Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide Will Allen

Will Allen (or Willard) has fished his whole life, caught everything from brook trout to bluefin tuna, and has been a Montana fly fishing guide for 13 years. He truly loves the Bozeman fly fishing waters, teaching fly fishing, and cultivating a fun, educational day. He can’t help but provide his clients with unsolicited dumb jokes and facts about the birds you see and the ecosystem you’re fishing in.

Will loves being on the water and showing this place to people from all over the country/world. He believes in good stewardship and the value in showing people how special this Southwest Montana slice of the world is, and is always looking to meet new people and catch some fish. He’s been part of the Fins and Feathers Guide Service team of Bozeman MT. fly fishing guides for over 10 years.

FAQ's of our Bozeman Fly Fishing Guides

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

Terrestrial season is my favorite, there's nothing better than watching big fish eat big pink hoppers during a bright, sunny day on the upper Madison or Yellowstone River.

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

Let the rod do the work, slow down, load the rod and let it do what it is designed to do, you can’t throw the flies as far as your rod can.

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

I’d fish a stiff 9-foot 6wt; you can chuck dries with lightning speed as well as fish wet flies and streamers effectively.

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

I love catching fish, a lot of the time that requires fishing nymphs under an indicator, but if there is a chance they will eat a dry fly, it is worth it to me to give that a shot. Sitting in the middle of the boat, it's like watching trout fishing TV, and nothing makes my job more fun than seeing a big fish eat a dry fly.

What are your top 3 Bozeman fly fishing river sections?

The Yellowstone is my favorite river in the area. Springdale to Grey Bear is so fun later in the year, and Point of Rocks to Emigrant earlier in the summer, both are cool, but I love that river from Gardiner to Billings. I also have a lot of fun on the Madison River - that whole river is fun - but if I had to choose, I think Palisades to Storey Ditch would be the place that I have had the most consistent fishing.

Additional Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide Trips Resources

From the Montana Fly Fishing Blog