Home » Blog

Blog

Missoula Fly Fishing Blog

  • All
  • DIY
  • Featured Products
  • Fly Fishing Gear
  • Fly Tying
  • Gear Reviews
  • Missoula Fishing Report
  • Missoula Fly Fishing Trips
  • Montana Fishing Guides
  • Montana Fly Fishing Reports
  • Montana Pike Fishing
  • Online Fly Fishing Store
  • Steelhead Spey Fishing
  • Uncategorized

2023 Fly Fishing Holiday Gift Guide

Giving holiday gifts can be a drag, and searching for the right fly fishing gift for the angler in your life can be more than confusing. To make gift shopping easier for you, we created our 2023 fly fishing gift guide that highlights our favorite new fly fishing gear. Stop stressing about getting it right and shop from our list of stocking stuffers and under the tree fly fishing gift ideas. Shop at our Missoula fly shop for our 12 Days...

5 Reasons Why You SHOULDN’T Go on a Montana Fly Fishing Trip

To many, a Montana fly fishing trip is the pinnacle of outdoor adventure. However, fly fishing trips in Montana are far from what you’d expect. It’s true, you’ll experience unforgettable scenery, wildlife, and fishing. Instead, most are left with many unwanted, and unfortunate, side effects.  Sure, your father’s, cousin’s, sister-in-law might have gone on a Montana fly fishing trip and raved about it. But did they mention the awe, jealousy, or unquantifiable fun that would haunt them for years following...

Top 5 Hopper Fly Patterns

Written by Aidan Morton To most, the dry, pale shade of yellow that overcomes our lawns, fields, and hillsides is a sign that the dog days of summer are upon us. To fly fishermen, however, late summer in Montana is synonymous with low water and big hopper fly patterns.   While our beloved summer stonefly and mayfly hatches hold a special place in our hearts and minds, I long for those warm afternoons throwing hopper fly patterns to the bank: ...

6 Fly Fishing Tips For Upping Your Game

Becoming a better angler is probably the most satisfying aspect of fly fishing. There’s something about watching yourself improve at a complex skill that is constantly rewarding. It also has a tendency to teach us mindsets that can be applied to all facets of our lives. Like any skill, improving at fly fishing takes endless practice and repetition. There’s just no teacher like experience. That being said, it’s also common to repeat the skills we’ve become comfortable with and not...

Fly Fishing Yellowstone National Park: Angler’s Paradise

Ask anyone to describe Montana’s natural beauty and you will certainly hear about fly fishing Yellowstone National Park. The oldest national park in the country and a cornerstone of our state, Yellowstone welcomes millions of visitors each year to experience once-in-a-lifetime scenery and wildlife. But YNP’s rivers and lakes beckon a particular group of outdoor recreationists to travel from states, and even countries, away. Anglers of all experience levels travel from afar to try their hand with fly fishing Yellowstone...

2023 Father’s Day Fly Fishing Gift Guide

Looking for the perfect Father's Day gift? With Father’s Day rapidly approaching, it may seem like your list of potential fly fishing gift ideas is never ending. After all, what do you get for the dad who has everything? Fly fishermen know what they want, and that’s why we have narrowed down several surefire gift ideas that will please any dad on your list. All of which are available on our online fly shop. 1. R.L. Winston Air 2 Fly...

Top 5 Salmonfly Patterns – Montana Salmonfly Hatch

Looking for some salmonfly patterns that flat-out work for the Montana salmonfly hatch? Salmonfly season is upon us and if you are like us, you’re on the edge of your seat. There’s nothing quite like casting enormous foam dry flies at the bank and watching eager trout crush them. However, Montana’s salmonfly hatches are not a secret. It’s crucial to have the right flies on hand to stand out from the crowds. We’ve handpicked five of our favorite new salmonfly...

5 Rivers for Fly Fishing Near Missoula

Simply said, the most unique thing about fly fishing near Missoula is the abundance of easily accessible water. From our Montana fly shop in the heart of downtown Missoula, you are a stone’s throw away from Clark Fork River fly fishing, the lifeblood of our town. Travel 30 minutes upstream and you will crossover the mighty Blackfoot River before arriving at the mouth of the ever-so-charming Rock Creek. Or head south out of Missoula for fly fishing the Bitterroot River...

Top 5 Skwala Stonefly Fly Patterns – Montana Skwala Hatch

On a warm, overcast afternoon in April, our local rivers are home to some of the most spectacular Montana fly fishing during the annual skwala stonefly hatch. As winter recedes, the skwala stonefly hatch signals the start of an electrifying new Missoula fly fishing season. The sight of trout voraciously leaping out of the water to snatch a skwala fly pattern off the surface is a heart-pumping moment that will leave any angler trembling with excitement. As the days get...

Saltwater Fly Fishing Gear Essentials: Q&A with Grizzly Hackle’s Brendan Bannigan

For many anglers, the appeal of a saltwater fly fishing trip is too much to ignore. Your daydreams of rising trout are replaced with sight fly fishing for permit and rolling tarpon. You long for cool beverages and smoldering sun. And, before you know it, your next saltwater fly fishing trip is a matter of “when” not “if.” Our Missoula fly shop owner and saltwater fly fishing fanatic, Brendan Bannigan, is one of these people. Brendan draws on years of...

2022 Fly Fishing Holiday Gift Guide

It’s that time of the year, and we’re all searching for the perfect fly fishing gifts to give this year. And if one thing’s for sure, anglers are particular about their fly fishing gear. To make gift shopping easier for you, we created our 2022 fly fishing gift guide that highlights our favorite fly fishing gift ideas. Stop stressing about getting it right and shop from our list of stocking stuffers and under the tree fly fishing gift ideas. Shop...

Beginning Fly Fishing: What You Need To Get Started

If you’re beginning fly fishing but just don’t know where to start, trust us– you’re not the only one. Like any sport, starting out in fly fishing requires a dash of patience and a heaping dollop of practice. However, the right setup and the right gear to accompany it is crucial for saving money, time, and the hair on your head. From rods and reels to flies and tippets, this is our guide to beginning fly fishing for trout and...

Benefits of a Montana Float Fishing Trip

There’s nothing quite like a Montana float fishing trip from the bow of a drift boat or raft. While wade fishing provides the opportunity to stalk trout on small water, fly fishing from either a drift boat or raft dramatically increases the amount of water, and trout, an angler will see. An addiction to rushing water and an obsession with Montana scenery and wildlife are just a few of the side effects of embarking on a Montana float fishing trip....

October Fly Fishing in Montana: Go Big or Go Home

To the adventurous angler, October fly fishing in Montana yields some of the best action of the year. Sparse fishing pressure, cooler temperatures, and a slew of fall hatches makes for happy fish and happier anglers. While Missoula’s rivers boast great fly fishing all year round, the fall season, and October in particular, can produce some of the most epic fly fishing in Montana. Cooling Off and Heating Up If there’s one good thing about summer winding down in Montana,...

Top 5 Montana Fly Fishing Vacation Planning Tips

Gear up and get ready for a Montana fly fishing vacation! Have you been itching to fly fish in Montana this summer, but just don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Planning a Montana fly fishing trip is exciting yet intimidating. That's why the expert guides at our Montana fly shop have prepared a list of the top Montana fly fishing vacation tips for you and your group! 1. Research the weather This may seem...

Missouri River Fish Camp

Welcome to the new Missouri River Fish Camp (MRFC). The Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop is excited to offer a Guided Fly Fishing Trip option in the constant pursuit of wild, Montana trout at our new Missouri River Fish Camp. Nestled between the small towns of Craig and Cascade, adjacent to the famous Missouri River, sits a newly built log cabin and bunkhouse owned and operated by guide Andy Roy. Andy has been guiding part-time for the Grizzly Hackle for nearly…

The Ultimate Fly Fishing Road Trip In Montana

Set your sights on the open road during an exciting fly fishing road trip in Montana! Our experienced staff and guides have cut their teeth on rivers and streams across Montana and are here to help you take in the best of Montana fly fishing. As you make your way through the Big Sky State, keep your fly rod and access maps handy. We have a lot of water and it’s teeming with various trout species. Anglers flock to the...

18 Places For Fly Fishing In Montana

Fly fishing in Montana tops many a fly fisher's bucket list. And we can’t blame them. We are lucky enough to live in a state that boasts the best trout fishing in the United States and one could argue the Planet. From the mighty Clark Fork River, Blackfoot River, Bitterroot River, and other Missoula area rivers to the Yellowstone and Gallatin, we’ve gathered our 18 places for fly fishing in Montana. These are by no means in order of importance,...

Brown Trout in Montana: Chasing the One

A good friend told me once that, as anglers, we are constantly chasing the “one fish” that makes us look back on the year and smile. For many of us that enjoy fly fishing in Montana, it’s landing that elusive, two-foot brown trout. Brown trout are one of the top predators in our river systems that can be fooled on a number of tactics, but honing in on several characteristics will increase your chances of landing that record-breaking fish. An…

Bitterroot Fly Fishing – An Angler’s Guide

Bitterroot Fly Fishing An Angler's Guide Planning a Bitterroot fly fishing adventure this year? The Bitterroot River is a freestone river nestled beneath towering cottonwoods and ponderosa pine in western Montana. On top of breathtaking scenery, the Bitterroot invites anglers to try their hand at astounding numbers of rainbow, brown and native westslope cutthroat trout. The Bitterroot rewards anglers using various techniques from its headwaters to its confluence with the Clark Fork River in Missoula. Still, it can be a...

The Best Time to Fly Fish Montana

The Best Time to Fly Fish Montana We’ve been in the fly fishing game for a long time and every year we get one question asked almost more than any other.  “When is the best time to fly fish in Montana?” It’s a great question, but it’s one of those questions that if you’ve lived and have been fly fishing Montana for very long, it’s really hard to answer.  It’s a question that doesn’t have an exact answer to the…

2021 Fly Fishing Holiday Gift Guide

Shopping for the angler in your life can be difficult. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of crowd pleasers for shoppers on any budget. Stop stressing over getting it right and shop our list of this year’s hottest fly fishing gear, clothing and accessories from our store in Missoula, Montana. Choose from the latest and greatest fly fishing stocking stuffers or under the tree big-ticket gifts. Read more for our top selection of 2021 fly fishing gear!   Join the Grizzly…

Top 5 Streamers For Fall Fly Fishing

In Montana, we love to use streamers for fall fly fishing. It’s one of our favorite ways to target big fish! In this season, the fish are aggressive and looking to gain calories before the winter sets in. On cloudy days, trout will chase down streamers with reckless abandon and crush them. This is also a surefire way to get into some of the biggest fish of the year. All you need is a 6-7 wt rod, sink tip line…

Montana Fishing On A Budget

Montana fishing is a bucket-list trip for many anglers, but as we all know, fishing trips can start to add up if you’re not careful. If you want the fishing trip of a lifetime at a price that won’t cost a lifetime of work to pay for, we’ve put together the best trip itinerary for fishing Montana on a budget below! Where To Go Montana is full of amazing rivers and streams that house world-class trout. You’ll have an amazing…

Montana Fly Fishing Trip Packing List

Montana Fly Fishing Trip Packing List Looking for advice on packing for a Montana fly fishing trip? Or maybe you’re wanting to prepare for a Missoula guided fly fishing trip? Make sure you’re packing the proper gear so you can make the most of your experience. As one of Montana’s best fly shops and fly fishing outfitters, we’ve learned a lot over the years and know exactly what will keep you comfortable while you’re here. Our Montana fly fishing trip…

5 Recommended Fly Fishing Gear Essentials

5 guide recommended tried and true fly fishing gear essentials Looking for the latest and greatest in fly fishing gear? Spending every day on the water gives our guides the unique perspective of understanding what fly fishing gear will provide the most value and last the longest. Our goal is to provide our customers with top of the line products that offer performance and comfort. Whether you're a seasoned die-hard or just entering the sport, let our guides point you...

Grizzly Hackle’s 2021 Top Gear Picks

  Grizzly Hackle’s Top Gear Picks for 2021 We are all looking forward to 2021’s fishing season.  It has already started for us, but with a balmy high of 2 degrees today, we are looking forward to throwing big stonefly dries in about 6 weeks or so.  With 2020 in the rear view mirror and hopes of better times coming our way we can’t help but think about a great 2021 Missoula fly fishing season and what it might bring. …

2020 Fly Fishing Holiday Gift Guide

It’s time to start thinking about that perfect holiday gift for the angler in your life. Tough decision, huh?  We want to help! The Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop has so many great options for all types of anglers, we have put together a list of items we think any of them would enjoy. Take a look at our 2020 gift guide and if nothing sparks your interest, visit our shop - online or in-store! 1. Orvis Clearwater Outfit    ...

3 Alternatives For Spring Runoff in Montana

Our 3 Alternatives for Spring Runoff in Montana It’s that time of year when the weather warms up and starts to melt mountain snow, causing spring runoff. The rivers swell up with snowmelt and get big and muddy. It’s when anglers in the Missoula, Montana area, and all over the mountain west have to forego fishing their favorite freestone rivers and find something to do during spring runoff. The Missoula area has hit the start of runoff and we have…

Best Trout Fishing in Montana: Missoula, MT

Looking for the best trout fishing in Montana? Missoula, MT sits at the convergence of 3 of Montana’s famous trout rivers and that’s why we call it the Trout Mecca! The Clark Fork River flows right through town and heads west to Idaho. It drains Montana, west of the divide, and is home to some of the best trout fishing in Montana — featuring hard fighting, dry fly eating rainbows, cut bows, and Westslope Cutthroat. Just east of town the…

Top 5 Flies for Spring Fly Fishing in Missoula

  Spring fly fishing in Missoula, Montana is one of our favorites! I’m sure you’ve heard us say that before, but we can’t say it enough. It’s the time of year that we all look forward to after a long winter and cabin fever has set it. There’s no better cure than fly fishing Missoula on our local rivers.  Spring is also the time of year when we catch some of our biggest fish on dry flies. Yes, you heard…

A Missoula Guided Fly Fishing Trip – FAQs

A Missoula Guided Fly Fishing Trip Frequently Asked Questions   What rivers do you guide? Grizzly Hackle guides on the Clarkfork, Blackfoot, Bitterroot, and Missouri Rivers.  We also guide on a few tributaries on our wade fishing trips. For more information on our Missoula guided fly fishing trips, check out our guided trips page. What is Missoula like? Missoula is a town of just over 70,000 people.  In Montana, that’s a big city! Although, Missoula has a good size population…

Intro to Fly Fishing for Women

Intro to Fly Fishing for Women – Take the intimidation out of fly fishing in this class taught by Grizzly Hackle guide Kelly Harrison.  Learn about gear, clothing, reading water and finding fish, identifying local fish species, rigging a rod, entomology, and tying basic knots. You will develop the confidence to visit fly shops and venture out on the river on your own. No equipment necessary. 2 classes, Group Size: Limit to 10 per class Class 1 – February 20 /…

Planning Your Next Montana Fly Fishing Trip!

Why Choose A Montana Fly Fishing Trip? Interested in planning a Montana fly fishing trip? Well, you have come to the right blog. Montana is famous for being the “Last Best Place”, and for good reason. It has a small population, a plethora of public land, and great stream access laws. No wonder this state is so widely celebrated! To anglers, this slice of paradise is the perfect place for your next fly fishing trip. The rivers, streams, and lakes…

3 Tips For Fall Fly Fishing In Missoula

Fall fly fishing in Missoula, Montana provides anglers spectacular opportunities. If you ask any Missoula fly fishing guide or local when their favorite time to fish is, 10 out of 10 are going to say spring or fall. In the spring, we have our first dry fly fishing of the year and big fish are starting to look up. Fall fly fishing in Missoula is dry fly nirvana. Multiple mayfly species are hatching and the fish are looking up to chow…

Montana Fall Fly Fishing | The Gear You Need

Fall is one of the greatest times to do some Montana fly fishing. Not only is it beautiful here, the temperatures are great and the fish are happy and hungry. However, it does present some unique challenges to even the most experienced angler. Weather is often quick-changing, water is low and clear, and the bugs hatching are smaller than our summer stoneflies. That being said, this is still one of our favorite times of the year to get out on...

Summer Fishing Highlight Reel 2018

We’ve had an incredible 2018 fly fishing season here in Missoula. Although the rivers started out high, we’ve ended up with great water and some great memories to go along with it! Check out our 2018 highlight reel below.

5 Gifts for the Dad Who Loves to Fish:
Fly Fishing Gifts

With Father's Day coming up soon (June 17th will be here before you know it!), we've collected a list of our favorite gifts for fly fisherman, so you don't have to spend hours wondering what to get Dad! Whether your dad is a seasoned fisherman, is just getting into the sport, or seems to have everything, we've picked out the perfect gift for him. Read on to see 5 Gifts for the Dad Who Loves to Fish! For The Seasoned...

Customer Appreciation Day at Grizzly Hackle

Customer Appreciation Day at Grizzly Hackle! This year marks the 14th year of our Customer Appreciation Day at Grizzly Hackle!  It’s always the first Saturday in March and a way for us to kick off the fishing season and say thank to the best customers in the industry.  This year not only marks 14 years of celebrating our customers, but 30 years in business in Missoula.  Since 1988 out on Rock Creek we have been proudly serving the fly fisher…

5 Flies for Winter Fly Fishing in Missoula

5 Flies for Winter Fly Fishing in Missoula It’s cold, most water is locked up under inches of ice, snow is covering the banks of the river and you’re either stuck inside tying flies or deep in powder up at Snowbowl.  This is usually what Missoula winters are like for most of us.  We are wondering when it will be over and if you’re addicted to fly fishing you’re just hoping for a day above freezing and some open water. …

2018 Fishing Forecast: Why you should fly fish in Missoula in 2018

2018 Fishing Forecast: Why you should fly fish in Missoula in 2018 Snow Pack around the state is looking great right now with averages over 100% in our area.  As long as this trend keeps up through the rest of the winter we will be all good for the summer.  Now, we would love to say that snow pack levels are everything, but it’s not.  Warmth matters too and how our snow pack comes out of the mountains.  If we…

2018 Fly Fishing Film Tour here in Missoula!

The 2018 Fly Fishing Film Tour will be here again this year on February 3rd at the Wilma!  There will be shows at 4 pm and 8 pm.  This is a great time for everyone who is into fly fishing to come together and get some serious stoke for the season.  The films are action packed fly fishing films from all over the world.  Destinations like Gabon, Costa Rica, Florida, Dubai and Alaska to name a few will be featured….

Fly Fishing Gifts for Fishy People in Your Life

The holidays are here again! Between holiday parties and powder days, finding the best fly fishing gifts for every fisherman or woman on your list can be tricky. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back this year. We’ve put together a list of our favorite gifts for those who love fly fishing in Montana, and everywhere else. For Someone Who Just Discovered the Sport | Gifts for the Beginning Fly Fisher Simms G4 Pro Hip Pack Fly fishing requires a…

12 Days of Christmas at Grizzly Hackle

12 Days of Christmas at Grizzly Hackle It’s that time of year again!  The most wonderful time of the year and we want to celebrate by doing our annual 12 days of Christmas at Grizzly Hackle.  This is our way of helping you save on Christmas gifts for the fisher in your life.  Here’s how it works: December 12-14 : 30% off Store Wide!* December 15-17: 25% off Store Wide!* December 18-20: 20% off Store Wide!* December 21-24: 15% off Store…

5 Father’s Day Gifts for the Adventure Dad

Wondering what to get Dad for Father’s Day this year? With June 18th quickly approaching, we curated a list of the best gifts for all of the adventure dads here in Missoula, Montana. Whether he’s a fan of big flavor barbecue or would rather chase fish all day, we’ve got the goods. For the Dad Who Looks Forward to Slab Saturday Gift Certificate to Notorious P.I.G. Last year, Missoula was blessed with award-winning barbecue. We haven’t been able to stop raving about…

5 of our Favorite Fly Tying Materials

Right now, it’s -9 outside, perfect for a blog about our favorite new fly tying materials! When it’s this cold you can’t do anything outside. It’s too cold to ski or ice fish, so we are stuck inside for now, tying flies with our new fly tying materials. If you live in Missoula, you know that during the tying season you basically only have to tie a handful of flies Chubby’s, Pat’s Rubberleg Stoneflies, San Juan Worms, Purple Haze’s, Pheasant…

Winter Fly Fishing in Missoula

Picking ice out of your guides all day, hiking through snow to get to the river, tying flies on with cold hands all for a few fish… Well, that’s winter fly fishing in Missoula, Montana. Don’t let that deter you from getting out for those fish that heat your cold hands and feet up when you hook into them. There is something about catching a fish in the winter. It’s like you cheated mother nature and found a way to…

Idaho Steelhead on the Spey

Nothing in this world beats swinging for Idaho steelhead on the spey…nothing. The elusive fish of a thousand casts and hours upon hours of swinging makes every steelhead a moment in which you will never forget.

Fall Missoula Fly Fishing: Wading vs Floating

Ahhh…. Fall Missoula fly fishing for trout! What is better? No really, what is better? Read more here about fall fishing techniques, flies, and more!

Q&A: A Look Back on the Last 16 Years with Hackle Client Mr. October

Check out our interview with Chris Harris, who has fished with the Grizzly Hackle for 16 years in a row! He talks about his favorite flies, rods, Missoula rivers, and more!

Drew Miller, Montana Fishing Outfitter, Guide & Captain. Like No Other. Period.

Our licensed Montana fishing Outfitter at the Grizzly Hackle, Drew Miller, is a rare gem. Read about his Montana Pike fishing adventures and more here!

Grizzly Hackle Guide David Hufman on Fall Fishing Near Missoula

Veteran Grizzly Hackle guide Dave Hufman is always in pursuit of big trout, but this fall is a great time to get those big Bitterroot brown trout!

Q&A with veteran guide Matt Bryn

Read our interview with veteran Grizzly Hackle Missoula fishing guide Matt Bryn covering items from his favorite fly rod company to all things Griz football and more!

Missoula Fishing Report for September

Here you have it, your September Missoula fishing report! Dry flies, dry flies and more dry flies!

Top