5 Things You Will Need for a Yellowstone Fly Fishing Trip
It’s just about that time of year – it’s time to book your Yellowstone fly fishing trip. At Stillwater Anglers, we know how lucky we are to have The Yellowstone River right in our own backyard. We know that during the summer months, there aren’t a lot of people who flock to Montana as a tourist destination. However, there are countless opportunities for exceptional fishing and hiking throughout South Central Montana. There are beautiful parts of Montana that few visitors ever get to experience, including over a thousand miles of rivers and streams.
Anglers will be hard pressed to find a destination with as much public water that is as full of fish as The Yellowstone, which is why we thought we’d go over what you should bring to your next guided fishing trip.
5 Yellowstone Fly Fishing Essentials That You Will Need
Once you book your Yellowstone fly fishing trip, there are a few things you can do to prepare, and a few things you should bring to guarantee the best guided trip.
Proper Shoes and Attire
The first thing you need to think about when planning your Yellowstone Fly Fishing Trip is the attire. You’ll want to wear breathable clothing that can stand to get a little wet. We also suggest bringing extra layers in case inclement weather strikes. You should wear pants, to protect your legs from mosquitos during the warmer months and to prevent scratches from plant life surrounding the river.
We also suggest wearing durable shoes that have good grips. You don’t want to slip and fall and hurt yourself, and you don’t want to fall while wading and scare off all the fish! We might even suggest gravel guards to keep the rocks out of your boots. At Stillwater Anglers, we have wading boots and waders that are included in the cost of your trip, or you can buy your own pair from our Fly Shop.
Rod, Reel, and Fly Line
Having your rod, reel, and line all go together is a necessity. If you don’t have your own fly fishing gear, don’t worry! Each of our guided trips give you everything you need for a balanced outfit. However, at the Fly Shop, we provide top quality fishing gear that our guides use on a daily basis. If you have any questions, or just want to learn a little more about what type of rod and reel to invest in, stop by! We’d love to show you our favorite gear, and give you suggestions based on your skill level.
We can also provide you with the proper fly line. We’ll help you decide whether you need a sinking or floating fly line depending on your specific fishing methods. Line sizes vary depending on the fly you want to use, which also depends on the hatch season. Most anglers use a four or five weight, though smaller dry flies may require a three weight line. Heavier weight lines are preferred for nymphing or streamer fishing because you want a little more strength for heavier flies.
Remember that all of our gear can be rented, so even if you don’t book a trip with us, you can still plan your own Yellowstone fly fishing trip and get all the gear you need without making the financial commitment of buying it all outright.
A Good Fly Selection
When you’re ready to start a great day of fishing out on the Yellowstone River, then you’ll definitely want to stock up on a good variety of flies. The purpose of the fly is to fool the trout into taking it for one of the insects or other food items that the trout are eating at a particular time of year. Your experienced fly fishing guide will show you which flies work best for where and when you’re fishing. You won’t necessarily need unique flies, just flies that imitate the specific insects and food the fish are biting. The more your fly resembles the appearance and behavior of the most available food, it will be easier to catch more and more trout.
Throughout the summer, The Yellowstone River receives consistent hatches of caddis, mayflies and even stoneflies. Later in the season you’ll see hoppers, ants, and beetles that create great dry fly opportunities so that you and your experienced guide can experiment.
Fishing Licenses
Another essential you need to get before your next Yellowstone Fly Fishing Trip is a fishing license. Luckily for you, we sell those right at The Fly Shop. You can pick them up beforehand or on the day of your guided fishing trip.
You can learn more about fishing licenses and other Montana licenses here.
An Experienced Guide
The last essential thing that we think every angler needs before planning their Yellowstone fly fishing trip is an experienced fishing guide. We are proud to offer some of the finest Montana fly fishing guides in the region, and they are all local guides who love what they do. You won’t find any novices here or guys who just like to talk shop. Each member of the Stillwater Anglers team is made up of the most experienced and licensed guides.
No matter your own personal experience level, we have a top-notch team of guides that will give you an amazing fly fishing experience. Chris Fleck, owner and outfitter of Stillwater Anglers, tries to guide as many trips as he can to connect with other anglers and share his passion for fly fishing. He also manages the Fly Shop, so when he can’t take you personally, you can trust that his team has the knowledge and experience to give you the trip of a lifetime.
Are you ready to book a fly fishing trip to the Yellowstone River? We have full and half day trips available and even large group options if you’re ready to take the whole family or plan an office team building trip. Browse through all of our guided trip options and book your trip today!
