Bozeman Montana Fly Fishing Guides

Our guided fly fishing trips include everything needed for a great day on the water. We provide rods, reels, flies, leaders, tippet, and all necessary tackle. Full-day trips also include a hearty riverside lunch along with non-alcoholic beverages. Whether you're brand new to fly fishing or traveling without gear, we make it easy to show up and fish.

What's Not Included?

• Montana Fishing License – All anglers must have the appropriate Montana fishing licenses before their trip. We recommend purchasing yours online ahead of time through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

• Waders & Wading Boots – Waders and boots are not provided but generally aren't necessary for most float trips. If you're planning a walk-wade trip or fishing during cooler weather, we're happy to help with rental recommendations.

• Guide Gratuity – Gratuity is not included in the trip price. While never required, gratuities are always appreciated and are an important part of a fishing guide's income. Our guides work hard to provide a great experience on the water, and a typical gratuity is 20–25% of the trip price.

• Lunch Half-Day trips - do not include lunch, so bringing snacks is always a good idea.

Montana weather can change quickly, so we recommend dressing in layers and being prepared for a variety of conditions throughout the day. Common items to bring include polarized sunglasses, a hat, rain gear, sunscreen, comfortable footwear or wading shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing. Snacks are also a good idea on half-day trips, along with any personal medications or items you'd like for the day.

We provide rods, reels, flies, and all necessary fishing gear, so there’s no need to bring equipment unless you’d like to fish your own setup.

For a more complete checklist, check out our Montana Fly Fishing Blog for additional trip packing tips and recommendations.

Montana offers good fly fishing through much of the year. Spring brings BWOs and caddis, summer offers stoneflies and terrestrials, and fall is excellent for cooler water, BWOs, and streamer fishing.

The best river changes with runoff, weather, and water temperature, so we choose where to fish based on current conditions.

[VIEW OUR BEST TIME TO FLY FISH MONTANA GUIDE]

Not at all. We guide anglers of all skill levels, from complete beginners to experienced fly fishers looking to improve specific techniques. If you're new to fly fishing, we'll walk you through everything from casting and rigging to reading water and fighting fish. Every trip is customized around your experience level, goals, and current river conditions.

Read More About Our Beginner Fly Fishing Trips in Montana

Both options can provide an incredible day on the water and each offers a different experience. Float trips allow us to cover more water and access longer stretches of river, while walk-wade trips provide a slower pace and a more hands-on experience. We also offer hybrid trips on certain rivers where we can use the boat to access water and spend time fishing on foot. We’re always happy to recommend the best option based on river conditions and your goals.

Read more - Float Trips Vs Walk Wade

Montana weather can change quickly, and many days with rain, clouds, wind, or changing conditions can actually create excellent fishing. We do not typically cancel trips for normal weather conditions, and in many cases "bad weather" can lead to some of the best fishing opportunities of the season. We closely monitor forecasts and may adjust start times, river choices, or trip plans if needed. Safety always comes first, and in the event of severe weather or unsafe conditions, we’ll discuss available options.

Deposits & Payments

• A 50% deposit is required for all trips booked more than 30 days in advance.
• The remaining balance must be paid in full no later than 14 days prior to your trip.
• Trips booked within 30 days of the trip date require full payment at the time of booking.

Cancellations & Refunds

• Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to the trip will receive a full refund.
• Cancellations within 30 days of the trip date will forfeit the 50% deposit.
• Cancellations within 14 days of the trip date are non-refundable and will be charged the full price of the guide trip.

***All refunds to credit cards are subject to a 5% processing/service fee.

Large Group Bookings (8+ Anglers)
Large group reservations (8 or more anglers) require full payment of the total trip cost at the time of booking when secured more than 60 days in advance. All large group bookings are non-refundable within 60 days of the first day of the scheduled trip.

Our cancellation policy is firm and applies to all cancellation reasons, including unforeseen circumstances and last-minute travel delays. This includes cancellations due to travel changes, personal emergencies, illness, or other life events. Changes in travel plans, weather variations, or itinerary adjustments do not automatically qualify for a refund outside of our standard cancellation terms.

We reserve the right to issue refunds on a case-by-case basis at our sole discretion.

Montana weather and water conditions can vary widely. We do not cancel or refund trips due to inclement weather such as rain, wind, snow, smoky air, or normal river fluctuations. Trips operate in safe and fishable conditions whenever possible.

Full refunds will be issued if Rising Trout Fly Fishing Outfitters must cancel a trip due to unsafe weather, hazardous river conditions, guide illness, or other circumstances that make it unsafe or impossible to operate. If rescheduling is not feasible, a full refund will be provided.