Insects and Montana Fly Fishing
Montana trout fishing is among the best in the world largely sue to the fact that the rivers and streams are fed by cold, clean water. Insects – both terrestrial and aquatic – thrive in the still pristine environments associated with the best Montana rivers associated with world-class fly fishing.
The diverse and prolific insects of Montana are the most important food source for wild trout and are an integral part of modern fly fishing in the Big Sky State. Whether the angler is fishing to rising fish under a Trico mayfly spinner fall on the Missouri River or drifting a hopper along an undercut Yellowstone River bank, insects lie at the forefront of every Montana fly fishing adventure.
Key Insect Orders to Fly Fishing in Montana
Caddis
These tent-shaped wing aquatic insects create legendary Montana dry fly fishing opportunities throughout spring and summer...
Mayflies
Slow-sipping pods of rising trout will test the experienced anglers hatch matching and presentation skills during blanket mayfly hatches...
Stoneflies
Skwala, salmonflies, golden stones, and yellow sallies elicit explosive dry fly strikes by trophy trout in Montana from March through July on the...
True Flies
Midges and craneflies are example members of this very large order of insects that are accompanied by fantastic fly fishing in Montana when...
Hoppers
Summertime fly fishing in Montana goes hand in hand with long floats and big, hopper fly patterns along the iconic trout fishing rivers near Bozeman...
Ants
Both land based and flying ants are late summer staples for experienced dry fly anglers fishing the fabled wild trout waters of the Greater Yellowstone...
Beetles
Beetle patterns start to be picked from the Montana fishing guides' fly box with regularity when working over wary, late season trout in low water...
Moths and Butterflies
Butterflies and moths are common sightings throughout Montana but the spruce moth which is closely tied to conifer trees adjacent to trout waters...
