Discover the Rivers and Fisheries Around Montana Fly Fishing Lodge

Our lodge is the perfect destination for fly fishing enthusiasts. Surrounded by pristine rivers and breathtaking landscapes, we offer an unparalleled fly fishing experience. In this month's blog, we will explore the local rivers, the species of fish you can catch, the characteristics of these rivers, and the seasonal hatch patterns that make fly fishing here an experience you will never forget.

The Rivers in and near Montana Fly Fishing Lodge, in Absarokee, Montana:

1. Stillwater River
The Stillwater River is a gem for fly anglers. Known for its clear, cold waters and rugged beauty. The Stillwater River is a tributary of the Yellowstone River. Approximately 70 miles long, it runs through southern Montana. The Stillwater River has also been known as: the Itchkeppearja River, Rose River, Rosebud River and Stillwater Creek. This freestone river is home to rainbow trout, brown trout, and cutthroat trout. The Stillwater River rises in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness south of the Beartooth Mountains in southern Park County, near the state line with Wyoming and the boundary of Yellowstone National Park. It flows northeast, between the Absaroka Range to the west and the Beartooth Mountains to the east, through Custer National Forest, past Nye and Absarokee. It joins the Yellowstone near Columbus, Montana.The Stillwater River is ideal for wade fishing, providing anglers with excellent access to prime fishing spots.

2. Boulder River
The Boulder River is another local favorite. It flows through the scenic Boulder Valley and offers a variety of water types, including fast riffles and deep pools. The Boulder River is a tributary of the Yellowstone River, approximately 60 mi long. It is one of two rivers named the Boulder River in Montana. It rises in the Gallatin National Forest in the Absaroka Range in southern Park County. It flows north through mountainous canyons, a cataract under a natural bridge, and northwest in a widening valley past McLeod. It joins the Yellowstone at Big Timber. The landscape of the Boulder River and river valley has merited the filming of two movies: A River Runs Through It and The Horse Whisperer. The Boulder River is renowned for its healthy populations of rainbow and brown trout. Anglers can enjoy both wade fishing and float fishing on this river.

3. Yellowstone River
As one of the longest free-flowing rivers in the United States, the Yellowstone River provides diverse fishing opportunities. Stretching over 700 miles, it is known for its strong, wild trout populations, including rainbow, brown, and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The Yellowstone River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 692 miles long, in the Western United States. Considered the principal tributary of upper Missouri, via its own tributaries it drains an area with headwaters across the mountains and high plains of southern Montana and northern Wyoming, and stretching east from the Rocky Mountains in the vicinity of Yellowstone National Park. It flows northeast to its confluence with the Missouri River on the North Dakota side of the border, about 25 miles west of Williston The river's size and varying conditions make it suitable for both wading and floating.

4. Bighorn River
Located in south-central Montana, the Bighorn River is a legendary trout fishery. This river is a Tailwater, regulated by the Yellowtail Dam, ensuring consistent flows and temperatures. Known for its prolific insect hatches and high fish density, it’s a must-visit destination for serious fly anglers. The Bighorn River is a tributary of the Yellowstone, approximately 461 miles long, in Wyoming and Montana. The river was named in 1805 by fur trader François Larocque for the bighorn sheep he saw along its banks as he explored the Yellowstone. The upper reaches of the Bighorn, south of the Owl Creek Mountains in Wyoming, are known as the Wind River. The two rivers are sometimes referred to as the Wind/Bighorn. The Wind River officially becomes the Bighorn River at the Wedding of the Waters, on the north side of the Wind River Canyon near the town of Thermopolis. From there, the river flows through the Bighorn Basin in north central Wyoming, passing through Thermopolis and Hot Springs State Park. At the border with Montana, the river turns northeast, and flows past the north end of the Bighorn Mountains, through the Crow Indian Reservation, where the Yellowtail Dam forms the Bighorn Lake reservoir. The reservoir and the surrounding canyon are part of the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. The Little Bighorn River joins the Bighorn near the town of Hardin, Montana. Approximately 50 miles farther downriver, the Bighorn River ends where it joins the Yellowstone. The river boasts some of the highest fish counts in the state.

5. Shoshone River
Flowing through Wyoming, the Shoshone River is another fantastic fly fishing destination. This river offers diverse fishing opportunities across its various sections. The Shoshone River is a freestone, with varying sections including the North Fork, South Fork, and the lower Shoshone. The Shoshone River is a 100-mile long river in northern Wyoming. Its headwaters are in the Absaroka Range in Shoshone National Forest. It ends when it runs into the Big Horn River near Lovell, Wyoming. Cities it runs near or through are Cody, Powell, Byron, and Lovell. Near Cody, it runs through a volcanically active region of fumaroles known as Colter's Hell. This contributed to the river being named on old maps of Wyoming as the Stinking Water River. You can find rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, and brook trout. The North Fork is known for its trophy cutthroat trout.
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Fish Species and Seasonal Hatch Patterns

Rainbow Trout
- Spring: Baetis (Blue-Winged Olives) and March Browns are the key hatches. Use nymphs and emergers during this time.
- Summer: Pale Morning Duns, Caddisflies, and Stoneflies dominate. Terrestrials like ants and hoppers become effective in late summer.
- Fall: Blue-Winged Olives and October Caddis are prevalent. Streamers work well as fish prepare for winter.

Brown Trout
- Spring: Look for Blue-Winged Olives and Midges. Streamers can be effective in high water conditions.
- Summer: Caddisflies, Mayflies, and Stoneflies are abundant. Brown trout often target larger prey, so don't hesitate to use bigger flies.
- Fall: The fall brings on Baetis and October Caddis hatches. Browns are aggressive during spawning season, making streamers and egg patterns highly effective.

Cutthroat Trout
- Spring: Early season hatches include Blue-Winged Olives and Midges. Dry flies and emergers work well.
- Summer: The summer months see prolific hatches of Green Drakes, PMDs, and Caddisflies. Terrestrial patterns like beetles and grasshoppers are also productive.
- Fall: Fall hatches include Blue-Winged Olives and October Caddis. Cutthroat trout are more willing to rise for dries during this time.

Fly Fishing Tips for Each Season

Spring:
- Focus on nymphing with small, dark patterns like Pheasant Tails and Zebra Midges.
- Be prepared for variable water levels due to snowmelt; adjust your tactics accordingly.

Summer:
- Early mornings and late evenings are the best times to fish, avoiding the midday heat.
- Use attractor dry flies like Royal Wulffs and Stimulators to draw strikes during terrestrial season.

Fall:
- Streamer fishing can be highly productive as fish bulk up for winter.
- Match the hatch with smaller Baetis patterns and larger October Caddis flies.

The Absarokee area offers some of the best fly fishing in Montana, with its diverse rivers and abundant fish populations. Whether you're casting on the Stillwater, Boulder, Bighorn, Shoshone or Yellowstone Rivers, you'll find plenty of opportunities to reel in a trophy trout. Plan your visit to the Montana Fly Fishing Lodge and experience the thrill of fly fishing in this beautiful region. We look forward to welcoming you!

Tight Lines,

For more information, please visit www.fwp.mt.gov

​Written by Katie Schepker