Montana Fly Fishing in March & April

Take advantage of early spring fly fishing in Montana on the Yellowstone, Madison and Missouri Rivers, as well as the Spring Creeks - DePuys, Armstrongs and Nelsons. The great thing about fly fishing in Montana in the early spring is that there are fewer people and the rates for lodging, guiding, and rod fees on the Spring Creeks are off season. As you can see from these photos, the fly fishing this time of year is still very good.

Montana Fly Fishing at 30 below zero.

This picture was taken on January 21, 2008 at 30 below zero (with the wind chill). This stretch of the Yellowstone River runs through Livingston, Montana. Needless to say, with weather like this, fly fishing in Montana has been put on hold.

First Time Fly Fishing in Montana

This is Regis's first fish on his first day of fly fishing. He had never had an opportunity to fly fish before, but was in town with some friends and decided to book a day with Trey on the Yellowstone River. With some good instruction and a little patience and practice Regis was able to get a great presentation into the right spot and this brown trout was the result.

Yellowstone River Fishing Report

As you can see, the Yellowstone River is icy all over and not fishing. In the event that we do get a warm up, the ice will move out and making it safer to wade. Try fishing inside riffle corners, along seams and tail outs. Patterns are streamers - sizes 6 to 10, leaches, buggers, scuplins (black, brown, olive & rust). Nymphing are small red midge pupa and larva patterns - sizes 16 to 20, pheasant tails, wd40's and hare's ears.

Montana Spring Creeks Fishing Report

Winter fishing in south western Montana is here. Most of the local anglers are at the vise tying their secret patterns. Right now fishing options are limited to the Spring Creeks. Winter wind in Livingston the past couple of weeks has been crazy and consistent. On January 4, 2008 we had sustained winds of 75mph with reported gusts of 150mph. When the winds aren't doing their thing, the Spring Creek Fishing can be pretty good. There is some dry fly fishing taking place, mostly midges, again, when the wind is not present. Your best bet is nymphing and will be for about 6 weeks. Fishing the runs and along weed beds have been producing well. Baetis activity this time of year is slow to non-existent. Patterns - size 18 to 22, are midge larvas, midge pupas, griffiths gnat, brassies, sawyers, pheasant tail, midge threaded worms, wd40's. Streamer patterns - size 8 & 10, are small leaches (brown, black and olive), small buggers (brown, black and olive).

Enjoy Fly Fishing in Montana with your Kids

People often ask at what age we should introduce our kids to fly fishing. We've had kids start as young as 7 years old. Families come back year after year, and we have watched their children grow into great anglers. As a guide, one of the most rewarding things we do is to take a child or an adult that has never had a fly rod in their hand before, learn some of the techniques and have them catch their first fish. The guides at Yellowstone TroutScout Outfitter enjoy teaching the wonderful sport of fly fishing.

Fishing in Montana offers not only great fly fishing, but incredible sight seeing as well. Kids will have the opportunity to see bald eagles and other birds of prey sitting on tree limbs along the river bank that are just a few feet away. They may also see bears, elk, and deer during their fishing adventure.

We encourage parents to introduce their kids to the great outdoors. One of the best ways to see Montana is from the rivers and streams.

Montana Fly Fishing on the Yellowstone

What a great day on the Yellowstone in late June. This family has been fishing with us for 8 years and has never been skunked. These fish were caught on the upper Yellowstone just 20 miles down river from Gardiner, Montana.

My Experience Fishing with Yellowstone TroutScout

I met Trey, Dain and Aaron about 6 years ago at the Murray Hotel after fishing with another local guide who has since left Livingston. Needless to say we all had a lot in common and all get along great to this day. The next year I came to the Yellowstone Country, the long journey began. I have been fishing exclusively with these three since then. As a matter of fact, this past year I wanted to come out on a whim and told Trey I would only fish with the TroutScout guides, or I would not come at all. They went out of their way to accommodate me as usual. Being a guide myself, I understand what it takes to be successful in the field. The number one goal should be customer service. Yellowstone TroutScout exceeds good customer service.

Larry W. , Orland Park, Illinois

Fly Fishing Montana, late June, early July

For the benefit of Paul and his friends that inquired about fishing in late June, here are some samples. The two browns are from the lower Madison River and the Cut-Throat is from the Yellowstone River during the Salmon Fly hatch.

Missouri River Fly Fishing

Let Yellowstone TroutScout Outfitters guide you to catching some of the larger fish that Montana has to offer. This fish was caught late September on the Missouri River, one of the many great finds that Julia from Germany landed. Book now for the 2008 season and this "rainbow slab" could be in your hands. Stay tuned for more of the best of 2007 with TroutScout.

Fly Fishing in Montana

The staff of Yellowstone TroutScout would like to wish all of you a Happy New Year, and many tight lines. We had another successful season this year and will be sharing the highlights with you via our blog. To begin with, I would say that this is one of our best. This rainbow trout was caught on the Missouri River in late September by Juila from Germany (this is her 3rd year fishing with TroutScout Guide and Owner Trey Coon) To see some of the fish that Julia, along with her husband caught in the previous years, just take a look at our Referrals and Testimonials page.