Terrestrial Season and Bozeman Fly Fishing

With the heat baking the surrounding grasslands and hayfields, grasshoppers move closer to the water’s edge and become a major food source for our wild trout. As they tumble from riverbanks and drop from overhanging vegetation, trout are ready and waiting.

Montana fly fishing during terrestrial season presents endless dry fly fishing scenarios for both novice and experienced anglers alike. Long drifts are key to success while fishing hoppers while targeted approaches are more successful with smaller bugs like ants and beetles. Although presentation matters, our Bozeman fly fishing guides always have a wide range of patterns and colors on hand as the trout become increasingly selective as the season progresses

Here are 10 of the Best Flies for Terrestrial Fly Fishing in Montana

Hopper Fishing

When hopper season is on, it’s one of the best times to fly fish in Montana, big eats on the surface, endless fishy water, and the kind of dry fly action that keeps experienced anglers coming back year after year.

1. Morrish Hopper

High-floating, lifelike, and built to fish hard. With a big foam body that will continue to float after several eats, knotted legs, and just enough movement to get noticed, it stays up in riffles, along cutbanks, and makes a killer lead fly for a hopper-dropper rig.

2.Panty Dropper Hopper

Built with a realistic silhouette, bold rubber legs, and just the right amount of flair. It always lands upright and holds its posture in current, making it ideal for twitchy drifts tight to grassy banks.

3.Thunder Thighs Hopper

The thunder thigh hopper brings a slightly bulkier profile and tons of leg movement, making it a standout on big water like the Yellowstone River or when fish are keyed in on terrestrials. It rides low enough to look realistic but stays high and visible thanks to its foam body and wing, making it easy to see.

Ant & Beetle Fly Fishing

While hoppers bring the most visual action, ants and beetles become paramount when fish get selective. These low-profile, natural imitations can be incredibly effective in pressured water, triggering confident eats when bigger patterns get ignored. Trout key in on them because they’re easy targets and their imitations are often overlooked by other anglers. They’re especially productive on hot, clear days on spring creeks and quiet water with little to no hatch activity.

4. CDC Flying Ant

The CDC wing keeps it riding just right, easy to see without losing that low-profile look. It’s one of our favorite choices for the Gallatin River on calm afternoons or when selective fish are cruising the slicks on DePuy’s and Armstrong’s.

5. Flying Cinnamon Ant

With just the right profile and a little extra movement from the hackle and wing, it gets eats from fish that usually say no. Deadly on spring creeks, soft edges, and anywhere trout are feeding with intention.

6. Hi-Viz Beetle

Same fishy profile as a traditional foam beetle, but with a bright sighter for tracking in glare or tricky light. Great for when you need precision without sacrificing visibility, especially on breezy afternoons or shaded stretches.

7. Fathead Beetle

A slightly bulkier beetle that is still realistic, but not too flashy. Great for faster runs, grassy undercuts, or anywhere fish are willing to eat big but aren’t responding to a hopper. Floats high, casts well, and holds up over repeated eats.

Attractor Fly Patterns

When trout aren’t keyed in on specific bugs, big foam attractors still get the job done. They float high, are great for dry dropper rigs, and are great at getting attention in riffles, pocket water, and along the banks. Whether you’re fishing fast water on the Yellowstone or prospecting slower side channels on the upper Madison River, these patterns offer the kind of bold profile and fishy presence that trigger eats when nothing else is happening.

8. Chubby Chernobyl

No Montana fly box is complete without Chubbies. This pattern is the ultimate workhorse, versatile, durable, and built to get eaten. With a thick foam body, flashy wing, and oversized silhouette, the Chubby floats high, stays visible, and holds up a dropper like no other. Whether you're fishing it as a hopper, stonefly, or just a big attractor, it is a staple to fishing our home waters throughout the summer.

9. Water Walker

Built for big water and even bigger eats, the Water Walker is all about balance and visibility. With a tapered foam body, spread-out rubber legs, and just the right amount of flash, it rides low and upright even in heavy current. It fishes a bit sleeker than most general attractors, making it a great option when trout are looking up but want something a little more refined. A top pick for the Yellowstone, where you need a fly that holds up, stands out, and keeps riding after multiple eats.

10. Double Stack Chubby Chernobyl

Designed for stonefly season but fishes well year-round as a general attractor. Its two-layered foam body delivers high flotation in broken water, making it an excellent choice for pocket water and tight riffle seams, especially when you need a pattern that stands out without matching anything specific.

Flyfish Montana During Terrestrial Season

Get out there and experience the legendary Montana fly fishing that comes along during late summer once terrestrial insects are most abundant. Anglers fishing with our Bozeman fly fishing guides and those exploring the Big Sky on a DIY fly fishing adventure can expect some of the most productive dry fly fishing of the season.

Join our team of professional Montana fly fishing guides on the world-renowned wild trout rivers near Bozeman to experience this magical time of year for yourself. Reservations can be placed online, through email, or by calling us at 1-406-468-5019.

Related Articles From the Montana Fly Fishing Blog

Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide Trip Resources