Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide Kenny Wilson

Kenny Wilson

Kenny grew up in Northern California working at his family’s fishing resort, where his passion for fly fishing began on the lakes and rivers of the northern Sierra. After earning a degree in Environmental Studies while ski racing at the NCAA Division I level, he made Montana home and quickly immersed himself in the rivers, lakes, and mountain landscapes of the Greater Yellowstone region.

Based in Bozeman, Kenny spends his summers guiding anglers of all experience levels and sharing his enthusiasm for fly fishing, conservation, and the outdoors. Known for his patience, positive energy, and teaching-focused approach, Kenny strives to make every day on the water both memorable and rewarding.

Common Questions for our Fly Fishing Guide Staff

Favorite summertime hatch to fly fish near Bozeman:

Not really a hatch, but hopper fishing on the Upper Yellowstone is probably my favorite part of the summer. Watching fish come up and crush a hopper tight to the bank never really gets old. It’s just classic Montana fishing—big water, tons of structure, and enough variety to keep every day interesting. Late summer out there is tough to beat.

One tip to help anglers improve their casting:

Patience. Most people rush their cast, especially on the forward stroke. The line needs time to fully straighten out behind you before you move forward again. The longer the cast, the longer you have to wait. Slowing things down a little and letting the rod load properly usually fixes a lot of casting problems right away.

Top fly rod configuration for Bozeman fly fishing:

If I could only have one setup around Bozeman, it would definitely be a 9’ 6wt. It can do just about everything well. From dry droppers, streamers, bigger dries, and even some windy days. Honestly, most rods and reels are pretty good these days, even cheaper setups. If you’re going to spend money anywhere, spend it on a really good fly line that actually matches the feel of your rod. That makes a way bigger difference than most people think.

Preferred method of fly fishing during the summer:

I spend most of the summer fishing dry-dropper setups while floating. It’s just such a versatile way to fish around here with changing water levels and different river conditions throughout the season. Floating also lets you really control your presentation with aggressive mends and better boat positioning so your flies stay in the right zone longer. Plus, you still get plenty of visual eats on the dry fly, which is always fun.

Favorite river sections as a Bozeman fly fishing guide:

The Upper Yellowstone from McConnell to Joe Brown is probably my favorite overall stretch. It’s great technical dry fly water and just an awesome place to spend the day. I also really like Warm Springs to Grey Cliff on the Lower Madison for streamer fishing in the fall when the fish start getting aggressive. Then the Lower Yellowstone below Livingston is hard to beat for summer dry-dropper fishing and covering lots of productive water.

Additional Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide Resources

From The Montana Fly Fishing Blog