We are often asked when is the best time to fish in Montana, and the standard answer is, "Whenever you are here." All of our major rivers remain open year round, and with the exception of the subzero days of the year, you can find us on the rivers fishing and guiding. Each season has its attractions, from the first baetis and caddis hatches in the spring to the salmon flies in July, the hoppers of August and of course the sensational fishing and weather in the Fall. Below you will find a brief outline of our seasons, if you have specific questions about the best time to visit, please don't hesitate to drop us a line.
One of the greatest times of the year to fish. The water is low and clear prior to run-off and the fish feed greedily after the long winter. Blue winged olive hatches begin in late March and continue through April, and the granddaddy of all hatches, the Mother's Day Caddis Hatch, occurs between late April and early May on both the Yellowstone and lower Madison rivers.
June
Thought by many to be tainted by "run-off," this time of year can be exceptional if you know where to go. From the Spring Creeks of the Paradise Valley, to some of our secluded private water, the fishing will leave you grinning from ear to ear. Late June signals the return of the Salmon fly hatch on our major rivers and the fishing on the Yellowstone has been spectacular the last two years. Crowds are minimal, the wildflowers abundant, and the weather extremely pleasant.
July
The Yellowstone begins to drop and clear, and the Golden Stoneflies begin their prolific hatch. The lower Madison continues to fish well with dry fly attractors and large nymphs. The first Hoppers begin to appear later in the month, and our secret tailwater fishery is a "must fish" attraction.
August
Hoppers! Hoppers! Hoppers! Not much beats a float trip down the Yellowstone or Upper Madison river in late summer casting large grasshopper patterns that are not only easy to see, but sure to please larger brown and rainbow trout. The spring creeks offer great dry fly hatches from caddis to sulphur duns and much more.
September
Our favorite time of the year to fish in Montana. Incredible late summer days and crisp autumn evenings set the stage for a memorable fishing vacation. Hoppers are still kicking, and the streamer fishing for aggressive pre-spawn browns picks up, and later in the month, the blue winged olives begin to emerge. The cooler evenings revitalize the lower Madison where the big browns are trying to put on weight for the long winter ahead.
October
Both the Yellowstone and Madison are fishing well with streamers and an afternoon baetis hatch that will knock your socks off. Large, aggressive browns are moving in preparation for their Fall spawn-this is the time to fish big streamers for big trout! The classic Indian summer weather typically holds through mid-October.
