10th Annual Montana Trout Camp
Montana Trout Camp is a small, advanced fly fishing school built around structured classroom learning and on‑the‑water application.
Join us in the heart of Southwest Montana, based out of Livingston and Paradise Valley.
Each day is spent on the water, rotating between Paradise Valley’s spring creeks, a private 83‑acre high‑elevation lake, and a big‑river float on the Yellowstone or Madison. You will develop skills across multiple environments so you can adapt, not just repeat.
The goal of camp is simple: learn, apply, improve and have fun.
A day at camp
Breakfast is ready at 7:30 each morning. Classroom runs from 8:00–9:00, focusing on strategy, entomology, reading water, and technical refinement.
By mid‑morning we are headed to the river or lake for a full day of fishing. We blend guided instruction with intentional independent time so you can apply what you have learned.
Lunch is often shared as a group. Those pauses become some of the best teaching moments of the day—advanced casting adjustments, mending in complex currents, on‑stream entomology, fly selection, and problem‑solving specific scenarios from the morning.
Some evenings, before heading back to the lodge, we make time to enjoy Montana: a quiet soak in a hot spring or a stop at a 120‑year‑old local bar.
Back at the lodge, charcuterie and appetizers are waiting. Our chef prepares a Montana dinner. Last year’s favorite was elk ribeye.
Who you will be fishing with
Matt’s guiding foundation was built on the Colorado River at Lees Ferry, where precision matters: reading seams, controlling drifts, and understanding how subtle flow changes affect trout.
He later guided with The Fly Shop in Redding, California, splitting seasons between Northern California trout and steelhead and Montana summers. That schedule built range across freestones, spring creeks, tailwaters, stillwaters, and big Western rivers.
Now based full time in Southwest Montana, Matt focuses on putting the right week together for each guest. He is an FFI Casting Instructor and a Guiding for the Future graduate, with a calm teaching style built around clear instruction and real takeaways.
Chris is a technical, well‑rounded guide with decades on the water across the West. His strength is diagnosing what is happening quickly, making small adjustments that produce big results, and explaining the why in a way that makes sense immediately.
As the owner of Boise River Guides, Chris has built a program centered on instruction, river education, and approachable coaching. He is also an FFI Casting Instructor and brings a calm, structured teaching style that works well for anglers who want to improve efficiently.
Chris is the lead instructor for Montana Trout Camp, helping set the standard for instruction, decision making, and on‑water clarity throughout the week.
Classroom then on the water
A week focused on learning
Small group. Six anglers. Two instructors. Some days include up to three guides. Real‑time coaching all week.
Three full days on Paradise Valley spring creeks. One stillwater day on a private 83‑acre high‑elevation lake. One river day on the Yellowstone or Madison (conditions dependent) to apply what you have built earlier in the week.
Spring creek days
Three full days on DePuy’s and other Paradise Valley spring creeks. Clear water and selective trout sharpen drift, detail, and presentation.
River day
Yellowstone or Madison, conditions dependent. Reading current, building rigs, boat handling skills, and applying technique in moving water.
Private lake day
One stillwater day on an 83‑acre high‑elevation lake. Depth control, wind management, retrieve discipline, and positioning.
Relaxed pace, real progress
This is a school, not a numbers trip. Clear instruction in the morning, coached reps on the water the rest of the day.
With only six anglers we can focus on what will help you most.
FFI casting instruction
Both instructors are FFI Certified Casting Instructors. Accuracy, loop control, wind management, and efficiency are coached all week.
Evening fly tying
Optional. Bring your vise and tools if you want. We can help you build patterns that match what we are seeing on the water.
Core classes
Selective trout
Spring creek approach, drift refinement, leader and tippet choices, and clean presentation for picky fish.
Entomology
Seasonal hatches, what trout are keyed on, and how to move past guessing when you choose patterns.
Nymph fishing
Depth control, strike detection, and building reliable systems in slower and faster water.
Streamer fishing
Angles, structure, movement, and when streamers are the right tool.
Advanced technique
Mending, positioning, efficiency, and adapting quickly when conditions shift.
Casting technique
FFI‑based instruction focused on accuracy, loop control, wind efficiency, and fixing habits that hold you back.
Comfortable Montana basecamp
Comfortable lodging and good food are part of the week. Trout Camp is built for long days on the water and real recovery at night.
Lodging
Spring Creek Lodge, just outside Livingston. Private rooms in a quiet setting with quick access to the spring creeks and the Yellowstone.
Note: We send exact arrival details and directions in the pre‑camp email.
Meals
Private chef Matt Miller prepares Montana‑inspired meals throughout the week. Big breakfasts, river lunches, and dinners that feel like the right end to a long day.
If you have dietary needs, we coordinate ahead of time.
Included
- All instruction
- Guide fees
- Private water fees
- Lodging and meals
- Airport pickup coordination if needed
Not included
- Montana fishing license
- Flies on spring creek days
- Tips for guides and chef
- Personal beverages
Cost: $3,850 per angler · Group size: limited to 6
What to bring
Waders and boots
When we float, non‑studded boots are important. Studded boots can slip on fiberglass and can damage the boat.
Rods and reels
- 4 or 5‑weight with a softer tip for spring creeks
- 5 or 6‑weight with a faster tip for river and lake days
Sunglasses
Good polarized glasses are a must for spring creek sight‑fishing. A spare pair helps.
Leaders and tippet
We often start with 7.5‑ and 9‑foot 3X mono leaders, then add fluorocarbon tippet down to 6X depending on conditions.
- Fluorocarbon from 3X through 6X
- Trout Hunter 5.5X is a good one to have
Clothing
A good raincoat and layers. Gloves, a buff, and warm socks are worth it this time of year.
Flies
We fish what is happening, but core imitations usually cover baetis, midges, caddis, scuds, sow bugs, worms, leeches, ants, and beetles.
DePuy’s has a fly shop with current spring creek patterns. We also stop at Sweetwater Fly Shop to stock up for river and lake days.
Fly tying (optional)
Bring your vise and tools if you want. If you are building a kit, plan for hooks from size 8 down to size 24. Bring favorite materials; we share what you do not have.
Other essentials
- Montana fishing license
- Headlamp
- Sunscreen
- Adult beverages if you want them
Need an airport pickup? Send your itinerary and we coordinate.
Learning, patience, progress
“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.
“Matt Swan is a great guide and a wonderful human being. My son and I caught plenty of trout and ate like kings.”
Donny D.
That is the tone of the week: solid instruction, calm coaching, and meaningful improvement without making it feel intense.
