Fly Fishing in Montana this Summer!
May 13, 2025
Time to make your reservations.
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Montana is synonymous with world-class fly fishing. If you are considering making a trip this summer, the time is now to make your reservations since most top outfitters quickly book out.
Fly fishing in Montana is world-renowned for its scenic beauty, abundant wild trout, and diverse waterways. Montana places a strong emphasis on conservation. Many rivers are catch-and-release only, and barbless hooks are encouraged. Always check local regulations before fishing.
Prime Fishing Seasons
- Spring (April–June): Great for streamer fishing and pre-runoff action. Late spring brings the famous Mother’s Day caddis hatch.
- Summer (July–August): Peak dry fly season; hatches of PMDs, caddis, and terrestrials like hoppers are in full swing.
- Fall (September–October): Excellent for targeting large brown trout with streamers and enjoying fewer crowds.
- Winter: Limited access and colder temperatures, but tailwaters like the Missouri and Bighorn can still produce good fishing
- Dry fly fishing is king in the summer.
- Nymphing is productive year-round.
- Streamer fishing is ideal for big trout, especially in spring and fall.
Last June, I had the opportunity to again experience this wonderful part of the United States. Just a short 40-minute drive from Butte airport is an outfitter called the “Complete Fly Fisher” which offers an incredible fishing experience on the Big Hole River and near the Wise River. This lodge/outfitter delivers guided float fishing (on three-person rafts) and first-class dining at the beginning and the end of each day. Brown, Rainbow and Brook trout are likely to be caught during a typical day, and all fishing is catch and release. My personal best was a 20-inch Brown (see picture) but maybe you can do better.
The Big Hole River has been called, “The Last Best River.” It’s one of the greatest dry fly-fishing rivers found anywhere in the world. The angling opportunities are diverse and divine. Every conceivable angling circumstance and water type associated with fly fishing for trout are found on the Big Hole. With five species of game fish, the river is unique among trout streams in the lower 48. The Big Hole River offers everything from meadow fishing to canyon water; one of the last strongholds of native fluvial Arctic grayling.
We spent five days fishing the rivers and my last day offered something that I had never seen before when our guide threw a white fish to a bald eagle after whistling to get its attention. The eagle swooped down and caught the fish in midair. You can only experience this type of majestic nature in Montana.
