Yellowstone Country Fly Fishing is your source for custom Bozeman, Montana fly fishing trips. Bozeman is a hot fly fishing destination for a reason: it’s centrally located to fish some of Montana’s most famous waters, while also offering top-tier amenities like world-class museums, fantastic restaurants and bars, and plenty of other opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Our owner and head guide Walter Wiese has been guiding fly fishers of all ages and experience levels in this region for almost 25 years, and we’re eager to share our knowledge, tips, and tricks, as we introduce you to the riches of the region we call home. Whether you’re interested in floating the mighty Madison or Yellowstone, or in something a bit under-the-radar, we’ve got you covered.
Top Bozeman Montana Fly Fishing Trips
Bozeman, Montana is centrally located for a wide range of Montana fly fishing trips, especially for anglers who wish to fish a wade variety of waters from a boat. Here are some of the top options:
River Float Trips
Bozeman is a prime spot for float trips on the Madison and Yellowstone Rivers, two famous names suitable for anglers of all skill levels. With guides based in Bozeman, Livingston, and Paradise Valley, we’ve got our fingers on the pulses of these rivers from top to bottom. Advanced anglers also have options on some less-famous rivers that fall a little under the radar…
Walk & Wade Trips
While Bozeman isn’t a top destination for guided wade fishing, there are some sneaky options just outside of town for experienced anglers who would rather fish on foot. Up for a longer drive? A couple hours of windshield time open up far more opportunities in Yellowstone Park.
Private Water Trips
Bozeman is a great spot for those who don’t mind paying for private access, with both lakes and the famous Paradise Valley spring creeks nearby. These waters offer our clients big fish and low crowds, often at times of year when other fisheries aren’t at their best.
Multiday Trips
Bozeman is a great place to stay if you’re looking for lots of fishing, especially if you want to combine fishing with museums, nightlife, or other forms of outdoor tourism. Opt for one of our discounted multiday packages, or give us a call to customize your own.
What Our Clients Have to Say
If you are planning to fish the great trout rivers around the Livingston region Walter is your man. And if you do, tell him Bud and Dave say thanks!
Also, we had bad weather/water conditions on the scheduled day but were able to reschedule for another day on our trip, which made us very happy!
Overall, great day on the river. Would definitely recommend booking with him.
The whole experience was excellent from start to finish and made for a very memorable day. I would definitely book another trip with Yellowstone Country Fly FIshing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fishing tackle is included, but you are also welcome to bring your own. Flies are also included, including many custom fly patterns our guides have developed specifically for local waters. Do you like to tie your own? No problem. We'll let you know what to tie, and you can check out our YouTube fly tying tutorials to learn how to tie some of our specialties.
We do not supply wading gear. It is not needed on our most popular trips, and may be rented from local shops if required.
Livingston is only 25 minutes from Bozeman, which is basically nothing in “Big Sky Country.” Guide services from both towns fish most of the same waters, including the Yellowstone and Madison Rivers.
We have guides based in Bozeman and do not have a physical storefront, so there’s no need for you to come to Livingston if the plan for the day involves the Madison River or other waters closer to Bozeman.
And yes, in the interest of full disclosure, the reason we made this page and the ad you probably clicked on to get here is to make sure we didn’t miss any potential clients staying in Bozeman.
Not necessarily. Our guides can pick you up at some hotels without trouble if we’re fishing certain destinations, particularly the Madison River and other waters west of Bozeman.
On the other hand, having a car provides flexibility in case you need to meet one of our Livingston-based guides to fish the Yellowstone River or other waters to the east. A car also makes it easier to get around Bozeman to visit restaurants and shop, because there isn’t much mass transit.
If you decide to skip a car, it’s best to book early and be sure to request one of our Bozeman-based guides.
Since Most Bozeman-based trips are boat trips, probably not. For trips between mid-June and mid-September, sandals or water shoes you don’t mind getting wet should suffice. Earlier or later in the season, you can usually get by with rain pants and tall, waterproof boots (galoshes), though you might want to rent waders if you don’t have rain pants or boots. It depends on the day-to-day weather and your cold tolerance.
While there are good public water options from March through early November, and good private spring creek options year-round, April through October is certainly the most popular season. Bozeman is the best “home base” in our operations area in May and June for clients who prefer to float rather than wade.
While Bozeman has good fishing in every direction, it isn’t right on any great fisheries, unlike many of the other towns in the area such as Livingston and Gardiner, and it’s a long way from most good options for guided wade-fishing.
If you don’t want to drive 25 to 90 minutes one-way on each float-fishing day, or if you want to do quite a bit of wade fishing, you might be happier flying into Bozeman but staying elsewhere. Get in touch and we can offer suggestions based on your goals, interests, and travel window.
Absolutely. While we don't include lodging in any of our rates, we have some preferred hotels and campgrounds that work best for our clients. Give us a call and we'll give you our recommendations based on your budget, timeframe, and fishing goals. We'd also be happy to help with other travel planning.
Are You an Information Junkie?
If so, our website will be just the ticket. You'll find plenty of additional info about our guide services, our specialty flies, and more. We also provide more helpful content about area fisheries and fishing tactics than you'll fine in many guidebooks. All this is intended to help you plan your trip - whether you decide to fish with us or not.
Sound good? Grab a cup of coffee or something stronger, click or tap the button below, and get ready for a deep dive into fly fishing Yellowstone Country.
As you absorb all the info on our site, we ask you to consider one thing: think about how much we hold back for our clients….
