Montana Fly Fishing FAQs & Trip Planning
Preparation for Your Montana River Day
We want your time on the water to be entirely focused on the fishing and the scenery. To ensure a seamless experience, we have compiled a list of the most common questions we receive regarding gear, weather, logistics, and gratuities. If you do not find the answer you are looking for here, please Contact Us directly and we will get right back to you to help plan your perfect guided fly fishing trip.
Jump to a Section:
Planning Your Trip
Wondering which river is right for you, what season is best, or what your licensing requirements are? Start here to plan the perfect itinerary before securing your dates.
What to Expect on Trip Day
From the morning meeting time to what gear we provide and what you need to pack, here is exactly what your day on the river will look like.
General Questions, Policies & Logistics
Find answers regarding our cancellation policies, gratuity etiquette, age requirements, and other common outfitter questions.
Before You Book: Planning Your Trip
-
Honestly, any day on the water is better than a day at the desk. Each season offers a completely different experience. Winter provides quiet solitude for hardy anglers. Spring offers fantastic pre-runoff fishing, provided the mountain weather holds. Summer provides great fishing all around, though the afternoon heat can occasionally slow things down. Fall is phenomenal for aggressive brown trout, but the weather can be wildly unpredictable. Tell us what kind of experience you are looking for, and we will help you pick the perfect window.
-
The sooner the better. Booking six months in advance for peak summer dates is the best way to secure your preferred days and guarantee you get paired with the highest caliber guides. That being said, always ask us. Cancellations happen, and it is not uncommon for us to successfully hook you up with a fantastic guide even if you call the week of your trip.
-
We almost always recommend booking a float trip. Fishing from a drift boat is generally a smoother, more comfortable experience. It allows us to cover miles of river and leave the crowded boat ramps far behind. The best part about a float trip is that it is not an "either/or" situation. The boat gives us the flexibility to pull over and wade the most productive runs, riffles, and gravel bars whenever we want. While we certainly offer dedicated wade trips for specific locations like the Gallatin Canyon, a float trip simply gives you the best of both worlds.
-
Absolutely not. You do not need to be an expert caster to fish with us. Our guides have the patience to teach complete beginners from the ground up. All we ask is that you show up with a relaxed, coachable attitude and a willingness to learn. We love teaching as much as we love fishing.
-
To make your day as seamless as possible, we provide all the essential fishing equipment at no extra cost. Your trip includes a professional licensed guide, premium rods and reels, and all the necessary flies, leaders, and tippet. You do not need to purchase any specialized gear to book a trip with us, though you are always welcome to bring your favorite rod if you prefer.
Additionally, we provide non-alcoholic beverages on all trips, and our full-day floats also include a hearty lunch on the river. You are simply responsible for bringing your valid Montana fishing license, your personal clothing and weather layers, and customary guide gratuity.
-
Yes. Every angler needs a valid Montana State Fishing License. You can easily purchase and print your license online directly through the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website or download the official MyFWP mobile app. We highly recommend taking care of this before you travel so we can head straight to the river on the morning of your trip. (Note: If we are fishing inside Yellowstone National Park, you will need a separate YNP permit).
-
No, and any outfitter who does is not being honest with you. We cannot guarantee you will catch a certain number of fish, nor can we guarantee you will catch a trophy. While we work incredibly hard to put you in the best possible spots and often use tactics to target larger trout, catching wild fish requires a mix of skill, timing, and sheer luck. If you measure the success of a guided trip strictly by the number of fish in the net, we might not be the right fit for you. We focus on the pursuit, the scenery, and the improvement of your skills. The fish are just the byproduct of a great day.
-
We love introducing the next generation to fly fishing, but a full day on a drift boat requires focus, patience, and stamina. While we do not have a strict age limit, we generally recommend that children be at least 10 to 12 years old to fish a standard full-day float.
Younger children are absolutely welcome, but we ask parents to come with flexible expectations. With kids under 10, a river day naturally shortens to a half-day or less. The focus often shifts from serious fishing to exploring the river, looking at aquatic bugs, finding local frog habitats, and just enjoying being outside. Parents must be completely comfortable with prioritizing the child's attention span and ending the day early if the child loses interest or gets too tired.
To ensure safety and compliance with state law, we maintain strict protocols for minors on the water:
Fishing Licenses: Under Montana law, children ages 11 and under do not need a fishing license. Anyone aged 12 and older must possess a valid Montana fishing license prior to the trip.
Life Jackets: Montana law requires that children ages 11 and under must wear a properly fitted, Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times while in the boat. We provide these required life jackets, and there are no exceptions to this safety rule.
Parent/Guardian Requirement: To ensure proper supervision, any minor aged 15 or under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian on the boat or during a wade trip.
If you are looking to book a trip with younger children, please contact us prior to booking so we can discuss the best options to keep them safe, engaged, and happy.
-
You certainly do not have to fish. We are more than happy to row a purely scenic trip for anyone looking to enjoy the river. A drift boat is an incredible, quiet platform for bird watching, wildlife photography, or simply relaxing and taking in the stunning Montana scenery. Non-fishing companions are always welcome to join us in the boat.
-
Yes, we regularly host large groups and corporate outings. However, coordinating multiple boats requires time to secure the right guides for your group. If you are planning a large multi-boat trip, please reach out to us as early as possible so we can build the perfect team for your dates.
On the Water: What to Expect on Trip Day
-
Because our clients stay in different towns across Southwest Montana, we do not offer door-to-door hotel pickups. Instead, your guide will reach out a few days before your trip to finalize a central, easy-to-find meeting spot (such as a local fly shop or a specific boat ramp) based on current water conditions and hatches. From that meeting location, you will either hop into your guide's truck or follow them to the launch in your own vehicle. Once we launch the drift boat, we handle all the river shuttle services behind the scenes to ensure the vehicle is waiting for us at the end of the float.
-
Full-day trips include a hearty lunch alongside snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Depending on the weather and river traffic, we will either pull over at a scenic, established spot to eat or enjoy lunch comfortably in the boat while we continue to float.
We can easily accommodate standard dietary restrictions and food allergies, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, or dairy-free preferences. You will have a dedicated space to note any specific dietary needs or severe allergies when filling out your online booking form. As an added safety precaution, we also ask that you confirm these details directly with your guide when they reach out prior to your trip to coordinate logistics. This simple double-check ensures nothing is missed and your lunch is prepared safely.
-
You will be fishing from a professional, hard-sided drift boat or a customized fishing raft, depending on the specific river and current water levels. Our boats are specifically designed for fly fishing and feature comfortable seating, secure leg braces for casting while standing, and dry storage to keep your essential layers and personal items safe. They provide an incredibly stable and comfortable platform for a full day on the water.
-
Because we provide the fishing tackle, a hearty lunch, and non-alcoholic beverages, your primary packing focus should be on personal comfort and safety. Montana mornings are often crisp while afternoons can be hot, so dressing in breathable layers is essential. You will strictly need polarized sunglasses for eye safety, a quality rain jacket, sun protection, and a valid Montana fishing license. If you prefer to use waders, you will need to bring your own or rent them locally. For a comprehensive, itemized packing checklist, please review our full guide: What to Bring on a Guided Fly Fishing Trip.
-
Many of the designated boat ramps and fishing access sites we use have public vault toilets available, and some of our full-day floats even pass by facilities along the way. However, infrastructure varies greatly depending on the specific stretch of water we are fishing. On certain rivers, like the Gallatin, public restrooms are few and far between.
There are no facilities on the drift boat itself. If nature calls while we are floating between access sites, simply let your guide know. They will easily find a discreet, safe place to pull the boat over to the riverbank so you can step off. While our guides generally carry basic emergency supplies, we highly recommend packing a small amount of toilet paper and travel hand sanitizer in your personal bag to ensure you are comfortable throughout the day.
-
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own beer or beverages on the drift boat. Due to state licensing and liability, we cannot provide alcohol for you. We provide plenty of water and non-alcoholic drinks in our coolers, and there is always extra space for you to add a few of your own beverages.
While we want you to relax and enjoy your vacation, we highly encourage moderation. Fly fishing is a physical sport that requires sharp focus, balance, and quick reflexes. Even one or two drinks will noticeably slow down your casting accuracy and your ability to set the hook. If your primary goal for the day is to kick back and enjoy a few cold drinks, we are fully on board with that plan. We simply ask that you adjust your fishing expectations accordingly, as the overall pace of the day and your success rate will naturally drop. Please note that for strict safety reasons, your guide has the full authority to end the trip early without a refund if a guest becomes unsafely intoxicated.
General Questions, Policies & Logistics
-
To officially reserve your guide and secure your dates, we require 100% upfront payment at the time of booking via a secure digital invoice. We value transparent pricing, so the daily rate you see is exactly what you pay. We never add a credit card surcharge to a completed trip. However, as a small outfitting business, we strongly prefer payments via ACH bank transfer or check to help us avoid heavy third-party processing fees.
Because your payment secures a specific independent contractor guide and requires them to turn away other work, we enforce a strict 30-day non-refundable cancellation window. Cancellations made more than 30 days in advance are refundable. Please note that if you originally paid via credit card, a 4% administrative fee will be deducted from your refund to cover unrecovered processing costs. This fee is completely waived, resulting in a 100% refund, if you originally paid via ACH or check.
If you cancel within 30 days of your trip for any reason, your payment is 100% non-refundable and retained to honor our financial commitment to your guide, ensuring they receive their full day rate. (We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance). For a complete breakdown of our operational standards, please review our Policies Overview or read our full Cancellation Policy.
-
Montana weather is highly unpredictable, and we fish rain, snow, or shine. In fact, some of our most productive and rewarding days on the water happen during storms. We do not cancel trips based on weather forecasts.
You always have the final say on your trip. If you wake up and decide you would rather not brave the rain or cold, you are absolutely welcome to cancel your day. However, please acknowledge that doing so falls under our standard cancellation policy, and your payment will not be refunded. Because mountain weather and travel disruptions are out of your control, we strongly recommend purchasing a comprehensive "cancel for any reason" trip insurance policy to protect your investment. The only time a trip is officially canceled by us is if your guide determines that conditions are genuinely unsafe to be on the water, which is extremely rare. Your guide has the full authority to adjust start times to avoid the worst of a storm, change locations, or pivot the day to maximize both safety and fishing quality. We ask that you come prepared for the elements, trust your guide's call, and be ready for a great day. For more details, please review our full Weather & Water Conditions Policy.
-
Your upfront booking payment covers the guide’s day rate, outfitter fees, tackle, and lunches. It does not include guide gratuity. Gratuities are customary in the fly fishing industry and are a direct reflection of your guide’s hard work, patience, and instruction. A standard tip is typically 20% to 25% of the trip cost. Cash handed directly to your guide at the end of the day is always preferred. If you prefer to tip via credit card, please let us know and we can easily process it via a Square invoice, ensuring 100% of the tip goes directly to your guide.
-
Flyshot Outfitters is strictly a catch-and-release operation. To protect the wild trout populations of our local rivers for future generations, all fish are carefully handled and promptly returned to the water. Your guide will be more than happy to take high-quality photos of your catch before a safe release, but if your primary goal is to harvest fish to take home and eat, our outfitting service will not be the right fit for your trip.
-
The exact duration of your time on the water is dictated by the specific river miles we are floating, current water speed, the hatch, and overall safety. The primary difference between the two options simply comes down to float distance and lunch.
A full-day trip provides a comprehensive experience covering more river miles. Most of our summer full-days naturally wrap up around mid-afternoon, typically around 3:00 PM. This trip includes a hearty, guide-provided lunch on the river.
A half-day trip is a condensed float covering fewer miles, perfect for targeting a specific morning or afternoon window. Morning half-days wrap up just before lunch, and afternoon half-days begin just after. Lunch is not provided on half-day trips, allowing you to grab a bite in town on your own schedule. For both options, please remember that travel time to and from the meeting spot is in addition to your time on the water.
Didn't find what you were looking for?
We are always here to help. Whether you have a specific question about a trip, need to organize a large group, or just want to check current river conditions, please head over to our Contact Us page. We love talking fishing and will get right back to you with the answers you need.