Montana State

[Surfnsully]

My son is considering attending Montana State and we are planning a visit to Bozeman this July (11-18). While there we would like to float a few rivers in the area and will be bringing our Clackacraft. Can anyone provide some good ideas for intermediate floats in the area with good fishing, scenery, and within an hour or so of Bozeman?

We would appreciate any assistance and info on micro-brews in the area as well.

Thanks in advance and the brews are for me, not my son

[PayDay]

Just back from a quick trip to Dillon and we floated the Big Hole around Melrose. Later my wife and I drove a ways up Paradise Valley from Livingston (Yellowstone River) and there appeared to be numerous floats possible. Don't know the difficulty so you might want to check with a local fly shop, but I didn't see anything that scared me. Several beers brewed in the state, so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding something you like. They even had a nice brown ale at Chick's Bar in Alder.

[B.L.smooth]

If your son DOES go to Bozeman, make sure you hold his fishing rods hostage until he gets at least a term under his belt, or the distraction of the fishing out there will more than likely keep him out of class and on the river!!

I went to school up the road in Helena 20 years ago, and have been lucky enough to make a few trips back since, and the bozeman area is ripe with phenomenal fishing opportunities.

If you're driving out and take I-90, you'll go past three forks, which is where the gallatin, jefferson, and madison come together to form the Missouri, and this confluence and all three rivers just upstream of the confluence will provide an abundance of fishing opportunities, and floatable water that could keep you entertained for weeks. it's about 40 mintues? from bozeman.

As for scenery, you'd better buy some blinders like they put on draft horses or you'll have whiplash after spending all of your waking hours whipping your head around trying to take it all in.

there's so much good water in that part of the state, you really can't go wrong, and if you're up for a bit more of a jaunt to the east, the big horn is an experience that you won't ever forget.

Just pop into one of the local fly shops, drop a few bucks to help out the local economy, and you'll have a list of places you'll want to fish that will leave you wishing you had a month instead of a week.

best of luck to your son!

[rbeckius]

Hi,

I graduated from MSU in 98. I paid my way through college working as a fly fishing guide. The rivers may still be a bit high from run-off depending on snowpack but you have many choices.

Your best options are:

1. Lower Madison (Bear Trap to Crappers Corner). Easy float. Big browns. Bring brown Woolly Buggers and BH Prince nymphs.

2. The Yellowstone River anywhere above Livingston. The river changes every year and there may be hazards from high water. Check with one of the local shops. I'd fish a 2-fly rig. Large stone followed by a BH nymph for subsurface. Stimmy and a BH dropper combo for top water action.

3. YNP. Slough Creek and the Lamar River are my favorites. Green Drakes should do the trick.

4. If you don't mind paying to fish I recommend DePuy or Armstrong Spring Creeks. PMD's and caddis should be present at that time.

Good luck. Hopefully your son becomes a Bobcat.

Rob

[Stickswinger]

Rob's got it right. Armstrong was the best fishery I've ever fished in my life except maybe Alaska. As far as the Lamar, just watch out for the biting Buffalo Bugs (big biting flies) that seem to hear a dinner bell around 2pm. Worth it for giant cutties!

[Wiggley1]

Ya, I knew a kid that paid his way through BYU as a guide for Rocky Mountain Outfitters. Nice work and nice guy.

[i8abug]

[QUOTE=B.L.smooth;3076672]If your son DOES go to Bozeman, make sure you hold his fishing rods hostage until he gets at least a term under his belt, or the distraction of the fishing out there will more than likely keep him out of class and on the river!!

There could be nothing more true about this statement! It happened to my dad, brother and a good friend!

That being said, ohhhh buddy there is plenty of awesome fishing in that area. Contact the local fly shops, they are very helpful!

P.S. Make sure he has a light load in the fall.

[OregonWaterDog]

If your son loves the outdoors, he will be in Heaven. I spent my college years in Bozeman and there is an abundance of places to go. A really great area for a nice easy float is Beartrap Canyon. If you park near the bridge and walk upriver there is some awesome fishing, especially during the salmon fly hatch. If you put in at Beartrap, the float is nice and the scenery is amazing. Fish the Yellowstone between Livingston and Gardiner, some are can be floated others are pretty nasty depending on water levels. You can beat fishing the Gallatin if you want to wade and walk. As far as micro brews, I'm not sure if Montana Aleworks is still around and I think Spanish Peaks went out of business, if not those are greats places to grab a bite and beer.

[Verts]

Rob put it well.

The Big Hole can be very crowded, but it is crowded for a reason.

I think the Yellowstone above Livingston is a great float and not filled with people.

Brews: Montana Aleworks, Bozone Brewery, Burger Bob's

[fallen]

I drifted the Yellowstone last year when it was pretty high from several days of rain, so we put in pretty far upriver, at the airport just below the park and had non-stop action all day. Closer to Livingston you'll find bigger fish, but compared to most of Oregon, you will be very pleased with both quantity and quality of fish, not to mention variety wherever you put in on the Yellowstone. I consider myself an average man on the sticks and did not see any water that really taxed my ablilty.