Packing the right Montana fishing clothing is a key part of having a fun and safe trip. Daytime temperatures in the Yellowstone area range from 100 degrees Fahrenheit at the lowest elevations along the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers on the hottest days in late July or early August down to perhaps thirty degrees below zero in January, even in the same low-elevation locations.
Conditions can change in a manner of minutes; it’s not unusual for late summer cold fronts to roll in, drop the temperature 30 degrees, and spit icy rain and hail following pleasant mornings with sunshine and temperatures in the 70s. Hypothermia is almost as big a risk in the summer as in the dead of winter, simply because people don’t come prepared for changes in weather.
This page is designed to ensure you bring the right clothing to be prepared for all eventualities. Odds are you won’t need all the layers you bring on any one trip, but you’re better off bringing items you don’t need than leaving behind those you do.
In general, plan to bring layers. Temperatures almost always change by 20 degrees between early morning and midafternoon, and in early autumn they might change more like 40 degrees. Even in the summer, most people from warmer climates will want jackets first thing in the morning, particularly at high elevations in Yellowstone Park. Poly and other other breathable quick-dry fabrics are far superior to cotton, particularly if you’ll be doing any hiking or wet-wading.
Except when traveling for dinner in the evenings, or otherwise being out and about when you won’t be exposed to direct sunlight for very long, I strongly suggest wearing long sleeves at all times. All fisheries in this region are at high elevations and the sun is exceptionally bright. My clients who get the worst sunburns are invariably from regions with beaches; they have beach tans, but beach tans don’t do much to protect you from mountain sun. Contemporary lightweight quick-dry longsleeve clothing is as comfortable to wear as cotton tee-shirts and shorts, and dries faster if you get rained on or wet-wade. Long sleeves also protect you from insects, brush, briars, and the like much better than short sleeves. I am almost never outside for more than an hour or so without wearing such clothing.
General Montana Fishing Clothing
You should always bring the following clothing items, regardless of when you’re coming.
- Ball cap or broad-brimmed hat with chin strap
- Long sleeve lightweight breathable shirt (pullover or button-up)
- Long sleeve lightweight breathable pants
- Light thermal top
- Light thermal bottoms
- Fleece jacket, sweatshirt, or windbreaker
- Breathable raincoat
- Breathable neck gaiter/scarf (i.e. BUFF)
- Wool hiking-type socks
- Sturdy street shoes or boots
Additional Summer Montana Fishing Clothing
Also bring the following from June through August.
- Sandals or light shoes for before/after wet wading
- Swimsuit if desired.
Additional Spring and Fall Clothing
Also bring the following Montana fishing clothing in April, May, early June, late August, September, and October.
- Heavier fleece or down jacket and/or vest
- Fleece or similar warm hat
- Fleece or neoprene lightweight gloves
- Flannel or similar heavier shirt
Additional Late Fall, Winter, and Early Spring Clothing
Bring the following Montana fishing clothing IN ADDITION TO Spring and Fall Items if you are coming from early October through April. On warm days in late fall or early spring, the spring and fall items mentioned previously will suffice, but if it’s cold you will want every stitch of clothing you can get.
- Heavy thermals, top and bottom
- Heavy fleece pants
- Heavy waterproof or “puffy” winter coat
- Raincoat must be a heavy-duty GORE-TEX style model
- Heavy gloves or mittens
- Fleece or wool scarf or face mask
- Heavy, tall, hunting or winter-style boots (especially from November-March)
- Extra sets of clothing except outermost layers
- Snowshoes if planning to fish portions of the Madison or Gallatin Rivers