We are on the downhill side of our spring fishing season with an eye on runoff season just around the corner. Even with runoff impending, southwest Montana has so much variety of water that finding a river, lake, or creek with fishable conditions and hungry trout is relatively easy....if you are armed with accurate information or a professional fishing guide. Currently, our Montana fly fishing guides are on the water working as well as fishing on their day's off. Each day on the water can bring the prospect of hatches of Blue Winged Olives and the potential for early season caddis hatches. The famous Mother's Day caddis hatch is around the corner as well.
Be sure to read our Best Not-So-Secret Places to Fish in Montana This Spring and check our Instagram and Fishing Reports regularly for all the latest and greatest.
To get some useful knowledge and to expand your fly fishing horizons, be sure to read some of our recent blog posts featuring: 9 Great Flies for Large Trout Anywhere in the World, What Do Trout Need And How to Use That to Catch More Fish, Best Not-So-Secret Places to Fish in Montana This Spring, and The Mayfly You Need to Know: Catch More Fish by Understanding Blue Winged Olives.
Southwest Montana Fishing Reports Overview
- Good
For the next several weeks to find the best fly fishing in Montana, local knowledge of current conditions is crucial. Be sure to check these reports regularly as we will do our best to update them as much as possible. We are still in our spring mode of fly fishing here near Bozeman, Big Sky, Ennis...
Yellowstone River Fishing Report
- Fair
We are officially in Day to Day Mode on the Yellowstone. What does that mean? Well...that means because the Yellowstone is a freestone river and the streamflows are the product of daily weather patterns, the river's streamflows and clarity fluctuate on a daily basis. Hatches are somewhat consistent...
Upper Madison River Fishing Report
- Very Good
Flows on the Upper Madison this week are hovering in the normal range and the river hasn't seen the bump in flows that many of our area freestones have seen. Blue Winged Olives are common right now so dial in your tandem nymph game with the flies below or be patient and loook for fish sipping dry...
Lower Madison River Fishing Report
- Good
Flows on the Lower Madison are slightly above average but have leveled out some. As the daytime high temps slowly increase expect Cherry Creek and Bear Trap Creek to add some color to the river, but because outflows from the dam are still above average, fishing should still be consistent. Even...
Gallatin River Fishing Report
- Good
Flows have bumped considerably on the Gallatin River near Big Sky and Bozeman. Expect the river to maybe come back in shape with some cooler weather the rest of this week. If it does drop back down to normal flows the Gallatin can become a another good local option. Nymphing has been most productive...
Montana Spring Creeks Fishing Report
- Good
The two main creeks we fish at Armstrong's and DePuy's spring creeks near Livingston and Bozeman, Montana. The next several days should be ideal on the creeks---scatterd clouds or overcast skies and showers is an ideal forecast for prolific hatches of Blue Winged Olive mayflies. These creeks are...
Stillwater River Fishing Report
- Fair
NEW license year starts March 1st. Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. The Stillwater River is still running low and clear and should stay that way for at least another few weeks with cooler weather in the forecast. Baetis or skwala hatches aren’t showing up in...
Boulder River Fishing Report
- Fair
Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. The Boulder River near Big Timber and half way to Billings is slowly on the rise but with the cold weather in the forecast, things will most likely drop and clear again. The Boulder River is a viable option until snowmelt runoff...
Jefferson River Fishing Report
- Fair
Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. The Jefferson River is going to fluctuate with rising and lowering flows right now...but it will most likely drop back down with the cooler weather in the forecast. It is fishing well with both streamers and nymph rigs. The Blue...
East Gallatin River Fishing Report
- Fair
The East Gallatin is the closest river to Bozeman and can be a very good option for fly fishing for the next few weeks. It can also fluctuate daily with flows if we get rain or a warm spell. It is suceptible to minor spikes as low elevation snowpack melts. If rain or warm temps occur, it can become...
Missouri River Fishing Report
- Fair
Flows are hovering around 4,000 CFS which is a great level for floating and wading. That level is about 1,000 CFS below average for this time of year, but not enough to cause a change in tactics. The only real uncontrollable factors right now are weather and wind. The star of the hatches for...
Ruby River Fishing Report
- Good
The Ruby River could fish very well for those willing to give it a try....but remember access is tough. The Ruby is a nice option in the spring. The smaller valley doesn’t produce as strong of winds as the Madison and the dam protects the waters a bit early run off. Nymphing is always very...
Montana Lakes Fishing Report
- Fair
Be sure to be legal before going fishing! Get your new license here. With the warmer weather of the past week, lakes are very much back on the menu. Ice is off most of the lower elevation lakes and fishing has been good slow stripping leaches and damsel fly nymphs. Water temperatures are still cold...
Small Streams Fishing Report
- Good
Check current regulations as not all small streams are open just yet. Visit Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park for current regulations. The smaller streams around Montana can be options, but check local regulations, spring creeks such as DePuy's and Armstrong's and the larger waters like the Madison...