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UP-TO-DATE
FROM SOUTHWEST MONTANA TROUT RIVERS
Between our professional fly fishing guides and fly shop full of passionate anglers, our expert staff spends hundreds of days on the water each and every year. We rely on our eyes and ears in the field to bring you accurate river reports from some of our most popular local rivers. Read up-to-date Montana fishing reports for the Madison, Gallatin, Yellowstone, and Missouri Rivers, along with the Paradise Valley spring creeks.
Starting inside of the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park, about 80 miles south of Bozeman, the Gallatin River winds its way through a steep canyon before dumping out into the Gallatin Valley, home to our two fly shops. After another 20 or so miles, the Gallatin joins the Madison and Jefferson rivers in Three Forks, Montana, to create the legendary Missouri River.
Spilling out of Ennis Lake Dam, the Lower Madison River begins in a canyon called Bear Trap--a popular and quality place to fly fish. From there, the trout-filled buckets wander out among the agricultural fields south of Three Forks, Montana, before the Madison joins the Gallatin and the Jefferson rivers at Headwaters State Park, creating the mighty Missouri River.
The legendary Upper Madison River, known as the 70-mile riffle, begins within the borders of Yellowstone National Park, before making its way through Hebgen Lake, near West Yellowstone, Montana. After spilling out of Hebgen Dam, a momentary canyon stretch, and finally a naturally created reservoir called Quake Lake, the Upper Madison turns straight north and heads through the Madison Valley towards the small farming town of Ennis, Montana.
The longest free-flowing river in North America, the Yellowstone River is a favorite amongst The River's Edge crew. After its confluence inside of Yellowstone National Park, the Yellowstone River heads north through the aptly named Paradise Valley towards Livingston, Montana. After Livingston, the river turns east and splits the state in half as it heads towards its confluence with the Missouri River in North Dakota.
Beginning at the confluence of the Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison rivers at Headwaters State Park just outside of Bozeman, Montana, the Missouri is a blue-ribbon trout fishery. A true tailwater fishery near Craic, Montana, the Missouri is a dry-fly paradise. Deep runs, big fish, and hatches you must see to believe, the Missouri is a river all anglers need to experience.
In southwest Montana, we are blessed to have multiple incredible private water options to fly fish. These small-water spring creeks are typically unaffected by spring runoff and can provide outstanding fishing year-round.