Montana Angler Fly Fishing Blog

Mid-May and early June in southwest Montana is the heart of our snowmelt runoff season. Despite what some people think, many long-time Montana fly fishing guides this is a favorite time of the year to fish--our tailwaters and spring creeks are in prime shape with hatches of Mother's Day caddis and...

“Bonefish rod!” “Tarpon rod!” “Permit rod!” When hollered by a seasoned saltwater flats guide atop a polling platform, these simple two-word phrases are enough to make even the most experienced saltwater angler’s head spin and knees go a bit weak. I experienced all these regularly on our recent...

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...

Salmonflies on the Madison, caddis on the Yellowstone, PMD’s on the Missouri River, and now a best friend to enjoy it all with you. Introducing Montana Angler’s Rent-a-Labrador Retriever program. Beginning immediately, anglers on guided day trips, overnight camping and fishing trips, and all...

“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...

The Los Lagos and Aysen provinces of Chile are located in the heart of Patagonia and are home to some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on Earth. Nestled in protected fjords that are lined with hanging glaciers lie a series of productive rivers, lakes, and lagunas filled with large wild trout...

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...

Fly fishing for trout in Montana or anywhere in the world can be an exciting experience. Because trout live in dynamic and ever-changing aquatic environments, it is essential to understand how a trout survives and thrives. Whether a trout lives in a bio-rich river like the Missouri River or one of...