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 it still has a small town feel. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, music venues, and shops to make it a great vacation destination for anyone in the family to fish and enjoy the surrounding area. Check out our page on things to do in Missoula.
Do you provide lodging?
We do provide lodging in downtown Missoula. We have 5, 2 bedroom apartment style units above the shop in the heart of downtown Missoula. They have 2 bedrooms, kitchens with a 2 burner stove, a living room, and bathroom. Check out our Dry Fly Apartments website for more information.
What’s a typical guide day look like?
Our typical guides days start at the shop from 6 am – 9 am depending on the time of year. The hotter the day the earlier we meet. You’ll meet your guide, talk about the day and where you’re headed. We suggest you let your guide choose which river you fish on, based on conditions and hatches. The guide will then take you to the river for the day. A full day is around 8 hours and a half day is 4-5 hours. You’ll have lunch on the river (full days only) with the guide (if you have any dietary restrictions please let us know). At the end of the day, the guide will bring you back to the shop.
What kind of fish do we fish for?
We fish for Westslope Cutthroat, Rainbow Trout, Cuttbow’s (mix of Cutthroat and Rainbows) and Brown Trout. We do have whitefish, pikeminnow and bull trout, which we do not target.
What is provided on a guided trip?
We provide transportation to and from the river from our shop, flies, rods, reels, tippet, lunch (full days) snacks (half days) and water.
What is not provided on a guided trip?
We do not provide a Montana fishing License, leader, alcoholic drinks, waders/boots (we do have rentals available if needed). You can buy licenses and leaders here in our shop.
What do I need to bring on a Missoula guided fly fishing trip?
To have the best possible day on the water you’ll need to bring a few things from home. Dress properly depending on the weather. Spring and fall you’ll want to dress in layers and bring rain gear, whether it be your waders or rain pants and a jacket. Gloves and a stocking cap are always good just in case. In the summer you’ll want to bring a fleece or light jacket for the mornings, shoes you don’t mind getting wet (sandals work great) and a rain jacket. For all trips polarized sunglasses, baseball cap and sunscreen are a must.
Is DIY fly fishing near Missoula possible?
Absolutely! DIY Missoula fly fishing is a great option. Not only do we have 3 major rivers, but we have countless tributaries of those rivers that run the gamut in size from 50 feet wide to jump across size. In fact, there is more trout water within a 1 ½ hour drive from Missoula than any other place in Montana, maybe even the west. We love helping people get a jump start on their DIY trip. Missoula is an amazing place and we love sharing it with our customers. Just stop in the shop and we can point you in the right direction, with the right flies and information to help you have a great day.
Looking for a day float July 23