Swan's Fly Fishing · Livingston, Montana

Where we fish in Montana

We don't guide a river. We guide a system of rivers. The Yellowstone, the Paradise Valley spring creeks, the Madison and Bighorn, the smaller freestones, and private lakes, all matched to your dates, experience, and goals.

Check Dates & Book Text Matt Call (406) 224-8972
Owner operated FFI Casting Instructor Montana Outfitter #26324 Year-round
How a trip gets planned

Start with your dates, not a river

Livingston sits where the Yellowstone leaves Paradise Valley, which puts an unusual spread of water within a day's reach: a big freestone river through town, two of the most famous spring creeks in the country fifteen minutes south, tailwaters and small freestones in every direction.

Tell us where you are staying and what you want from the day. We weigh flows, weather, travel time, access, and your comfort with floating or wading before recommending a trip. Most groups don't need to pick a river in advance; the river picks itself once we know the dates.

Private-water reservations and longer-distance trips need advance planning. A last-minute change of fishery depends on access, availability, and logistics.

Travel from Livingston

Some water is in town. Some is a road trip.

In townYellowstone RiverLaunches from Gardiner to Columbus
~15 minDePuy's & Armstrong'sParadise Valley spring creeks
~30–60 minShields · Boulder · StillwaterSmall freestones east of town
1–3 hrsMadison · BighornLower Madison closest; Bighorn is a travel day

Drive times are approximate. Meeting locations vary by trip and are confirmed when you book.

Rivers · Spring creeks · Stillwaters

Find the right water for your trip

Each water fishes differently and has its own season. These overviews explain the style of day so you can tell us what interests you.

The Yellowstone River winding through Paradise Valley with the Absaroka Range behind Yellowstone River · Paradise Valley
Our home river

Yellowstone River

Guided floats on selected reaches between Gardiner and Columbus. Long runs, seams, and side channels give us room to adjust the fishing throughout the day, and the river runs right through Livingston.

  • TimingSpring before runoff, then summer through fall once flows settle. Cold-season floats depend on weather, ice, access, and safe boating conditions.
  • StyleDrift boat fishing with dry flies, nymphs, or streamers chosen for the day. Spring Baetis and caddis, summer hoppers, streamers in fall.
  • Good forAnyone who wants the classic Montana float. Beginners do well with a patient boat and the right stretch.
Yellowstone River trips Fishing + scenic days
Armstrong's Spring Creek and the red barn in Paradise Valley, Montana Armstrong's Spring Creek · The red barn
Fifteen minutes south · Year-round

DePuy's & Armstrong's Spring Creeks

Clear spring-fed water and visible feeding trout make these Paradise Valley creeks the best classroom in the region for observation, casting, and presentation.

  • TimingTwelve months a year. Fall, winter, and spring are the quiet seasons and a reliable alternative when the freestones are high or cold.
  • StylePrivate-water walk-and-wade sight fishing. Each ranch requires its own rod reservation and access fee, arranged in advance.
  • Good forAnglers who want to get better, and anyone visiting outside the summer float season.
Spring creek trips Winter & spring special
Drift boat fishing the Madison River canyon in Montana Madison River · Bear Trap Canyon
Tailwaters · Early-season anchors

Madison & Bighorn Rivers

Two tailwaters that broaden the options when local freestone conditions don't fit the trip. We discuss travel and the right river section before anything is booked.

  • MadisonThe Lower Madison is part of our spring and fall planning and fishes through winter. Upper Madison trips near Ennis add summer and fall options as conditions allow.
  • BighornA tailwater destination near Fort Smith that offers alternatives during local runoff. Its distance from Livingston calls for a separate travel plan, often an overnight.
  • Good forRunoff-season visitors, and anyone who wants steady flows and big-river nymphing or streamer work.
Madison trips Bighorn trips
Angler casting from a raft in fast pocket water on the Boulder River, Montana Boulder River · Raft fishing
Small freestones · Seasonal windows

Stillwater, Boulder & Shields

Smaller rivers with a different pace and scale from the Yellowstone. Flows, access, and water temperatures determine when each one fits the plan, and the feel is nothing like a big-river float.

  • StillwaterRaft fishing and fast moving-water presentations during suitable flows. Our Big Timber guide rows it all season.
  • BoulderPocket water and seasonal raft opportunities, with timing tied closely to the river's flow.
  • ShieldsSmaller-water fishing close to Livingston where access and seasonal conditions require specific planning.
Stillwater Boulder Shields
Angler holding a rainbow trout on a private lake fly fishing trip near Livingston, Montana Private lake · Rainbow trout
Stillwater · Families & new anglers

Private lakes

Stillwater fishing gives us time to work on casting, fly depth, and retrieves. It suits families, newer anglers, and experienced anglers who want a different kind of trout fishing.

  • TimingIce-out through early summer and selected fall windows, depending on the property and conditions.
  • StyleA flexible pace with room to repeat and refine presentations. Access is arranged in advance, and wind still shapes the day.
  • Good forMixed-ability groups and a relaxed half day that pairs well with river days on a longer trip.
Private lake trips Instruction
Planning questions

Planning your guided fishing day

Do I need to choose a river before contacting you?

No. Start with your dates, lodging location, and goals. We will explain suitable options and confirm the trip before booking.

Which trips suit beginners?

Instruction can be part of a river, creek, or lake day. Tell us about your experience and comfort with boats and wading so we can recommend an appropriate setting.

Can every trip leave from Livingston?

Livingston is our base, but meeting locations and travel time vary. Rivers such as the Bighorn require more planning than nearby Yellowstone or Paradise Valley trips.

Are private-water fees included?

Fees depend on the trip, property, and season. We confirm access costs before booking. See the spring creek page for that program's current inclusions and the rates and policies for everything else.

Can the fishing location change?

We can discuss alternatives when conditions change. Private-water availability, travel, access, and the booked trip determine which changes are practical.

Local experience · Personal trip planning

Plan your day with Swan's Fly Fishing

Matt Swan is a Montana licensed outfitter, FFI Certified Casting Instructor, Trout Unlimited Business Member, and Guiding for the Future graduate. Tell us when you are coming, where you are staying, and what you would like to fish.

Check Dates & Book Call (406) 224-8972 Text Matt

Trip planning Contact & policies Meet our guides Affiliations & conservation

Swan's Fly Fishing · Livingston, Montana · Outfitter #26324
Check Dates Text Matt