Hopper Fishing in Montana:Summer’s Big Bug Bonanza

When summer settles over Montana and the grass grows tall along the banks, one thing comes to mind for fly anglers — hopper season. Fishing big foam grasshopper patterns on the surface is one of the most exciting and visual ways to catch trout in Big Sky Country. From mid-July through early September, trout look up and key in on these protein-packed meals, offering some of the best dry-fly action of the year. Whether you’re walking the banks of the Madison, floating the Yellowstone, or wading the Gallatin, hopper fishing in Montana delivers heart-pounding eats and unforgettable days on the water.

When to Fish Hopper Flies in Montana

Hopper season typically starts around mid- to late-July as temperatures rise and the grasshoppers mature and move toward the riverbanks. The action can extend well into early September, depending on weather and frost timing. Hot, dry summers often mean extended hopper windows, while cool or wet summers can shorten the bite. The best days often come when it’s sunny, breezy, and warm — the kind of days that blow hoppers off the tall grass and into waiting trout lanes.

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.

Running Droppers Under Your Hopper

While few things beat a trout smashing a big foam hopper on the surface, some of the most productive days come when you fish a dropper underneath. A hopper-dropper rig lets you cover two feeding zones — the surface and the subsurface — which is especially effective when trout aren’t fully committing to the dry. The hopper acts as both an attractor and an indicator, suspending a small nymph or emerger a foot or two below.

In the heat of summer, fish often hold slightly deeper, feeding on drifting nymphs or drowned terrestrials. Droppers like Tungsten Pheasant Tails, Frenchies, Duracells, and small Perdigons are perfect for this setup. Match your dropper weight to water depth — heavier for faster or deeper runs, lighter for shallow edges and inside seams.

Rigging tip: Use 12–20 inches of 4X or 5X fluorocarbon tied off the bend of your hopper hook. Fluorocarbon sinks faster and is less visible, helping your dropper get down quickly and stay in the zone longer. In slower water, a longer dropper helps achieve a more natural drift.

Pro Tip: When fishing hopper-dropper rigs, watch for subtle twitches or hesitations in your hopper — many strikes on the dropper barely move the fly. Staying alert and ready to set on any movement often makes the difference between a missed take and a solid hookup.

Final Thoughts

Hopper fishing in Montana is as fun and visual as fly fishing gets. It’s that sweet spot of summer when trout are looking up, rivers are clear and warm, and every cast holds the potential for an explosive eat. Whether you’re drifting the wide runs of the Missouri, walking the grassy banks of the Madison, or sneaking along the edges of the Gallatin, nothing beats watching a big brown rise to crush a foam hopper.

From late July through early September, focus on sunny, windy days when grasshoppers are most active, and don’t overlook adding a dropper when fish get selective. With the right presentation and a little patience, hopper season can produce some of the biggest and most memorable trout of the year.

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.

👉 Book your trip now or reach out—we’re happy to help you plan your day on the water.

Hopper Season in Montana