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The rivers slow this time of year.

Low water, quiet banks, fewer boats. In places where drift boats spent the season sliding downstream, elk now cross confidently through the shallows. Winter simplifies everything.

It’s the right moment to take stock—not in terms of numbers or totals, but in what actually mattered over the course of the season. After enough years fly fishing in Southwest Montana, that perspective comes more easily.

If you’ve ever shared a boat with me, you already know I carry more flies than any reasonable human should. Some guides travel light—one tidy little box and a smile. Not me. I’ve got boxes for rivers, boxes for hatches, boxes for hatches that might happen, and about three boxes I swear follow me around on their own. When it comes to being prepared, I lean heavily toward “just in case.”

 We’re always looking for ways to make your experience with Montana Troutwranglers smoother—from the moment you think about planning a trip to the moment you step into the boat. This year, we’re excited to roll out a major upgrade that does exactly that: our brand-new online booking system powered by Rezgo.

If you’ve ever played phone tag with us while we’re on the river, you know the challenge. We’re usually rowing, netting fish, tying knots, or chasing rising trout—not sitting at a desk. That meant booking trips often required timing things just right, waiting for a call back, or texting back and forth. Not anymore.

We’re excited to share something we’ve been busy crafting behind the scenes—a completely redesigned Montana Troutwranglers website. Just like swapping out worn gear for something crisp and new, sometimes a fresh start makes all the difference. Our new site is exactly that: cleaner, simpler, faster, and built to make your experience easier than ever. We also made it easier than ever to give a gift card to help share the adventure of a lifetime.

As the days grow shorter and the cottonwoods turn gold, fall fly fishing in Montana hits its stride. This is the season many anglers wait for all year — a time when the rivers quiet down, the trout are hungry, and the fishing can be nothing short of spectacular.

Overcast skies have been a welcome sight lately, setting the stage for strong Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches. These tiny mayflies thrive in cool, cloudy weather, and they’ve been bringing plenty of trout to the surface. On many afternoons, pods of fish have been rising steadily in softer seams and tailouts, offering excellent opportunities for dry fly anglers. A well-presented BWO pattern or small emerger can lead to some truly memorable eats this time of year.

Off-season? Not exactly. Here’s how to level up for next year.

While the rods may be getting cleaned and packed away, the Montana Trout Wranglers team isn’t sitting back.

Fall may mark the end of another memorable fly fishing season in Montana, but for passionate anglers — beginners and seasoned alike — this isn’t the time to coast. It’s the perfect opportunity to improve your trout game, fine-tune your skills, and plan your next adventure on legendary rivers like the Missouri River, Gallatin River, and Yellowstone River.

We get asked all the time: “When’s the best time to fly fish in Montana?” The short answer? Whenever you can get here. But for those planning their ideal adventure — whether you’re chasing wild brown trout in the fall or looking for explosive dry-fly action in the heart of summer — it pays to understand how the seasons shift across our legendary rivers in Southwestern Montana. Here’s your month-by-month breakdown, straight from the guides who call Bozeman home.

As summer fades into fall, a magical shift takes place on Montana’s rivers. The days grow shorter, the air turns crisp, and along with golden cottonwoods lining the banks comes one of the most dependable and exciting events of the season: the fall baetis hatch. Known to most anglers as Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs), these small mayflies emerge in impressive numbers across rivers like the Madison, Yellowstone, and Missouri, offering dry-fly fishing that rivals anything seen earlier in the year.

If you’ve spent enough time around fishing guides and boat captains, you’ve probably heard this one: “Don’t bring bananas on board!” Sounds silly, right? Well, this superstition has been floating around for centuries, and it’s got some wild backstory.

If there’s one thing that gets fly anglers grinning ear to ear in August, it’s the thunk of a fat grasshopper hitting the water and the gulp of a hungry trout crushing it moments later. Welcome to hopper season in Montana—when the fishing turns visual, violent, and downright addicting.

By August, the rivers have dropped and cleared, and the banks are buzzing—literally. Grasshoppers, ants, beetles, and crickets are everywhere, falling into the water and triggering some of the most exciting dry fly eats of the season. Trout are looking up, and they’re looking for a mouthful.

Montana, known for its pristine landscapes and crystal-clear rivers, is a haven for anglers seeking the thrill of trout fishing. If you're eager to master the art of fly fishing in Montana, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll explore ten essential tips that will not only enhance your fishing experience but also increase your chances of landing that prized trout.

Bozeman, Montana, nestled in the heart of the Rockies, is not only a haven for outdoor enthusiasts but also a perfect destination for families looking to introduce their kids to the art of fly fishing. With its breathtaking landscapes and abundant waterways, Bozeman provides an ideal backdrop for creating lasting memories in the great outdoors. And when it comes to family-friendly fly fishing, Troutwranglers stands out as the go-to guide for an unforgettable experience.