Welcome to Montana, home to the champagne of dry fly fishing

Fly fishing in Montana represents the pinnacle of Western tailwater angling, with legendary stretches of water like the Missouri River near Craig serving as the epicenter. Fed by regulated releases from Holter Dam, this vast, slow-moving river functions essentially as a giant spring creek, producing steady water temperatures, stable flows, and dense aquatic vegetation. The nutrient-rich environment supports impressive wild trout populations—often upwards of 3,000 to 5,000 rainbow and brown trout per mile—that frequently average 16 inches or larger. Anglers drift through wide, picturesque bends surrounded by limestone canyon walls and high plains, testing their skills against wild fish that demand careful presentation and accurate casting. What makes this region world-renowned is its exceptionally consistent hatch calendar and premier dry-fly action. From prolific Blue-Winged Olive hatches in the spring and fall to summer peaks of Pale Morning Duns, caddisflies, and morning Trico spinner falls, trout actively rise to the surface for months on end. Even during the heat of summer, terrestrial patterns like hoppers and ants keep surface feeding alive, while deep nymphing and streamer swinging produce fish year-round. Supported by dedicated local fly shops, drift boat rentals, and expert guides, Craig offers a true DIY-friendly base camp where anglers of all experience levels can immerse themselves in quintessential Big Sky fly fishing.