Bozeman Fly Fishing Overview
Stay safe and go fish. Spring has arrived in Montana and fly fishing will continue to remain an escape for anglers in Bozeman, MT. There is a quiet and tranquility on the water that always seems to soothe the soul. No better time to explore your own backyard. For those of us lucky enough to be surrounded by rivers, that means there is still some great fly fishing to be had and reported on.
We would encourage all anglers choosing to fish during this health crisis to exercise cautious judgment with their angling decisions. Water is dangerous and needs to be respected, right now more than ever.
With all of that being said, the Gallatin River, Yellowstone River, Madison River, and Paradise Valley Spring Creeks are all fishing well and excellent options for local anglers. Spring hatches of midges and Blue Winged Olives (BWO) are in full force and reliable enough to count on several good hours of dry fly fishing daily. Nymphing and streamer fishing has also continued to be productive during the morning hours and on cooler days. Expect to see flows fluctuate significantly with warmer weather in the forecast, but solid fishing through the end of the month.
The Mother’s Day Caddis hatch is right around the corner on our local rivers. This is the main event every spring and truly a sight to see. Time to start packing your fly boxes full of #14-16 X-caddis, bloom’s caddis, goddard caddis, and the like. Anglers that know where to go should be able to chase the action for a number of weeks.
Our guided Montana fly fishing trips are on hold through 4/24/2020 as per the Montana State directive to shelter in place and close non-essential business. Our Montana fly fishing guides are looking forward to getting back on our rivers with anglers, but health and safety will remain our top concern. We are optimistic that some restrictions will be lifted prior to 5/1/2020 but it is still too early to say for sure. In the meantime, please be in touch with any questions or concerns and to coordinate future fly fishing trip plans. Explore our trip offerings, meet our guides, and learn more about Montana fly fishing trips with the Montana Angling Company.
Gallatin River Fly Fishing Report
The Gallatin River upstream of the confluence of the East Gallatin has remained clear and fishing well with the nice weather the past few weeks. Nymphing has continued to remain the most productive tactic with stoneflies, annelids, midges, and BWOs remaining the most productive patterns. Dry fly fishing has picked up with good action most afternoons. Look for good hatches of BWOs and midges to bring good numbers of fish to the surface. Skwalas are also around in fishable numbers on the lower river. Good time to try a dry dropper.
Madison River Fly Fishing Report
Spring is always a special time on the Madison River. Good weather and good hatches make for some truly great days. Skwalas are out in fishable numbers and overcast days have made for solid hatches of BWOs. Dry fly fishing has been reliably good most afternoons. Streamer fishing and nymphing will continue to remain the name of the game most mornings. It’s all about the flash in the spring.
Missouri River Fly Fishing Report
Plenty of space on the Missouri River this spring. As of now expect to be self-supported on floats as shuttles and shops are closed for the time being. The trout haven’t seemed to mind and are putting on the spring feedbag as always. Nymphing and streamer fishing will produce numbers but dry fly fishing will reward the commitment. Midges and BWOs are out most afternoons and fish are on them if you know where to look. Spring fly fishing trips on the Missouri River are always some of our favorite of the year, and our guides are looking forward to great days on the Missouri River with our anglers soon enough.
Yellowstone River Fly Fishing Report
Rock solid on the Yellowstone River this spring. Flows and clarity are holding for now. BWOs, midges, and march browns are out. A few skwalas here and there too. How long will the river stay in good shape before runoff hits? Looking ahead at the forecasted warm weather we suspect it will be turning into a roller coaster ride soon. Good idea to check the flow gauges and river cams before heading out. We are holding out hope that the river will remain in shape and the Mother’s Day Caddis hatch will be out in full force.
