Category Archives: Fishing by Time of Year

If there was a time of year that strikes despair and fear into any anglers heart it would be fishing rivers at their high water or runoff stage. A perception of doom and gloom can occur in such a time, but often opportunities to fish during runoff exist...just a little extra effort might be in order...

For many fly anglers, late winter and early spring is a time of dreaming about fly fishing during warm summer days. For those who might want to get an earlier start on their fishing season, midges provide a great fly-fishing opportunity. Midge fishing can be productive as early as January on the...

April is one of the more exciting months of the year for Montana anglers. Although winter fishing is great...things really begin to get exciting when water temperatures begin rising in the spring. More and more water becomes accessible as ice shelves recede and snow banks melt off. One of the great...

As we hit the latter stages of winter and cabin fever has fully overtaken, many of us start daydreaming about the warmth of spring sun and fishing. Whether you live in Montana or are maybe planning a fly-fishing trip to Montana, one factor that we all must account for when making our fishing plans...

The annual Mother’s Day Caddis hatch is one of the most anticipated events here in Southwest Montana. While it may not be quite as famous as the Salmon Fly hatch, the fishing can be every bit as good, if not even better. The sheer number of bugs that take to the air during the peak of the hatch is...

May in Big Sky Country is a magical month. The trees are full of buds, the grass is green, the mountains are still white, and the fish are feeding. May marks a season of change in Montana. Spring and summer both readily characterize the weather observed in May, with sunshine, snow, rain, wind and...

April is one of our favorite times to get out and fish our local waters. April provides excellent fishing, minimal crowds, and glimpses of good weather to come. Spring fishing is so wonderful that it pains me just a touch to share this information. The days of blistering cold have receded for the...

Early spring in Montana offers a welcome set of changing conditions on our local waters that are welcomed by anglers. While March and April can still feel wintery at times, fisheries are quickly moving out of wintertime mode. Montana's rivers and streams come alive with aquatic activity in March and...

The Smith River is the crown jewel of Montana’s off-the-beaten path fisheries. The Smith is a small but float able river that winds its way through a limestone canyon that effectively divides the Big and Little Belt mountain ranges. Scenery is spectacular with a blend of lush meadows, towering...

When fly fishing Yellowstone National Park in August, savvy anglers begin working harder to get off the beaten path. The height of tourist season sees relatively high fishing pressure on the easily accessible, famous rivers. If you are willing to lace up your hiking boots, however, you can find...