Fishing Reports, Madison River Fishing Reports, Missouri River Fishing Reports, Paradise Valley and Spring Creeks Fishing Reports, Yellowstone National Park Fishing Reports, Yellowstone River Fishing Reports
Bozeman Fly Fishing Overview
It is a winter wonderland in Bozeman, Montana today. What happened to fall? Came and went quicker than we could have ever believed. As for the fly fishing? Cold days make for often tough conditions for anglers but great for our trout. Our fly fishing guides have been on the water daily for the last week and have seen it on all on the rivers and streams near Bozeman: snow, sun, good dry fly fishing, great nymphing, and even a hopper eating trout or twelve.
Anglers planning fly fishing trips to Montana in late October should be prepared for whatever mother nature has in store. Anglers should also expect strong hatches, opportunities to catch some of the largest trout of the year, and solitude on the water.
Looking ahead, anglers looking forward to Bozeman fly fishing trips will find the best conditions and success on the Yellowstone River, Madison River, and the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks. Anglers booking Missouri River fly fishing trips will enjoy some great dry fly fishing and streamer fishing on the Missouri River. Probably no better place for November fly fishing trips than the Missouri River.
Hatches will remain strong through the first half of the month. BWOs and midges will be the name of the game. Winter weather will come and go and overcast calmer days will make for the best fly fishing conditions. But you can’t control the weather, so you’ll just have to go to know!
We will continue to update our Bozeman fly fishing reports through the end of November. Then we will turn our sights to 2020.
Still taking trip bookings for November 2019 Montana fly fishing trips with the Montana Angling Company and our fly fishing guides. Wide open calendars for most of our guides and still some great fly fishing to be had. See you on the water.
Yellowstone River Fly Fishing Report
In spite of winter weather, the fly fishing has been excellent on the Yellowstone River this fall. Our anglers and guides have enjoyed great fly fishing over the last week from Emigrant all the way down stream to Columbus. The brown trout featured in the picture is a great Yellowstone brown trout caught by one of our anglers on October 25th. It devoured a hopper. One of many from what will likely be the last day of good hopper fishing for 2019. It snowed 6 inches the following night.
BWO and midge fishing has been excellent with the colder weather. Nymphing in the morning and dry dropper fishing in the afternoon has been productive. Rubber legs, pheasant tails, a variety of Parachute dries, and a few zebra midges is probably all you need right now. Streamer fishing has been fair in the mornings on smaller buggers.
Missouri River Fly Fishing Report
Late October is a special time on the Missouri River. Strong hatches of BWOs, low angling pressure, and good streamer fishing make for memorable days on the water. Hard to imagine a better place to be an angler in the late fall than the mighty Missouri River.
Dry fly fishing has been and will remain excellent through the first half of November. BWOs are the main attraction with good hatches daily and pods of rising trout eager to eat a well presented fly. Nymphing on the upper river has been good but not as good as previous years. Streamer fishing has been consistently good. We’ll take it.
Our fly fishing guides consider the Missouri River to be the best option for anglers planning a late fall Montana fly fishing trip. The lower elevation of the surrounding area compared to our home base in Bozeman makes for reliably better weather and fly fishing conditions. The Missouri River is also a tailwater, which means less water temperature variation, more consistent hatches, and more dynamic fishing opportunities as the mercury plummets on our freestone rivers.
Madison River Fly Fishing Report
Conditions in the Madison River valley can best be described as rugged in the late fall. Days are often cold and windy. This can translate into tough fly fishing conditions for anglers. The nice days are great. Nymphing and streamer fishing can be excellent, with some good dry fly fishing on calmer edges and pools with BWOs. But from here on out we would recommend to not “forget the forecast” but rather know the forecast and head to another Bozeman area river or to the Missouri River if weather conditions are tough on the Madison River.
Paradise Valley Spring Creek Fly Fishing Report
Challenging but rewarding. Fall on the spring creeks can be described as nothing short of technical, but good hatches of midges and BWOs have made for high-quality sight fishing on a daily basis. We were treated to 5 hours of non-stop dry fly fishing just yesterday. BWOs were size 16-20 but the fish preferred the 20-22 size flies. Good nymphing in the morning with midges and BWO nymphs. Best wade fishing option close to Bozeman from now through the early spring.
Yellowstone National Park Fly Fishing Report
Just about closed for the season. November 3rd is the last day to fish in Yellowstone National Park. Still time to catch the fish of the year on the Madison River.
General Late-Season Fly Fishing Note
Our guides’ advice: Do not under estimate the elements and be prepared for the north wind to kick up anytime. Be cautious rowing and wading and check boats ramps for ice before putting in. Stay warm and stay safe in the colder weather.
Montana Fly Fishing Forecast
November Fly Fishing Overview
The winds of winter are in the air as we move into the home stretch of the 2019 Montana fly fishing season. And what a season it has been. Our anglers have enjoyed some of the best dry fly fishing in recent memory on their Montana fly fishing trips. Our Montana fly fishing guides enjoyed a great season filled with time spent on the water with so many great people. We are looking to closing our season out strong with a great end-of October and November.
It has been a cold and snowy Fall so far in Montana. While it has made for generally favorable conditions for great hatches of BWOs and a good streamer bite, we did miss the normal Fall weather this year. Very few days that were sunny and 60 degrees. But that is just how it goes in Montana. Some years you get fall, some years you get a late summer, this year we got winter. Will the trend of cooler temps and snow continue into November? Who knows! But our guides are prepared for whatever lays in store and excited to share our love for fly fishing in Montana with anglers, regardless of conditions.
As for the fly fishing, anglers can expect good fishing on most of our area rivers through the end of the month. For years, we have had a big group of anglers that fish over Thanksgiving week. We have fished all over the state and seen every condition imaginable. One common thread: lots of fun regardless.
November 2019 Fly Fishing Trips
Our guides will be found spending most of their time on the Missouri River, the Yellowstone River, and the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks through the month of October. These fisheries are generally the most reliable late season options. Hatches of BWOs and Midges will remain strong through the early part of the month, but taper off if temperatures drop. Last year we enjoyed great dry fly fishing on Thanksgiving day on the Missouri River on a cold but calm and sunny day. Looking forward to more of the same this year.
Anglers looking for targeting trophy trout on our rivers will find streamer fishing to be the best bet through the month of November. This means giving up quantity of fish, in favor of quality of fish. Streamer anglers wanting to net the largest of Montana brown trout have to be willing to commit to long days, filled with lots of casting, and through all conditions.
What to Expect in November
We are often asked by anglers if November is a good month to fly fish in Montana. Our answer? For the right angler absolutely. Anglers can count on empty rivers, a good bite, and fun days on the water. Are there the best hatches, catch rates, or conditions we get? Nope. Hatches are often unpredictable, catch rates aren’t nearly as high as the spring and summer months, and conditions are often tough. But there may very well be no better time for anglers that appreciate the little things: hard fighting trout, incredible scenery, complete solitude, and the hunt for wild trout.
If you are interested in a November fly fishing trip to Montana, give us a shout anytime to talk fishing. Bookings are also starting to roll in for 2020, if you have dates in mind or want to try and hit the best hatches, contact us today to plan your next Montana fly fishing trip with the Montana Angling Company. See you on the water soon!
Fishing Reports, Gallatin River Fishing Reports, Madison River Fishing Reports, Missouri River Fishing Reports, Paradise Valley and Spring Creeks Fishing Reports, Yellowstone National Park Fishing Reports, Yellowstone River Fishing Reports
Bozeman Fly Fishing Overview
It’s middle of October in Bozeman, MT: fall is in the air, our rivers are quiet, and the fly fishing has been great. Great fly fishing doesn’t necessarily translate into easy fly fishing every day, in all conditions, but when conditions have been right and angling has been good, the fly fishing has been as great as great gets.
Our Montana fly fishing guides have been out daily with the exception of Wednesday and Thursday of last week when old man winter came through with a good one. Temps were between 9-20 degrees and the snow piled up high. Fall is back and looks to stay in the forecast for the coming week.
Fall is always a fun time to be an angler in Bozeman. This past week alone we have seen the full gamut of conditions across the Yellowstone, Madison, and Missouri Rivers. One day on the Yellowstone River was punishingly windy and we had to work hard to get a handful to the net and the next day it was calm as could be and we were treated to one of the best dry fly fishing sessions of the year. That’s October for you folks. Weather exists beyond our control. But when it’s good it sure is good.
BWOs are king at this point for dry fly anglers on all of our area waters. Bigger bugs are few and far between. We were able to find a few fish willing to eat hoppers this past week, but that is more or less in the rearview mirror from here on out.
Streamer fishing has been the best bet for targeting larger than your average fish. You’ll have to work for it but we’ve seen anglers get rewarded with some truly great rainbow and brown trout over the last weeks on the Madison and Missouri Rivers.
Yellowstone River Fly Fishing Report
Perfect fall conditions right now on the Yellowstone River. Calm days have made for fantastic dry fly and dry dropper fishing most afternoons. Colder mornings have left a little to be desired, but streamer fishing has been good enough to make things interesting. BWOs, midges, and fall drakes have been on the menu for the dry fly fishing. Our fly fishing guides generally run a tandem dry rig with a sighter and a finesse fly. The real ones are small, very small, especially on sunny days. The Yellowstone River is the best option for anglers in Bozeman, MT that prefer to dry fly fish.
Madison River Fly Fishing Report
Solid fall fly fishing conditions right now on the Madison River. The river is a ghost town, particularly from Ruby Creek down stream to the Missouri River confluence. We are still wondering where all of the reported crowding is? Makes you wonder.
The streamer fishing has been good to great depending on the day, especially for anglers willing to give up quantity for quality. Nymphing will be the top producer with stonefly nymphs, worms, small BWO nymphs #20-22, and caddis accounting for the bulk of the action. The dry fly fishing has been there under the right conditions: calm wind, calm water, and patient angling. Still a few out there looking for the hopper.
Missouri River Fly Fishing Report
Mid-late October on the Missouri River is about as fun as fly fishing in Montana gets. For every tough weather day you’ll get 6 days you won’t ever forget. Between the fall color, consistent hatches, and excellent dry fly fishing, what more could you ask for? BWOs, small caddis, and a few hoppers are still on the menu. Deep nymphing has been solid but not off the charts. The streamer fishing has varied between good and great, rewarding anglers who commit with larger than your average fish, which on the Missouri River means larger than your average, larger than your average fish.
Yellowstone National Park Fly Fishing Report
The fall run on the Madison River is in full swing, with some truly incredible brown trout coming to hand daily. Cold early mornings and warm afternoons make for unforgettable days spent fly fishing in the Park. While we enjoy chasing the trophy trout of the Madison, our guides and anglers would just as soon spend our days on the Firehole River enjoying great hatches, dry fly fishing, and soft hackle swinging.
Paradise Valley Spring Creek Fly Fishing Report
Challenging but rewarding. Fall on the spring creeks can be described as nothing short of technical, but good hatches of midges and BWOs have made for high-quality sight fishing on a daily basis.
Gallatin River Fly Fishing Report
Fall on the Gallatin River is all about getting back to basics. Classic wade fishing for wild trout. Go for a walk, enjoy the fall scenery, and expect to get into some good fishing. Hatches will bring fish up, streamers will get chased, and nymphs will consistently catch. As fun as it gets.
Montana Fly Fishing
2020 Montana Fly Fishing Trips
As we move into the home stretch of the 2019 Montana fly fishing season we can’t help but reflect on what a great season it has been and look forward to what a great season 2020 is sure to be. Most of our long time anglers have already booked their dates for their 2020 Montana fly fishing trips and we are taking bookings daily for the upcoming season. As we look at our Montana fly fishing guides‘ calendars, the usual slots are booking well in-advanced:
- May and June Missouri River Fly Fishing Trips. Highly Limited Availability
- Salmonfly and Goldenstone hatches on the Madison River and Yellowstone River, June 25-July 15
- September fly fishing trips
- Spring Special Trips in April at our discounted rate
If you are interested in booking a Montana fly fishing trip during any of these windows we recommend booking sooner, rather than later, for best guide availability.
Trip Highlights for 2020
We look forward to continue offering our anglers the best guided fly fishing trips in Montana in 2020. Our diverse trip offerings, across the best rivers, lakes, and streams from both our Bozeman Basecamp and Missouri River Basecamp makes for a truly custom and unique Montana fly fishing experience.
In 2019 we introduced Overnight Fly Fishing Trips and Adventure Fly Fishing Trips to our outfitting program. We had a great pilot-season for both, and look forward to an even better 2020 spending nights and days off the beaten path with more of our anglers.
New for 2020 we are offering new lodging packages with more of Montana’s premier fly fishing lodges. We look forward to updating our website over the winter as we bring these new offerings to our anglers.
Our Hosted Trips page has been updated to include our 2020 Hosted Trips to La Posada de Los Farios in Chilean Patagonia. Dates are just about booked up for 2020 with limited availability left, but still some availability for late February and early March of 2020. Contact us today for more information or if interested.
Trip Specials for 2020
Our Winter and Spring Trip Specials are right around the corner and are a great way to enjoy fly fishing in Montana early in the season in solitude at a great rate. $350 winter trips and $450 trips in April. Fly fishing trips on the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks and the Missouri River are our two most popular early season options.
And here’s to a great 2019
We want to thank all of the anglers, guides, fly shops, shuttle drivers, and lunch caterers that make fly fishing with the Montana Angling Company so great. We are looking forward to closing out the 2019 season strong and hoping for a late October and early November filled with lots of bent rods, happy anglers, and rising trout. Thank you all and we look forward to a great 2020 filled with more of the same. Contact us today to book your 2020 Montana fly fishing trip.
Fishing Reports, Gallatin River Fishing Reports, Madison River Fishing Reports, Missouri River Fishing Reports, Paradise Valley and Spring Creeks Fishing Reports, Yellowstone National Park Fishing Reports, Yellowstone River Fishing Reports
Bozeman Fly Fishing Overview
Our Montana fly fishing guides and anglers on the water have seen a little bit of everything since our last report: snow, sunshine, more snow, fall colors, and lots of rising trout. We had a historic early season winter storm move through that marked an abrupt end of summer-like conditions and brought about colder-than average fall temperatures in a hurry. In spite of often trying conditions, the fly fishing has remained solid around Bozeman, MT particularly the fall dry fly bite.
We’ve seen excellent hatches of BWOs on the Yellowstone River and other nearby fisheries. Up on the Missouri River the BWOs have been small, but thick and plenty of caddis around as well making for fun afternoons filled with good dry fly action. The streamer bite has also been above average all over and should continue to improve over the coming weeks. Looking ahead we’ve got some more cold weather in the forecast but nice, normal fall weather to follow. Normal is good in October
Where would we go for the best bite from now through the end of the month? We like the Missouri River, the Yellowstone River, and the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks in October. Need a guide to row you down the river and get you in on the action? There is still time to book your Montana fly fishing trip for 2019, contact us today.
Yellowstone River Fly Fishing Report
Flows and water temps are down to Fall levels. The best action will be found between 1pm and 5pm. No rush to the river. Nymphing and streamer fishing will be your best bet until BWOs start to hatch. Buggers and attractor nymphs #12-16 will be the most productive. No need to get too fancy with the streamer game: medium size buggers and sculpin imitations fished well will produce. The dry fly fishing has been outstanding on calmer afternoons with BWOs hatching and fish eating. Small parachutes fished well will catch fish.
Madison River Fly Fishing Report
Streamer season on the Madison River. While the hopper fishing sure was great, the ramp to ramp action has come to an end. Still some fish looking up during the heat on the afternoon, but not a sure thing. If you want to consistently see good sized fish in the net you’ll have to work for it. Streamer fishing on the Madison River is never easy, but will reliably catch fish until winter sets in. Some days are better than others, but anglers willing to commit will be rewarded. Otherwise nymphing will be your best bet. Fishing a Pat’s rubber legs to a small mayfly nymph #18-22 will produce. BWOs hatching in the afternoon will bring fish to the surface.
Missouri River Fly Fishing Report
Good and getting gooder by the day. Dry fly fishing has been excellent over the past few weeks with BWOs, caddis, callibaetis, and attractors dries all in play. Blind fishing and sight fishing are both in play. Streamer fishing has been solid with some days excellent. Great time of year to go on a Missouri River fly fishing trip. Nymphing has been slower than usual in the Fall, but seems to be improving by the day. Where its good it is really good and the Missouri River will reward good angling.
Yellowstone National Park Fly Fishing Report
October in Yellowstone Park is a special time. Crowds are thin, the air is cool, and fly fishing is great. We like the west side now through the end of the season. The annual run up the Madison River is underway and fly fishing on the Firehole River has been excellent. Daily hatches have made for some good times and lots of bent rods.
Paradise Valley Spring Creek Fly Fishing Report
Challenging but rewarding. Fall on the spring creeks can be described as nothing short of technical, but good hatches of midges and BWOs have made for high-quality sight fishing on a daily basis.
Gallatin River Fly Fishing Report
Fall on the Gallatin River is all about getting back to basics. Classic wade fishing for wild trout. Go for a walk, enjoy the fall scenery, and expect to get into some good fishing. Hatches will bring fish up, streamers will get chased, and nymphs will consistently catch. As fun as it gets.
