is one of those fisheries that you have to see to believe. The Ruby River - As our friends refer to secret spots - the Ruby River is a "sleeper". From the dam to Twin Bridges there is over 40 miles of twisting, turning trout water. Good public access makes this a great place to spend an afternoon before, during or after your trip. **Seasons:** There are three main seasons when it comes to Montana fishing. Get your line in the water when the fish are most hungry in the peak season, or get world-class fishing at a discount in the shoulder season. Early season (Shoulder) - April, May, and June – The Rocky Mountains can deliver some pretty severe weather during these early months of the fishing season. You should plan accordingly, and realize that the weather can be here today - gone tomorrow. You will want breathable waders, felt or rubber soled boots, raingear, layers of fleece, gloves, hats, glasses and hats. We could also have summer weather as early as late May, so make sure to pack a couple pairs of shorts and your favorite fishing shirt. Summer season (Peak) - June, July, August, and September - With the summer upon us, you can expect temperatures to range from cool in the early a.m. to downright hot in the afternoons. Long sleeve fishing shirts, broad billed hats, and polarized sunglasses can relieve some of the summer sun. Although shorts and wading sandals are the norm, summer thunderstorms are common in SW Montana, so always have a light rain jacket in your gear bag. Fall season (Shoulder) - September, October and November - As the summer winds to a close, we say goodbye to the dog days and welcome cooler mornings and warm afternoons. September is hopper month in these parts, so a stout 6 wt. is a good choice. By the middle of September the water temps have fallen to the point that you’ll likely be more comfortable wearing waders. For those that plan an October trip to Montana, your gear bag should include layers of fleece, raingear, a warm hat, gloves and of course a good pair of glasses. **Lodging:** For those wanting a true Western fly fishing experience, The Stonefly Inn is the perfect choice. Located in the heart of Twin Bridges on Main Street, minutes from world class rivers that offer the best trout fishing in Montana. These all-inclusive packages cover all Montana farm-to-table meals cooked by an awesome chef, lodging in one of the cabins, guided fishing, flies, rods, reels, all terminal tackle. The recently renovated cabins have upgraded mattresses, new linens and furnishings. The common area is a great gathering place with comfortable seating, TV, screened porch, dining tables, bar. The outdoor fireplace area is a favorite among guests, a great place to hang out in the evenings and they keep it stocked with firewood all season. You have full use of the on site amenities when you book with Rooster and his team. Their fly shop is also located on the property if you need supplies. **Rod, Line and Fly Recommendations:** Rooster and his gang strongly recommend a 9ft or 9.5ft, 6 weight rod. A 5 weight will do almost anything a 6 will, but you might have to work harder to get the fly to the fish in the wind. And yes, the wind has been known to blow out in the Rocky Mountains! They prefer WF lines. Their favorites are the Scientific Anglers Sharkwave and Trout Stalker. When it comes to leaders, anything 7.5ft 2,3 & 4X class will work fine. When you fish with them, the flies are included in your package, and they have plenty of them. Their guides carry hundreds if not thousands of the patterns that work on their local waters and their shop bins are fully stocked with tried and true flies. However, if you would like to tie some flies of your own, they recommend giving the shop a call and they can advise you further. In the meantime you can rarely go wrong with these: 1. Chubby Chernobyl – Peach, Orange, Purple, Tan, size 6-12 2. Prince Nymph – tungsten beads are better, CDC Collars are great, size 12-16 3. Pat’s Stone – Tan, Brown, Black and Olive, size 4-12 4. Pheasant tail – Tungsten, no flashback, size 12-20 **Montana Fishing License Requirements:** You will need to purchase a conservation license, along with a fishing license that will cover the amount of days you plan on fishing. They are sold in 2’s and 10’s as well as a full season. Rooster recommends purchasing your license online prior to arrival, as they are not a license agent – it will help expedite getting you on the river! **Food and Drink:** Your dining experience is certain to be a highlight of your fishing trip! Rooster and his team strive to accommodate all dietary restrictions. If you require any special dietary consideration or have food allergies please do let them know and they will make sure your needs are provided for. They generally serve wine with dinner. If you are someone that enjoys an evening cocktail or beer, there is a liquor store a few doors down that is well stocked. Many guests provide a bottle or 2 to share with their fellow anglers during the course of their stay at Stonefly. Read More