...This list isn’t intended to be definitive by any means, it is simply a point of reference based on my experience over the years. I rarely come across a fly rod that I don’t like – these are some of my favorites to recommend as they are easy to cast and versatile for anglers of varied skill levels in a wide range of situations. Always show up with fly rods that you are comfortable with and enjoy fishing!” – Toby Swank

Fly fishing in the Bozeman area offers a wide variety of opportunities on waters of all sizes, using just about any fly-fishing technique imaginable. Our guided trips focus on drift-boat fly-fishing as this allows us to get away from popular access points while also covering a wide range of water throughout the day. The variety of water types covered each day call for a multi-purpose fly rod that can handle a strike indicator nymph rig while also accurately delivering a small dry fly at 25 feet, or even handle a streamer when called upon. Modern fly rods are designed to be “purpose-built”, which means that there are some that do everything alright while there are others that are exceptional for specialty uses.

When suggesting fly rods for our clients to bring on their Bozeman fly-fishing trips, we suggest focusing on well-rounded rod choice for novices and beginners such as a 9 foot 5-weight for everyday use. Specialty fly rods designed for dry fly fishing, strike-indicator rigs, or streamers are highly recommended for experienced angler that would like to improve their skills or experience a wider range of fly-fishing opportunities on their guided trip. There are dozens of great choices in all these categories – bring whatever you feel comfortable with or enjoy fishing – here are a few of our suggestion based on our preferences and the typical demands of fly-fishing the waters around Bozeman.

Recommended All-Purpose Fly Rods

Premium Fly Rod Category

The Hardy Ultralite 905 is a wonderful “do-it-all” fly rod that is easy to cast, lightweight, and durable. It really shines at throwing big dry flies, dry/dropper rigs, and standard nymph rigs from the drift-boat or while wading on our larger rivers. This fast-action rod has ample power to handle those windy days on the Yellowstone or Madison and is up to the task of handling heavy streamers fished to the bank all day as well.

Other similar rods that we recommend (in the high-end, high performance, all-around category) include the Scott Centric 905, Orvis Helios 3D 905, G. Loomis NRX+ 590, or Sage R8 590.

The benefits of a “high-end” fly rod include versatile actions, lightweight, and advanced graphite/resin technology. They are generally easy to cast and handle a wide range of techniques much better than fly rods built on older graphite technology. No, you don’t have to buy a premium fly rod – but a premium fly rod generally enables an angler to focus more on the fishing and less on the casting mechanics, especially in demanding conditions.

Mid-Range Fly Rod Category

If you are looking for a versatile fly rod at a lower price-point, there are dozens and dozens to choose from here as well. In our experience, there are very few rod models that will “do everything” well in the lower price ranges. They all feel good in a parking lot or local pond on a warm sunny day with no wind and flies on the line – but their performance often diminishes quickly in a breeze and some weight on the end of the line.

The Waterworks-Lamson Velocity 905 is a mid-range fly rod that handles most Bozeman fly-fishing scenarios very well. These lightweight, powerful rods have grown in popularity and earned a spot in our personal quivers for their durability and reliability. The Sage Foundation 590 is another great all-around choice in the mid-price range – it is a bit too fast for delicate dry fly fishing, but handles strike indicator rigs, but dries, and streamers very well.

This is the first in a series of fly rod recommendations we often make to our guests for their guided fly-fishing trips in the Bozeman area.