Guided Fly Fishing in the Yellowstone Region
Where We Fish
A System of Waters | Planned Around Conditions
Southwest Montana isn’t one fishery. It’s a system of rivers, spring creeks, and stillwaters that all fish differently throughout the year. Each water has its own season and personality, and the goal is simple: match your dates and goals with the best water for the conditions.
We don’t guide a river. We guide a system of rivers — and we choose water after you book based on conditions, your experience level, and what you want out of the day. The writeups below are here to help you see the range.
Click here for the River Difficulty Key
Green - friendly water. Great for most anglers and mixed groups.
Double Green - very forgiving boat water with lots of shots.
Blue - moderate wading or faster decisions from the boat.
Double Blue - high-energy raft water or quick pocket fishing.
Black Diamond - steeper walking, tighter lanes, or more technical fishing.
Big Rivers
Yellowstone | Madison | Bighorn
Long floats, varied structure, and classic western trout water
Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone is the main river I guide from Gardiner through Paradise Valley and Livingston down toward the lower valley. It’s big, varied, and it fishes in distinct windows through the year depending on runoff and water temps.
Madison River
The Madison is a classic blue-ribbon trout river, and we treat the upper and lower as two different fisheries. The right reach depends on the season, flows, and whether you want more wade fishing or more boat coverage.
Bighorn River
The Bighorn is the most reliable tailwater option in our broader program. When freestones around Livingston and Bozeman are cold, off-color, or in runoff, the water below the dams can stay clear and stable. It’s also a true multi-season river: winter midge days, spring BWOs, and solid summer and fall windows when flows and weeds line up.
Private Water
Spring Creeks | Private Lakes
Technical sight fishing and quiet, controlled access
Paradise Valley Spring Creeks: DePuy’s and Armstrong’s
Clear water, steady flows, and precise presentations. These creeks are fishable all year and are one of the best winter and early spring options in Southwest Montana.
Private Lakes: Story, Burns and Merrell
Quiet stillwater days with room to work on casting and presentations. Great for families, newer anglers, and anyone who wants a calmer pace with consistent shots. These days also shine when rivers are blown out or you want a true change-up.
Freestones
Stillwater | Boulder | Shields
Fast water, pocket water, and local favorites
Stillwater River
Fast, bouldery, high-energy floats when it’s in shape. This is a “right window” freestone where flows and clarity matter a lot, and when it lines up it’s an all-day rhythm of pockets, seams, and steady casting.
Boulder River
A short-season pocket-water favorite. When flows drop into the safe range it can be electric, but the window is real. We book dates and pick the day that’s truly in shape.
Shields River
A quiet local freestone that mirrors the Yellowstone: it can fish great in spring before runoff, it can be volatile with weather, and mid-summer often isn’t a good call due to irrigation draw-down and warm water. When it’s right, it’s one of my favorite local days.
Headwater Country
Yellowstone National Park
Walk-and-wade fishing in America’s first national park
Yellowstone National Park Waters
Summer and early fall walk-and-wade days with cutthroat, scenery, and flexible water choices based on conditions and crowds. The plan depends on runoff, water temps, and what part of the park makes sense for your dates.
Local Experience
Why Fish With Swan’s Fly Fishing
Year-round program | Owner operated | Livingston, Montana
We are a year-round, owner-operated guide service based in Livingston, Montana. The whole program is built around reading conditions week to week and putting you on the best water for the dates you actually have.
Trip Planning Hub · Book a Guided Day · Winter Spring Creek Special
Conservation & Professional Affiliations
Supporting local rivers, professional instruction, and long-term guide development through these organizations.
