Here is some useful information to help anglers plan the best fly fishing trip to Montana.

What is the best time of year for fly fishing in Montana?

Generally, the best month for fly fishing in Montana is July. The seventh month of the year provides the most bug activity in the rivers, along with consistent flows, water temperatures, and weather. These all add up for great fishing.

The weather is great for the anglers fishing in Montana this time of the year. A typical July day features high temperatures in the 80s or 90s with sunshine, though there is usually a chance for afternoon showers.

To expand further, our summer season offers the best fishing from the middle of June to the middle of September.

Once runoff ends in mid to late June, the many regional river levels drop sharply and water clarity quickly improves. The water temperatures are between 55-degree to 65-degree which is ideal for the wild Rainbow, Brown, and Cutthroat Trout of the legendary Montana fly fishing rivers.

These water temperatures are ideal for many aquatic insects, bringing prolific hatches to the many world-renowned fly-fishing rivers in Montana. Daily hatches of caddisflies, mayflies, and stoneflies in June and July are common across the region.

In August, the aquatic insect hatches diminish, but trout keep looking toward the surface for terrestrials. Grasshoppers move from dried-out fields to the wetter riverbanks and, inevitably end up in the rivers, offering the fish a large meal.

Beetles and ants are prolific in Montana, offering the fish a variety of menu items. The terrestrial fly fishing usually remains strong throughout September, offering anglers fishing here more chances to experience trout rising to their dry flies.

Summer dry fly fishing in Montana is hard to beat. However, there are also plenty of opportunities for anglers to catch fish below the surface, too. Nymph fishing and streamer fly fishing are also fantastic in the summer, offering anglers of all skill levels the potential for a great day on the water.

Our Montana fly fishing guides have access to hundreds of miles of water on the legendary rivers near Bozeman. The summer season offers endless choices and is the best time of year to fly fish in Montana, regardless of your skill level.

Fly Fishing in Montana During the Shoulder Seasons

For experienced anglers, the shoulder seasons offer respite from the crowds of summer.

The Bozeman, Montana fishing season kicks off in March. Expect various weather conditions, including snow, rain, wind, and/or sun. Often these all occur on the same day. As the weather gets more favorable in April and May, the fly fishing improves and offers the season’s first dry fly fishing, though anglers primarily target fish subsurface with streamers and nymphs.

The fall offers the reverse. As temperatures cool in late September, insect activity becomes sporadic. Afternoons can offer excellent dry fly fishing, especially on mild, overcast days.

As we hit October the hatches become increasingly sparse, but subsurface fishing can offer plenty of opportunities to catch fish.

The shoulder seasons, in general, are characterized by inconsistent weather patterns and variable fishing conditions. Advanced anglers thrive in these scenarios as a versatile skill set is needed to find angling success in unstable weather conditions. Beginner anglers are advised to focus their planning efforts around the summer season.

How much does it cost to fly fish in Montana?

Fly fishing in Montana offers a variety of options at every price level. Price-conscious anglers can camp and fish on their own for the cost of a fishing license and flies.

However, oftentimes the best fly fishing experiences are had on a guided fly fishing trip with our Bozeman Montana fly fishing guides.

Fins and Feathers Guide Service offers a variety of guided fly fishing trip options, the most common of which is a full-day float and wade trip, which costs around $700 for one or two anglers.

Bozeman Montana offers a variety of fly fishing options, with four blue-ribbon trout rivers – the Madison River, Gallatin River, Yellowstone River, and Jefferson River – all within a half-hour drive.

There are many stretches on each river that we can float, each offering countless opportunities and angling diversity. Our Bozeman fly fishing guides work with our guests each morning to pick the best stretch of river for the day's adventure.

What city in Montana has the best fishing?

Bozeman, our home base, is the best hub for fly fishing in Montana. The options for anglers fishing here are endless. The variety of water to fly fish near Bozeman, Montana is unsurpassed. We have both freestone and tailwater rivers nearby in addition t spring creeks, small mountain streams, lakes, and reservoirs.

A tailwater river is one with a dam. Examples of nearby tailwaters are the lower Madison River and Missouri River. Because they are damn controlled, tailwaters generally don’t get as high and dirty as freestone rivers during spring runoff and offer consistent fishing throughout the year.

Freestone rivers are free-flowing, meaning there aren’t any dams on them. These are the twisty, rock-bottomed rivers the West is known for. Nearby freestones are the Gallatin River, the Yellowstone River, and the Jefferson River. Freestone rivers have prolific hatches during the early summer and offer anglers the opportunity to fly fish in truly wild places.

The upper Madison is somewhat of a hybrid. It is technically a tailwater but fishes more like a freestone. Known around the world as the "50-Mile Riffle" it is an anglers' “bucket-list” Montana fly fishing destination.

Start Planning Your Montana Fly Fishing Vacation

Fins and Feathers Guide Service has over two decades of experience outfitting Montana fly fishing trips across the state. Bozeman offers the best fly fishing in Montana because of the number and variety of legendary wild trout waters within easy striking distance of town.

The many local amenities offer a variety of entertainment and Bozeman hotel options for any budget that one simply won't find elsewhere in the region. Getting here is easier than anywhere else in the region with multiple non-stop flights offered daily by American, United, Delta, Southwest, Frontier, and Alaska Airlines.

Whether you are new to fly fishing or a seasoned angler with decades of experience, the best fly fishing in Montana can be found on the magical trout waters near Bozeman during the summertime.

Contact our reservation specialists for help developing a curated Montana fly fishing itinerary based on your skills and interests. Lodging packages offer convenience with bundled guided fishing and accommodations. Day trips offer variety and flexibility and can be reserved online or via e-mail.