GUIDED FLY FISHING around
BOZEMAN, MONTANA
Based in Bozeman, Montana... your fly fishing adventure begins here
About Montana Fly Guides
We specialize in Guided Fly Fishing around Bozeman, Montana. Montana Fly Guides is an experienced group of guides who live to be on the water. Since 1995, guiding fly fishing in Southwest Montana has been our profession, our passion... and we love what we do. MFG takes pride in the personalized fly fishing service we provide. Every day is an adventure with MFG!A wealth of experience is what sets us apart from the other guided options out there. Every trip we take out is an adventure for us and for the guests we guide.Our specialty is our crafty ways of finding the best waters to fish at the right time.We have a variety of watercraft from drift boats, large and small rafts, and jet boats - your expert guide can get you into positions otherwise unreachable by walk-wade fishing. Whatever level you may be with fly fishing, from beginner to expert, we are here to help you along your fly fishing journey on some of the greatest trout waters on earth. We are based in and launch our guided fly fishing trips from Bozeman, Montana.Call 406-539-2931 for trip options and bookings.
Chris Kaufmann & Todd Scott
The adventure began in 1998 at the Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Anchorage, Alaska, where Chris and Todd began their journey as fishing guides for the renowned Crystal Creek Lodge. Little did they know that fly fishing and guiding would become their life's passion, shaping their destinies for the better. With over 25 years of remarkable guiding experiences, they have dedicated themselves to providing unforgettable fly-fishing adventures for anglers of all backgrounds and skill levels. Throughout their journey, they have forged lasting friendships and curated memorable trips, drawing from a wealth of knowledge gained through thousands of expeditions in remote Alaska and southwest Montana. Together, they boast over 50 years of combined experience in fly fishing guiding.
Bozeman as your base camp
Montana Fly Guides is based in Bozeman, Montana.Fly fishers of all ages and ability levels make Bozeman their fly fishing base camp each year for many reasons. Mostly because of the unmatched fishing experience combined with the low-key (up-scale if you want it) western hospitality of SW Montana.This area is world-renowned for consistent and quality fly fishing. It is the headwaters of the Missouri River and it has endless options for fishing, year-round. Within a day trip's drive, there are over 500+ miles of floatable water - not to mention all the miles of wadeable waters. Talk with us and we will customize a trip to meet your needs.We offer guided fly fishing around Bozeman, Montana. We take our day trips on the Yellowstone River, Gallatin River, East Gallatin River, Madison River, Missouri River, Jefferson River, Shields River, Boulder River, and private waters. We also have many more options to add to the list depending on the time of the season and your request. We do meet guests in locations that work for them and for the day's trip, like Livingston, Montana for instance. In addition to our local waters, we love doing guided fly fishing trips on the Missouri River near Craig, Montana. Please inquire for details.Full-day float trips are standard, but we also offer half-day trips, raft trips, walk & wade trips, spring creek trips, and jet boat trips. We can accommodate large or small groups so please inquire. We have all the gear and can outfit you from head to toe. Beginners, intermediate, and experienced anglers are all welcome.
Fishing Our Waters
Fishing Our Waters and When to Fish
Discover the scenic world-class fisheries of Southwest Montana with Montana Fly Guides.Our region of Montana, which we call home, has some of the highest quality natural trout streams in the U.S. Locally, we have a huge variety of amazing rivers and creeks that allow us to match your desired day. The amount of fishable water is immense and our home waters include the headwaters of the Missouri River, which feed many world-famous blue-ribbon trout fishing rivers and creeks. We offer guided fly fishing trips on the Yellowstone River, Gallatin River, East Gallatin River, Madison River, Missouri River, Jefferson River, and Boulder River... to name a few.
When to fish Montana
When is the best time to fly fish in Montana? Any chance you can is the answer.Each river, and even a specific section of a river, provides its own unique fishing experience and the MFG guides are familiar with how to make the best out of each different day on all of our rivers. Our Guides excel at finding fish because they best understand the geography and current water conditions and have the latest intel on what is fishing best at that time of the season.NOTE: If possible, please call way ahead of time (early in the year) for summer bookings (June, July, and August) trip date inquiries.Our season is year-round, depending on the weather. Spring fly fishing typically starts in March. Depending on snow and ice at the boat ramps, we can go to just about any river when the weather looks good enough to go. Some of the best fishing is found during spring from March through May and can produce great hatches. From May through July, spring runoff from snowmelt increases giving us higher river flows and allowing us to float just about anywhere. Early-season fishing is often overlooked; fish are hungry and it can be lights-out for fantastic fishing - get it while you can! Summer fishing and Montana summer weather are both amazing and usually summer books up first. View Local Weather***We operate on a first come first serve basis so the earlier you book the better. Fall fishing is awesome for targeting hungry rainbows and aggressive browns... and great fly fishing in general. As flows increase to our streams in the fall we regain access to some of our smaller rivers and streams that have not been fished all summer long. With years of experience in Southwest Montana, we can put you in the right place at the right time.
Rates
2024 Day Trips and Rates
A wealth of experience is what sets us apart from the other guided options out there. Every trip we take out is an adventure for us and for the guests we spend the day with.Join us on an action-packed fly fishing adventure with our guided fly fishing day trip packages, perfect for every skill level!Experience the thrill of floating or walk-wading - ideal options for first-timers eager to dive into the world of fly fishing, master the basics, and reel in their first catch! Seasoned anglers will relish the opportunity to explore our local waters, guided by experienced experts, and enhance their fly-fishing prowess. Prepare to target prized species like Brown, Rainbow, and Cutthroat Trout.
Full-Day Trips (1 or 2 anglers)
• Full-Day Float Trip: $650
• Full-Day Raft Trip: $650
• Full-Day Walk Wade Trip: $650
• Private Water Full-Day Trip: $650• Boulder Float Trip: $700
• Missouri River Float Trip: $700
• Ice Fishing Full-Day: $575
• Jet Boat Full-Day: $725Missouri River trips near Craig, Montana require a consecutive two-day minimum booking.Third Person on all Trips: $175
Half-Day Trips (1 or 2 anglers - no lunch)
• Half-Day Float Trip: $575
• Half-Day Walk Wade Trip: $575
• Private Water Half-Day Trip: $575
✆ 406-539-2931
DetailsIncluded:
Our full-day fly fishing package includes fly rod rentals, terminal tackle, flies, transportation to the fishing location, shuttle service, some cold-weather gear, beverages, and lunches. Everything is meticulously arranged, with most guests riding alongside their guide to the chosen fishing spot. Opt for our half-day option, which includes all amenities except lunch.Not Included:
Fishing licenses, private water rod fees, adult beverages, snacks, and gratuity.Gear:
During our shoulder seasons in spring and fall, we highly recommend waders, and we offer a limited selection available for lending upon request. Please inquire about sizes and availability.Deposit:
A deposit of 50% down is required to book each day. All deposits are refundable with notice of cancellation 30 days or more before fishing dates.Reservation and Cancellation Policy
For standard guide booking, a deposit of $300.00 per guide/per day is required for a reservation. All deposits are refundable with notice of cancellation 30 days or more before fishing dates. All Deposits are non-refundable for trips canceled with less than 30 days' notification.Cancellations received within 24 hours of scheduled fishing dates will result in full payment of the trip. Trips rescheduled within 30 days of the original reservation will be considered cancellations.Payments
We accept personal checks(preferred), Venmo, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express to hold guide dates. All deposits are refundable with notice of cancellation 30 days or more before fishing dates.** Send Deposits to: Montana Fly Guides, 20 Cypress Ave. Bozeman, MT 59715 **What’s not included
What’s not included: state of Montana fishing license, private water rod fees & gratuity. Licenses can be purchased at local fly shops the day of your fishing trip or you can purchase them ahead of time online through the following link. Montana Online Licenses Service. Gratuities are not included in the price but are ultimately up to your discretion and are much appreciated by your guide.What you should bring
These items are recommended: polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, ball cap, rain jacket, waders/wading boots, camera, fleece, or warm jacket. It's better to have your gear and not need it. Rods and reels – if you want to bring your own, a 5wt or 6wt is recommended. Waders and boots are recommended year-round for walk-wade trips. We don’t always use them but some days it can make your trip. Depending on the weather, we don’t usually use waders in the boat between mid-June through mid-September. Cleated wading boots are fantastic for walk-wade fishing but cannot be used in the boat.
Guide School
Learn to Be a Pro Guide
MFG - Montana Fly Fishing Guide SchoolDates: October 10 through the 14th and space is limited.Learn everything you'll need to know from experienced, hardened, and highly requested western water guides.A to Z journey for only the serious that want to through guide boot camp and crush it.The cost per person is $2250. With a deposit due to hold a spot. Most of the time will be on the water where we will be covering A to Z with a ratio of no more than one experienced guide per two students topics are as follows but not limited to:• Logistics, to the water, from the water, and on the water.
• Guide client interactions. Get the most out of your day for your client and yourself.
• Etiquette. Guiding etiquette as it interacts with other fishermen, other guides, the fish we pursue, and the environment in which we pursue it in
• Fast track to keep you legal and on top of your paperwork. Understanding how the system works and understanding how to protect yourself and your client.
• The difference between you as a guide and everybody else out there. Keeping the cutting edge of professionalism and always striving to be better and how you accomplish it.And much more.
Montana Fly Guides is an experienced group of guides that live to be on the water. Guiding fly fishing is our profession, our passion and we love what we do. We take pride in the personalized service we provide and very trip we take out is an adventure for us and for the guests we take. Our specialty is our crafty ways of finding the best waters to fish at the right time, usually off-the-beaten-track and usually better fishing. We have a variety of watercraft from drift boats, large to small rafts and jet boats - your expert guide can get you into positions otherwise unreachable by wade fishing. Sometimnes, we use our unique boat options to get you into a special wading location. Whatever level you are, from beginner to expert, we are here to help you along your fly fishing journey on the somew of the best trout waters on earth.
Photo Gallery
Explore with us!
Our guided fly fishing trips are packed with fun, informative, memorable, and exciting moments.We value time spent on the water and we cherish it as time well spent. Our guides work hard to offer our guests a world-class experience. Check out some of our favorite photos from over the years.The first pic is of Chris (on the left) and Todd (right).
Contact Us
Book your Trip
While our rates may not be the highest in Bozeman, they reflect the depth of experience we offer. Book an unforgettable fly fishing trip on the world-class blue-ribbon rivers of Southwest Montana with Montana Fly Guides! Choose from half-day, full-day, private, group, and custom fly fishing experiences. Contact us now to reserve your adventure of a lifetime!
Montana Fly Guides
Mailing Address: 20 Cypress Ave, Bozeman, Montana 59715Phone: 406-539-2931Email: ck.mtfg@gmail.com
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