Our Guide Trips
Here at Montana Trout Company (MTC) our main focus for every trip we offer is you! Regardless if you are a first time angler or if you have fished around the world, we will provide you with a day you won’t forget.
Our guides focus on instruction and teaching you the art of fly fishing. They pride themselves in being professionals and having the techniques required to educate and teach anglers how to properly use the fly rod and target western trout.
Already an expert angler you say? Well hop in a boat and let us put you on the fish! We have a wide variety of guides and can pair any experience level with the proper professional.
The trout here in SW Montana are 100% wild, naturally reproducing fish. As a result of this, our fish are strong, smart and absolutely stunning. Trips will not exceed two anglers to one guide ratio. If you have a party larger then two we will be happy to arrange for as many guides as you may need.
The trips that we offer are described in detail below. We can usually accommodate slight changes as requested. Please feel free to talk with us about anything that you might want to adjust (start times, end times, lunches, where we fish…)
Full Day Float Trip
$650
1-2 anglers
A Full day float trip is the most popular trip we offer here at MTC. In our opinion, full day trips are the best value and the best experience for all anglers. These trips take place out of fiberglass drift boats that are designed for shallow running water. These boats provide a comfortable dry ride and can be fished from the sitting or standing position. Mid day stream side lunches will be served. This is a great time to take a break and soak in the breathtaking landscape that Montana has to offer as you enjoy a fisherman’s lunch prepared by one of our local delis.
Pick up times are usually sometime between 7:00 – 9:00am (depending on the time of year) and drop off between 4:00 – 6:00pm. Travel can range anywhere from 15 minutes up to 1.5 hours depending on where the fishing has been best. We always strive to get you on the best section of water that has been producing the best results for the current time of year.
What’s Included:
- Transportation
- Lunches
- Soft Beverages
- Rods and reels
- All flies and tackle
- Life Jackets
What’s Not Included:
- Montana fishing license
- Rain gear (if needed)
- Guide gratuity
- Waders and boots (rental option available, typically only used in spring and fall)
Half Day Float Trip
$500
1-2 anglers
Half day trips are designed for the angler that is on a tight schedule or anglers that just want to get a taste of what fly fishing from a boat is all about. These trips take place out of fiberglass drift boats that are designed for shallow running water. These boats provide a comfortable dry ride and can be fished from in the sitting or standing positions. Half day trips are done under a tighter schedule and a travel constraint. Half day trips consist of 3.5 hours max on the water with travel on each end. As a result of this, these trips limit the guide as to where you can fish for the day. These trips can only be done on the Lower Madsion, Gallatin or Yellowstone Rivers. Start times for these trips are your choice but must start no later than noon.
What’s Included:
- Transportation
- Soft beverages
- Rods and reels
- All flies and tackle
- Life jackets
What’s Not Included:
- Lunches
- Montana fishing license
- Rain gear (if needed)
- Guide gratuity
- Waders and boots (rental option available, typically only used in spring and fall)
Full Day Wade Trips:
$650
1-2 Anglers
Full day wade trips are for the anglers that would prefer to fish from foot. Many anglers feel that wading the river is the most intimate way to target trout. One on one wade trips are a great way to get started in the sport as they provide extensive hands on instruction. They are also great for anglers that are looking for instruction on a particular aspect of their already existing skill set. Wade trips for two anglers are designed more for anglers that already have the basic skills needed to fly fish. When there are two anglers to one guide on foot the guide has his hands full going back and forth from one angler to the next. As a result of this, we do not recommend wade trips for multiple anglers that are just getting started. Stream side lunches prepared by one of our local delis will be provided on these trips and offer a great mid day break.
What’s Included:
- Transportation
- Lunches
- Soft beverages
- Rods and reels
- All flies and tackle
What’s Not Included:
- Montana fishing license
- Rain gear (if needed)
- Guide gratuity
- Waders and boots (rental option available, waders typically only used in spring and fall but boots will be required for most wade trips)
Half Day Wade Trips
$500
1-2 Anglers
Half day wade trips are the choice of angers that what to fish from foot but only have half a day to work with. Got an afternoon activity already planned and only have a half day to work with, this option is for you. Or maybe you fly out mid-afternoon but don’t want to waste half a day of your vacation. Like full day wade trips, these trips are great for anglers that want to learn the basics one on one with a guide. When two anglers are involved we recommend that you already have the basics of fly fishing under your belt as it is a lot for a single guide to juggle two first time anglers on foot.
What’s Included:
- Transportation
- Soft beverages
- Rods and reels
- All flies and tackle
- Life jackets
What’s Not included:
- Montana fishing license
- Rain gear (if needed)
- Guide gratuity
- Waders and boots (rental option available, waders typically only used in spring and fall but boots will be required for most wade trips)
Missouri River Float Trip
$675
2 Day Minimum
1-2 Anglers (Available April through June)
Missouri River trips are offered April though June and are some of the most productive days of the season for our guides here at MTC. Trips take place below the famous Holter Dam where fish counts exceed 5,000+ fish per river mile. This section of the river is a blue ribbon fishery and is known as one of the best places to fish for trout in the nation. This river is considered an out of town option for our guests and therefore lodging near the river is required along with transportation to Craig MT. Please feel free to reach out to us about different lodging options in the area and we can help point you in the right direction.
What’s Included:
- Local transportation in Craig
- Lunches
- Soft beverages
- Rods and reels
- All flies and tackle
- Life jackets
What’s Not Included:
- TRANSPORTATION TO CRAIG MT
- Montana fishing license
- Rain gear (if needed)
- Guide gratuity
- Waders and boots (rental option available, typically only used in the spring)
Carp Trips
$650
1-2 Anglers (Available from mid June through August)
Are you looking for a real challenge? Have you had your fix with the trout? Book one of our carp trips and try something a little different! Here at MTC chasing carp is one of our favorite things to do when the warmer months hit. Pursuing these golden monsters is not for the faint of heart. Our carp here in southwest Montana are smart, spooky and challenging to catch, and that’s exactly why we love targeting them. Carp trips take place on the Missouri River system. The best time to target these fish is on hot clear days. Fishing is done either from the boat or on foot while using the boat to get from spot to spot.
The fishing is nearly 100% spot and stalk with almost all of your casts being directed to a fish in sight. On an average day it’s not uncommon to see and cast up to 100+ fish. The fish typically fall in the 6-10lb range with some fish exceeding the 18+lb mark.
Some days we get lucky and can get them to eat dry flies in back water foam pools but the majority of the fish are caught 2-3 feet below the surface. If you have questions about these trips please reach out to get additional info. Again, these fish are very challenging to target and therefore we only recommend this trip for experienced anglers.
What’s Included:
- Transportation
- Lunches
- Soft Beverages
- Rods and reels
- All flies and tackle
- Life Jackets
What’s Not included:
- Montana fishing license
- Rain gear (if needed)
- Guide gratuity
- Waders and boots (not needed)
Full Day Scenic Float Trips
$500
1-2 People (Ask about adding kids)
Looking for a great way to spend a free day while on your Montana vacation? Well, look no further. A day on the water is not only for the anglers, it’s for anyone. Drifting down one of our local rivers is an excellent way to see Montana and its natural beauty. These trips can be oriented around photography, finding animals, bird watching, swimming or just a relaxing day of sight seeing. This is a great option for families, photographers, or for you and your special someone. These trips are very moldable to your wants and desires, please feel free to speak with us about your vision and we will do our best to arrange exactly that.
What’s Included:
- Transportation
- Lunches
- Soft Beverages
- Life Jackets
What’s Not Included:
- Rain gear (if needed)
- Guide gratuity
- Waders and boots (rental option available, typically only used in spring and fall)
Get In Touch
Ready to book your trip? Have a question for us? We’re here to assist or answer any questions you might have. Reach out today.