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.
Category: Gallatin River Fishing Information
Floating and Fly Fishing the Gallatin River
Post Date: 04/06/2024
Fly fishing the Gallatin River while floating is permitted between Manhattan and Three Forks, Montana. This scenic waterway has limited public access with sparse trout populations, yet offers a nice...
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Category: Lower Madison River Fishing Information
The Best Lower Madison River Fly Fishing Sections for Floating Anglers
Post Date: 03/22/2024
Floating the lower Madison River between the mouth of the Beartrap Canyon and it's confluence with the Jefferson and Gallatin Rivers offers a productive and diverse Montana fly fishing experience....
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Category: Upper Madison River Fishing Information
The Best Madison River Fishing Sections
Post Date: 03/14/2024
Floating the "50 Mile Riffle" is the best way to experience the world-renowned Madison River fishing that attracts anglers from around the world. Here are our Bozeman fly fishing guides'...
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Category: News & Updates
10 Montana Fishing Tips to Catch the Most Fish
Post Date: 03/10/2024
Montana is full of trout. From world-renowned rivers like the Yellowstone, Gallatin, Madison, Jefferson, and Missouri, to smaller secret creeks and high alpine lakes. Finding trout water is easy; catching...
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Category: Yellowstone River Information
Yellowstone River Fly Fishing: Paradise Awaits
Post Date: 03/02/2024
The Yellowstone River, Montana's crown jewel, offers diverse fly fishing experiences for anglers of all skill levels. This angler's guide explores fly fishing Paradise Valley on six popular stretches, highlighting...
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Category: Gallatin River Fishing Information
Top 3 Bozeman Fishing Spots on Gallatin River | Winter Picks
Post Date: 02/26/2024
Fly fishing in Montana on the Gallatin River is some of the best in the state, boasting healthy trout populations, prolific insect activity, and incredible scenery everywhere you look. With...
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Category: Education
Top 5 BWO Nymphs for Bozeman Fly Fishing in the Spring
Post Date: 02/24/2024
Anglers fishing near Bozeman should be familiar with blue-winged olive(BWO) mayflies as they are an abundant food source for wild Montana Trout. These aqautic insects hatch in prolific numbers, presenting...
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Category: Yellowstone River Information
Yellowstone River Fishing
Post Date: 02/04/2024
Fly Fishing Paradise Valley Montana Paradise Found: Welcome to Paradise Valley, where the iconic Yellowstone River meanders through breathtaking landscapes, offering some of the finest fly fishing in Montana. With...
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Category: Lower Madison River Fishing Information
Winter Fishing the Lower Madison
Post Date: 01/03/2024
The Lower Madison River is a great destination for fly fishing in Montana during the winter. Snow doesn't accumulate much along the riverbanks and the river rarely freezes. Located just...
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Category: Lower Madison River Fishing Information
Fishing Dirty Water on Montana's Lower Madison River
Post Date: 01/02/2024
As spring arrives in Montana, anglers fishing the Lower Madison River need to be prepared for variable water clarity. Melting snow and spring rainstorms, often muddy the river's tributaries, including...
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Category: Montana Rivers
Top 5 Midge Patterns for Montana Winter Dry Fly Fishing
Post Date: 12/09/2023
Throughout winter, Midges become a heavily targeted food source for trout in SouthWest Montana. These tiny insects appear in great numbers in the surrounding area and can provide exciting angling...
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Category: Upper Madison River Fishing Information
A Top Spot for Madison River Fishing
Post Date: 11/27/2023
The Madison River is home to some of the world's most revered wild trout populations. This blue ribbon stream spans 183 miles of accessible water, offering prolific insect hatches and...
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Category: Gallatin River Fishing Information
Top 5 Winter Fly Patterns for the Gallatin River
Post Date: 11/21/2023
The Gallatin River, close to Bozeman offers some of the most scenic and accessible cold weather fly fishing experiences. While winter might send some anglers indoors......
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Category: Upper Madison River Fishing Information
Fly Fishing the Upper Madison River | Middle Stretches
Post Date: 09/11/2023
The middle reaches of the upper Madison River include some of the most productive drift-boat waters on the river. Montana fly fishing generally defines this piece of river as beginning...
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Category: Montana Rivers, Lower Madison River Fishing Information
Fly Fishing the Lower Madison River
Post Date: 09/01/2023
The lower Madison is consistently one of the favorite choices of our Bozeman fly-fishing guides, whether we are fishing with clients or on our own. We are fortunate to have...
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Gallatin River
Last Updated: 11/21/2024
There is a little "weather window" through this coming Saturday, bringing favorable conditons for a few hours of fly fishing the Gallatin River right now. This is nymphing season now -...
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Upper Madison
Last Updated: 11/21/2024
Nymph-fishing is the way to go now that winter has settled into southwest Montana. The river sections around Ennis and Raynold's Pass are the most productive for now. As we...
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Lower Madison
Last Updated: 11/21/2024
Nymph fishing has been solid for anglers fishing the lower Madison River the last several weeks - in between the real cold days. San Juan Worm variations followed by a small...
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