Montana Suggestions

[mudbug201]

Thinking about a Montana trip with my cousin next July or early August. Anybody got suggestions? We'd be going mostly DIY and roughing it, looking to save money and maximize our fishing time. Campgrounds and public access areas, rather than resorts and expensive guides.

 

[lightenup]

The upper Madison has many cheaper places to stay, I haven't camped, but there are cheap "cabins, loads of access, a short drive to other rivers...the Henry's fork, the Gallatin, Yellowstone's many rivers.. the scenery can't be beat. There is good food at The Grizzly and a fun bar scene by Hebgen Lake( I forget the name of the bar, but I heard cowboys arguing over what was better, mules or horses)...always a good time.

 

[MACFLY]

Thinking about a Montana trip with my cousin next July or early August. Anybody got suggestions? We'd be going mostly DIY and roughing it, looking to save money and maximize our fishing time. Campgrounds and public access areas, rather than resorts and expensive guides.

Plenty of options depending on what kind of time you have

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Plenty of options depending on what kind of time you have

What McBOOB said. It's Montana. It has more trout water than all of us can fish in 30 lifetimes if we actually all tried. Camping is everywhere as is public access. Find rivers or other places you want to fish or stay near and go from there.

 

[mudbug201]

It's shocking that this site is dying a slow death of neglect and indifference, given the kind of detailed fly fishing advice and guidance one can get here.

 

[lightenup]

It's shocking that this site is dying a slow death of neglect and indifference, given the kind of detailed fly fishing advice and guidance one can get here.

Did you want GPS coordinates? Fly into Bozeman, rent a car, drive up the Gallatin to 287, make a right, drive past Hebgen Lake, then Quake lake, the river will be on your left. Or at 287 you can continue on until you hit west yellowstone. I agree, we are all worthless boobs here...

 

[TheHeron]

The upper Madison has many cheaper places to stay, I haven't camped, but there are cheap "cabins, loads of access, a short drive to other rivers...the Henry's fork, the Gallatin, Yellowstone's many rivers.. the scenery can't be beat. There is good food at The Grizzly and a fun bar scene by Hebgen Lake( I forget the name of the bar, but I heard cowboys arguing over what was better, mules or horses)...always a good time.

The Happy Hour bar and grill...........bras on the walls, beer on draft and good food, overlooking Hebgen Lake. Kind of like a church............

 

[lightenup]

The Happy Hour bar and grill...........bras on the walls, beer on draft and good food, overlooking Hebgen Lake. Kind of like a church............

That's the one...titty pics everywhere, and a blow up doll in the bathroom so MAC can get his jollies...

 

[jack1266]

Option 2. Fly to Idaho falls. Rent car. Hit the Walmart. Buy a cooler and some food /beers. Drive up to Henry’s Fork. Plenty of reasonable lodging and camping. Fly shops are stocked. Lots of places let you grill your food. Bring some coals. Spend a day or two on the Henry’s and continue to the Upper Madison. Fish upper from the lakes all the way to Ennis. Slide Inns cabins are excellent. Kelly will give good advice. If you go in July plan to eat early. Grizzly turned me away twice this year. It is too crowded. Had to drive half hour back to West Yellowstone to eat. Rainbow Valley Lodge in Ennis is great and $. Ed is a great host. Good places to eat and drink in town. Would definitely save money to hire a guide for one float on the Madison and then wade after that. You will learn a lot if you have never fished the Upper Madison.

 

[mudbug201]

Option 2. Fly to Idaho falls. Rent car. Hit the Walmart. Buy a cooler and some food /beers. Drive up to Henry’s Fork. Plenty of reasonable lodging and camping. Fly shops are stocked. Lots of places let you grill your food. Bring some coals. Spend a day or two on the Henry’s and continue to the Upper Madison. Fish upper from the lakes all the way to Ennis. Slide Inns cabins are excellent. Kelly will give good advice. If you go in July plan to eat early. Grizzly turned me away twice this year. It is too crowded. Had to drive half hour back to West Yellowstone to eat. Rainbow Valley Lodge in Ennis is great and $. Ed is a great host. Good places to eat and drink in town. Would definitely save money to hire a guide for one float on the Madison and then wade after that. You will learn a lot if you have never fished the Upper Madison.

Thanks Jack! Sounds like good intel...

 

[Rusty Spinner]

That's the one...titty pics everywhere, and a blow up doll in the bathroom

That's where I left it. Thanks, I forgot in my old age :crap:

 

[moosekid]

Option 2. Fly to Idaho falls. Rent car. Hit the Walmart. Buy a cooler and some food /beers. Drive up to Henry’s Fork. Plenty of reasonable lodging and camping. Fly shops are stocked. Lots of places let you grill your food. Bring some coals. Spend a day or two on the Henry’s and continue to the Upper Madison. Fish upper from the lakes all the way to Ennis. Slide Inns cabins are excellent. Kelly will give good advice. If you go in July plan to eat early. Grizzly turned me away twice this year. It is too crowded. Had to drive half hour back to West Yellowstone to eat. Rainbow Valley Lodge in Ennis is great and $. Ed is a great host. Good places to eat and drink in town. Would definitely save money to hire a guide for one float on the Madison and then wade after that. You will learn a lot if you have never fished the Upper Madison.

the henry's fork will be great for boz' confidence.

 

[TheHeron]

If you stay in Ennis, you can get to the Madison AND the Ruby is not far and the drive through Virginia City is pretty cool, and the drive to the Beaverhead is doable for a day or even the Big Hole.

 

[JOE.T]

Thinking about a Montana trip with my cousin next July or early August. Anybody got suggestions? We'd be going mostly DIY and roughing it, looking to save money and maximize our fishing time. Campgrounds and public access areas, rather than resorts and expensive guides.

The Mighty Mne of the best Dry-Fly rivers on the planet.Easy to wade,plenty of access and places to stay or camp. Between Fly-14 and I we can point you to 30 plus places to fish and no guide needed.