The Aflac boys from OK were back out this Aug. Once again they put a whooping on the trout for a couple days. Unfortunately I didn't fare to well at the poker games. They brought a ringer in from the Vegas area and he had a great read on me all night long. All the rivers in our area are fishing very well. The Yellowstone continues to rock with hoppers from 11am on. It can be busy on the weekend with recreational floaters, but the during the week it's all business. The Madison is fishing well with hoppers, ants, and attractors as well. The Gallatin has been on fire as well. Plenty of action on spruce moths and caddis as well. School is back in and now is the time to fish SW Montana. The fishing pressure is decreasing, and the weather is awesome. Now is the time to book a great late summer fishing trip. Give us a call to get all the details @ 866-456-6889.

Right now the hopper fishing is as good as it gets. There is a bumper crop of hoppers this year and given a slight breeze many are finding there way into the water. The trout are keyed on these tasty morsels and we are having a great time out on the water. The Yellowstone has been the river of choice lately and fish are eating up and down the river. Pictured below is what my boat patch looked like after a day on the stone. Nothing but chewed up hoppers and ants. If throwing big foam in likely looking spots and coaxing up big trout is you game, then get out here now.

Salmonflies and Caddis Dries

Salmonflies are all over the Upper Madison and Yellowstone River. The MO is fishing great and hoppers are just around the corner. The video above is a underwater picture of a 21" brown trout that Mel from Arizona caught on the lower Madison. Mel had never fished a day in his life, but without any bad habits he picked up the fly rod and had a great time catching lots of great fish. Caddis are out in force on all the major river systems, if they won't eat the big bugs a caddis dry is the next option. Many of the rivers have dropped quickly and are at the perfect levels to catch some great trout. Give us a call if you want to discuss a particular river and all the details. 866-456-6889

Rivers are clearing and fishing!

Here's a video of Quick Draw McGraw fighting a nice brown on the L. Madison Fri. This fish took us all over the place before he found the bottom of the net. The fishing was good and the water was nice and clear. There was quite a few bugs in the air. Plenty of caddis, PMD's and yellow sallies, and the smaller fish were eating aggressively on the surface. Our best flies where clouser crayfish, seringold caddis emergers, and Copper John's. We did see a good number of salmonfly shucks on the banks, but not flying around. It should start to happen any day now. The traffic was a bit busier than normal, but you can't blame anyone for wanting to get out on the water and enjoy the spectacular day.

I will be up on the Missouri river for the next 10 days, so I am sure to grab some more great footage and stories as the boys from Oklahoma come to town to whoop up on the fish and lose all their money in poker to the guides. Until next time....

Here's a quick video of one of the many trout we released on a week long fishing trip to the Missouri River.

Dane,

I just wanted to drop you note about our recent float trip on the Missouri. It is hard to believe that you could top our previous trips but you did. The fishing was fantastic! You really put us onto the fish. I was especially impressed with your experience on the river and your ability to locate the fish. I will recommend this trip to all my fly fishing friends. Thanks for making this another great experience that I will not soon forget. I also appreciate your teaching me how to become a better fly fisherman.

Tight lines,

Steven N.

Right now the MO is the best option in the state. The flows have decreased from 12,000 cfs to just above 6,000 cfs. So a few more wading options available now. We are witnessing some colder weather this week and as soon as it warms up the bugs (caddis and PMD's) should come out in force.
Around Bozeman the L. Madison is got some great visibility and the trout are hungry. I was out there fishing on my own and we caught good numbers of trout on crayfish and small nymphs.