While there are always seasons that produce the best dry-fly fishing in Montana, a dedicated angler can find great fishing all year long. Your Montana TroutChasers guides know which fisheries are active during different times of year and are generally the best source of knowledge regarding local rivers.
While a guest at TroutChasers, you will have prime fishing access on this picturesque Montana river. Best known for its excellent summer dry fly fishing and the setting for the movie “A River Runs Through It,” the Gallatin River is a great pocket water with a healthy population of trout.
The average size trout in our stretch of the Gallatin will range from 12-16 inches, and they always seem to be looking on top for dry flies. The Gallatin sees a great number of insects hatching throughout the summer with awesome dry fly fishing being had from May through July. August brings a drop in flows from irrigation, and the hatches will slow up until mid-September through October.
Jason and our guides utilize rafts to gain access to stretches of the Gallatin that rarely get touched by other anglers. Though the fishing from a boat is restricted on the Gallatin, we use the rafts for transport and get out and wade some prime spots that are difficult to access on foot. Your day begins just eight miles away and finishes up at the Lodge!
The spring and fall fly fishing seasons bring the larger rainbows and browns out; when these big bruisers grab your fly it will scare you!
The Gallatin sees a great number of insects hatching throughout the summer with awesome dry fly fishing being had from May through July. August brings a drop in flows from irrigation, and the hatches will slow up until mid-September through October.
Just 20 minutes from the Lodge, the Lower Madison (below the town of Ennis) is home to an amazing Mother’s Day Caddis hatch and some phenomenal fall fishing. The Upper Madison is just a 45 minute drive, offering yet another Blue Ribbon River option to your trip.
The Madison River runs for more than 140 miles before joining the Jefferson and Gallatin Rivers to form the Missouri River. Hoppers, Salmon Flies, Caddis, Blue Winged Olives, PMD’S, and Winter Midges make up just a few of the numerous hatches providing exceptional dry fly fishing.
Prime times for fly fishing on the Madison River span from mid-June to mid-July when the Salmon Fly hatch hits and then resurges September to October when big trout move up from Ennis Lake and the Headwaters area.
Flowing out of Yellowstone National Park, the Yellowstone River is the longest undammed river in the Lower 48. Also just a 45 minute drive from the Lodge, the Yellowstone is a perfect example of a freestone river with great Stone Fly, Caddis, and May Fly hatches. It offers fishermen the chance to catch beautiful Cutthroat, Rainbow and Brown Trout all in the same float.
Hot summer days can offer epic Hopper fishing on the Yellowstone and with wakes from big trout coming off of the bank to take your fly, it’s hard not to get excited!
Snowmelt in early summer dictates when we can get on the Yellowstone. Generally, we see great spring fishing in April and May, and by June, runoff has begun. The beginning of runoff and its duration varies each year, but we generally begin hitting the Yellowstone the first or second week of July when the river flows drop and the water clears. Salmon Flies are the hatch that we aim to hit when runoff subsides then moving to nocturnal stones followed by grasshoppers. August through September typically offers great dry fly action with an assortment of terrestrials, pseudos and Blue Winged Olives appearing mid-September to October. In addition, streamer fishing for a BIG one is always an option on the Stone!
During the late summer and early fall, a trip down the Jefferson River can be a trip you’ll remember for a lifetime. Due to low water conditions coupled with poor irrigation returns from area farmers, the Jefferson’s water temperature can be detrimental to sustaining large trout populations. This is unfortunate as it could be a true blue ribbon river, but there is one benefit – the fish in the Jefferson aren’t big by population numbers, but they can be huge in terms of size, and they see very little angling pressure. Throwing streamers all day can leave you with a sore arm, but a camera full of huge fish! Check with us to see if the Jefferson would be a productive option on your trip!
Due to low water conditions coupled with poor irrigation returns from area farmers, the Jefferson’s water temperature can be detrimental to sustaining large trout populations.
In addition to the tremendous fishing to be had on our local rivers, there are also abundant options when it comes to private waters, spring creeks, and lakes. Various rod fees may apply on some of these waters and availability is limited.
Use the form below to tell us about the dates you’ll be traveling. Don’t worry; you’re not making a reservation, and you can still ask us a general question.
