Troutfitters

FULL DAY FLOAT FLY FISHING TRIP Our most popular trips since we started rowing boats down rivers in 1978, full day float trips are the best way for anglers to fish many of Montana's big Western Rivers. In addition to a fantastic way to scout for fish and soak in the scenic beauty that Montana has to offer, full day float trips are a great way for novice anglers to learn casting, mending, reading water, and landing fish in moving water. Float trips give your guides the ability to cover larger stretches of water in case the fishing isn't productive in one area. Truly a great way to experience Montana, our full day trips are available on the finest and most productive rivers in the state. OPTIONS Full day float trips are available on the Upper & Lower Madison, Yellowstone, Gallatin, Boulder, Upper Missouri and Jefferson Rivers. Float trips on the Big Hole, Bighorn, Stillwater and Missouri are available as well - see information on fees and rates above. WHAT TO EXPECT Generally our full day floats begin around 7:30 am dependent on conditions. Later in the summer, early trip times can be more productive. During the colder months, we try to get on the water during the most productive times of day. Transportation to and from the river can range between 25 minutes and 2 hours depending on the river, with the average drive time being around half an hour. A full day float or wade has an average of a 6-8 hour duration. The boats used are hard side drift boats with comfy seats that are nice to fish from or leg locks for those who prefer to fish while standing. These boats are designed to make your day on the water as comfortable and relaxing as possible. SINGLE DAY: $600 INCLUDES Three Anglers Possible if one is under the age of 12: $750 Bighorn, Big Hole, Stillwater and Missouri River trips available for an additional fee to cover travel costs. Transportation to and from Montana Troutfitters and your fishing destination, rentals, lunch and beverages, flies and terminal tackle, full day of guided services for one or two anglers. It does not include a valid Montana fishing license or gratuity for your guide. Licenses can be purchased online ahead of time or here at the shop on the morning of your trip. HALF DAY FLOAT FLY FISHING TRIP For the angler looking for a shorter day our half day offers a taste of fishing from a drift boat - giving the angler on a time constraint the opportunity to fish the bigger Western Rivers. Half day floats are done under a stricter time and travel constraint, we will not travel more than 80 miles round trip and trips are limited to 4 hours on the water, no exceptions. Due to the time and travel constraints, half day float trips are more limited as to where your guide can float for the day. Trips can be taken at any time during the day, so if you'd like to get on the water for an evening hatch, your guide will be more than happy to start the day later with you and fish into the evening. Food is not offered on half day trips so we encourage clients to bring along their own snacks on half day trips. OPTIONS Half day float trips available on the Lower Madison and Yellowstone Rivers only. WHAT TO EXPECT Generally our half day floats begin around 7:30 am dependent on conditions. Later in the summer, early trip times can be more productive. During the colder months, we try to get on the water during the most productive 4 hours. Transportation to and from the river can range between 25 minutes and 40 minutes depending on the river, with the average drive time being around half an hour. A half day float is usually around 3.5-4 hours on the water. The boats used are hard side drift boats with comfy seats or leg locks so you can stand and cast. These boats are designed to make your day on the water as comfortable and relaxing as possible. SINGLE DAY: $500 INCLUDES One or Two Anglers Three Anglers Possible if One Angler is Under the age of 12 (Float Trips Only): $650 Transportation to and from Montana Troutfitters and your fishing destination, rentals, beverages, flies and terminal tackle, full day of guided services for one or two anglers. Generally trips are about 3.5 to 4 hours of fishing time. AM or PM trips are available depending on conditions. It does not include a valid Montana fishing license or gratuity for your guide. Licenses can be purchased online ahead of time or here at the shop on the morning of your trip.

FULL DAY WALK WADE TRIP For over four decades we've been walking the waters of Montana and educating our clients on the finer points of reading water. Our full day walk and wade trips are a great option for learning the basic skills of fly fishing, or for honing your mending and water reading skills. Walk wade trips are an ideal way to learn the surrounding area for those anglers that want to learn to do it themselves. For the novice angler this is a great way to learn fly fishing skills, and challenge yourself to catch fish on foot. Generally, the walk wade trip is better for learning the craft than catching a huge number of fish. OPTIONS Full day walk wade trips available on the Upper & Lower Madison, Yellowstone, Gallatin, Hyalite Creek, and Many Other "No Name waters" on request. SINGLE DAY: $600 INCLUDES One or Two Anglers Transportation to and from Montana Troutfitters and your fishing destination, rentals, lunch and beverages, flies and terminal tackle, full day of guided services for one or two anglers. It does not include a valid Montana fishing license or gratuity for your guide. Licenses can be purchased online ahead of time or here at the shop on the morning of your trip. HALF DAY WALK WADE TRIP Like our full day wade trips, these are a good way for you to get out and onto the water and get a little taste of what fishing is all about while enjoying the beautiful surroundings. Or maybe you just need to get a little time out and on the water with a guide to pick his or her brain about something that you can't seem to figure out on your own. Half day wade trips are done under a stricter time and travel constraint, we will not travel more than 80 miles round trip and trips are limited to 4 hours on the water, no exceptions. Half days are not available on Spring Creeks or Private Waters. OPTIONS Full day walk wade trips available on the Upper & Lower Madison, Yellowstone, Gallatin, Hyalite Creek, and Many Other "No Name waters" on request. SINGLE DAY: $500 INCLUDES One or Two Anglers Transportation to and from Montana Troutfitters and your fishing destination, rentals, lunch and beverages, flies and terminal tackle, 4 hours of guided services for one or two anglers. It does not include a valid Montana fishing license or gratuity for your guide. Licenses can be purchased online ahead of time or here at the shop on the morning of your trip.

FULL DAY LAKE FISHING TRIP So you've heard of Montana's famous rivers and streams, but did you know we also have some of the most prolific lake fishing right out of our backdoor here in Southwest Montana? Whether it's hiking into an alpine lake somewhere in the middle of paradise, or fishing gulpers on Hebgen, or just poking a few grayling on Hyalite, we've got you covered. Lakes around our area offer fishing for large trout in pristine settings with relatively little fishing pressure. We float some lakes in drift boats, others require hike in and float tubes and are open for a short season, but all offer a much different experience than floating or wading a river. These aren't your privately held, pellet fed stocked trophy ponds, these are wild Montana lakes and reservoirs that hold populations of wild trout and feature sometimes prolific bug hatches. With the most experienced lake staff in Montana we can outfit you for your first lake fishing trip or take the seasoned veteran to some lakes they may never have fished before. All the necessary equipment (float tube, fins, etc.) is included in the cost of your trip. OPTIONS Full Day Lake Trips available on Hyalite, Hebgen, Quake, Cliff, Wade, Canyon Ferry, Ennis, Harrison, and many other lakes on request. SINGLE DAY: $600 INCLUDES One or Two Anglers Three Anglers if one anger is under the age of 12: $750 Transportation to and from Montana Troutfitters and your fishing destination, rentals, lunch and beverages, flies and terminal tackle, full day of guided services for one or two anglers. It does not include a valid Montana fishing license or gratuity for your guide. Licenses can be purchased online ahead of time or here at the shop on the morning of your trip.

HIGH MOUNTAIN ALPINE WADE TRIP Here in Montana we are beyond fortunate to be surrounded by many of the worlds best rivers. These rivers attract anglers from around the world. That being said, there are many hidden gems right out our back door that fish just as well, if you are willing to work for it. Many of these lakes and streams involve a labor intensive hike up into the mountains to access. However, once you arrive, the fish are happy, hungry, and healthy. If you are looking to check off some bucket list trout species, this is also a great way to do that. Within an hour of the shop, we have native cutthroat and grayling, and even a few golden trout hanging out. Hikes into these lakes and streams usually range from about 2-6 miles depending on the species or experience you are after. That being said, if hiking is not your thing, we have a few alpine creeks and streams that are easily accessed by vehicle. These streams are generally full of cutthroat, brook trout, or rainbows that are more than willing to eat big dry flies. This is a trip that is designed for the angler that also enjoys adventure. In many of these locations, you will find solitude, beautiful views, and willing trout. OPTIONS There are limited guides available who can run this trip. Call and inquire about dates. Additionally, The high country holds snow late into the summer and starting early in the fall. Options for this trip are limited when snow pack is severe. Mid July - early September is generally the best option. SINGLE DAY: $600 INCLUDES One or Two Anglers Three Anglers: $750 Transportation to and from Montana Troutfitters and your fishing destination, rentals, lunch and beverages, flies and terminal tackle, full day of guided services for one or two anglers. It does not include a valid Montana fishing license or gratuity for your guide. Additionally, Hiking boots or shoes are not included if a hike is necessary to reach your location. Licenses can be purchased online ahead of time or here at the shop on the morning of your trip. Three Anglers of any age are accepted on this trip. See pricing above for an extra angler. Potential Target Species: Cutthroat, Grayling, Golden Trout, Brook Trout, and Rainbow Trout Water Options: High Alpine Lakes (Hike Access Only), Alpine Streams (Hike or Vehicle Access) Call the shop to inquire about the trip that would best fit your needs.

FULL DAY FLOAT FLY FISHING TRIP Our most popular trips since we started rowing boats down rivers in 1978, full day float trips are the best way for anglers to fish many of Montana's big Western Rivers. In addition to a fantastic way to scout for fish and soak in the scenic beauty that Montana has to offer, full day float trips are a great way for novice anglers to learn casting, mending, reading water, and landing fish in moving water. Float trips give your guides the ability to cover larger stretches of water in case the fishing isn't productive in one area. Truly a great way to experience Montana, our full day trips are available on the finest and most productive rivers in the state. OPTIONS Full day float trips are available on the Upper & Lower Madison, Yellowstone, Gallatin, Boulder, Upper Missouri and Jefferson Rivers. Float trips on the Big Hole, Bighorn, Stillwater and Missouri are available as well - see information on fees and rates above. WHAT TO EXPECT Generally our full day floats begin around 7:30 am dependent on conditions. Later in the summer, early trip times can be more productive. During the colder months, we try to get on the water during the most productive times of day. Transportation to and from the river can range between 25 minutes and 2 hours depending on the river, with the average drive time being around half an hour. A full day float or wade has an average of a 6-8 hour duration. The boats used are hard side drift boats with comfy seats that are nice to fish from or leg locks for those who prefer to fish while standing. These boats are designed to make your day on the water as comfortable and relaxing as possible. SINGLE DAY: $600 INCLUDES Three Anglers Possible if one is under the age of 12: $750 Bighorn, Big Hole, Stillwater and Missouri River trips available for an additional fee to cover travel costs. Transportation to and from Montana Troutfitters and your fishing destination, rentals, lunch and beverages, flies and terminal tackle, full day of guided services for one or two anglers. It does not include a valid Montana fishing license or gratuity for your guide. Licenses can be purchased online ahead of time or here at the shop on the morning of your trip. HALF DAY FLOAT FLY FISHING TRIP For the angler looking for a shorter day our half day offers a taste of fishing from a drift boat - giving the angler on a time constraint the opportunity to fish the bigger Western Rivers. Half day floats are done under a stricter time and travel constraint, we will not travel more than 80 miles round trip and trips are limited to 4 hours on the water, no exceptions. Due to the time and travel constraints, half day float trips are more limited as to where your guide can float for the day. Trips can be taken at any time during the day, so if you'd like to get on the water for an evening hatch, your guide will be more than happy to start the day later with you and fish into the evening. Food is not offered on half day trips so we encourage clients to bring along their own snacks on half day trips. OPTIONS Half day float trips available on the Lower Madison and Yellowstone Rivers only. WHAT TO EXPECT Generally our half day floats begin around 7:30 am dependent on conditions. Later in the summer, early trip times can be more productive. During the colder months, we try to get on the water during the most productive 4 hours. Transportation to and from the river can range between 25 minutes and 40 minutes depending on the river, with the average drive time being around half an hour. A half day float is usually around 3.5-4 hours on the water. The boats used are hard side drift boats with comfy seats or leg locks so you can stand and cast. These boats are designed to make your day on the water as comfortable and relaxing as possible. SINGLE DAY: $500 INCLUDES One or Two Anglers Three Anglers Possible if One Angler is Under the age of 12 (Float Trips Only): $650 Transportation to and from Montana Troutfitters and your fishing destination, rentals, beverages, flies and terminal tackle, full day of guided services for one or two anglers. Generally trips are about 3.5 to 4 hours of fishing time. AM or PM trips are available depending on conditions. It does not include a valid Montana fishing license or gratuity for your guide. Licenses can be purchased online ahead of time or here at the shop on the morning of your trip.

MONTANA CARP FISHING TRIP For the fisherman who is looking for something a little different and off the beaten path in Montana we are happy to offer up at Montana Troutfitters our Carp Fishing Trips. Carp have been overlooked for years by the fly fishing crowds in favor of the more beautiful species out there, but over the past two decades, we've been happily pursuing these golden beasts with fly rods around Montana and having a blast while doing it. Carp aren't just bottom feeders, in fact they are quite discerning when it comes to feeding in trout country as their diets consist of many of the same food items that trout dine on. Carp aren't for the novice angler either, the difficulty of casting, presenting the fly, and enticing an eat makes these one of the most difficult game fish to consistently catch, which is why you don't want to trust your Carp trip in Montana to just anyone. Our guides are avid Carp anglers and would enjoy putting you onto a new species that just might become your favorite thing to fish for. Carp Trips are offered as both Walk and Wade Trips on local area Lakes and Reservoirs, and as Float Trips on the same Lakes and Reservoirs as well as certain stretches of rivers around the area. Prime season for Carp angling is from July through early September - outside of those time periods the fish are lethargic and not found in large catchable numbers and we don’t pursue them at these times with clients. OPTIONS Full day Carp fishing trips are available on the Missouri and Jefferson Rivers as well as Canyon Ferry and several other unnamed locations. SINGLE DAY: $600 INCLUDES One or Two Anglers Three Anglers if one angler is under the age of 12: $750 Transportation to and from Montana Troutfitters and your fishing destination, rentals, lunch and beverages, flies, terminal tackle, and a full day of guided services and instruction for one or two anglers. This trip generally starts a little later in the morning and you spend about 8 hours on the water. Drive time is around an hour.

MONTANA SPRING CREEK FISHING TRIP For the experienced angler looking for seclusion and technical fishing, Spring Creek's offer a very special and unique experience and Montana has some of the finest Spring Creeks in the world. Spring Creeks are not necessarily recommended for first time anglers, these fisheries require working knowledge of line control and casting ability, but offer a challenge unparalleled on other bodies of water. Picture rising fish in knee deep crystal clear water all while kneeling down and trying to get the perfect drift, that’s Spring Creek fishing at its best! These private creeks offer solitude, large resident fish, and some of the most consistent hatches due to the constant water temperatures. Whether it's a blanket PMD hatch on DePuy's, or a pod of fish working BWO’s in April on Nelson’s, the Spring Creeks offer something for the avid dry fly fisherman wanting to test his skills. We have the most knowledgeable guide staff in the area with two guides on staff with a combined experience fishing the creeks of well over 70 years. Simply put, there is no better place to cut your teeth on technical fishing than the Montana area Spring Creeks, and nobody better to do it with than us. OPTIONS Full Day Spring Creek trips available on DePuy's, Nelson's, or Armstrong's spring creeks. Additionally, we have a small creek with no rod fee available to us on certain dates. Ask about our dates. SINGLE DAY: $600 (PLUS ROD FEES) INCLUDES One or Two Anglers and Rod Fees Additional $40-150 Transportation to and from Montana Troutfitters and your fishing destination, rentals, lunch and beverages, flies, terminal tackle, and a full day of guided services and instruction for one or two anglers. Spring Creek's require a rod fee depending on the season and property and are subject to availability - call us for further details.

MONTANA TROUTFITTERS UNIVERSITY What we've found over the 40 plus years of being in the fly fishing and outfitting business is that many people want to learn to fly fish but are intimidated by the concept and steep learning curve that presents itself to a beginning fisherman. To that end we came up with a way to introduce future anglers to the sport in a no pressure atmosphere where you don't feel like you have to get your money's worth on the river catching fish. These are more of an introduction to flyfishing for those seeking some ability to go and fish on their own after completing the class. We offer our Troutfitters University year round, and our experienced guide staff will prepare you to enjoy fishing on your own. OPTIONS You show up at our store and we make sure you have a fishing license, then you will depart for our classroom upstairs in the store where we will go over some of the basics of gear selection - such as rods and reels, boots and waders, leaders and tippet etc. We will discuss the specifics of what lines and line weight rods are good for beginning anglers and what to avoid when starting out. Next we will demonstrate and practice different fishing knots and how and when to use these knots when setting up your fly rod and tying on flies. We will discuss with you the different techniques of fishing such as nymphing versus dry fly fishing versus streamer fishing and the basics of reading where fish hold. We follow this up with bug identification in the classroom with Jim Schollmeyer's Western Hatch Guide to accompany our collection of insects that we've amassed over the years (You'll repeat this process again on the river with real live ones!). We then will give you a short synopsis of fly selection (really we could teach a whole class on this if we wanted to). After absorbing all of this, we'll take you outside to do a little casting alongside the shop. After you've reached a sufficient level of casting prowess, we will treat you to a nice catered lunch before embarking on the fishing portion of the trip. The "Outdoor" portion of the class is split between kicking over a few rocks and examining the aquatic life, learning to read water where fish hold, practicing your casting and...FISHING! One of the best parts of the trip is that you have the full undivided attention of your guide to aid you in your casting, water reading, knot tying, bug identifying and general fishing growth. This trip is not really geared towards catching fish the day of the trip. It is really geared towards you learning the skills necessary to find angling success in your future. FULL DAY: $600 HALF DAY: $500 INCLUDES 1 or 2 people Extra Person Charge: $150 River Options: Gallatin, Madison, Hyalite, and other waters on request Full Day Trip: Transportation to and from Montana Troutfitters and your fishing destination, rentals, lunch and beverages, flies and terminal tackle, full day of guided services for one or two anglers. It does not include a valid Montana fishing license or gratuity for your guide. Licenses can be purchased online ahead of time or here at the shop on the morning of your trip. Generally, the trip will be 4 hours of learning in the classroom at the shop and 4 hours applying that new knowledge on the river. Half Day Trip: Transportation to and from Montana Troutfitters and your fishing destination, rentals, beverages, flies and terminal tackle, half day of guided services for one or two anglers. It does not include a valid Montana fishing license or gratuity for your guide. Licenses can be purchased online ahead of time or here at the shop on the morning of your trip. Generally, the half day includes 2 hours of learning in the classroom and 2 hours on the river applying your new found knowledge.