Fly Fishing
Willow Ranch is well-known for its quality fly fishing expeditions. Our guides are some of the most experienced and knowledgeable in the business. We keep a close eye on the seasonal hatches, and we have a familiarity with the rivers and spring creeks of Montana that is unparalleled.
The Yellowstone One of the most famous rivers in the area is the Yellowstone. As the longest undimmed river in the lower 48 states, it flows an uninterrupted 671 miles through Wyoming and Montana. The Yellowstone is known as one of the greatest trout streams in the world. There are many different stretches of prime water between Gardiner and Big Timber, varying in width between 75 and 300 feet. The best access to the Yellowstone is by boat, as one can only wade across the river in low water. The most scenic portion of the river, Paradise Valley, is also some of the very best
fly fishing. Here you can find brown and rainbow trout, as well as the native cutthroats.
The Missouri The Missouri River begins at the confluence of the Madison, Jefferson, and Gallatin rivers in Montana and flows into the Mississippi just north of St. Louis. At over 2,300 miles in length, it drains about one-sixth of the North American continent, and was once the longest river in North America. The high silt content of the Missouri has earned it the nicknames “Big Muddy” and “Dark River”. The Missouri boasts everything from brown trout to walleye and shovelnose sturgeon.
The Madison The Madison River is a headwater tributary of the Missouri River, and is about 180 miles in length running through Wyoming and Montana. Once the number of rainbow trout in the Madison was close to 3,500, however we saw a substantial drop in population during the early part of this decade. Although the loss was profound, the Madison has recovered and remains one of the top
fly fishing destinations in Montana. Brown trout still number close to 1,800 per mile, and the pristine settings make the Madison one of the most popular fisheries in the world.
The Bighorn Many anglers consider the Bighorn River to be one of the world’s finest trout streams. The abundant number of trout, dense insect hatches, and easy accessibility make it one of the most popular fisheries for Willow Ranch. Prior to 1965, the river was warm and silty, flowing out of the Bighorn Canyon into
Eastern Montana. Today, the Yellowtail Dam traps most of the river’s silt load and the Bighorn has turned into a cold, clear tailwater similar to a giant spring creek. Trout thrive in this habitat and anglers from all over come to Montana to take advantage of the Bighorn’s spectacular
fly fishing.
If you have any questions about Willow Ranch Outfitters, please contact us at 406-570-6651,
email us, or use our
online request form.
One of the most famous rivers in the area is the Yellowstone. As the longest undimmed river in the lower 48 states, it flows an uninterrupted 671 miles through Wyoming and Montana. The Yellowstone is known as one of the greatest trout streams in the world. There are many different stretches of prime water between Gardiner and Big Timber, varying in width between 75 and 300 feet. The best access to the Yellowstone is by boat, as one can only wade across the river in low water. The most scenic portion of the river, Paradise Valley, is also some of the very best
fly fishing. Here you can find brown and rainbow trout, as well as the native cutthroats.
The Missouri River begins at the confluence of the Madison, Jefferson, and Gallatin rivers in Montana and flows into the Mississippi just north of St. Louis. At over 2,300 miles in length, it drains about one-sixth of the North American continent, and was once the longest river in North America. The high silt content of the Missouri has earned it the nicknames “Big Muddy” and “Dark River”. The Missouri boasts everything from brown trout to walleye and shovelnose sturgeon.
The Madison River is a headwater tributary of the Missouri River, and is about 180 miles in length running through Wyoming and Montana. Once the number of rainbow trout in the Madison was close to 3,500, however we saw a substantial drop in population during the early part of this decade. Although the loss was profound, the Madison has recovered and remains one of the top
fly fishing destinations in Montana. Brown trout still number close to 1,800 per mile, and the pristine settings make the Madison one of the most popular fisheries in the world.
Many anglers consider the Bighorn River to be one of the world’s finest trout streams. The abundant number of trout, dense insect hatches, and easy accessibility make it one of the most popular fisheries for Willow Ranch. Prior to 1965, the river was warm and silty, flowing out of the Bighorn Canyon into
Eastern Montana. Today, the Yellowtail Dam traps most of the river’s silt load and the Bighorn has turned into a cold, clear tailwater similar to a giant spring creek. Trout thrive in this habitat and anglers from all over come to Montana to take advantage of the Bighorn’s spectacular
fly fishing.
