Category Archives: Hatches

The annual occurrence of the Western March Brown mayfly is a hatch that is widely anticipated in Montana every spring. This hatch is reliable and steady, starting in April and lasting until spring runoff muddies the rivers. Cloudy days during March, April, and May can trigger the most prolific...

Standing in a river and waving a stick is just one of the ways renowned angling author John Gierach described walk-and-wade fishing. We could also add to his sentiments the following statement: “And, you’re trying to fool something that eats bugs and has a brain smaller than a pea.” Fly fishing...

During late summer in Montana or anywhere that trout swim— Chile, Argentina, Mongolia, or New Zealand to name a few—anglers and fly fishing guides are always on the look out for dry fly fishing with terrestrials. There’s a lot of hype associated with trout eating hoppers, ants, and beetles. And...

Summer is by far the most popular season for fly fishing in Montana. With rivers flowing at ideal levels for float fishing trips but also low enough for walk-and-wade fishing, the cat has been out of the bag for decades on the fly fishing opportunities in southwest Montana during July and August...

Whether you've been fly fishing in Montana your entire life or just fished your first day of fly fishing in Montana, chances are very good that you experienced fishing a dry-dropper rig. Naturally, fishing two flies increases your chances of catching more fish and many of us like to see a trout rise...

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...

The Mother's Day Caddis Hatch occurs on many of Montana's rivers during late spring. This exciting hatch can begin in late April and run well into May. Freestone rivers like the Gallatin, Smith, and Yellowstone Rivers near Bozeman can experience some pre-runoff dry fly fishing while tailwater rivers...

Planning a fly fishing trip should be an enjoyable experience. Whether you are looking at going on a fishing trip to Montana or wanting to fish a global fly fishing travel destination, it is important to carefully plan your trip. The success of catching fish on a fly fishing trip depends on many...

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...

Mayflies make up a large portion of any trout's diet. From the limestone creeks of the East to the untamed rivers of Chile, Argentina, and New Zealand, to our home waters in Montana, dozens of mayfly species provide food and forage for trout to grow healthy and large. Narrow the list of the dozens...