Montana is an incredibly beautiful state. It is located on the Canadian border between Wyoming and the Dakotas. It is the fourth largest state with over 145,000 square miles. The central and eastern sections of the state are plains, while the west contains the northern Rocky Mountains. Major rivers include the Yellowstone, Madison, Missouri and Flathead. Montana also has the shortest river in the world, the Roe, which is 201 feet long. Just a bit of trivia for you to throw around on your trip!
The Yellowstone is a tributary of the Missouri River. It is an excellent fly fishing river. The longest undimmed river in the continental United States, the Yellowstone drains the Rocky Mountains in the park of the same name. The river offers excellent trout fishing up and down practically every area. Cutthroat and brown trout are plentiful and active. Rainbows are less so, but still common. The Yellowstone is mostly a no-kill river, so don't plan on dinner. The Lamar, Soda Butte and Slough Creek tributaries are easily waded and not excessively challenging. Although it may get you in trouble with your mother, the Caddis Fly hatch on Mother's day is legendary.
When it comes to fly fishing in the states, no river is more legendary than the Madison. For years, nearly every Montana trip started and stopped with a visit to the Madison. In the early 90s, however, the fish in the river were devastated by whirling disease. The disease was accidentally created in fish hatcheries in Europe and spread across the globe. The criminal element is a parasite that infects fish and causes neurological disease. The fish tend to swim in circles, thus giving the disease its name. Fortunately, the fish in the Madison have been on the rebound for the last five years or so. The last three years have seen a major rebound, which means the legendary Madison should be a high on your list.
The Madison is a round rock bottom river and can be slippery. The current isn't excessive and you can wade most of it without problem. Browns, Cutthroats, Rainbows and Graylings are the prominent fish. The area below Holter Dam is highly recommended by many, but you need to be an accomplished caster to have a good time. Hatches start in April and run through the middle of September. The Salmon Fly hatch in late June is the best, but you really can't go wrong.
As the weather starts to warm up, it is time to start thinking about breaking out the rods and thinking about potential trips. Montana should be at the top of your list.
One of the best parts about the sport of fly fishing is experiencing the scenery and calmness around you as you are trying to land your big fish. Montana is a great place to find some solitude while fly fishing. In fact, the vast expanses that surround the rivers and streams in Montana can provide you with some of the most relaxing solitude anywhere.
Montana fly fishing is legendary. Anglers from all over the world travel to Montana to experience fly fishing the blue ribbon trout rivers and pristine mountain lakes. Whether an angler seeks to battle trophy sized wild rainbow trout on the Yellowstone River or to experience the solitude of a high mountain lake, Montana provides fly fishing experiences like no other place can.
Montana provides such an abundance of opportunities that visiting anglers frequently have difficulty in deciding where to start their fly fishing adventure. There are so many beautiful places in the hills of Montana that can provide both solitude and great fishing, many people might be overwhelmed. But so many choices provide for some amazing chances at bagging that championship fish!
For example, Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park is a beautiful spot for fly fishing. Flanked by mountains, this lake is not only a beautiful place to catch fish; it's also an amazing spot for reflecting and relaxation.
Of course, the Yellowstone River is the longest river in Montana. It is free of any major dams, and its flow is not regulated in any way, so you can find an abundance of fish in the solitude of the mountain air. In fact, the Yellowstone River is internationally known as one of the premier trout rivers in the United States.
Even though you can expect to catch a variety of trout including rainbow and brown, you will also find whitefish and sturgeon aplenty. Even though the Yellowstone River is quite well known for its fly fishing in Montana, it is not overtaken by so many fly fishers that you can't find a spot. It remains a beautiful secret available to those who are looking for the solitude of the Montana countryside.
Finding solitude while fly fishing in Montana is a relatively easy proposition. All you need to do is a little bit of research and ask around. Those who are proud of the fly fishing waters in Montana are always more than happy to share the beauty of their state with people who are wanting to fish the waters.
Both Nomad Rick & Jack Safford are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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