Help with planning first fishing trip to Montana

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

I am just getting started to plan for my first fly-fishing road trip to Montana for sometime next year. I am wide open as far as where to go and what time of year to visit. All I know for sure at this point is that I can only be there for a week max (drive time from Michigan would be in addition to that). So I thought I would post the question to the group – If you were headed on your first Montana fly fishing trip, and you wanted to try out a number of streams, just to sort of get a good sampling of what Montana has to offer, where would you go? Day 1 through Day 7?

I would like to go on the cheap for the most part, so I would probably tent most of the time. I also would not have a boat with me, but would probably look to hire a guide at least a couple of days and then go on my own the rest of the time. What does everyone recommend for a good realistic trip and what time of year do you recommend coming?

2

Go to Missoula, you will love it.

Stay at the C’mon Inn

Go to Kesel’s Four Rivers Fly Shop

You will love it.

3

After reading allof the recommendations check out the site below it has a great deal of information on Montana, its cities, fishing, guides, camping ETC.
[url=http://travel.state.mt.us/:3323c]http://travel.state.mt.us/[/url:3323c]

RoyC

4

WOW! A place in Montana that is not loaded with people and fishermen? That area the last I herd was the fastest growing area in the state along with Bozeman? And I can tell you that the Gallitan is so full of people most of the time that it can be hard to find a place to fish until late evening when all the kayakers and whitwater rafters are off the stream. Or you want to go way up into the park area. I may have to move over to the west slope to get away from all the people if there are that few over there.

Here is a sight that may help you out a little.
[url=http://www.bigskyfishing.com/:dd255]www.bigskyfishing.com/[/url:dd255]

Good Luck Ron

[This message has been edited by RonMT (edited 24 October 2005).]

[This message has been edited by RonMT (edited 24 October 2005).]

5

Hey Ron,come on up.I can still show you a few places that you can fish without tripping over people. the fish might not be trophy class but man they’re fun to catch

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by no means a MT expert. been there once for 3 days - Kallispell and Whitefish. Spent one day on the Flathead and one on the Clark Fork. I found it to be very inexpensive.

I know this is not the sexy part of MT but I really did enjoy it. I’d go back in a heartbeat. In fact I think I could probably live there.

7

Ron: I know what you mean about the Gallatin, I usually wait until after summer is over to fish it for the reasons you mentioned. Same goes for a few other rivers as well :;. By the way I sent you an email, let me know if you did not recieve it.

Take care everyone and cya around. Mark

8

I took my first drift trip on the Kootenai River near Libby this fall with guide Kelly Palmer (you can contact him through Kootenai River Outfitters). I had a great time. Plenty of fish. Very little traffic on the water. Beautiful scenery. At one point on the trip Kelly just sighed and said, “I love my river”. And after that experience I agree.

9

Jim -

Here’s a couple other things to keep in mind:

The distances between places in MT can take a day of travel getting from one place to another.

In a normal year, you contend with runoff on many streams until early-mid July, and in dry years (such as the recent past half dozen) you’ve got to be cognizant of forest fires, and/or low, warm water temperatures in the latter part of the summer through to early fall that can close down the fishing in some places.

Stream access will be more limited on many of the larger rivers (such as the Clark Fork, already recomended) if you do not have a boat. If you decide to fish one of these rivers, you may want to consider hiring a guide.

Here’s a couple other ideas:

You’ll probably drive by the Big Horn River in SE MT (at Hardin) going and/or returning to MI. A day floating the river with a guide out of Ft. Smith would be fun, and you can tent within a stone’s throw of the river at the Cottonwood Campground 3 miles below Ft. Smith.

A couple hours farther west, the Yellowstone River, upstream or down from Livingston is always a good option. Again, if it were me without a boat, I’d consider a guide for my first time on the river. However, Yellowstone’s Edge RV Park is one of the best campgrounds in MT and is located right on the bank of the Yellowstone about 20 miles south of town. They have shaded tent sites so close to the river that you could cast to the river from your tent if you wanted, and they have private, easy walking access to over a mile of some of the best fishing in the river from the RV park. (There’s also a couple resident fly fisherman who live in the park all summer and fall that might take you fishing for free, including going to some off-the-beaten-path locations (well, maybe if you buy their gas).

The Missouri River near Wolf Creek (just below Holter Dam) and Craig, MT can have excellent summertime fishing, and has easy access, although it can really crowded during mid-summer. There are several places along this stretch of river where you can pitch a tent at minimal cost, or just sleep in your vehicle overnight for free. There are many places here where you can park right beside the river and get out and fish.

There are many other places that you could consider, a lot of which would depend, of course, on the type of places you like to fish - big rivers, small streams, lakes, etc.

John

10

Great input guys! Thanks!

So if I am processing all the comments so far, should I try to come in the late summer early fall, after labor day? Sounds like most of the rivers are packed during the summer and high and murky during the spring.

Maybe in hindsight, I should reframe the question (might make it more fun). If YOU had seven days to fish in Montana, what would be your favorite time to go and what would be the rivers that you would try to fish (take into consideration drive time)?

11

All of the replies are filled with great advise. I spent a lot of time fishing the Madison and surrounding rivers one summer (in and out of the park). The one reply mentioned Rock Creek - I have never fished it but my friend tells me it is his favorite creek to fish. Also mentioned was the Cottonwood Campgrounds on the Big Horn. This interests me and must be another great place to vist because two weeks ago this Friday another friend who was one of my college football coaches, Dean of Students at the university, and long time Yellowstone summer employee passed away after a fight with cancer. One of his last request to his wife was to be cremated and have his ashes spread near the Cottonwood Campgrounds. After fishing most of the west he chose this spot, even though I’ve never visited that area, I know it must be special. I plan on making that are my first stop next time I head west.

12

Missoula is home for me… but not any more. I go back and fish Rock Creek every year in the salmonfly hatch with my dad and son. Where I live now I can run to the madison or big hole in 2 hours I make at least 1 trip every fall to the Mighty MO. and do a cast and blast and 1 or 2 trips in early spring to the big horn It is all good and all times of the year are good. BUT if you go any of the places that I mentioned in the peak of fishing YOU WON"T BE ALONE! Any of the fly shops are good weather you stop at 4 rivers and see George or you go over and see Matt and Jim on the Vanburn interchange off I90. You can also atop in and see Don at Bob Ward and sons (good flys for 65 cents) All of the places mentioned will smile while they take your money. Have Fun.

Rich

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Peak in MT. would be (depending on run off) mid June untill Labor day And by crowded some of us that grew up there think seeing 6 guys in septembr is crowded.lol now with that said, the reason the fall is a good time to fish is most of the non res. clutter is gone and the residents are hunting. As a kid we put up the rods with the opening of hunting season and did not pick them up untill feb. when we went to the salmon and fished steelhead. As a kid none of the rivers were open to trout fishing from 10/31 to the 3ed sat. in may.
The famed Squlla hatch on the Bitterroot was a witefish event or no event at all. so if I were to rec-o-mend a time to go and fish it would be 9/15-10/20 after that the weather can be the sh$$$ts

Rich

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Ursus wrote - “I would head for Missoula and the Clark Fork watershed. …and the crown jewel in my book - Rock Creek. …snip… Wildlife abounds in the Rock Creek valley…”

Ursus,

By wildlife, are you referencing that weekend in mid September when, at the junction of the road that parallels Rock Creek and US90, all rules of reasonable behavior are suspended and the annual “Testicle Festival” begins? It’s always wise to pass along fair warning to the faint of heart and uninitiated.

Bob

15

I would not leave the Dillon area out of my plans for a Mt fishing trip.
Beaverhead, Big Hole, Jefferson, Ruby and Poindexter slough are the reasons.
The Big Hole valley is perhaps the prettiest place on earth.

16

Hi Jim, Since you are driving from Michigan, I’d suggest the following.

Day 1 - Bighorn River
Day 2 - Bighorn River
Day 3 - Stillwater and/or Boulder Rivers
Day 4 - Gallatin and/or Madison River
Day 5 - Madison River
Day 6 - Yellowstone Park - Firehole
Day 7 - Yellowstone Park - Lamar

It all depends how much driving you want to do. I tried to make a loop that would take you around the south-central part of the state and into Yellowstone for a day or two.

[This message has been edited by PaulM (edited 28 October 2005).]

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As for times to, I prefer to fish rivers in spring before run-off or in the fall. Of course at both times the weather can be kind of interesting . Have had some real fun fishing days in rain/snow/sleet/wind. I have frequently had the river to myself when the weather is really crummy. Word of advice, planning a trip in the summer means keeping an eye on water temps, flow rates and closures. This summer wasnt too bad.

I havent spent any time over in the Missoula area so I cant help too much on places to go to avoid people. As for the Gallatin Valley and Paradise Valley areas, avoiding people during the summer is darn near impossible on the big rivers…thats why I head off to fish alpine lakes .

No matter what you choose, you will love Montana. The fishing could be crummy and it would be worth visiting just for the scenery.

Take care everyone and cya around. Mark

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Ursus,

Beware!

Bob

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I am a rookie to fishing MT having only spent time on the Stillwater, but something that holds true everywhere I’ve been is that if you want to avoid crowds, do not go to the dedicated fishing access sites, especially if you are going to be fishing during peak season. You will have your hat jerked off by someone’s hopper if you do. I would find a place to hike in like the Beartooth Wilderness. This will give you a little seclusion. Long walks mean less dudes. Good Luck anyway and give us a report when you get back.
DWP

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More good replies everyone! Guys like PaulM really got into the spirit of this thing. Both informational and fun.

One other question. Anyone have a recommendation of a really good guide book for Montana? Also which streams are good for wading and which are best to float with a guide?