Fly Fishing Montana's Missouri River (HATCHES)

Get ready for Fly Fishing in Montana before you even leave your home! Get your fishing license "on line", it's easy , and, quick. You can print your license from your computer at home!

Montana fishing license

The dry fly fishing starts in the morning , and some years will go all day long, well into the evening. On the warmer days, one can fish to raising trout in large "pods" in the morning, and when the activity slows, can switch to hoppers, and fish all afternoon to active hard fighting trout! The guided trip is 8-9 hours, starting in the morning, the activity is normally best from the 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. But, during the heat of the summer, it may be best to start early, and get off the river early as well. The day starts later when it's cooler in the spring and fall. Conservation should begin with the pro's( outfitters and guides), by limiting our fishing days to 8-9 hours, and not guiding an extra 2, 3, or even four hours will help alleviate undue pressure on this already very busy river.

The river is rich in aquatic life. Midges,Caddis,and Mayflies ,with some Stoneflies are the trouts main diet. In addition, are the terrestrial Beetles, Ants, and Grasshoppers. The Mayfly and Caddis fly hatches are some of the most intense displays of insect activity found on any river in the world. This of course is the main reason for the excellent dry fly fishing! There are many other hatches of "Mayflies", but, these are the most prevalent and important.