Experienced Anglers Thrive On Early Season Trips

Montana always has good trout fishing, but water conditions and weather can significantly impact the experience. The summer months offer reliable fishing from late June through mid-September for anglers of all skill levels. The early season has some of the best fly fishing near Bozeman for intermediate to advanced anglers and is a favorite among Montana fishing guides.

Avoid Crowds and Fish It Well

Summer heat and a growing, regional population make summertime fishing options less predictable than in years past. The angling crowds of summer generally disperse throughout Southwest Montana, rarely impacting the experience or the fishing. Our guides work hard and communicate frequently to find our guests the quiet stretches of trout waters that are fishing best during the summer season. However, there are fewer anglers on the rivers in March and April, making these pre-runoff months an ideal time for experienced anglers who enjoy quieter days on the water.

The rivers of Montana come alive as the water warms and hatching insects get the trout moving from their winter lies and feeding more frequently in a day.

Cold water temperatures, wading in heavy currents, and technical fishing scenarios favor the intermediate and advanced angling crowd. Novice and beginner fly anglers can still find success while floating on big rivers like the Yellowstone and lower Madison this time of year. But hidden gems and hideaways on the Jefferson, Big Hole, Missouri, and upper Madison rivers are ripe for exploration by skilled anglers during the early spring in MT.

What to Know

There are certainly some things to take into consideration before skipping Easter and graduation ceremonies, but whether or not the fish will be eating isn’t one of them.

• The weather can be cold and wet, making early-season fly fishing in Montana best for hearty anglers who are comfortable being outside for 6-10 hours in various conditions.

• Wade fishing is standard through April and favors agile anglers with good balance. Although most days blend floating and wading, strong wading abilities help "stack the odds" in the anglers’ favor throughout the earliest part of the season.

• Nymph fishing is the best fly fishing technique to use when the water is cold and hatches are sparse. We have some "big number days" on the upper Madison and Missouri rivers during this time of year, most of which are spent nymph-fishing.

• Streamer fly fishing produces trophy trout this time of year, but cold water temperatures equal lethargic trout. Committed streamer anglers cover tons of water using sinking lines and heavy flies - often with just a few trout "interactions" daily - relying on patience and persistence in their quest for those legendary Montana brown trout.

Early Season Montana Fly Fishing Itineraries

The experienced angler - comfortable with various fly fishing techniques in constantly changing weather – can expect some of the season's best fishing on an early-season fly fishing trip near Bozeman.

• Wade-fish the upper Madison in March and April for big numbers and hard-fighting rainbow trout. March 15 - April 15 weekdays are quiet during this prime window of rainbow trout pre-spawn activity near Ennis, Montana. Learn More...

• Find solitude and dry fly fishing on the Jefferson and Big Hole rivers in late April through mid-May. Skwala and blue-winged olive hatches get trout "looking up" on mild, cloudy days. Streamer fly fish between hatches in search of big fish moving into the shallow runs with the warming water temperatures. Learn More...

• Using various techniques and skills, fly fish the Missouri River between late April and mid-June for big numbers. Experienced anglers can experience days full of bent rods while nymphing the deep runs and eddies. Selectively target rising trout in pods or singles during blanket mayflies and caddis before and after the high water weeks of mid-late May. Learn more about these Montana fly fishing trips

Experienced anglers often ask us to do "something different" as they have extensively fly-fished the region during the summer or early fall. The spring is a great time to fly fish in Montana; area fly shops and fishing access sites are busy with unemployed fishing guides and retired locals at this time of year.

Clients repeatedly ask us, “When is the best time to fly fish in Montana?” The answer depends on many factors (weather, hatches, water conditions), but the angler's experience level is a key component to that answer. If the angler has some previous experience and would like to see a variety of Montana rivers while perfecting their skills, then an early-season trip is a great option..

Contact us to start planning your fly fishing trip to Montana and to help determine whether an early-season itinerary is right for you. Fins and Feathers Guide Service has been outfitting Bozeman, Montana fly fishing trips for more than two decades. Spring trips aren't for everyone, but experienced anglers who come prepared for the weather usually go home with some great memories and rebook for the following year.

Reservations can be placed online, via email, or by calling us at 406-468-5019.

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