Bozeman Montana Fly Fishing Blog | Fins & Feathers est. 2000

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Fins and Feathers - Bozeman Fly Fishing Guides Since 2000

Established in late 2000, Fins and Feathers has been a staple for anglers fly fishing in Montana for over two decades. We began this adventure as Bozeman fly fishing guide service and specialty fly shop in the most highly competitive (even back then) market in fly fishing. We sold the shop to Yellow Dog in late 2022 to enjoy the fruits of our hard work in the retail space.

Today, the focus is on continuing Fins and Feathers' legacy of angling authenticity by sharing our passion for the sport through our fly fishing blog, Montana fishing reports, and guided Montana fly fishing trips.

Contact Toby Swank - our owner and outfitter – for more information regarding guided Montana fly fishing trips.

Gallatin river fly fishing elias brown trout

Category: Gallatin River Fishing Information

The Ultimate Gallatin River Guide For Fly Anglers

Post Date: 04/23/2025

The Gallatin River is home to some of the best fly fishing in Montana, with year-round hatches and roadside access throughout much of its course near Bozeman. ...

Skwala wading boots

Category:

Skwala Fishing Wading Boots

Post Date: 04/20/2025

New from the Bozeman fly fishing company, Skwala Fishing, are two new styles of wading boots designed for the adventurous angler who needs reliable traction with uncompromising support and durability....

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Top New Gear For Spring

Post Date: 04/06/2025

Mayfly and skwala hatches are queued up for the dry fly angler as winter looks to be getting smaller in the rearview mirror. We have been testing and fishing with...

Yellowstone river fishing in livingston

Category: Yellowstone River Information

The Ultimate Guide To Yellowstone River Fly Fishing

Post Date: 04/01/2025

From its headwaters in Yellowstone National Park to the eastern plains of Montana, the Yellowstone River fly fishing opportunites for anglers of all skill levels are as diverse as the...

Sole Defense Hoody - Steel

Category: Gear Reviews

Best New Fishing Shirt : Skwala Fishing Sun Defense Hoody

Post Date: 03/30/2025

New for Spring ’25 is the Sol Sun Defense Hoody fishing shirt from our friends at Skwala Fishing, based right here in Bozeman, MT. This might just be the best...

Feb 2025 montana snowpack

Category: News & Updates

Montana Snowpack - Late March 2025

Post Date: 03/25/2025

The Montana Snowpack for the 2025 season is pointing towards a solid foundation for river levels on the legendary wild trout waters near Bozeman. Although much is yet to be...

Madison river fishing in july 7

Category: Upper Madison River Fishing Information

The Ultimate Guide to Madison River Fishing

Post Date: 03/08/2025

Though many famous rivers flow through Southwest Montana, the Madison River holds a unique place in fly fishing lore and history. Its large and abundant trout draw fly anglers from...

Trophy Brown trout success on a dry fly while fly fishing in Montana on the Madison River.

Category: The Best Fly Fishing

Exploring America's Waters: 6 Best Fly Fishing in the US

Post Date: 01/21/2025

There is no place on Earth like the US for the fly angler! Unbelievable angling diversity can be found from the pristine headwaters of America’s best trout fishing waters in...

Upper madison river fly fishing brown trout on a hopper

Category: Hatches

Anglers Guide To Terrestrial Flyfishing in Montana

Post Date: 01/04/2025

Terrestrial insects like grasshoppers, ants, and beetles are an essential aspect of Montana fly fishing during the summer....

Winter midge fly fishing in montana

Category: Hatches

A Guide To Fly Fishing Midge Hatches in Montana

Post Date: 01/04/2025

Midges are among the most consistent and vital food sources for trout in Montana’s rivers....

Upper madison river fly fishing double

Category: Hatches

Fly Fishing in Montana During Stonefly Hatches

Post Date: 12/30/2024

Stoneflies are among Montana's most important insect hatches for anglers and trout....

Big hole river fishing in june 3

Category: Hatches

Montana Fly Fishing During Spruce Moth Season

Post Date: 12/27/2024

The spruce moth is a terrestrial insect that plays an important role in the Montana fly fishing scene....

Montana fly fishing caddis hatch

Category: Hatches

Anglers Guide to Flyfishing Montana Caddis Hatches

Post Date: 12/25/2024

Among the aquatic insects that define Montana fly fishing, the caddisfly is one of the most essential....

Category: Hatches

Hecuba Mayfly Hatch Fly Fishing in Montana

Post Date: 12/22/2024

Among Montana's prolific aquatic insect hatches, the Hecuba mayfly stands out for its size and significance to fall dry fly fishing....

Madison riverr fly fishing during green drake hatch

Category: Hatches

Fly Fishing the Green Drake Hatch in Montana

Post Date: 12/20/2024

Western Green Drakes are large eye-catching mayflies belonging to the genus *Drunella*, known for their size, dark green coloration, and tendency to draw trophy trout to the surface. ...

March brown spinners

Category: Hatches

A Guide To Fly Fishing Montana’s March Brown Hatch

Post Date: 12/18/2024

The Western March Brown (Rhithrogena morrisoni) is one of Montana’s most anticipated spring hatches....

Callibaetis spinner fly fishing montana on hebgen lake

Category: Hatches

Gulper Fly Fishing in Montana : An Anglers Guide to the Callibaetis Hatch

Post Date: 12/16/2024

The Callibaetis mayfly hatch is a summer staple in the Montana fly fishing calendar, offering epic dry fly fishing sessions on stillwaters throughout the state....

Trico spinner cloud

Category: Hatches

A Guide to Fly Fishing Montana's Trico Hatch

Post Date: 12/14/2024

The Trico hatch is a staple of late summer fly fishing in Montana, inspiring seasoned anglers to hit the water at dawn as the duns begin to appear....

Pmd hatch fly fishing in montana

Category: Hatches

Fly Fishing the PMD Hatch in Montana

Post Date: 12/11/2024

The Pale Morning Dun (PMD) hatch is one of Montana’s most widespread and prolific aquatic insect hatches. This small, delicate mayfly, part of the Ephemerellidae family, is known for hatching...

Bwo hatch fly fishing in montana

Category: Hatches

Fly Fishing Montana’s BWO Hatches

Post Date: 12/10/2024

A key hatching insect species, Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) activity is essential to spring and fall fly fishing in Montana – transforming rivers into living canvases of trout behavior and angler strategy....

Brown drake fly fishing in Montana

Category: Hatches

Brown Drake Hatch Fly Fishing in Montana

Post Date: 12/08/2024

As twilight settles over the Lower Madison River around Father’s Day, the brown drake mayfly (Ephemera simulans) hatch erupts....

Brown trout during salmonfly hatch

Category: Hatches

Montana's Legendary Salmonfly Hatch

Post Date: 12/04/2024

The western salmonfly (Pteronarcys californica) transforms Montana's premier rivers into theaters of savage feeding activity in early summer. These robust stoneflies, reaching lengths of three inches, trigger an annual feast...

St croix evos salt fly rod fighting a redfish

Category: Gear Reviews

St. Croix Fly Rods : Evos and Evos Salt Reviews

Post Date: 11/29/2024

Fly rods have been a fascination of mine for over 3 decades when I began to make the transition from a Texas bass angler to a Montana fly fishing enthusiast....

Montana angler fishing on the Yellowstone River, showing off his last catch.

Category: News & Updates

Fly Fishing in Yellowstone: Top Spots and Tips for Your Experience

Post Date: 11/21/2024

Yellowstone National Park fly fishing is a wild and diverse angling experience in one of the most scenic and picturesque natural settings found anywhere in the world. Coupled with a...

Anglers relaxing on the upper Madison River during a Montana fishing trip with Fins & Feathers Guide Service.

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Ultimate Guide to Fly Fishing Trips: Where to Go and What to Pack

Post Date: 11/20/2024

Fly fishing trips offer the opportunity to escape the stressors and bustle of everyday life and embrace and connect with nature and serene waters....

Skwala fishing 32 puffy sideshot

Category: Gear Reviews

Essential Skwala Fishing Gear for Cold Weather

Post Date: 11/07/2024

The change in seasons has anglers fishing near Bozeman, Montana swapping out the old reliable summer essentials for the comfort and warmth of guide-tested baselayers and outerwear from Skwala Fishing....

Mothers day caddis hatch 6

Category: Hatches

Montana's Mother's Day Caddis Hatch: Nature's Spring Spectacle

Post Date: 11/05/2024

The Mother's Day Caddis hatch delivers some of the best Montana fly fishing of the year with dry flies near Bozeman....

Best fly line for indicator fly fishing

Category: Gear Reviews

Best Fly Line for Indicator Fly Fishing

Post Date: 10/25/2024

Nymph fly fishing with indicator rigs is a productive fly fishing technique for becoming a better angler and catching more trout -day in and day out. Specialized fly lines and...

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