I'm looking for someplace to take my son for an epic fishing and whitewater rafting trip. Trip must be in the first two weeks of July. Im thinking Montana. Targeting Missoula because I have a friend who lives there. I want to make sure I find a place that has good rapids and fishing for that time of year.

1. Anyone have a better location I should consider?
2 any recommendations for specific rivers or guides/companies?
3. Any recommendations for a trip like this in general?

We'll be golfing too, but I figure I can find courses anywhere. Top priorities are to have fun, make awesome memoirs, and don't get eaten by a grizzly.

Thanks in advance.

Leaving on Monday for two weeks with family, this is my first time but their third year in a row. For fly fishing, they've said the Gallatin River is pretty good.

Other activities were doing, Yellowstone, Tetons, Jackson Hole, and Glacier. Hanging in Bozeman for a day as well.

This is all I can offer but can report back once I return. Really looking forward to it

Big Sky area is a great option IMO.

Gallatin whitewater rafting in early July will be excellent, especially with the snowpack this year being so deep. Geyser Whitewater is best rafting outfitter in that area.

Fly fishing the Gallatin, Madison, and surrounding area is world class. I like Wild Trout Outfitters for float trips on the Madison, and they'll also do the Yellowstone but that's a drive from Big Sky.

You are easy access to the Park from Big Sky, and all that it offers. Kids like the town of West Yellowstone on the way in and out of the park - a lot of kid friendly shops and restaurants, and some famous fly shops there.

There is a golf course in Big Sky Meadow Village, but haven't golfed up there.

SkyMoose said:

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I'm looking for someplace to take my son for an epic fishing and whitewater rafting trip. Trip must be in the first two weeks of July. Im thinking Montana. Targeting Missoula because I have a friend who lives there. I want to make sure I find a place that has good rapids and fishing for that time of year.

1. Anyone have a better location I should consider?
2 any recommendations for specific rivers or guides/companies?
3. Any recommendations for a trip like this in general?

We'll be golfing too, but I figure I can find courses anywhere. Top priorities are to have fun, make awesome memoirs, and don't get eaten by a grizzly.

Thanks in advance.

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Posted in your Travel thread, but I would also look at Sun Valley and Kalispell/Whitefish.

Another area that I really enjoy is Stanley, ID.

The Boulder has some pretty good rapids.

There are a bunch of drift boat guides on the Yellowstone, based in Livingston. The river is pretty wide and slow in that area.

I just got back from eastern Montana. The Bighorn was still pretty muddy from snow runoff.

Go full bore and make it full week on the middle fork of the salmon river

https://www.oars.com/adventures/middle-fork-of-the-salmon-river-idaho-white-water-rafting/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=829_S_Rafting_Idaho_Desktop&utm_term=middle%20fork%20of%20the%20salmon%20river&utm_content=Salmon_Middle&matchtype=e&network=g&device=m&adposition=&keyword=middle%20fork%20of%20the%20salmon%20river&gad=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIypK8_sOl_wIVVzfUAR31MwtbEAAYASAAEgKwlvD_BwE

Lots of snow this year from what I'm hearing. I'd consider either the Missouri at Craig, which a guide told me is fishing great right now or the Beaverhead at Dillon which has a lot of nice browns. Both tailwaters so not as affected by runoff which might be in full swing in early July.

Evidently there have been some decreases in the fish populations of SW Montana. I wouldn't change any plans but definitely something people are talking about recently.

If somebody knows more, please post.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cs_E37CrXGk/?igshid=ZWQyN2ExYTkwZQ==m

Madison River at Ennis MT. ….Wild Ace Outfitters -406.599.6836

Lower flows over the last few years have contributed most likely. The Beaverhead is just absolutely packed as well. I camped down there last year about this time and it was just a continuous string of drift boats. Granted, right now the Beaverhead is one of the few rivers that is fishable because it's not as impacted by snow melt.

We rafted the Gallatin (outfitter was on the main highway just by Big Sky) and fly fished the Yellowstone river with a guide. Both were great.

Guide: Chris Strainer
Outfitter: CrossCurrents Fly shop
Location: Craig, MT

Chris is a great guide and the owner of Cross Currents Fly Shop. You and your son will have a great time fishing the Mo, the Blackfoot, etc. with Chris.

Fish the Blackfoot out of Ovando with Paul Roos Outfitters then drive over and fish the Missouri out of Craig with CrossCurrents like the above poster suggested.

Or Jackson Hole with World Cast Outfitters. Fish the Snake and the Teton Rivers. You can stay in Jackson Hole or Victor.