Fly
Fishing Waters
in Montana & Wyoming
The
Spring Creeks of Paradise Valley
The
Paradise Valley Spring Creeks are some of the most famous in Montana
and the world. These creeks are fed by an underground spring which
keeps them flowing "gin clear" at 50° to 60°
year round. Because these creeks are fed by natural springs, they
are not affected by the winter melt off. Hatches are often heavy
all season long and even into the cooler months. With such clear
and slow moving water, a perfect presentation is a challenge and
a great experience for any angler, beginner or expert.
If
you are new to fly fishing, the spring creeks can be a good place
to learn. With such clear water, you can see everything take place
right in front of you, such as fish rising to naturals or taking
nymphs and scuds off the bottom. This also allows the angler to
see very clearly the result of a perfect presentation versus a
less than perfect presentation. By having one of our guides with
you, you will reduce the learning curve and put yourself onto
some beautiful rainbows, browns and cutthroats. Even an expert
can learn a trick or two or show certain techniques that can result
in a more productive day. If you are fishing with us for a few
days, and are new to fly fishing, we would suggest that we save
the Spring Creeks for the second or third day so that we may work
on the fundamentals on less technical water.
DePuy's
Spring Creek
 This
spring creek is well known around the world and lucky for us it
is located here in Livingston. The creek is 3 miles long with
a ton of character and variety of water to fish, which include
long flat runs, undercut banks, pools, riffles and ledges. The
bottom of the Creek consists of a mix of clay and gravel as well
as intermittent weed beds. This provides great habitat for fish
and aquatic insects, such as mayfly nymphs, midge larva and scuds
to name a few.
 The
dry fly fishing is excellent with varying hatches that you can
set your watch to most days. The average fish size is 14 - 16
inches, with some over 20.
Rod fee required.
Armstrong's
Spring Creek
 Armstrong's,
located just south of DePuy's and is at the north end of Paradise
Valley and eight miles out of Livingston. This creek is also famous
among world anglers. There is just over one mile of water to fish
and then it flows into DePuy's. Rainbows are the prominent fish
in this Spring Creek and they love to defy gravity. Browns and
cutthroat also call this creek home. Armstrong's too has a variety
of aquatic insects that include caddis pupa, mayfly nymphs and
midge larva.
 The
dry fly fishing can be described as sensational and is consistent
all season long. When the air temperature hits the 90's and the
hatch is over, try going to a small ant or beetle. The average
fish size is 14 - 17 inches with some over 20.
Rod fee required.
Nelson's
Spring Creek
This
is the smallest of the three Creeks. You know the old saying "size
matters?" That is not true in this case. What it lacks in
size (0.7 miles) it makes up for in quality. This is for the most
part a flat water fishery. A stealthy presentation and 7X is the
way to go and your fly choice must match the hatch. I would call
Nelson's Spring Creek the most technical of the three creeks and
probably not the best choice for a beginner.
Rod fee required.
Yellowstone
River
 Welcome
to our office. What can I say about the Yellowstone River that
hasn't already been said. It is one of the best trout fisheries
in the world. It winds through one of the most beautiful valleys
I have ever seen, and the fishing is second to none. I am proud
to say that this is our home water.
The
Yellowstone River with it towering mountains and breathtaking
valleys offers an incredible variety of fishing opportunities.
There are dozens and dozens of tributaries that feed the Yellowstone
throughout the entire river system. Many of these tributaries
are well known to fishermen world wide, which include the Lamar
River, the Boulder River, the Shields River and the Stillwater
River.
The
Yellowstone has a large and healthy population of rainbows, browns,
the famous Yellowstone cutthroat, cutt-bows (hybrid cutthroat
rainbow) and the native mountain whitefish. The best way to fish
the Yellowstone River is by drift boat. This gives the angler
a chance to fish those hard to get to places. This also affords
the angler the opportunity to cover a fair amount of water in
a single day.
When
you choose one of our guides to compliment your day of fishing,
be sure to let them know if you have any special interests. If
you would like to float a certain piece of water on the Yellowstone
or perhaps you enjoy wading part of the day, be sure to tell us.
I can promise that our staff will not disappoint you. They are
all very knowledgeable, professional and polite.
Gardiner
to Yankee Jim Canyon
 This
stretch of water is one of our favorites. It offers every type
of water an angler could ask for. The views are breathtaking,
and the water is ideal. If you are inclined to fish this on your
own, be careful. The water can be technical to row with several
class II rapids and one class III rapids. This stretch holds a
healthy number of cutthroat, rainbows and browns. The upper part
has lots of great banks, riffles and pocket water. The lower portion
has all of the features that are listed above. The biggest difference
is that the water is much slower with minimal white water and
offers better wading opportunities.
Yankee
Jim Canyon
This water is not for the faint of heart. It should be left to
those with a lot of time behind the oars. Please do not take this
lightly. It is locally known that there are a number of boats
and rafts that attempt this canyon every season and fail miserably.
There are some people that feel that the fishing here is mediocre
at best. I disagree. You won't catch quantity, but the potential
for quality is certainly there. With my time fishing the canyon,
I have found streamers to be most productive. I am often asked
if I fish clients in the canyon, and my reply is yes, but only
if I am related to them or very close friends.
Carbella
Bridge to Emigrant Bridge
 This
is a very nice stretch of water. It too offers a wide variety
of fishing opportunities, whether you are drifting or wading.
The bank fishing through this stretch is very good. Riffles and
pocket water are also present all throughout this stretch. Side
channels are abundant and should not be passed by.
Emigrant
to Mallard's Rest
 This
water offers excellent bank fishing, many riffles, side channels,
and a lot of flat water. It does have a good number of large rainbows
and browns with intermittent cut throat. Our favorite time of
the year to fish this is during the caddis hatch (mid - April
to when the river blows out, due to winter run off usually the
10th to 15th of May.) Also the salmon fly hatch which is late
June / early July. We think that this is probably the busiest
section on the Yellowstone throughout the summer, so we tend to
shy away from this water in the busy season.
Mallard's
Rest to Carters Bridge
 This
is one of our favorite sections to float. The views are the best
in Montana. To the east is the Absaroka Mountain Range with mountain
peaks over 10,000 feet lining the whole valley. The Gallatin Mountain
Range is to the west and is equally impressive. I would call this
rainbow water with very healthy browns and cutthroats as well.
It is very easy to wade, lots of flat water, riffles and some
of the best hopper banks around.
Carters
Bridge through Livingston
 We
would also refer to this water as rainbow water. The habitat is
ideal for them for them to thrive and thrive they do. This is
the first section of water that is below DePuy's Spring Creek
which provides ideal spawning habitat for rainbows. The numbers
speak for themselves with over 3,000 rainbows per mile, however,
the brown and cutthroat number are less. On this section of water
a drift boat is the way to go so you can access all of the water
you find appealing. Throughout this section there is a lot of
fast water which makes for awesome fishing for rainbows.
Livingston to Big Timber
 All
of our guides are very fond of this water and will describe it
as follows - very pretty and less crowded than Paradise Valley.
Not as many fish, but the average size is bigger, and the water
is less crowded. The lower Yellowstone has some of the best hopper
fishing in the area due to large agricultural farming on both
sides of the river (alfalfa and hay). This stretch also offers
lots of flat water, riffles and intermittent log jams along the
banks. When Montana gets one of its midsummer hot spells the water
does heat up as it comes from above and may cause the fishing
to slow down a bit. During these hot spells, we would suggest
fishing from sun up to about 11:00 a.m. and then again from 4:00
p.m. until dusk.
Private
Lakes
 TroutScout
has been fortunate enough to have access to several privately owned
lakes which are all within one hour of Livingston. These lakes hold
some of the largest rainbow, browns and brook trout that we have
ever seen. This is the best opportunity for a fly fisher to catch
truly big trout.
Rod fee required.
Mill
Creek
 The
guides at TroutScout absolutely love this free stone creek. It is
perfect for a full or half day walk/wade with some really nice cutthroat.
Mill Creek is one of the larger tributaries into the Yellowstone
River. Wading is easy most of the time. Public access and camping
is available.
Yellowstone
National Park Trips
 A
trip to Yellowstone National Park is not soon forgotten. The abundant
wild life and incredible scenery make for a memorable visit. When
you pack for this trip, a camera is a must. Don't worry if someone
in your group does not fish on this adventure, there is plenty for
the non-angler to do and see.
 Yellowstone
TroutScout offers a variety of trips into the Park. Because we are
within a one hour drive we can offer single day and overnight trips.
If you choose to do an overnight trip we can camp at any number
of designated campgrounds or stay in any of the wonderful hotels
or cabins. Camping is the most popular with anglers and their families.
Your guides will prepare your breakfasts, lunches and dinners as
well as set up camp.
Slough
Creek
 Located
in the northeast corner, Slough Creek is one of the most popular
fishing destinations in the park. But don't let that scare you,
because there is a lot of water to fish especially if you don't
mind walking a mile or two to one of the upper meadows. In this
water you will find rainbows, cutthroat and cutt-bows.
Lamar
River
 The
Lamar River flows through the Lamar Valley which is one of the
parks most scenic valleys. It is not uncommon to be fishing among
several hundred buffalo or catch a glimpse of a wolf walking around.
The water is just as good as the views with riffles, under cut
banks and boulders which provide great holding water. In this
water you will find mostly cutthroat with a few rainbows below.
Soda
Butte Creek
 This
is a truly great small creek. Soda Butte reminds me of the Spring
Creeks of the Midwest. It too has wonderful features. Including
riffles, lots of under cut banks and structure throughout. When
some of the more popular water is a little too crowded, this creek
provides a great "plan b."
Trout
Lake
 This
lake is about 40 acres in size and requires a 0.6 mile hike. You
can cast from the bank or pack in a float tube. The fish in this
lake are big, really big. If I told you how big, you wouldn't
believe me. You will have to see it for yourself. This is one
of those places where, depending on the day, the fishing can be
very good or very slow. If you would like to have an overnight
trip into the Park, this would be a great place to finish up a
day.
The
Missouri River
 The
Missouri, often referred to as "The Mo", is one of Montana's
finest. The Mo is three hours from Livingston and is worth every
mile of the drive. The water we tend to fish most is about 30 miles
east of Helena,(Holter Dam to Dearborn is not your typical tail
water fishery and it is truly beautiful.) This stretch of water
will produce very large rainbows and browns. 20+ is not uncommon,
but 16 - 18 is the norm. The Missouri River hatches are numerous
and frequent. The Tricos hatch is truly incredible. This hatch takes
place from mid-June to mid-August. During these heavy hatches the
fishing can be more technical and the fish more selective. With
this in mind, we would suggest longer, lighter leaders and the best
presentation possible and the perfect fly to match the hatch.
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