Fishing In Montana

[David Unnerstall]

I am to take a business trip to Montana the first week of April.  I will visit banks from Polson to Great Falls.  There is a fly shop in Ovando that I plan to visit to ask advice.  I cannot make definite plans or hire a guide -- I can only plan on fishing when the opportunity presents itself.  I will be out of my element. I don't have a lot of experience with my fly rods but I will never have this opportunity again.  I am packing my waders, but have not decided on my river shoes or wading boots -- the boots take up a lot of room in my luggage.  And I will carry the rod on the plane.

What preparations should I be making?  I just saw "A River Runs Through It" so that part is done. 

[JestersHK]

I'm no help other than being jealous and waiting for your pictures to load.

I packed an extra suitcase and threw all my stuff into a 40L day pack, and  I zip tied my boots to the bottom as well, and my rod holder into the side when I went to Idaho a few years back.  Cost me like $50 extra but was nice to have all my own stuff already set up and ready to go when I got a chance to fish.

Good luck

[Al Agnew]

I'm not familiar with the Polson area, but I know the Flathead is not one of the best rivers in the state.  Ovando is near the Blackfoot and Little Blackfoot, both excellent fishing in some stretches, and that fly shop should be able to steer you to some good wade fishing.  You will also be at least passing through the Craig and Wolf Creek area on the Missouri, which is some of the best fly fishing in Montana.  While the Missouri is pretty big water, it is wadeable in places and the fish are everywhere.

You will need to pack for cold weather and mild weather both...it can be snowing and well below freezing in early April, but also can get up into the 50s and 60s.  Theoretically that's before the snow melt starts so the rivers should be in good shape, but a lot of Montana has had a LOT of snow this year, and I know the snow is still on the ground right now even in low elevations in many places.  A sudden warm up in the next week could melt all that snow and blow everything out but the Missouri--as a tailwater river it is almost always fishable.  I keep the weather for Livingston, where we live part of the year, on my phone, and it looks like it's not going to be all that warm between now and then, and not even all that warm during the week you'll be there...mostly highs in the 40s.  But there's a good chance of more snow this coming week, and then rain the next week, which could still melt the snow some.  So I'd have a plan to fish the Missouri if the other streams get muddy--it doesn't take a whole lot of melting to dump some mud into the "natural" rivers this time of year.

I'm not sure what advice to give you on boots or shoes...if your wading boots are felt-soled and there is snow on the ground yet, felt is terrible in snow.  If you have non-felt soles for Missouri (Montana allows felt still), they might do better.

Pack basic nymphs like Hare's Ears, Princes, Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, etc. but plan on buying a few nymphs on location...there are some nymphs that do well on the Missouri that you won't find many places other than fly shops in the area.   Most people go small on the Missouri, like #16-22.  But on some of the streams that may not be as clear, #12-14 can be better.  Wooly Buggers or other streamers if the water is a bit murky or it's a dark day.  You can have excellent dry fly fishing in early April, especially blue winged olive and midge hatches...I wouldn't be without a supply of Griffith's Gnats in early April.

[David Unnerstall]

Thanks for this, Al.  The Blackfoot is nearby and has many access and it is most likely where I will fish.  But Craig and Wolf Creek are possible.  And I will buy flies at Blackfoot Angler in Ovando.

[ZigJigman]

The Missouri River by Craig, MT is a great fishery. I fished it for two days, in the middle of a 14 day out West swing about 15 years ago. I can’t give you any fly advybut can tell you that they pounded Zig Jigs for 2 days!!

[Al Agnew]

9 hours ago, David Unnerstall said:

Thanks for this, Al.  The Blackfoot is nearby and has many access and it is most likely where I will fish.  But Craig and Wolf Creek are possible.  And I will buy flies at Blackfoot Angler in Ovando.

Yep, the Blackfoot is probably your best bet, but if it happens to be blown out the Missouri is a great backup plan.  For your information, some streams in Montana are flooded right now, but it looks like the Blackfoot is at normal levels.

[Gavin]

Max from Hargrove’s just moved to  Craig for the Summer. Give him a shout, I'm sure he would give you some good info.

[David Unnerstall]

On ‎3‎/‎26‎/‎2019 at 9:28 PM, Gavin said:

Max from Hargrove’s just moved to  Craig for the Summer. Give him a shoit, I'm sure he would give you some good info.

Gavin, That would be cool if I could swing it.  I was in Hargrove's and Craig Stephens gave me the number of a guide in the Missoula area.  It is just that I don't know when and if I am going to have time.  Things tend to catch fire in my business.  And sometimes what we do requires another to do his part.  If that guy is just not 'feeling' it on that day I am left hanging.

[nomolites]

On 3/26/2019 at 9:28 PM, Gavin said:

Max from Hargrove’s just moved to  Craig for the Summer. Give him a shoit, I'm sure he would give you some good info.

I was wondering where he was the last couple times in....good for him!

Mike

[NoLuck]

Sometimes people just get sick while on road trips near great fishing locations.  Just sayin😉