Runoff season is winding down on our freestone rivers and more options are on the table every day. Despite some of our freestones coming online, the best places to fish right now are still our tailwater rivers like the Madison and Missouri Rivers. If you are looking for some extra advice you can read our recent blog post for Tips for Fishing During Runoff. The famous Mother's Day caddis hatch has come and gone but there are still plenty of caddis around and the fish are eating them. We are only a week or so out from salmonflies and then its pretty much GO TIME for the big bugs on the Madison and then a week or so later for salmonflies on the Yellowstone.
The Gallatin River near Big Sky and Bozeman is still running big so be safe if you venture there. The Yellowstone River near Livingston and in Paradise Valley have flows that are low enough to float but still very high for anyone who is not an expert on the oars. In other words, we are still a week or so out from the Yellowstone truly being a viable option.
Southwest Montana has so much variety of water that finding a river, lake, or creek with fishable conditions and hungry trout is relatively easy....if you are armed with accurate information or a professional fishing guide. Currently, our Montana fly fishing guides are on the water working as well as fishing on their day's off. Each day on the water can bring the prospect of caddis hatches of Blue Winged Olives and more.
Be sure to read our Tips for Fishing During Runoff, the Best Not-So-Secret Places to Fish in Montana This Spring and check our Instagram and Fishing Reports regularly for all the latest and greatest.

To get some useful knowledge and to expand your fly fishing horizons, be sure to read some of our recent blog posts featuring: 9 Great Flies for Large Trout Anywhere in the World, What Do Trout Need And How to Use That to Catch More Fish, Best Not-So-Secret Places to Fish in Montana This Spring, and The Mayfly You Need to Know: Catch More Fish by Understanding Blue Winged Olives.