Montana Fly Fishing

Montana fly fishing overall is the best in the United States. When fly anglers talk about going out West, it's to this state. This state has one of the widest variety of streams, rivers, and lakes to fly fish. The breathtaking scenery and the ability to catch a variety of species of trout as well as the great fly hatches puts Montana in a class by itself.

Armstrong Spring Creek

The state has both spring creeks, some which are private like the Armstong Creek (shown above) and many types of freestone streams, creeks and massive rivers. The state also has many lakes and alpine lakes which can be fished in almost complete privacy. There is something for everyone who wants to fly fish for trout in Montana. Some of its top trout streams include the Madison, Big Hole and Big Horn. But there are hundreds and hundreds of smaller less fabled waters that offer unbelievable fishing. Fly anglers should acquaint themselves with the regulations, creek limits and maps of the regions and how each are managed.

Proper fly equipment for most waters should include rods of 8.6 to 9 feet which cast 2 weights to 7 weights. You need a variety of rods for the different typed of streams and rivers in the state. The two weight you may use on a spring creek will do you no good for fishing large flies and landing large fish on the Madison. (Alpine Lake Montana).

Big Hole Twin Bridges Montana

Fly anglers who venture forth out West for the first time should have plenty of gear, supplies etc. because for the most part they will find the distances between towns (and that's what they are) are really quite far when driving. They may also find that items including fly fishing supplies are bit more expensive out West than they are in the East. Also realize that you are at higher altitudes and it takes a few days to get use to it.

You should have variety of wading gear to say the least.  Even in the summer the Yellowstone is very cold especially in the park. So you should probably carry felt soled hip boots, neoprene waders, and stocking foot waders and wading shoes. By all means use a staff and there's nothing wrong with fishing vest that has some floatation in it as a life preserver for fishing the bigger rivers. Because if you fall in some of them it's not like the smaller streams and rivers of the East.   Montana River Monster Brown Trout