Fly Fishing destinations worldwide - FFTC.club Magazine issue I-2020

USA
Guide
The Home Waters
Missouri River
The Missouri is truly a remarkable fishery. Boasting the highest trout population in the
state, over 8,000 fish per mile, and the largest average fish size, around 17″, it offers
anglers an experience that they will not find anywhere else. Fish here grow fast and
STRONG! It’s not uncommon to have an “average” fish send an angler deep into his
backing.
We have 40 miles of amazing tail water fishing at our fingertips on the Mo. This allows
us to float multiple stretches of river and give anglers a different look at our water each
and every day.
Special Stay and Fish packages are offered for the Missouri. Lodging can be very hard
to come by during the busy summer months. So plan ahead and contact us for help in
planning your Missouri River fishing vacation.
Dearborn River
The Home Waters
Originating in the Scapegoat Wilderness high in the Lewis and Clark Range of the Rocky
Mountains, the Dearborn is a relatively unknown river when compared with nearby
waters such as the Missouri, Blackfoot, or Yellowstone Rivers. This is arguably the most
scenic river in Montana. And certainly one of the less crowded.
We are only able to float this river during a brief run-off window, usually occurring in May
and June. After this, the water levels are too low to navigate with a raft, leaving only
limited wade fishing access. The most popular section of this river will take you on a 19
mile float from the Highway 287 bridge, through a magnificent canyon, before its
confluence with the Missouri River downstream of Craig, Montana. It is not uncommon
to launch your raft in the morning, and not see another person until the confluence.
Land of Giants
Running between the Hauser Dam and Gates of the Mountains on Holter Lake, is a
stretch of the Missouri that has earned the name, Land of Giants or L.O.G., and rightfully
so. Plain and simple, there are big fish here. Lots of them.
The fish in this stretch, comprised mostly of rainbows and a few browns, move into the
lake for part of the year and then back up into the river. Because of this, they tend to
grow a bit larger than the average fish we see below Holter Dam on the lower Missouri
River. The average rainbow can be around 22″, with the ever elusive browns being even
larger.
Blackfoot River
The Blackfoot River is, truly, classic trout water. Winding its way 146 miles, before its
confluence with the Clark Fork River near Missoula, you will find endless deep pools,
riffles, shelves, undercut banks and pocket water. The Blackfoot is every bit fishy as it
is scenic. With good numbers of rainbows, browns, west slope cutthroat, brook trout
and bull trout.
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