Rivers we Fish
The Flathead River
The Flathead is a freestone river with cool, glacier-fed water. Every spring, snowmelt sends a huge push of water down the river, swelling it to as much as 10 times its summer size. It's one of the most scenic rivers in Montana. Green, red and blue river rock under gin-clear water creates aquarium-like conditions, where it's common to spot fish in the water, or watch one rise to your fly before it eats. Westslope Cutthroat are the primary native species we target, and you may also catch rainbows, bull trout, brook trout and whitefish. Farther downstream, the river slows into warmer sloughs and becomes more of a pike and bass fishery. Hatches follow the classic Montana freestone lineup: caddis, big stoneflies, large March Brown mayflies, heavy PMD hatches, and Baetis in the spring and fall shoulder seasons.
The Missouri River
The Missouri River, most often accessed near Craig and downstream of Helena, is widely regarded as one of the best trout streams in the country. As a stable tailwater with exceptionally high trout densities, it consistently produces wild rainbow and brown trout that not only come in impressive numbers but also reach notable size. Dependable hatches—PMDs, caddis, tricos, and midges—make it a favorite for anglers who enjoy technical, rewarding dry-fly and nymph fishing. We offer full-day float trips on the Missouri, ideal for those seeking a high-quality, high-volume trout experience.
The South Fork of the Flathead
The South Fork flows through the remote wilderness of the Bob Marshall Wilderness and is considered one of the best dry-fly fishing rivers in the country. This is true backcountry water—crystal clear, lightly pressured, and home to abundant native westslope cutthroat trout. Golden stoneflies, caddis, mayflies, and a variety of terrestrials keep the fish feeding actively through summer. We offer day floats as well as walk and wade trips based out of the Diamond R Lodge, giving anglers access to world-class wilderness dry-fly fishing without the need for a multi-day backcountry trip—perfect for those seeking solitude, scenery, and consistent surface action in one of Montana’s most pristine settings.
Under Montana Outfitter #54477