Dillon Montana
Nestled in the heart of Southwest Montana, just 85 miles south of Bozeman, Dillon stands as a historic gateway to some of the finest fly fishing waters in Montana.
This small town of around 4500 residents traces its roots back to 1880 when the Utah and Northern Railroad established it as a critical stop along the Montana Trail. Deeply rooted in agriculture, this close-knit community is welcoming to visitors exploring the many outdoor resources near town.
Today, Dillon serves as the perfect base camp for anglers seeking world-class fly fishing experiences. The legendary Beaverhead River flows through town, offering some of Montana's most productive brown trout waters. Within a 30-mile radius, you'll find the Big Hole River, known for its prolific salmonfly hatches, and the Ruby River, ideal for DIY anglers. The nearby Jefferson River rounds out one of Montana’s finest concentration of blue-ribbon trout streams, each offering distinct fishing experiences throughout the season.
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Dillon Montana Fly Fishing Options
Beaverhead River
Flowing out of Clark Canyon Dam, the Beaverhead River is one of Montana’s premier tailwater fisheries. It is a small, narrow river that accommodates both float and wade anglers over its 70-mile course.
The upper river – above the diversion dam at Barretts – receives the most attention from skilled anglers for its reputation as a trophy trout stream. These wild, hard-fighting rainbow and brown trout over 20” will test the angler’s skill and gear.
June and July are the best months to fly fish in Montana on the Beaverhead River. PMD, yellow sally, and caddis hatches keep fish actively feeding throughout the day on both nymph and dry fly setups.
The fishing regulations for the Beaverhead can change from year to year with some sections being open all year while other sections are only open during the summer months. Outfitting is heavily regulated on the Beaverhead, Fins and Feathers is licensed to operate on the Beaverhead River.
Jefferson River Fly Fishing
The productive headwater sections of the Jefferson River are about 30 minutes from Dillon, near the town of Twin Bridges, Montana. This large river flows for around 80 miles before joining the Madison and Gallatin near Three Forks to form the Missouri River.
Anglers fishing near Dillon concentrate their efforts on floating the Jefferson between Twin Bridges and Whitehall, Montana. The river slowly snakes its way through a picturesque western river valley framed by the Tobacco Root Mountains to the east and the Highlands to the west.
Jefferson River trout populations are generally sparse and concentrated near ideal holding water. The river is severely dewatered every summer due to upstream irrigation demands, but the upper sections remain fishable throughout the summer.
Streamer fly fishing the Jefferson in the early summer and fall is a guide favorite on overcast days with experienced anglers. Some true, trophy brown trout call this river home and are eager to chase big, articulated flies when fished well and the conditions are just right.
Big Hole River
The Big Hole is among the most scenic blue-ribbon trout rivers in Montana. It winds along for over 150 miles between its headwaters near Wisdom to its confluence with the Beaverhead River near Twin Bridges, Montana.
Legendary for its dry fly fishing and trophy brown trout, most anglers fishing the Big Hole River concentrate their efforts between the small communities of Wise River and Glen. Sections above and below these towns fish well, early and late in the season.
Early season fishing commences on April 1 and runs through the early runoff stages sometime in May. Hatches of mayflies, caddis, and skwala bring trout to the surface for reliable dry fly fishing. The legendary Salmonfly hatch typically takes off in early June and is one of the most famous hatches for anglers fly fishing in Montana.
Special regulations are in effect for the Big Hole River, affecting both outfitted and DIY anglers. Check current fishing regulations before heading to the Big Hole River, Fins and Feathers is a licensed outfitter on the Big Hole.
DIY Dillon Area Fisheries
The big-name trout rivers draw experienced anglers from around the world to Dillon, Montana. Traveling anglers usually have small windows of opportunity and rely on the professional services of Montana fishing guides to get the most out of their limited time on the water.
There is a lot of trout water around Dillon, but public access is limited and hotly contested in areas like the lower Beaverhead and Ruby Rivers. Still, DIY anglers are free to roam below the high-water mark on these and other rivers in the area, so long as the river is accessed legally using public access points.
Small rivers like Sheep Creek, Red Rock, and the upper Ruby each offer some terrific fishing, but public access is extremely difficult and best suited for skilled anglers with advanced wading experience.
The Ruby River -just downstream of the Ruby Dam - and the upper Beaverhead River are two excellent trout fisheries with good public access for DIY anglers fishing near Dillon, Montana.
Dillon Montana and Area Resources
Dillon Montana Lodging
- Best Western Paradise Inn
- Beaverhead Lodge
- The Andrus Boutique Hotel
- Quality Inn I-15
- Angler Village Inn
- Air BnB & VRBO Vacation Rentals
Dillon Montana Restaurants and Bars
April
Many of the iconic Montana fly fishing waters near Dillon open to angling on April 1. The entire Big Hole River, along with sections on the Ruby and Beaverhead Rivers expand the choices for anglers fishing near town as winter turns to spring. Skwala, March Brown, and BWO hatches offer sporadic dry fly fishing while subsurface action using nymphs and streamers are the mainstays.
May
Unstable water conditions make for complex advanced planning in early May. However, the Big Hole and Jefferson Rivers are worth a day trip or two when conditions are favorable. The upper Beaverhead opens to fishing on the third Saturday in May, offering fantastic nymph fishing in somewhat crowded conditions. Crowds mellow out as the runoff subsides across Montana.
June/July
Primetime on the rivers near Dillon is during the early summer when the rivers are high and dropping before upstream irrigation kicks into full gear. Stonefly, caddis, and mayfly hatches keep trout feeding throughout the day - both on the surface and below. Experienced streamer fly fishing anglers find aggressive, trophy brown trout eager to chase big flies during the mornings.
August/September
Low water and high water temperatures start to be felt on the fishing conditions by late July. Most of the rivers near Dillon fall under special regulations limiting fishing hours from sometime in mid-July through late August - weather dependent. Early morning trico hatches and afternoon hopper fishing these rivers will challenge the skills of skilled anglers.
Dillon Montana Fly Fishing Trips
The town of Dillon is a two-hour drive from our Montana fly fishing headquarters in Bozeman. Day trips - from Bozeman - to the Beaverhead, Big Hole, and upper Jefferson Rivers are available for guests fishing with our guides on multi-day itineraries (minimum 3 days).
Customized, multi-day fly fishing trips near Dillon are available to small groups of experienced anglers looking for an in-depth sampling of the area. We recommend fishing the Dillon Area on three-day itineraries in late April, June, and September. We can recommend or coordinate lodging and dining options in the area for our guests.
Fins and Feathers has been a Montana fly fishing outfitter for over two decades, catering to anglers of all skill levels. Although we are based in Bozeman, we have guided anglers fishing in Montana from as far west as the Bitterroot Valley to the Bighorn River in the east. Dillon area trips give visiting anglers a taste of varied fly fishing waters and small-town authenticity.
Montana Fly Fishing Reports
The staff at Fins and Feathers fishing reports shares our passion for the sport and knowledge with anglers worldwide through our Montana fishing reports and fly fishing blog.
With over two decades of experience guiding anglers throughout Montana, there are few places in the state where we have yet to wet a line.
Current water conditions, important hatch activity, and accurate and concise fly recommendations have always been our trademarks, making us a favorite among Montana anglers across the state. Our reports are based on firsthand feedback from our guides and friends throughout the fly fishing community across the Big Sky state.