Waters We Fish

---

Just 35 miles north of Helena is the Missouri River tailwater below Holter Dam. This section of water draws anglers from across the globe due to its prolific bug hatches, and quantity of large, wild rainbow and brown trout. Toss dry flies to pods of risers, nymph up numbers, or strip streamers for that trophy brown trout. The Missouri has a season and style for all anglers.  A very technical fishery, yet still great for beginner anglers, our guides have the experience to put you on the fish.  

LotG is our closest fishing option from Helena, and as the name implies it is home to some truly impressive trout. Sandwiched between Hauser and Holter Dams our USCG licensed captains launch jet boats or power drift boats on Upper Holter Lake.  Once across the lake there is approximately 4 miles of river below Hauser Dam where we cut our motors and drift fish. Fish here grow longer and stronger due to the abundance of food and being able to spend time in the lake putting on pounds! Access to launch commercially here is very limited, and we are lucky enough to have permission. We highly recommend booking as early as possible for this trip as guides fill up fast.

Roughly an hours drive over the continental divide to the "westside" is the Blackfoot River.  This river is one of our favorite places to launch our rafts, throw BIG dry flys, and beat the mid summer heat. Westslope cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout are the target species here. Near the headwaters there are some excellent wade fishing opportunities, but bring your bear spray.

Just 45 minutes west of Helena you will encounter the Clark Fork river.  A narrow meandering stream at its headwaters near the continental divide, the Clark Fork becomes Montana's largest river by volume by the time it reaches the Idaho border.  As runoff slows down mid June we like to come throw BIG attractor dry flies and hunt for big brown trout.  We then like to come back early in the fall and chuck streamers as the browns start getting aggressive and putting on weight before things cool down and they move out to spawn. 

If Stillwater fishing is your thing we have numerous options close to Helena.  The series of dams along the Missouri creates 3 different and unique reservoirs. Do large trout on Callibeatis dry flies mid summer sound like fun? How about stripping buggers in shallow water and drop offs loaded with hungry fish?  Maybe really testing your skills sight fishing to carp on a mud flat?  Opportunities are endless.  

Water listed above is our go to local water, but we fish all over. If there is a river you are interested in fishing but don't see listed above just ask...we likely know it well.