Cutthroat Trout Fishing Guides In Montana

These trips are on the Clark Fork, Blackfoot, or Bitterroot rivers. These trips are a full day on the water. We are usually out for up to ten hours from when we meet to when we part ways. They all include drinks and a full lunch and snacks; all the flies; tippet; etc. He can also provide rods and reels if you do not have them. Times can change based on the environment. The fish are very much in charge of this game. Anything can turn them off to eating such as weather, water temperature, or whatever emotions fish feel. There IS a possibility that we could be skunked. Just keep that in mind as we are enjoying all Montana has to offer us outside. There is always more to the adventure than catching fish, such as the bald eagle flying over the boat or the deer drinking from the shore. To out smart these awesome sportfish, you'll be using Dry flies, Nymph rigs, or Streamers depending on the weather and time of year. Read More

The bustling college town of Bozeman Montana serves as a hub to access an incredible slew of Blue Ribbon rivers throughout the local Gallatin Valley, and beyond. Right there in the Gallatin Valley you have the Gallatin River, the Lower Madison, and the Jefferson river all three of which flow in from different directions to meet up in Three Forks to form the headwaters of the Missouri River. Only a short distance to the east of Bozeman you've got the Yellowstone river with big flows, big hatches, and even bigger fish! The upper Maddison--known as the 50 Mile Riffle--only a 1.5-2 hour drive as well. Your destination for the day will depend on where your staying and which river is fishing best. 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. The 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. Floating **The Jefferson River** is reminiscent of what Montana was generations ago: solitude, sweeping mountain views, ample wildlife, and super-model trout. By Montana standards, the Jefferson may not be the fish factory that other rivers are, but she delivers with a voice that few other rivers possess as she flows north and east 77 miles, meandering its way through pastures and farmland, eventually joining the Madison and Gallatin Rivers in Three Forks to form the Missouri. The Jefferson River has a similar feel as the lower Big Hole with its soft riffles, long runs, and cottonwood log jams left behind from high water. Flanked by the Highland Mountains to the west and the Tobacco Roots to the east, the river changes course and channels regularly here as a freestone river should, and lends itself nicely to drift boat fishing. Down river hatches range from caddis, PMD’s and Yellow Sallies to even Brown Drakes. The best dry fly patterns, water conditions permitting, are likely summer Stones or Hoppers, but the Jeff’s reputation as trophy brown trout water was built on knowing how to trigger the predatory nature of these carnivores. Stripping, and swimming streamers of all manner work wonders. Your guide will teach the needed streamer techniques to entice a hog from his hiding place. If its elbow room and a chance at a really big beautiful brown trout is you seek, join us on a Jefferson River fly fishing trip. **The Madison** has reached legendary status for every fly fisherman, and deservedly so. A blend of freestone and tailwater, it’s hatches are impressive: swarms of Mother’s Day caddis, PMDs, terrestrials, and the mighty Salmon Fly are all on the menu for these hungry trout. With 5000+ browns and rainbows per mile in the Pine Butte section and 2500+ residing in its swift currents throughout the rest of the river, the Madison is stuffed with wild trout. The Madison may look like a simple float and cast-to-the-bank river, but truly she is the siren of Southwest Montana’s rivers. To uncover her secrets takes time, discipline, and many years of experience. Mike and his Guides know this well and they’ll prove it to you by coaxing impressive trout from lies that you would think no sizable trout would ever think to call home. The Madison River is born inside Yellowstone Park at the junction of the Gibbon and Firehole Rivers. It flows 140 miles due north, where it is joined by the Gallatin and Jefferson Rivers to form the Missouri River in Three Forks Montana. It’s from Lyon’s Bridge down to Ennis that many anglers have nicknamed “The Fifty Mile Riffle”. The braided water below Varney Bridge, through the Valley Garden into Ennis Lake, is very different from the single-channel river above, with countless side channels and out-of-the-way spots for large, wild trout to hide. The Madison River enters Ennis Lake – formed by the dam built in 1906 – then rips through the seven-mile Bear Trap Canyon Wilderness Unit. Finally, flowing northward another 28 miles to meet the Gallatin and Jefferson Rivers in Three Forks to form the Missouri River. Join FishTales Outfitting for a fantastic Madison River fly fishing trip that you’ll never forget! The Yellowstone River is one of the greatest trout streams of 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. 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. The Yellowstone is a large river varying from 75 to 300 feet. in width. It is wadable later in the summer when flows drop but there is no question it is best fished from a drift boat. You’ll see much more water to present your fly which increases your opportunities to catch fish. The section through “Paradise Valley” is the most scenic and this is also some of the best Montana fly fishing. The sections closer to Livingston holds the highest numbers of trout. Here you’ll find a healthy mix of browns, rainbows, and our native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout, and Rocky Mountain Whitefish. The Yellowstone’s hatch list includes Mother’s Day Caddis, Salmon flies, Pale Morning Duns, Yellow Sallie’s, Summer Stones, and terrestrials. The Yellowstone offers diverse types of holding water, from the fast pocket water at Tom Miner Bridge to Point Of Rocks where the gradient lessens and the river changes to more long, deep pools with wide riffles and wide, flat tailouts. Downstream past Mallards rest through Paradise Valley is where the spring creeks join the river. This section is one of the most popular with breathtaking views of the Absaroka to the east and Gallatin mountains to the west. The section through Livingston known as the “town run” is a local favorite and offers some great wade fishing opportunities once the flows have dropped later in the summer. 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

Welcome to Montana! We offer guided fly fishing and spin fishing trips on either the river or lake. This is the best way to experience Montana by floating down the river, enjoying the most breathtaking scenery, and working on your skills as an angler. We are centrally located in Ennis, Montana and provide services to nearby Big Sky, Bozeman, West Yellowstone, Three forks, and Virginia City. We operate out of drift boats and rafts and will teach you how to catch fish. Our trips are focused on targeting wild trout. Each trip includes everything needed for fishing (other than a MT fishing license that can be purchased online at ols.fwp.mt.gov). Rods, tackle, water, shore lunch, and transportation to and from meeting location. We recommend bringing a jacket and or rain coat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Weather can be variable all year, but most trips in the summer are shorts and sandals and beach wear. Our main focus on all trips is to have fun and catch fish. We want to make your vacation memorable and fun and will go the extra mile to make sure your day fishing with us is up to expectation. Trip options: 8 Hour full day fly fishing or spin fishing 4 Hour half day fly fishing or spin fishing 1.5 hour scenic float. Evening scenic floats are also available from 6-9 pm 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

Get out on the water with Hunter and enjoy a premier fishing experience from his driftboat. This style of fly fishing allows you to cover a ton of water with ease, and target deep holes and eddies that would be tough to reach from the bank. You'll be on the Clark Fork River, a beautiful Rocky Mountain flow that essentially defines Missoula. It runs through the heart of downtown, gathering up all the local rivers and widening its flow. The Clark Fork River has a few different sections you can explore, offering a few different fly fishing experiences. You'll find exactly what you're looking for on this river no matter your needs! The undercut banks, side channels, and drop offs in the Upper Clark Fork section are home to great Brown Trout and Rainbow populations. The Lower Clark Fork section, combining the flows of the Blackfoot and Bitterroot Rivers, has some of the best dry fly fishing in the area. Abundant hatches keep the Trout biting through the summer, and the Rainbows here are the hardest fighting in the state. On this half or full-day trip, Hunter will take you to the Clark Fork or Bitterroot rivers where you'll float down the river in Hunter's driftboat. He'll be rowing you to the best destinations to be fishing for Bullies, Rainbows, Brookies, and West Slope Cutthroats. These Trout-heavy rivers are excellent for throwing your first fly-fishing casts, knocking off the rust on your casting skills, or going for as many fish as you can. Whether you're an expert or a beginner, Hunter will show you some expert tips to help get one on the line! Hunter will provide all rods, reels, flies, ice, water and soft drinks. All you need to bring is a Montana fishing license. We recommend bringing some sunglasses, weather-appropriate gear, sunscreen (no spray please!), a camera, and any snacks or drinks you'll need on the water. You're also welcome to bring your own fly-fishing gear. Book your trip with Hunter today and get ready for a productive day of fishing! Read More