Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone is the longest undammed river in the lower 48 states and has over a hundred miles of good fishable trout water. The river begins in Wyoming and flows through Yellowstone National Park. Once the river leaves the park it heads north through Paradise Valley and turns east in Livingston, Montana. On its journey east it flows through its valley toward Big Timber and on to the Missouri River near the border with North Dakota. Great fishable trout water can be found both upstream and downstream of Big Timber. The upstream water between Livingston and Big Timber (35 miles) and the water between Big Timber and Columbus (35 miles) downstream and to the east is full of hungry trout, including fish in the 20+ inch range. Incredible vistas of the Crazy Mountains and the Beartooth Mountains can be seen at every turn making a day’s float a special experience. Runoff dominates the Yellowstone during parts of May and June but the hatches and fishing following high water are great. Once summer really sets in, usually in July and August, grasshopper fishing can be spectacular. Streamer fishing for big fish is always in season, especially in the fall when the big browns prepare for the spawn. Fall dryfly fishing can be very good, with little to no fishing pressure. Spring pre-runoff fishing in April and early May is also a time of very little fishing pressure with great opportunity. Blue Winged Olives and Mother’s Day Caddis are the dry fly highlights. Come fish the Big Timber stretches of the Yellowstone with us.
Boulder River
The Boulder is a tributary of the Yellowstone, with its headwaters in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and Yellowstone National Park. The lower section of the Boulder flows into the Yellowstone, with no barriers for the movement of fish between rivers, so large browns and rainbows are not uncommon in this stretch. Rock gardens and pocket water prevail on the Boulder, as one would expect on a beautiful freestone stream. The lower Boulder has a short window, after runoff, when we offer float trips. These trips often have a definite white water quality to them, with plentiful dry fly and nymph opportunities depending on the flows. When the water drops we offer wade fishing trips on the lower Boulder and on the upper stretches, in the Custer-Gallatin National Forest. We are one of only a few that are permitted to offer trips on this wilderness water, where the scenery and wildlife can distract one from the plentiful rainbow and cutthroat trout found in the upper section of the Boulder. These forest trips are a great way to beat the heat in the summer, and particularly good in the fall, when water temperature drops off dramatically. Come check it out with us!
Stillwater River
The Stillwater is a nearby freestone tributary of the Yellowstone. It is a beautiful river, characterized by pocket water and rock gardens, flowing directly out of the Absaroka-Beartooth wilderness. It contains its own fine population of trout — as well as large Yellowstone fish that are able to migrate up the river and create wonderful fishing opportunities. Beautiful post runoff floats and plentiful fish make the Stillwater River a must fish stream. Fall and pre-runoff wading opportunities are also available on the Stillwater. We look forward to helping you discover this wonderful river.