Looking for recommendations for a Montana fly fishing trip.
1. We are beginners- spent 1/2 day fishing at Estes Park, CO. that's the limit of our experience.
2. At least 2 people, but could be up to 5.
3. We think we want to fish 3 Forks area. Close to Bozeman (airport) and have a hotel there we like.
4. In my reading, October seems to be the best time. Is that correct?

Heard Craig area is good. If correct, how does 3 Forks compare. We do not have any tackle or waders. Was going to rent them from guide.

Please let me know what you think. Trying to get the trip together. As of now nothing is book, so we're officially working with a clean page.

Thanks in Advance

I've only fished in Twin Bridges with Stone Fly Outfitters, so can't comment on areas near Bozeman. But if you're willing to drive to Craig I'd highly recommend Stone Fly (A bit closer). It's not cheap but it's first class. They've got Lodging onsite, small town feel and guides are great. It's complete turnkey but they are also flexible on just having the fishing guides if you want to stay/eat elsewhere. I caan't rate it high enough though, I'm trying to get back there (from Houston) every other year if I can.

I've been in June/July time frame each time I've gone. Earlier in the year can be a bit hit or miss depending on snow melt. I usually call them in Feb/March to see when they think it'll be the best. I would imagine that October could be later in the season but I'm sure it would be feasible.

By no means a professional, but I've done a few different trips in MT before and currently in Red Lodge for a couple months.

Went with some guides out of Billings to the Big Horn in mid-June a few years back and had a great time. Did another guided float on the Gallatin out of Big Sky in August a couple years ago and were getting a lot of fish.

Since we've been in Red Lodge we've done a couple unguided excursions to East Rosebud and the Stillwater. They've had a lot of rain up here so everything is still running high and fast and it's been challenging thus far. We're probably headed up towards Columbus next week to get on the Yellowstone and try that out.

My experience though, there's no bad MT excursion. The area around Ennis/3 Forks/Big Sky is pretty prolific, and you can hit a variety of rivers and streams there. Plus there is a lot to do other than fish nearby as well.

Love the bighorn but you better be in a boat with a guide. I lived in Bozeman and fished the Madison year round, you can hit norris hot springs while headed back to Bozeman. So many places to fish around there, was not a big fan of the Gallatin since it had tons of folks with cameras and kids, can't imagine what it is like now. A hop skip and a jump and you can be in Livingston and all the offshoots of the Yellowstone. But IMO you stay in Bozeman or Twin Bridges and make the blue Ribbon Loop. You could fish for two weeks there and never be in the same place. The Jefferson has some good places to fish and closer to Twin Bridges Big Hole and Beaverhead meet up.

Hit Land of Magic steakhouse in Logan, was a great steak back in the day!

1 day Madison
1 day Missouri
1 day Gallitan

Whether to stay central to them is up to you. Craig, three forks, Dennis, Bozeman.
But being relatively new to it, I'd recommend a guide for float trips.

If you want to find places to wade on your own that is fine and can be extremely peaceful. Even if you don't catch any.

I promise you'll catch some on a float with a guide.

They aren't close to Bozeman, but Linehan Outfitting are great people that will treat you right.

I have hunted with them 3 times.

Missoula has a nice airport too.

Just another option for you.

Went with Gallatin River Guides last summer and fished the Madison River since the Gallatin was still pretty swift. Not too close but not too far from Bozeman. Caught a ton of fish. Brother and dad went with them the summer before and fished the Gallatin and also caught a ton. Would recommend them if it's within your desired distance

Reg, looked at your post again and saw that you wanted to go in October. Remember that it could be snowing and pretty windy and cold. I would try for August-September. I have fished in snow flurries in September.

Thanks for the information. After this posting looks like we are going to Twin Bridges in mid/late September.

Thanks again.

Check the Frogg Toggs site for waders. They have good gear, hell I duck hunt in mine.

If you are near Craig, you should check out Hidden Canyon Lodge. It is 12 miles north of Craig on the bend of the Missouri. It provides great food and hospitality but also excellent local guides that will supply all the gear you need.

It is run by a nice couple from Dallas who have lived off and on in Montana for years.


https://hiddencanyonlodge.com/

I hate these Montana posts. Always sends me down memory lane and makes me second guess life choices.

John Cocktolstoy said:

---

I hate these Montana posts. Always sends me down memory lane and makes me second guess life choices.

---

Cocktolstoy- you can always move back or come with us and show us the good spots.

I have been thinking about Rocky Creek all morning, just east of Bozeman it wiggles about along HWY90. I would park my truck about 3 miles down and ride back west with friends who were hikers and climbers. They would drop me and I would fish all day, making it back to the truck tired as hell but knowing it was worth every pain. So many fish caught in that little creek. Feeding the little weasels pieces of my bagel with seeds on it, great times. I couldn't tell you how many times I had to walk the hwy in the dark back to my truck since I was catching or having fun in some way and loose track of time. When my boy graduates HS he wants his senior trip to be Montana. I fear he will leave and go do what I did to my parents. Truly was the best thing for me.

Have fun brother! If you don't catch one fish it is still a stellar experience...but we know there will be plenty of fish!

I've only been to a couple places in Montana, but had a really good experience up by Glacier National Park on the Flathead River staying at a place called paddle ridge and going out with the outfit there. I believe it is called Glacier Anglers and outfitters or something similar. They do 1/2 or full day float trips for all levels of fly fishermen.