Montana Angling Company
We are excited to announce we will be open for business again effective 4/27/20 as allowed for in the Montana state “Re-opening of the Big Sky” phase 1 plan. We will be offering guided fly fishing trips in accordance with the mandated social distancing guidelines, best sanitation practices, and pre-trip screening requirements.
We would like to note that the 14-day self-quarantine mandate for out of state travelers is still in effect and will be until the phase 3 opening. While there is no set timeline for the phases, we are hoping that the recent nationwide positive trends will continue and we will be able to welcome folks back to Montana in the near future.
Additionally, we will be offering Local Special Trips from 4/27/20-5/24/20. These trips will be offered to all anglers in the state of Montana that meet pre-trip screening requirements. These trips will be offered at a significant discount as anglers will be expected to adhere to adjusted trip expectations including providing their own transportation, lunches, and beverages.
Our guides, like many in the outdoor and travel industries, have been hit hard as a result of the fallout from the COVID-19 outbreak. 100% of Local Special Trip proceeds will go directly to our guides. Our hope is to get anglers on the water and guides back to work in a safe and responsible manner.
Local Trip Specials 4/27/20-5/24/20
- Full Day Trips: $350 per guide (1-2 anglers)
- Full day of guided fly fishing with the Montana Angling Company
- Trip destinations include: Yellowstone River, Madison River, Gallatin River, Missouri River, Paradise Valley Spring Creeks, and Private Lakes
- Float and Wade Fishing Options
- Normal rates are $550 per guide. $200 or 36% discount.
- Half Day Trips: $275 per guide (1-2 anglers)
- 4 hour guided fly fishing trip with the Montana Angling Company
- Trip destinations include: Yellowstone River, Madison River, Gallatin River, and Paradise Valley Spring Creeks
- Float and Wade Fishing Options
- Normal Rates are $450 per guide. $175 or 39% discount.
- Greenhorn Trip Special: $200
- 2 hour introduction to fly fishing and guided trip on private trout ponds in Bozeman, MT
- 1 hour casting lesson and introduction to the basics of fly fishing
- 1 hour of fishing on the ponds
- Great opportunity for families to build the foundation of fly fishing skills for a lifetime of fly fishing the waters of Montana
May is historically one of the best months for fly fishing on the Missouri River and the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks. This is a great opportunity for local anglers to explore their own backyard with our professional guides. The Mother’s Day Caddis hatch is also right around the corner and we expect some excellent dry fly fishing by next week on the Madison River and Yellowstone River.
Please contact us directly to book Local Trip Specials. We want to thank all of our anglers for their patience and flexibility over the last month and look forward to being safely on the water with folks soon.
Fishing Reports, Gallatin River Fishing Reports, Madison River Fishing Reports, Missouri River Fishing Reports, Yellowstone River Fishing Reports
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.
Fishing Reports, Gallatin River Fishing Reports, Madison River Fishing Reports, Missouri River Fishing Reports, Yellowstone River Fishing Reports
Bozeman Fly Fishing Overview
Plenty of solitude on the water in Bozeman, MT. Stay local, stay safe, and go fish. The good news is that the fly fishing has been great on all of our local rivers. The daily rhythm this spring has been nymphing in the morning followed by streamer fishing or dry fly fishing in the afternoon. The fish have still largely been holding in their normal winter lies and targeting deeper, slower runs will be the most productive. We are starting to see some fish move into faster water but don’t expect to find them scattered across the river until later in the spring. The spring Blue Winged Olive (BWO) mayfly hatch has begun with good numbers of bugs hatching on calmer and overcast days. The trout have been looking up and on them as soon as they pop. Has made for some exciting afternoons.
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, but right now more than ever.
Our guided Montana fly fishing trips are on hold through 4/10/20 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 the water with anglers, but health and safety will remain our top concern. 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 fly fishing with the Montana Angling Company.
Gallatin River Fly Fishing Report
The Gallatin River will remain the best bet for local anglers in Bozeman, MT looking to get into some great wade fishing. Nymphing with large attractor nymphs, stoneflies, annelids, PTs, and midges has been extremely productive and will continue to be through the end of March and well into April. Afternoon hatches of midges and BWOs will make for some good dry fly and dry-dropper fishing in the coming weeks. The Gallatin River is both close to town and offers plenty of wide open space: a great option for anglers during these strange times to get out for some fishing.
Madison River Fly Fishing Report
The Madison River has settled in nicely to spring conditions and anglers can expect good fly fishing on a daily basis. Nymphing has been consistently productive with large attractors, stoneflies, and annelids followed by a smaller midge or BWO trailer. Dry fly fishing has been solid most afternoons for those willing to hunt for rising fish and that know where to find them. The streamer fishing has been good in the right type of water: deep and slow. Flows are ideal for wade fishing access. Both the upper and lower Madison River will remain great options through the coming weeks for local anglers looking to get out for some fresh air.
Missouri River Fly Fishing Report
Business as usual on the Missouri River this March. The nymphing has been solid. Streamer fishing has been solid. Dry fly fishing has been good when the bugs are out. Conditions will only improve through month of April. Scuds, sowbugs, and worms will be the nymphs of choice. Smaller and flashier streamers will get eaten. Hatches of midges and BWOs will keep fish looking up.
Yellowstone River Fly Fishing Report
Our guides and anglers have been treated to some great spring fly fishing on the Yellowstone River this year. If the wind is mild, the fishing will be good. Midges and BWOs have been out most afternoons and the streamer bite has been improving daily. Looking ahead in the coming weeks we expect conditions to only improve as water temperature continues to increase. At this time we strongly recommend all but the most experienced rowers avoid floating the Yellowstone River. There are considerable obstacles and hazards along the entire length of the Yellowstone River, creating an enhanced risk for anglers and first responders.
April is one of our favorite months to fly fish in Montana. Our Spring Special Guide trips are normally an exciting kick-off to the Montana fly fishing season. While we are sad to not be on the water daily with anglers, sharing the experience of fly fishing in Montana, we look forward to getting out on the water with everyone soon, once we are all healthy and safe. Be well and fish on!
Montana Fly Fishing Forecast
April 2020 Fly Fishing Overview
A lot of uncertainty in the air as we move into April 2020. Our thoughts go out to everyone during these hard times. We are hoping recently put into place shelter in place orders are able to bring about positive change in the near future and we are all able to get back to living soon. Be well and stay safe.
Our guided fly fishing trips are on hold until at least 4/10/2020 when the Montana shelter in place and closure of non-essential business directive expires. We are still open and available to book trips and talk fishing. In the meantime, local anglers will still be able to get out and enjoy some great fly fishing. We would encourage all anglers to exercise caution and follow all CDC and State guidelines if they do choose to go outside.
Things we can count on in April: strong hatches of Blue Winged Olives (BWOs), solitude on the water, and quality dry fly fishing throughout April on our rivers in Bozeman, MT. The BWO hatch is the kick-off to the Montana spring fly fishing season. Anglers will find plenty of rising fish on the Yellowstone River, Madison River, and Missouri River throughout the month on a daily basis. Calm and overcast days will make for the best fishing. April fly fishing can be as good as it gets, but it’s good time of year to be the last one on the water. Have that extra cup of coffee, get out late, and stay out late.
Skwala stoneflies will also be on the menu through the month of April. Anglers that know when and where to look for them will be rewarded. By the end of the month we can expect the Mother’s Day Caddis hatch to kick off on the Madison River.
Nymphing will remain the most productive tactic most mornings. Streamer fishing will improve as water temps rise throughout the month. Dry fly and dry-dropper fishing will make for some exciting afternoons.
Our Spring Guide Trip Specials run through the month of April. It is anyone’s guess at this point if we will be back in business before the end of the month. If we are, we look forward to some great days on the water with our anglers. If not, then we will hope to see everyone in May. We are all in this together: stay local, stay apart, stay safe, and we will all be back on the water soon.
Montana Angling Company
Guide Trips on Hold 3/28/20-4/10/20
As of 12:01AM on 3/28/2020 Montana has been issued a directive to shelter in place and a closure of all non-essential business. In accordance with this directive all guided fly fishing trips with the Montana Angling Company will be on hold until 4/10/2020 when the directive expires. We have already reached out to all anglers with trips booked through the end of April so this will not affect any bookings, as alternate arrangements have already been made. If the directive is extended, we will cross that bridge when we get there.
We have updated our booking policy in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Full details can be found on our Booking Information page. In short, we will do our best to remain flexible and accommodate our anglers. We will allow all trips to be rescheduled up to the day before a trip. This policy change is initially in place through 5/15/2020 but will be extended if conditions do not improve. As this is a fluid situation, we will be constantly reevaluating our booking policy and also accommodating all changes on a case-by-case basis.
We ask our anglers try and keep all trips booked as long as possible. This is the best way to support guides and outfitters during these times, as hopefully things may improve in the interim.
Will continue to be open and available for new trip bookings during this closure as well as answering all calls and e-mails with questions and concerns. Our outfitter handles all bookings and inquiries personally and is always available to talk fishing. We would encourage anglers interested in trips for later in the 2020 and 2021 season to reach during this time to start the planning process.
We are all in this together and hope everyone and their friends and family are staying safe through this crisis. Be well and hopefully we will all be back on the water soon.
