Guided Fly Fishing Near Livingston & Bozeman, Montana
Swan's Fly Fishing is a year-round, owner-operated guided fly fishing program based in Livingston, Montana — about 25 miles east of Bozeman on I-90. The program fishes the Yellowstone River, Paradise Valley spring creeks, the Madison River, and a wider system of freestones, private lakes, and stillwaters across Southwest Montana.
This is not a single-river program. Days are matched to the water fishing best for the season, conditions, and experience level of the group. Bozeman-area visitors, Livingston locals, and destination anglers all start the same way — a conversation about dates, goals, and the kind of day that makes sense.
Early contact gives the best chance to line up the right guide, water, and timing for the group.
Choose the Kind of Day You Want
Most groups — whether driving from Bozeman, staying in Livingston, or coming in for a destination trip — fit one of three paths. The closest match is enough to start the conversation.
Guided Fly Fishing
Full and half-day wade and float trips on the Yellowstone River, Paradise Valley spring creeks, Madison River, private lakes, and other regional waters. Livingston-based and easy to reach from Bozeman on I-90.
Scenic Wooden Boat Tours
Private wooden dory floats on the Yellowstone River through Paradise Valley — a natural add-on for Bozeman or Livingston visits, destination trips, and mixed groups where not everyone wants a full fishing day.
Instruction
Focused casting and fishing instruction for beginners, families, and anglers who want cleaner mechanics on real Montana water. A strong option for Bozeman visitors combining a Livingston fishing day with hands-on skill building.
The Waters Around Livingston, Bozeman & Paradise Valley
No need to pick a river in advance. Dates and goals are matched with the right water — Yellowstone River, Madison River, Paradise Valley spring creeks, or private stillwaters — based on conditions and what the group wants from the day.
Yellowstone River
The core river in the program — from Gardiner through the Livingston corridor to Columbus. Long freestone runs, classic seams, spring Baetis and caddis hatches, summer hoppers, and streamer fishing through fall. The Yellowstone runs directly through Livingston and is a short drive from Bozeman via Paradise Valley.
DePuy's & Armstrong's Spring Creeks
World-famous Paradise Valley spring creeks just south of Livingston with clear water, steady flows, and technical sight fishing year round. One of the best places in the Livingston and Bozeman region to improve fast or target large rising trout.
Madison & Bighorn Rivers
Strong early-season anchors about an hour from both Livingston and Bozeman. The Madison River near Ennis and the Bighorn near Hardin come into ideal condition before area freestones peak — a reliable fallback when timing is tight.
Stillwater, Boulder & Shields Rivers
Fast freestone pocket water within easy range of Livingston. The Stillwater near Columbus, Boulder near Big Timber, and Shields northeast of Bozeman all fish best during specific seasonal windows — a very different feel from the big-river float days.
Private Lakes & Stillwaters
Quiet private stillwater options near Livingston — ideal for families, newer anglers, and anyone wanting a relaxed half day focused on casting practice and presentation. A strong complement to river days for multi-day Bozeman or Livingston trips.
Yellowstone Rowing Classes & Spring Fly Fishing Near Bozeman
Spring is a strong window for building skills before summer crowds arrive on the Yellowstone and Madison. Spring creeks near Livingston often offer the most consistent fishing in April and May — and Yellowstone River rowing classes are ideal before peak season traffic picks up.
Spring Fly Fishing Near Livingston & Bozeman
April and May are underrated. The Paradise Valley spring creeks are fishing year-round, the Madison is coming into form, and early Baetis hatches on the Yellowstone reward anglers willing to be on the water before the crowds.
One seasonal rate covers the best water for the date — spring creeks, the Yellowstone, or the Lower Madison based on conditions.
Yellowstone River Rowing Classes
Private one-on-one or two-person rowing instruction on the Yellowstone River — built around experience level, goals, and the kind of water that makes the most sense. Drift boats, rafts, wooden dories, and other practical platforms all fit the program.
Best window: March through June, before summer afternoon wind and traffic become bigger factors on the Yellowstone near Livingston.
Fly Fishing Instruction & Montana Trout Camp
Practical instruction built around real Montana water, repeatable skills, and better decisions on the river — available for Livingston-area residents and Bozeman visitors alike.
Instruction
Casting fundamentals, line control, reading water, fly selection, and on-river decision making for beginners, families, and anglers who want cleaner mechanics on the Yellowstone River and Paradise Valley spring creeks near Livingston.
Montana Trout Camp
Multi-day small group instruction focused on rigging, presentation, reading water, technical trout fishing, and making better decisions across changing conditions on Southwest Montana rivers near Livingston and Bozeman.
Channel 7 Montana featured these wooden boat tours on the Yellowstone River through Paradise Valley near Livingston — one of the most scenic float experiences in the Livingston and Bozeman region. For anyone wanting a quick look at the boats, the river, and the pace of the experience, this is the best place to start.
What Guests Say About Fly Fishing Near Livingston
"Matt guided us for several days recently while on a trip to Montana. I am relatively new to fly fishing and he was very patient with me, helped a ton on my casting and kept us smiling the entire time. We will be back." Morgan H.
"Best winter fishing experience we have ever had. Quiet water, clear sight shots and Matt put us on fish all day." Doug — Returning Winter Angler
Planning & Instruction Reading
Winter on the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks
Why winter sight fishing on DePuy's and Armstrong's near Livingston is worth the trip, how days are picked, and what to expect from a cold-weather spring creek day in Paradise Valley.
Spring Baetis on the Yellowstone River
How the Baetis hatch unfolds on the Yellowstone near Livingston each spring, which sections fish best for BWO dry fly and nymph fishing, and what Bozeman-area anglers should know before booking an April or May trip.
Montana Trout Camp
A closer look at the instruction format, the water covered, and why this multi-day program near Livingston is built around making more complete anglers across Southwest Montana rivers.
FROM AROUND SOUTHWEST MONTANA
Stories From the Water AROUND LiVIngston and Bozeman
