Start with the Day, Not the River
Most people get hung up on river names. That’s understandable, but it’s not how Montana actually fishes. The same “best river” can be great one week and the wrong call the next.
You’re not locking in a specific river here. You’re reserving a guided day. Trips are booked by date and guide. We choose the right water after booking based on conditions, your experience level, and what you want out of the day.
Quick question and a straight answer: call or text (406) 224-8972 · text us
Common Ways Guests Spend a Day With Us
Float trips
Classic Montana days covering real water. Great pacing, lots of shots, and the most comfortable option for mixed groups.
Best for: most anglers, most weeks of the season.
Walk and wade
Quieter water, more mobility, and more detail. Ideal for spring creeks, smaller rivers, and technical windows.
Best for: anglers who like to move and fish deliberately.
Instruction-focused
Casting, reading water, drift and mending, and rowing fundamentals. Great for first-timers and great as a tune-up.
Best for: confidence building that carries everywhere.
First-time anglers and families
Patient coaching, comfortable pacing, and a day built around learning without pressure.
We meet you where you are.
Couples and mixed groups
A balanced day that blends fishing, scenery, and time together. Perfect when experience levels vary.
A Montana day first, fishing included.
Experienced anglers
Seasonal opportunities, technical approaches, and honest water choices based on what’s actually happening.
Dial it in when it matters.
Not sure what to book? Tell me your dates and where you’re staying. Call/text (406) 224-8972.
Book Dates. We Match the Water.
This is the part that keeps trips clean: you book the day and the guide, then we pick the best water for that week. That lets us lean into what’s fishing well instead of forcing a plan.
If rivers are in runoff or weather turns, we pivot to options that stay consistent (spring creeks, tailwaters, stillwaters, or a different reach). That flexibility is what makes the trip better.
Planning Links
Trip Planning Hub
Float vs walk-and-wade, seasons, what the day looks like, and how we choose water once you book.
Plan your tripWhere We Fish
The full system: Yellowstone, Madison, spring creeks, Bighorn, Stillwater, Boulder, Shields, and private lakes.
Explore the systemMeet Our Guides
Owner-operated, local guides, calm instruction, and a program built around building the right day for each guest.
Meet the teamLodging and Dining
Where to stay, where to eat, and local spots that make a Livingston and Paradise Valley trip better.
Local recommendationsMontana Classic Boat Tours
Not every great day on the Yellowstone needs to be a fishing day. Montana Classic Boat Tours is a scenic float option built for non-anglers, photographers, families, and anyone who wants comfort, scenery, and a true Montana river day.
Questions on which day should be fishing vs scenic? Call/text (406) 224-8972.
Quick Answers
Do I pick a specific river when I book?
No. You reserve a guided day (date + guide). We choose the right water after booking based on conditions, your experience level, and what you want out of the day.
What’s typically included?
Guide, shuttle/transport for the day’s plan, and instruction. Rods, reels, flies, and terminal tackle are available if needed. Full-day trips typically include lunch and drinks.
What if conditions change?
That’s Montana. We pivot to the water that’s fishing best and treat fish well, instead of forcing a plan that doesn’t fit the week.
Is Montana Classic Boat Tours a fishing trip?
No. It’s a scenic float on classic wooden dories—built for scenery, comfort, and a true Yellowstone River day.
Conservation & Professional Affiliations
Supporting local rivers, professional instruction, and long-term guide development through these organizations.
