By MFO’s own Patrick Straub
Now that you’ve learned some new techniques, put them to use while fly fishing in Montana. Learn when and where to utilize your Montana fly fishing techniques.
Montana’s fly fishing rivers are home to world famous fly fishing. The diversity of rivers like the Yellowstone, the Missouri, the Bighorn, the Blackfoot, and others serve up year-round fly fishing.
However, like the weather changes each season, so do the necessary techniques for fly fishing in Montana. Here’s a breakdown of the best seasons and the best techniques for fly fishing in Montana.
Spring (March through May):
Steamer and woolly bugger fly fishing on the Bighorn River, Missouri River, and Yellowstone River
Dry fly fishing on the Missouri River and Madison River
Nymph fishing on the Missouri River and Bighorn River
Summer (June through August):
Dry fly fishing on the Yellowstone River, Missouri River, and Blackfoot River
Fall (September through November):
Steamer and wooly bugger on the Blackfoot River, Yellowstone Rivers, Missouri Rivers
Winter (December through February)
Nymphing on the Bighorn River and Paradise Valley Spring Creeks
Streamer fly fishing on the Yellowstone River and Bighorn River
About the Author
Patrick grew up fishing the Gallatin, Madison, and Yellowstone Rivers near Bozeman, Montana. After he graduated from Beloit College in Wisconsin, he returned to live near Yellowstone National Park where he began writing and fishing full-time. Today, Patrick lives outside Bozeman at the foot of the Bridger Mountains where he fishes and skis full-time. He is the author of the following:
The Orvis Pocket Guide to Streamer Fishing
Montana On the Fly: An Angler’s Guide
Montana: An Explorers Guide
The Frugal Fly Fisher: Bending the Rod Without Breaking the Bank
It Happened in South Dakota
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Fly Fishing But Where Afraid to Ask (2012)
