Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide Mike Lanzarini

Mike Lanzarini, originally from Missouri, began fly fishing on the Ozark Mountains' cold, spring-fed rivers. He fell in love with the waters and fish of his home state but could not pass up on the vast opportunities the Rocky Mountains had to offer an angler. After cutting his teeth guiding in Colorado’s high country, Mike and his Wife moved to Bozeman in 2015, he’s been guiding here since, with a few interruptions from the famous White River in Arkansas.

Mike is a husband, father, outdoorsman, and fly fishing/tying enthusiast who loves spending his days on the water sharing his passion for the sport. He claims to have landed “A Dream Job in Paradise”, and loves teaching clients tips and tricks to help them be successful at fly fishing.

Whether it’s starting from scratch with a beginner, or tuning an experienced angler's cast and presentation, Mike takes a patient, laid back approach to his instruction/teaching with a touch of humor and wit you won’t forget.

FAQ's of our Bozeman Fly Fishing Guides

What’s your favorite summertime hatch to fish on the rivers around Bozeman?

PMDs on the Madison, not just for the surface activity. Fish seem pretty happy on just about any water when pale morning duns are on the menu. PMDs always seem to bring a big list of other bugs to the party with them, making for happy fish and happy fishermen.

What’s one tip that you find yourself offering guests to help improve their casting during the day?

Work on that line pickup, the foundation for a good cast is a firm pickup of line off the water. Perfect that good, firm pickup, stop the rod just past noon, and everything else will fall into place.

If you could only fish with one fly rod on the rivers around Bozeman, which length and line weight would you pick?

A moderate to fast action 9’6’’ six weight, I’m currently switching between a Sage Sonic, and Helios 4D. These rods seem to handle it all from streamers to foam dry dropper rigs, and do great cutting through wind to get your flies where they need to be.

What’s your favorite fly fishing method to employ during guide trips? Nymphing, streamer fishing, dries, dry/dropper? Briefly describe why.

Dries, I love fishing dry dropper rigs, but let’s be honest here! Single big foam fly, or #16 Adams, when all you need to keep your rod doubled over is ONE dry fly, life is better than good.

List your 3 favorite river sections to guide on around Bozeman. This could be one of three rivers or even three on one river.

- Windy Point to Storey Ditch on the Upper Madison River

- Warm Springs to Grey Cliff North on the Lower Madison

- Carbella to MM 26 on the Yellowstone River

Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide Trip Resources

From The Montana Fly Fishing Blog