Our outfitter services nearly every body of water in the State of Montana - excluding several specially permitted rivers that are out of their scope of operations. Their expansive outfitting business allows them to operate day trips in Yellowstone National Park as well as on the Big Hole and Beaverhead rivers along with nearly every other major drainage in southwestern Montana and beyond. Overnight and/or extended fishing trips are also available and can be customized to your particular itinerary or we can build the trip of a lifetime for you at your request!

Gallatin Field Airport (BZN) in Belgrade - located just west of Bozeman, Montana.

BZN is the only airport serving as a year-round gateway for two Yellowstone National Park entrances and also serves the recreation areas of Big Sky Resort, Moonlight Basin and the Bridger Bowl ski area as well as the business centers of Bozeman, Belgrade and Livingston.

All fishing trips will originate in Bozeman, Montana. For those clients that fly into Gallatin Field, we can arrange for transportation to/from the airport if/as necessary.   Many of the motels in the area also operate shuttle services to/from Gallatin Field.   In addition, the airport is serviced by all four major car rental companies including Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz should you prefer to rent a vehicle for your stay in the Bozeman area.

Bozeman has many unique lodging opportunities such as bed and breakfasts, country homes and cabins as well as a wide variety of motels to suit your specific accommodation needs. We have a list of our preferred providers in the area, can provide a copy of said list upon request, and would be happy to assist with your lodging reservations in conjunction with your fishing trip.

As an added service for our clients, we have negotiated special rates/packages with several of the local motels in the Bozeman area, so please feel free to inquire about rates and packages available to you when booking your fishing trip.

Lunch is included on all of our full day trips – which typically consists of a deli-style catered lunch with non-alcoholic beverages of choice and snacks. Special meal requests are not a problem - if you would prefer a gourmet meal, please make your request well ahead of time so that we can make the necessary preparations and advise you of the costs.   Meals are also included on some of our extended fishing trips. In these cases, a proposed menu will be prepared before the trip for your review and approval.   This outfitter takes the possibility of allergic reactions very seriously, so please make us aware of any food allergies so that we may plan your meals accordingly.

Alcoholic beverages may be purchased by the client and a small amount of room will be available in the cooler for them, but our outfitter can not provide alcohol under any circumstances.

Full Day Float Trips

Full day float trips are our most popular offering and provide the best way for angers to fish many of the big rivers in southwestern Montana.   Float trips not only provide a fantastic way to scout for fish and soak in the scenic beauty that Montana has to offer, they are also an excellent way for novice anglers to learn and practice their fly fishing skills – as well as learning how to read the water and land fish in moving water.

Full day float trips are available on the upper and lower Madison, Yellowstone, Gallatin, Boulder, Stillwater, upper Missouri and Jefferson Rivers.

Extended Float Trips

If you think that just one day's stay on the river just isn't enough for you, this might be your trip. Our outfitter has the necessary camping equipment to make your trip as comfortable as possible.

These trips require a bit of detailed planning so they must be booked well in advance in order to provide a sufficient amount of time to secure the necessary food items and equipment – which are subject to limited availability on short notice.

You will dine on the river and enjoy the night life Montana-style as you pursue trout on the river for two days and camp riverside.

Includes two full days of guided float fishing for one or two anglers with an overnight spent camping on the river. Additional days are available upon request.

Extended float trips are available on the Yellowstone, Jefferson and Missouri rivers.

Full Day Wade Trip

For over three decades this outfitter has been wading the waters of Montana and educating clients on the finer points of reading the water.   The full day walk and wade trips are a great option for learning the basic skills of fly fishing or for honing your line mending and water reading skills. Montana has plenty of hidden gems that the outfitter would like to share with you - and let's face it, you just can't put a drift boat on all of these fishable waters.

Full day trips are available on the upper and lower Madison, Yellowstone, Gallatin, Boulder, and East Gallatin rivers, Hyalite Creek and others waters on request.

Half Day Wade Trip

Like the full day wade trips, the half day option is a good way for you to get out on the water and refresh your skills.   On the other hand, perhaps you just need a little time on the water with a guide to pick his or her brain about something that you can't seem to figure out on your own.

Half day trips are limited to four hours on the water and are done within 80 miles of Bozeman and are available on the lower Madison, Yellowstone, Gallatin and East Gallatin rivers, Hyalite Creek and others waters on request.   Half days are not available on spring creeks or other private waters.

Lake Trips

This outfitter also has some of the most prolific lake fishing right outside of their back door in Southwest Montana. Whether it's hiking into an alpine lake somewhere in the middle of paradise, fishing gulpers on Hebgen, or just catching a few grayling on Hyalite, we can provide a memorable and relaxing lake fishing experience.   All of the necessary equipment (float tube, fins, etc.) is included in the cost of your trip.

Lake fishing trips are available on Hebgen, Quake, Cliff, Wade, Hyalite, Canyon Ferry, Ennis, Harrison and other lakes on request – please call for availability of guides.

Spring Creek Trips

For the experienced angler looking for seclusion and technical fishing, spring creeks have a special lure in Montana.   Spring creek fishing is not recommended for first-time anglers as these fisheries require an intimate knowledge of line control, fly selection and casting ability.   These waters offer solitude, large resident fish and some of the most consistent hatches due to the constant water temperatures.   Whether it is DePuy Creek in the dead of winter or tricos on the MZ in September, these spring creeks offer something for the avid dry fly fisherman wanting to test his/her skills.

Spring creek fishing is available on DePuy, Nelson, and Armstrong creeks, the MZ Ranch and several others on a request basis.   Fishing opportunities on these spring creeks is subject to availability and a rod fee of $40-150 depending on the season, property and any seasonal restrictions.   Please call for additional details and availability.

Our spring creek trips include lunch, beverages, a full day of guided services and instruction.

Taste of Montana

To put it plainly, this is the ultimate Montana fishing experience.   Let our outfitter take you all over the state and show you those rivers that you've probably read about plus a few that you probably have never heard of.

This outfitter has the guides on staff to show you the entire state!   Spend 5 days fishing with our staff as we take you on the customized trip of your dreams.   From the big name rivers like the Madison and Yellowstone, to some of the lesser known tributaries, and some off the wall places you would never ever think of finding fish, we'll take you there.   We will work with you to personalize your trip and satisfy your dreams and desires, putting the miles behind us to ensure that this trip is one that you won't ever forget.   Due to the planning required for this trip, we recommend booking well in advance.

Includes transportation to and from the outfitters shop in Bozeman and five days of guided services for one or two anglers.   Full accommodations and meals are also included in the Taste of Montana package.

Montana Trout Fishing University

The Full Session includes transportation to and from our outfitters University Campus and approximately eight hours of personalized fishing instruction that will immerse you in the basics of fly fishing.   A fully catered lunch and beverages are also included.

The Half Session includes transportation to and from our outfitter University Campus, a readers digest version of the full session conducted in a four hour session.   Only beverages are provided for students on half day University Classes.   Curtis Creek Manifesto is not included in half day sessions, but is available for purchase at the completion of the course.

On the River Classrooms include instruction on the Gallatin River and Hyalite Creek.

Brook, brown, rainbow and Yellowstone cutthroat trout; carp, grayling; and very limited pike fishing.

Early Season (March, April and May)

One of Montana’s best kept secrets is the excellent dry fly fishing available in March through early May before runoff.   Caddis and blue-winged olive mayflies provide some of the most prolific dry fly fishing of the season.   The Mother’s day caddis hatch at the end of April through runoff in early May is one of the most exhilarating fishing experiences one will ever have.   Seeing the water blanketed by tiny little bugs and watching fish going crazy consuming them is quite the sight.

Not a technical dry fly fisherman?   No worries!   Stripping bigger sculpin patterns and dead drifting stone flies during the spring is also quite productive.   Fishing in the early season is subject to changing weather conditions, so we do suggest calling ahead to find out the latest weather information so you can plan and pack accordingly.

Summer Season (June, July and August)

Thinking more of the summer months when you can wear shorts instead of fleece? Then you will like what the period from June through August has to offer.   The salmon fly hatch on the Big Hole, Madison, and Yellowstone Rivers kicks off the summer season in June and early July and represents your best opportunity to catch large trout on dry flies. Strikes to salmon fly imitations are breathtaking.   The faint-hearted need not apply!

By July we will start to see some excellent attractor dry fly fishing, along with more caddis and various mayfly hatches.   The hatches during the summer months provide a plethora of options from green drakes to PMD’s (Pale Morning Duns) to Trico mayflies to golden stones and caddis.   This is the dry fly fishermen’s time of year, but early morning streamers and mid afternoon nymphing are also very productive.

August and September are the two best months for fishing the famous terrestrial insects such as grasshoppers, ants and beetles.   These months typically provide fisherman with many different options from smaller creeks and streams to the larger rivers.   August is a popular time of year, temperatures are slightly milder than July and the evenings are cooler as well.   If this sounds like your preference, book early as August and September are busy!

Late Season (September, October and November)

If you are interested in solitude, seeing the beauty of Montana in autumn, and getting in some terrific fishing for aggressive browns and fat rainbows, then think about booking for October or early November.   October is one of our favorite months of the year and provides some excellent blue-winged olive fishing as well as a chance to land some of the largest brown trout of your life on sizeable streamers.   Late season weather conditions are known to change rapidly, so plan ahead and pack accordingly.

Winter Season (December, January and February)

Contrary to popular belief you can fish year round in Montana.   During the winter your fishing window of opportunity is a bit smaller, but you can find some excellent fishing in the afternoon after hitting the slopes in the morning!   Big Sky and Bridger Bowl provide excellent skiing opportunities and to break up the routine of skiing every day, consider some fishing on the Paradise Valley spring creeks outside of Livingston.   Off season rates make the creeks affordable and provide some superb winter dry fly fishing with midges and your occasional BWO (Blue Wing Olive) hatch.

Boots and Waders

Depending upon the fishing conditions and time of year, waders will either be a necessity or an afterthought. Wet wading is possible during the mid summer months as water temperatures heat up.   However, early summer water temperatures can be quite cool due to run off, so we suggest packing waders at all times of the year.

From thirty years of experience fishing in Montana, we strongly recommend a pair of felt soled wading boots or sandals.   Rubber soles simply don’t grip the rocks as well as felt, and you will have a much easier time wading with a good pair of boots than in tennis shoes.

Rods, Reels and Lines

Our guides have fished nearly every rod length and weight from the Big Hole to the Madison to the Missouri and we still can’t find a better all around rod than a 9’ 5WT.   If you plan on bringing only one or two rods, make sure one of them is a 5WT or bigger.

For reels we suggest only that it have at least a basic click-pawl drag. Floating lines are recommended for most fishing conditions.   If you need advice on gear, let us know and we will provide personalized advice based on your fishing plans.   The fly shop has a full selection of Sage, Winston and Echo fly rods and Lamson and Ross reels and also carries a full compliment of the best fly lines from Scientific Anglers, Rio and Airflo.

Flies and Leaders

A full selection of only the finest local and traditional patterns will be available for you to purchase at any point.   Your guide will also have a selection of what’s working for the area available for you to use throughout the day and you will only pay for what you use.

Leaders, tippet, and floatant are all available as well under the same policy as the flies.   Generally speaking 3X, 4X, and 5X in 9’ and 7?’ leaders will cover most of your fishing needs, but your guide can advise you of what you'll need on your trip.

Weather in the northern Rockies is quite unpredictable, so we suggest packing for a couple of seasons, rather than just one.   No matter the time of year, you should always bring a raincoat to help keep you warm and dry.   Another necessity is some sort of pullover pant, even in the summer when temperatures and conditions can change quickly.   We always recommend dressing and packing in layers – the old rule of thumb is that it’s easier to take something off than to put it on.

Fleece and all weather gear are ideal during the colder months as synthetics insulate better than cotton fabrics.   Also, if you are coming in the colder months we suggest having a pair of wool or fleece gloves to keep your hands protected from the elements.  Skull caps or warm hats are also a good idea for early spring and late fall.

During the summer months be sure to have some quick dry shorts or pants that you don’t mind getting a little wet. Bringing along sandals or shoes that you are comfortable getting wet is also a good idea for the warmer months.

A billed or brimmed hat and polarized sunglasses are essential items that you should bring along regardless of the time of year.   The hat will shield you from the sun, and also protect your noggin from the occasional flying woolly bugger – most guides won’t let you in a boat without one.   Sunscreen and bug repellent are pretty much a necessity at certain times of the year, so if you forget to bring it from home, the outfitter can help you out when you arrive in Bozeman.

Southwestern Montana is really a high mountain desert climate and as such experiences very drastic weather changes; consequently, we ask that clients come prepared for it all from snow in June to rainstorms in the summer months.   It is especially important to be prepared for inclement weather in the spring and fall as weather conditions can change rapidly on the water.

There is a rod fee for all spring creek and private water fisheries in addition to the guide service fee.   Certain creeks/private fisheries are subject to availability on a first come/first served basis so we recommend booking these waters well in advance if you would like to fish them during the busy season.

From literal beginners who have never picked up a fly rod to seasoned veterans, this outfitter caters to every skill level.   The fishing difficulty level is not much different on many rivers than is found in any other trout fishing area.   That being said these are wild fish, not stocked or farm-raised trout, and as such they are much more susceptible to environmental changes.   As a consequence, the quality of the fishing is entirely up to Mother Nature during periods of rapid weather changes.

Certain creeks/rivers require a different skill set and we do our best to match your skill level with an area that will be of interest and which will provide good fishing for you.

With over thirty years of experience in the fly-fishing and outfitting business, this outfitter has found that many people want to learn to fly fish but are intimidated by the concept and steep learning curve that presents itself to a beginning angler.   To that end, they have developed a method to introduce potential anglers to the sport in a “no pressure” atmosphere where the client isn’t pressured to catching fish.

This is the “University” concept explained above with both full day and half day sessions available to those individuals who would like to learn more about the fascinating sport of fly-fishing.

From a personal health standpoint, if you plan on extended trips or walking wade trips we ask that you make us aware of any health conditions that might preclude you from normal ambulatory movement in and around moving water and rocky areas.