Category Archives: Flies

If you enjoy going fly fishing in Montana, we are sure you have heard of the salmonfly hatch. For most anglers and many Montana fly fishing guides, the salmonfly hatch is one of the most highly anticipated hatches of the year. And, for good reason--the adult insects are so large, often times the...

Spring fly fishing is some of the most anticipated of the year. Getting out of the winter hibernation mode is often an excuse enough to go fishing. For many anglers catching a fish is a bonus–the real success is just getting out on the water after another long winter. But, wouldn’t it be nice to...

“Streamers” is the common term used to describe flies tied to imitate baitfish or other larger prey, such as crayfish. Because spring is when most of our Montana trout rivers come into play and trout swimming in these rivers have gone most of the winter without seeing a lot flies, anglers in-the...

As the days get longer and the sun shines a little brighter, the fly fishing in Montana slowly gravitates from winter mode to spring time consistency. Cut to the scene: It is mid-March on a trout river in southwest Montana. The riverside vegetation is greening but the mountains in the distance are...

Novelist and angler, Tom McGuane, once said that though fishing was the sport of kings, it is just what the deadbeat ordered. We may not all be lucky enough to live like kings and travel the world fishing—although some of you are— but fly fishing for big trout can be pursued regardless of your tax...

The Smith River in Montana is one of the state’s prized fly fishing rivers. The main season for floating and fishing the Smith River kicks off in April and runs into July. In some years late September and early October can also provide floating and fishing opportunities. The Smith River is managed...

There’s something to be said about spending time at the vise preparing a number of flies for your next fishing trip. While relaxing, tying a few bugs, and daydreaming about future fishing days is a nice way to spend a couple hours, there are also times when you need to go into full-on production...

Choosing the Best Streamers for Montana Fly Fishing When fly fishing in Montana, anglers tend to push the envelope of new tactics and exciting ways to catch trout on streamers. Probing Montana rivers like the Yellowstone and Madison with large streamers and sink tips is a favorite method for Montana...

Montana Fly of the Month: March 2018 The Split Flag Blue Winged Olive tied by Bob Quigley March fly fishing in Montana is a time when things begin to get a little bit more interesting following the long winter days spent fishing small flies in cold conditions. The air temps and water temps along our...

Fly of the Month: April 2018 El Camino, Skwala Stonefly tied by Andrew Grillos April fly fishing in Southwest Montana brings a wide variety of options, a favorite option is trying to hit the skwala stonefly hatch on one of our Montana Rivers. Certain rivers have larger populations of these small...