Bozeman Mt. Fly Fishing Guide: Coleman Jones Q&A's
Posted by: Alex
Date: 02/25/2026
I sat down with Bozeman fly fishing guide Coleman Jones to talk about the offseason and what he’s looking forward to this year, as another season of Bozeman fly fishing is just around the corner.
Fly Fishing With Montana Fly Fishing Guide Coleman Jones
My son and I had a great outing with Coleman on the lower Madison. Coleman was very knowledgeable and patient, and got us onto some great fish. Highly recommend!
- John H.
Had a 3-day float with Fins and Feathers with Coleman Jones. A great guide who worked hard to put us on fish. Highly recommend them if you are looking to book a guide service. Coleman put me on my first Cutthroat this year.
- Rob R.
Coleman's February 2026 Birthday Bighorn River Trip Report
Coleman and Bozeman fly fishing guide Kaden Kelley took a few days to get out and enjoy the warmer winter weather this year and found some nice fish. Here is Coleman's breakdown of how their 3 days were spent.
3 Days Spent on the Bighorn River
The Bighorn River fished well overall. The first day was around 55 degrees late morning and warmed into the mid-60s. We had wind in the 15 mph range with gusts pushing 25. Streamers were how we got most of the action. We did very little nymphing. There werent any bugs hatching, but fish were active. We floated the first few miles and picked up a really nice fish.
The second day was the best of the trip. Clear skies, almost no wind, and midges coming off most of the day. We saw fish rising in February, which was encouraging. I even saw a blue winged olive on the water. We moved fish from shallow water out to deeper buckets.
The rainbow trout seemed to be holding deeper, and getting streamers down and bringing them back up slowly made the difference. The brown trout were sitting higher in most water columns, and were mutch happier to chase streamers.
Fish weren’t concentrated in one type of water. We caught them in faster bends and also in deep, slow holes. It was a little inconsistent in terms of holding patterns, but there were good fish around. Browns appear to be coming out of their spawn, though you’ll still see some staged up in gravel. Worth being aware of.
The third day warmed up to nearly 70 degrees, which is unusual for February. We fished hard and swung a lot of trout spey. We got some eats but nothing overly committed. The wind shifted constantly, blowing both directions at times, which made it tough to stay consistent. We still landed a few solid fish. Overall, the river was in good shape for this time of year.
An Interview With Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide Coleman Jones
What have you been doing this offseason?
I’ve been in Virginia for the past few months. I’ve spent time doing a good amount of musky fishing and working at Blanc Creatives, making cast-iron pans and skillets. It’s been a different pace, but good to stay busy and still get to spend time outside.
What two hatches are you most excited for this year?
PMDs on the spring creeks. Fishing on Armstrong’s, Nelson's and DePuy’s during that hatch is hard to beat. My favorite part is how it transitions into sulfurs later in the day. You can fish midges in the morning, PMDs in the afternoon, and sulfurs in the evening. It keeps the whole day interesting.
What is your favorite Bozeman river to fish and what time of year?
The Lower Madison River in the fall. Once boat traffic drops off and things settle down, it can fish really well. It’s close to home, and that time of year, the river feels quiet again.
What technique and fly rod do you enjoy most?
The Hardy Marksman in a 9' 6-weight is my go-to because it’s versatile. You can throw hoppers, small streamers, and it works well from the boat. If I had to bring one rod for a lot of different situations, that would be it. I also enjoy swinging flies on a spey rod. There’s something about feeling that grabs on the swing.
Who got you into fly fishing?
I started fishing for native brook trout around Charlottesville, Virginia. Later, I moved into smallmouth bass. I’ve been fly fishing since high school, but it became a bigger part of my life during COVID when some close friends really pushed me into it consistently. I’ve been guiding for the past four years and really enjoy it.
Have you picked up any new gear?
I recently picked up a 2016 RO Tailwater Skiff. I’m looking forward to putting it to work this season. It floats in super shallow water and gives me flexibility on different rivers.
When is the best time to plan a Montana fishing trip?
Late April. Rivers start warming up, rainbows begin staging to spawn, and fish are active. It’s one of the best times to nymph for bigger fish. On rivers like the Upper Madison River, that window between winter and runoff can be very productive.
What do you enjoy most about guiding in Bozeman?
Meeting new people. Every day is different depending on who’s in the boat. You get to spend time with people from all walks of life. There’s always something to learn from clients, no matter their background.
Come Fish With Coleman & Fins & Feathers Guide Service
Bozeman, MT fly fishing guide Coleman Jones is a people person who values the time spent with clients as much as the fishing itself.
He enjoys dry fly fishing, especially in technical situations on small water, but is just as happy to be throwing big bugs on our home rivers.
Coleman keeps his approach straightforward, communicates clearly, and builds each day around what’s actually happening on the water.
He’s a valued member of the Fins and Feathers Guide Service team and an enjoyable angler to have in and out of the rower’s seat.
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