Hopper Season in Montana
Hopper Season Starting Here in Montana
From late July into early September, it’s prime time for one of the most exciting stretches of dry fly fishing in Montana—hopper season. The grass is tall, the bugs are active, and trout are looking up. When everything lines up, it’s that perfect mix of big flies, aggressive eats, and days you’ll remember long after summer fades.
There’s just something about watching a hopper drift along a grassy bank, waiting... then boom—a trout explodes on it. It’s loud, visual, and a total adrenaline rush. This is the time of year we all wait for, and once it’s on, we’re fishing hoppers every day.
We’ve been out on the water the last few days, covering the Madison, Gallatin, and Yellowstone Rivers—and guess what? The hopper bite is just starting to show signs of life. A few fish are already looking up for big terrestrials, and with each warm, breezy afternoon, things are lining up for prime-time hopper season here in southwest Montana.
When to Fish Hopper Flies in Montana
Late July through early September is the sweet spot. That’s when the grasshoppers start showing up in full force, and trout know it. All it takes is a little heat, a breeze, and a few unlucky bugs getting blown off the bank—and suddenly the river turns on.
Here’s what we look for:
☀️ Warm, sunny days
🌾 Grassy riverbanks or fields nearby
🌬️ Afternoon winds that knock hoppers into the water
💧 Clear, lower flows that help trout spot food on the surface
We usually start fishing hoppers late morning through the afternoon—from about 10 AM to 4 PM—when the bugs are moving and the fish are more active near the surface.
Some days you’ll get eats all day, especially when the wind picks up. Other days, it’s about picking the right flies and water and sticking with it. Either way, it’s always a good excuse to throw big dry flies and watch what happens.
How to Fish Hopper Flies and the gear you’ll need.
When it comes to hopper fishing in Southwest Montana, having the right setup can make all the difference. We know that success starts with a well-prepared rig and some key techniques that help bring those explosive eats to the surface.
Rods & Reels
For most hopper situations, a 9-foot 5-weight or 6-weight fly rod is ideal. You want something with enough backbone to punch into the wind and turn over big, bushy dries, but still light and responsive enough for delicate presentations.
Leaders & Tippet
When fishing hoppers, we recommend a 7.5- to 9-foot tapered leader, typically starting around 3X or 4X. Thicker tippet helps turn over those foam-bodied bugs and gives you a better shot at landing strong fish without breaking off. If you’re fishing smaller or more pressured water, you can drop down to 5X, but for most of our hopper water—especially the Madison, Gallatin, and Yellowstone—3X is our go to.
Floatant & Accessories
Keeping your hopper floating high is essential, especially when you're bouncing them along grassy banks or skittering them across slick current seams. A gel floatant works well for initial treatment, while a powder desiccant is great for reapplying after a fish eats or your fly gets soaked.
Hopper Fishing Techniques
One of the keys to effective hopper fishing is targeting structure and high-probability holding water. Fish aren’t just looking up randomly—they’re staged near grassy banks, undercut edges, mid-river shelves, and foam lines waiting for a big meal to drop.
Drift tight to the bank, especially when there's wind blowing hoppers off the grass.
Skitter or twitch your fly slightly—a subtle twitch can trigger a reaction strike.
Use a short pause and dead drift in eddies and behind rocks to mimic a helpless insect.
Don’t be afraid to fish a hopper-dropper setup with a small tungsten nymph (like a Perdigon or CDC PT) hanging below. Many fish eat the dropper on pressured days or when they're not fully keyed into the surface.
Our Favorite Hopper Patterns for Montana Rivers
We fish a lot of hopper flies through the season, but these four have earned a permanent spot in our boxes:
Henneberry Hopper
This one’s a local favorite. It sits just right in the water, lands softly, and fools some of the pickiest fish on the Madison. It’s subtle, but deadly.
Fool’s Gold
When the water’s moving and the sun’s out, this flashy pattern really shines. It grabs attention and works great when fish are fired up.
Carnage Hopper
A western classic. Big, buoyant, and buggy—it floats well and holds up to hours of casting. It’s our go-to when the water’s rough or we’re floating all day.
Thunder Thighs
This one’s chunky and loud in all the right ways. When we’re prospecting or trying to move a big brown, Thunder Thighs gets the job done.
Ready to Fish Hopper Season in Montana?
If you’ve never experienced a full-on hopper eat in Montana, you’re missing out. It’s dry fly fishing at its best—big bugs, aggressive trout, and those explosive topwater eats that get your heart racing.
At Rising Trout Fly Fishing Outfitters in Bozeman, Montana, we guide the rivers where hopper fishing truly shines—like the Madison, Gallatin, and Yellowstone. Whether you’re brand new to fly fishing or a seasoned angler chasing big browns, our local guides will get you on the right water with the right bugs at the right time.
We still have some prime dates open for hopper season, and we’d love to share this incredible time of year with you. Book a full-day float or walk-wade trip, learn some tricks, and enjoy a day of dry fly eats you won’t forget.
🎣 Let’s go throw hoppers and make some memories.
👉 Book your trip now or reach out—we’re happy to help you plan your day on the water.
