Best Flies for Summer in Montana
Best Flies for Summer in Montana (Bozeman Guide Favorite Flies)
If you’re planning a summer fly fishing trip in Montana, knowing which flies to use—and when to use them—can make all the difference between a good day and an unforgettable one. At Rising Trout Fly Fishing Outfitters, we spend every day on the water dialing in the most effective patterns for rivers like the Madison River, Gallatin River, and Yellowstone River. This guide breaks down the best summer flies in Montana, including the top dry flies and nymphs our guides rely on throughout the season—from Salmonflies and caddis to PMDs, terrestrials, and proven subsurface patterns. Whether you’re a beginner looking for confidence flies or an experienced angler fine-tuning your approach, this guide will help you fish more effectively and make the most of your time on the water.
Summer Fly Fishing in Montana: Hatch Overview
Summer fly fishing around Bozeman is defined by a progression of iconic hatches that create some of the best dry fly fishing of the year on rivers like the Madison River, Gallatin River, and Yellowstone River. As runoff drops and conditions stabilize in June, the season kicks off with the first Salmonflies starting to show on the Upper Madison in mid/late June, building into one of Montana’s most well-known hatches. Moving into early July, that hatch progresses across the region, with Salmonflies appearing on the Yellowstone and Gallatin, offering some of the most exciting dry fly eats of the summer. Throughout this entire window, caddis hatches are a constant, especially in the afternoons and evenings, providing consistent action across nearly all local rivers. By mid-summer, PMDs (Pale Morning Duns) become a key hatch—particularly in July—bringing more technical dry fly opportunities on slower, more methodical water. As the season continues, terrestrials like hoppers, ants, and beetles take over, becoming the dominant food source through late summer and creating ideal conditions for dry-dropper fishing and aggressive surface takes.
Below we break down our guide favorite Dry and Nymph patterns to keep you hooked into fish all summer.
Top 5 Summer Dry Flies
Salmonflies
Best For: Mid June – Mid July
Where: Madison, Yellowstone, Gallatin
Favorite Patterns: WaterWalker Salmonfly, Blackout Stone, Flutterbug, Chubby Salmonfly, Supafly
How We Fish Them:
Big bugs mean big eats. We focus on tight banks, structure, and shallow edges where fish move to ambush. Covering water—especially on float trips—is key during the hatch.
Caddis
Best For: All Summer
Where: All Bozeman-area rivers
Favorite Patterns: Cornfed Caddis, Elk Hare Caddis, Jake’s All Season Caddis, Parachute Caddis
How We Fish Them:
Afternoon and evening caddis hatches provide some of the most consistent dry fly action of the summer. We fish them dead drift, skated, or slightly twitched depending on fish behavior.
PMDs (Pale Morning Duns)
Best For: July
Where: Slower runs, technical water
Favorite Patterns: Extended Body PMD, Sparkle Dun PMD, Dolly Wing Spinner, Last Chance Cripple
How We Fish Them:
This is more technical fishing—longer leaders, better drifts, and targeting rising fish. Expect steady midday hatches and selective trout.
Attractor Dries - Chubby Chernobyls
Best For: All Summer
Where: Everywhere
Favorite Patterns: Purple, Peach, Royal and Tan Chubby Chernobly
How We Fish Them:
Our go-to searching flies. These float well, are easy to track, and are perfect for dry-dropper setups when covering water. Fished in smaller sizes like #14-16 and larger sizes #8-12
Terrestrials / Hoppers
Best For: July – September
Where: Banks, grassy edges
Favorite Patterns: Thunder Thighs Hopper, Morrish Hopper, Henneberry Hopper
How We Fish Them:
Fish tight to the bank, especially on warm, windy days. Hopper eats are some of the most aggressive takes you’ll see all year.
Top 5 Summer Nymphs
Caddis Nymphs & Pupae
Best For: All Summer
Where: Riffles, runs
Favorite Patterns: Shop Vac, Sparkle Pupa, Pulsating Caddis, Galloups UV Caddis
How We Fish Them:
A staple in most rigs. Dead drift under an indicator or dry-dropper during active caddis cycles.
Rubberlegs
Best For: June – July
Where: Faster, deeper water
Favorite Patterns: Rubberlegs (Black or Coffee & Black) and Jigged Rubberlegs for a faster sink
How We Fish Them:
Usually fished as the lead fly. Gets down deep and attracts fish with movement and size.
PMD Nymphs
Best For: July
Where: Moderate seams
Favorite Patterns: Splitback PMD, TNT Jig, Jigged Frenchie
How We Fish Them:
Fished as a trailer behind a larger fly during PMD hatches when fish are feeding subsurface.
Attractor Patterns / Perdigons
Best For: All Summer
Where: Faster water
Favorite Patterns: Jig Napolean, Perdibomb, Firestarter Perdigon, Duracell
How We Fish Them:
Designed to sink quickly and trigger reaction strikes. Great for covering water efficiently.
Classic Favorites with A Twist
Best For: All Conditions
Where: Everywhere
Favorite Patterns: Jigged Prince Nymph, Jigged Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail, Guides Choice Hares Ear
How We Fish Them:
Reliable, proven flies that produce in a wide range of conditions. We like to switch it out with the classics by fishing versions with softhackles or jigged styles with tungsten beads for faster sinking. When in doubt, these get it done.
Plan Your Summer Fly Fishing Trip in Bozeman
Summer is one of the best times to experience Montana fly fishing—from Salmonfly hatches on the Madison to hopper fishing on the Yellowstone. Whether you’re looking for fast-paced dry fly action or a more relaxed day on the water, we tailor every trip to match conditions and your goals.
