The 4 Essential Fly Types for Fly Fishing in Montana (and how to use them)
Fly Fishing in Montana: Mastering the Four Essential Fly Types
If you’re new to fly fishing and feeling overwhelmed by all the gear, flies, and jargon—you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, staring at fly shop bins full of colorful bugs wondering where to start. The good news? You don’t need to know everything to start catching fish, especially here in Montana where the rivers are full of opportunity.
At Rising Trout Fly Fishing, we specialize in helping beginners feel confident and excited on the water. One of the easiest ways to get a solid start is by understanding the four basic types of flies—nymphs, emergers, dry flies, and streamers. Once you get a feel for what each does and how to fish them, everything starts to click.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what each fly type does, how to fish it, and what gear to use—from rods and lines to leaders and tippet. We’ll also include Montana-specific fly recommendations that we fish on rivers like the Gallatin, Madison, Yellowstone, and Missouri.
1. Nymphs: Subsurface Staples
What They Are:
Nymphs imitate the juvenile stage of aquatic insects like mayflies, stoneflies, and caddis. These bugs live underwater, and trout feed on them up to 80% of the time.
When to Use Them:
Year-round, especially when you don’t see fish rising. Perfect for clear mornings, cold days, and during non-hatch periods.
How to Fish Them:
Use a dead drift technique. Cast upstream and let the fly drift naturally with the current. You can use an indicator rig to detect strikes, or go with Euro nymphing for more contact and control.
Best Flies for Montana Rivers:
Pheasant Tail Nymph (Size 14–18) – Great for fishing riffles.
Tungsten Perdigon (Size 14–18) – Sinks fast, flashy, perfect for deep pools.
Prince Nymph (Size 12-18) – A great attractor for caddis imitations.
Pat’s Rubberlegs (Size 4-10) – A great stonefly imitation, great for off color water.
San Juan Worm / Squirmy Worm – Deadly during runoff and after rain.
Gear Setup:
Rod: 9' 5 or 6-weight (6 Weight will work better for bigger Montana Rivers and wind)
Line: Weight-forward floating line (for indicator rigs), or Euro nymph-specific line.
Leader: 9' 3X–5X tapered leader. (For heavier rigs, used thicker leader to help turn over flies)
Tippet: 3X - 6X fluorocarbon for stealth and sink rate. (bigger flies use thicker tippet)
2. Emergers: Fishing the Transition
What They Are:
Emergers represent the life stage where aquatic insects transition from nymph to adult. They're often caught in the surface film, making them easy targets for feeding trout.
When to Use Them:
During hatches, especially when trout are rising but not quite taking dry flies. Think late morning or early evening.
How to Fish Them:
Try a dry-dropper rig with a small emerger tied off the bend of a dry fly. Let it drift naturally. You can also swing them gently across the current to mimic rising behavior.
Best Emergers for Montana Waters:
Green Machine (Size 14–18) – Ideal during BWO and PMD hatches.
Barr’s Emerger (Size 16–20) – Excellent for picky fish.
CDC Caddis Emerger (Size 14–18) – Great for the caddis-heavy hatch days
Gear Setup:
Rod: 3 to 5 weight (depending on the size of the river and conditions you are fishing)
Line: Floating line for delicate presentation.
Leader: 9' 4X–6X tapered leader.
Tippet: 5-6X fluorocarbon or nylon
3. Dry Flies: Topwater Magic
What They Are:
Dry flies float on the surface and imitate adult insects like mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and terrestrials (hoppers, ants, beetles).
When to Use Them:
During hatches or in the summer months when trout are actively feeding on the surface. Cloudy days can also spark topwater action.
How to Fish Them:
Use an upstream presentation, aiming for a drag-free drift. Cast ahead of rising fish, and be ready for explosive takes.
Best Montana Dry Flies:
Parachute Adams (Size 14–20) – Versatile and visible during mayfly hatches.
X-Caddis (Size 14–18) – A favorite during caddis hatches.
Foam Caddis (Size 12-18) – Great for lighter dry dropper rigs.
Purple Haze (Size 14–18) – A local favorite that works almost anywhere, anytime.
Henneberry, Thunder Thighs, Morrish Hoppers (Size 8-14) – Our Favorite Hoppers
Ants and Beatles (Size 12-16) – A Montana staple in the summer.
Gear Setup:
Rod: 3-6 Weight Depending on river size/conditions (5/6-weight is better in the wind)
Line: Weight-forward floating line.
Leader: 9' 3-5X tapered leader. (Bigger flies use heavier leader to help turn over flies)
Tippet: 3X–6X nylon tippet for dry flies.
4. Streamers: Big Meals, Big Fish
What They Are:
Streamers imitate larger food sources like baitfish, leeches, crayfish, or sculpins. These flies are ideal for targeting larger, predatory trout.
When to Use Them:
Best in spring and fall, or on cloudy days when trout are more aggressive. Use them in high or off-color water to attract attention.
How to Fish Them:
Use a strip-strip-pause retrieve, or swing them across current seams. Vary your speed until you find what triggers a strike.
Best Montana Streamers:
Sculpzilla (Size 4–8) – A go-to on the Madison and Yellowstone for browns.
Sparkle Minnow (Size 4-10) – Flashy, effective, and fun to strip.
Zoo Cougar (Size 4–6) – A great choice for fast water and structure.
Dolly Llama (Size 2-6) – Local favorite with irresistible movement.
Gear Setup:
Rod: 9' 6-8 weight (or 7/8-weight for heavy streamers and big rivers).
Line: Weight forward Floating line, or use a Sink-tip or Sinking line for deeper water.
Leader: 5'–7' 0X or 1X leader.
Tippet: 0X–2X fluorocarbon for strength and abrasion resistance.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Keep It Fun
Fly fishing in Montana doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with a basic understanding of these four fly types, get a few of the recommended patterns, and keep your gear setup simple. The rivers around Bozeman are some of the best in the world for learning and improving your skills.
And if you ever want hands-on help…
👉 Book a guided trip with Rising Trout Fly Fishing Outfitters—we’ll help you with the rigging, the flies, and the local knowledge. You just show up ready to enjoy Montana’s legendary waters.
