Anyone fished around Missoula MT?

[wittich]

I am planning a trip to Missoula, Montana in the middle of august. Has anyone fished the that area? I am looking for rivers that good for DIY wading trips. thanks, Jeremy

[timbo]

I haven't fished in Missoula, but flyfished the Yellowstone, Gallatin and Madison Rivers near Bozeman and Livingston and also in Yellowstone National Park. Caught a lot of rainbows, a few browns, and a bunch of white fish also.

[Rob R]

Same as Timbo, same rivers. Lots of places to fish. Hyalite canyon was my favorite.

[Kayak Kid]

Also the same as Timbo. Spent several summers in Big Sky. Stayed at a good friend's ranch that was right on the South Fork of the Gallatin. Fished that small stream almost every morning.

Thank's to my friend's knowledge of the area, and his selection of flies, we seldom failed to catch rainbows and a few brownies regardless of where we fished. Yellowstone was rain besieged the two times I drifted it. Only a few rainbows right next to the bank, and too many white fish to count. The fish were secondary to the scenery. Montana is a fly fisherman's dream.

[timbo]

I'm thinking of another trip there next year. Lots of good fishing, and like KK said, the fishing is secondary to the scenery. I've discovered that rainbow and brown trout don't live in ugly places!

[Kayak Kid]

An aside:

A drive through rural Texas offers many examples of pickups with guns in rear window racks. Throughout Montana, the pickup rear window racks contain fly rods.