The Flywater Experience

Experience our Montana

At Montana Fishing Outfitters, we realize Montana is a big state with lots of great 'flywater.' That is why, over the years, we have created Straub's 'Flywater Experience'.

This multi-day, multi-river expedition is one of the best samplers out there for anglers seeking a true Montana fly fishing experience. The length of the trip can range from two days to as-long-as-you-want. Typically, most visiting anglers opt for a week of fishing and exploring. Some sample itineraries are listed below.

As for lodging, Montana Fishing Outfitters can arrange for all that, or you are welcome to book lodging as well. We have arrangements at many of the best lodges, resorts, B & Bs, and budget motels throughout Montana.

Spring Creek and Tailwater Adventure

Best months of the year: March, April, May, June, July, September, October, November

Sunday: Arrive in Bozeman and overnight in Bozeman or Livingston.
Monday: Your guide picks you up at your lodging. Head to storied Paradise Valley and wade fish Armstrong's Spring Creek. In arguably one of the prettiest places on earth, you experience some fantastic dry fly fishing in one of the West's legendary creeks. Overnight in Bozeman or Livingston.
Tuesday: Your guide picks you up at your lodging. It is back to Paradise Valley for a day of wade fishing on DePuy's Spring Creek. Explore over three miles of this gorgeous, meandering spring creek. Fish the upper pools for challenging browns or head to the lower runs and riffles for opportunistic Yellowstone cutthroats and spunky rainbows. Overnight in Bozeman or Livingston.
Wednesday: Your guide picks you up at your lodging. Head to the Gallatin Valley and wade fish the creeks and rivers on the Milesnick Ranch. The Milesnicks (Meh-lez-nick) have two spring creeks (Ben Harts and Thompsons) and three miles of the East Gallatin River. The spring creeks offer technical, long cast, perfect drift angling to some BIG trout and the East Gallatin serves up some great dry fly fishing for some good-looking rainbows and browns. Overnight in Bozeman or Livingston.
Thursday: This can be a travel/sightseeing day. Take in a whitewater raft ride on either the Yellowstone or Gallatin rivers. Visit the Museum of the Rockies. Check out the many art galleries and shops in Bozeman and Livingston. Take a day trip into Yellowstone National Park. But be sure to make your way to the Missouri River near Helena. Overnight within an hour from the Missouri River.
Friday: Your guide picks you up at your lodging. It is off to the Missouri River near Wolf Creek and Craig. This section of the river is best classified as a giant spring creek, pumping out hatch after hatch. We float fish this river in driftboats and specialized rafts. Ten years ago we would fish the Missouri and have it to ourselves. However, those days are gone as the word us out: the Missouri is one heck of a fishery. Overnight near the Missouri River
Saturday: Your guide picks you up at your lodging. It is back to the Missouri. Float a different stretch--we have over 40 miles to choose from. Overnight near the Missouri River.
Sunday: Fly out of Helena or Great Falls. Full of wonderful memories of your Spring Creek & Tailwater Adventure.

The Freestone and 'Secret Creek' Excursion

Best months of the year: April, June, July, August, September, October

Sunday: Arrive in Bozeman. Overnight in Bozeman or Ennis.
Monday: Your guide picks you up at your lodging. Ever dreamed of the Madison? The river that was written about so much in the 60's and 70's is back to is former glory, and fishing better than ever. Float fish this picture–perfect freestone river. Back-dropped with sky-scrapping peaks, the Madison is a tough river to fish because you can get distracted by the scenery! Overnight in Ennis.
Tuesday: Your guide picks you up at your lodging. It is back to the Madison to float fish a different stretch of its glorious water. Overnight in Ennis, West Yellowstone, or Bozeman.
Wednesday: Your guide picks you up at your lodging. It is either back to the Madison or off to a smaller, "secret" creek with private access. We have many to choose from. Most private water entails a rod fee, but it is worth it. Or, a wade trip into Yellowstone Park is an option. Either way, some great fishing, an excellent guide, and magical scenery are a given. Overnight in Ennis, West Yellowstone, or Bozeman.
Thursday: This can be a sightseeing/activity day or a fishing day. If sightseeing, try a guided nature tour into Yellowstone. Or a horseback ride into the wilderness. Perhaps visit Big Sky Ski and Summer Resort and mountain bike on their trails. Whitewater rafting is possible, too. Overnight in Bozeman, Livingston, or Gardiner.
Friday: Your guide picks you up at your lodging. Continue fishing Montana's "Hall of Fame" waters as you and your guide float fish the Yellowstone River near Livingston. Known as the longest un-dammed river in the lower 48, this beauty of a river will astound you with its mountains, broad valley, tall cottonwoods, AND great dry fly fishing. Overnight in Bozeman, Livingston, or Gardiner.
Saturday: Your guide picks you up at your lodging. It is back to the Yellowstone or off to a smaller private creek. Or, perhaps even a trophy lake. Ever watched a five–pound rainbow hunt down a size four dry fly? Try it at several private lakes. Rod fees apply to the lakes. Overnight in Bozeman or Livingston.
Sunday: It is back to Bozeman and the flight home. Again, full of fantastic memories of your Flywater Experience.

The Wild 'West of the Divide' Adventure

Best months of the year: March, April, June, July, September, October, November

Sunday: Arrive in Missoula. Overnight in Missoula
Monday: Your guide picks you at your lodging. So close to Missoula and such good fishing, the Clark Fork is a river not to be missed. With its rambunctious rainbows, burly browns, and a cutthroat here and there, this gem of a river is a western Montana tradition. It has all kinds of water: fast moving pockets, long runs, deep pools, and sparkling riffles. The Clark Fork is a trout-bums ideal river. Overnight in Missoula.
Tuesday: Your guide picks you up at your lodging. In less than 1/2 hour you will be floating down the Blackfoot River, casting to sweet-looking trout lie after sweet-looking trout lie. The Blackfoot harbors brown, rainbows, cutthroats, and the endangered Bull Trout. Known for its beautiful canyon section and trout that have an affinity for dry flies, the Blackfoot is a river that keeps calling you back. Overnight in Missoula or in the Blackfoot Valley.
Wednesday: Your guide picks you up at your lodging. Back to the Blackfoot to float fish a different stretch. Perhaps the Box Canyon float? Or, some whitewater mixed in with some fishing. Either way a day fishing the Blackfoot is a pilgrimage to Montana's great trout waters...did we mention it was the river that inspired the book and movie A River Runs Through It? Need we say more? Overnight in Missoula or the Blackfoot Valley.
Thursday: This is a travel/sightseeing day, or a fishing day. Explore Missoula's thriving arts scene. Or, take hike into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Whitewater raft the Alberton Gorge. Explore the Bitterroot mountains. Or, fish the Bitterroot River. At the end of the day, stay within an hour of the Missouri River near Wolf Creek and Craig.
Friday: Your guide picks you up at your lodging. It is off to the Missouri River near Wolf Creek and Craig. This section of the river is best classified as a giant spring creek, pumping out hatch after hatch. We float fish this river in driftboats and specialized rafts. Ten years ago we would fish the Missouri and have it to ourselves. However, those days are gone as the word us out: the Missouri is one heck of a fishery. Overnight near the Missouri River
Saturday: Your guide picks you up at your lodging. It is back to the Missouri. Float a different stretch--we have over 40 miles to choose from. Overnight near the Missouri River.
Sunday: Fly back home, chock-full of memories of your fantastic Flywater Experience.

Custom Weeks and Adventures

Any of these trips can be mixed and matched depending on your travel plans, fishing desires, and time-frame.