"THE ONLY THING BETTER THAN HAVING A BLUE RIBBON TROUT STREAM IN YOUR BACK YARD, IS HAVING FIVE"
The Beaverhead and the Big Hole merge together o form the Jefferson River about five minutes from the Stonefly Inn, in Twin Bridges, home to the RL Winston Fly Rod Company. at the confluence of the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Ruby and Jefferson Rivers, and only a short drive from the Madison, you will never be closer to some of the best fly fishing Montana can offer. To put it bluntly, this is some of the finest fly fishing water in the world. The diversity in the waters we fish sets our guides apart from some of the others you may have fished with in the Rocky Mountains. Having so many options each day, our guides don't suffer from "the same river blues". From long floats in a drift boat to stalking a spring creek, our guides have done it, and we can show almost any angler the type of fly fishing they have been searching for.
With this area lacking any major "tourist attractions", we see fewer anglers on the rivers than some of the other western rivers of great fame. It is not uncommon to fish entire reaches of some of our public water, and only see a few other anglers, if any.
When is the best time to come? That depends on your preferences. With the vast amount of water available and mother natures habit of changing conditions - there are several different scenarios that we see on a regular basis. To ensure you make the most of your vacation, please give us a call at 1-888-316-0982, or cast us an email and let us help you plan your trip.
Great hatches? We got 'em.
Public access? Lots of it.
Blue Ribbon Water? More than you can fish.
Experienced Guides? You bet.
Great Food? You be the judge.
Comfortable Lodging? You have our word on it.
THE BIG HOLE RIVER
Fed by three different mountain ranges, dozens of freestone creeks and flowing over 100 miles, the Big Hole River is one of those places you just can't get off your mind. Often referred to as "The Last Best River", the Big Hole fishes well from ice out in April until the winter weather hits in November. Limited outfitter use makes this river a first choice for many of our guest anglers.
What the Big Hole offers:
- Over 100 miles of fishable water.
- Freestone trout fishing.. No dams here.
- More colors of mayflies than you have in your box.
- Caddis hatches that can require dust masks.
- Stonefly hatches that bring even the largest of trout to the surface.
- Brown and Rainbow trout that will test every skill you have.
- 6 months of changing conditions - great early and late season opportunities.
- Fishable at high and low flows
- Side channels, dry fly slicks, and nymphing riffles.
- Trout fishing the way it was meant to be.
THE BEAVERHEAD RIVER
One of the three great tailwaters in Big Sky Country. stable water flows, dense populations of trout and great insect life make this river a great option almost any time of year. Multiple spring creek influxes below Dillon create some great clear water, dry fly opportunities during the heat of the summer. Big Browns on hoppers. A great river to fly fish.
What the Beaverhead offers:
- Over 80 miles of fishable water.
- Tailwater reliability - very little runoff effect
- Nymphing for larger than average trout.
- PMD hatches in June and July that will cause you to make bad casts.
- Rainbow trout that will straighten out hooks and break 3x tippet.
- Brown trout that will chase size 4 streamers and inhale them.
- Sight fishing... need I say more?
THE MADISON RIVER
They say you have to have an ace in the hole. If we had to pick a river to fit that bill, it would be the "Maddy". Astonishing numbers of trout and good water flows through the summer months keep the rods bent when fishing might be tough elsewhere.
What the Madison offers:
- Over 60 miles of fishable water
- Access for the wading angler as well as the drift boat angler
- Fish per mile numbers in the 4000 range
- Stonefly, Caddis and flying ant hatches
- Good flows throughout the season
- Classic western drift boat fishing
THE JEFFERSON RIVER
Formed in Twin Bridges by the confluence of the Big Hole, Beaverhead, and Ruby Rivers, the Jefferson flows northbound over eighty miles to the confluence of the Madison and Gallatin Rivers to form the Missouri. Receiving less pressure than any of the others, this is one of those fisheries that you have to see to believe.
What the Jefferson offers:
- 80 miles of floatable water, with good wading opportunities
- Early stonefly hatches
- Great streamer fishing
- Unparallelled wildlife and scenery
- Larger than average trout
- Low angler pressure
- Did we mention BIG brown trout?
THE RUBY RIVER
As our friends refer to secret spots - the Ruby River is a "sleeper". From the dam to Twin Bridges there is over 40 miles of twisting, turning trout water. Good public access makes this a great place to spend an afternoon before, during or after your trip with us.
What the Ruby offers:
- Classic small stream fishing
- Reliable hatches of PMD's, Caddis, and Blue Wings
- Great numbers of trout, from the dam to Twin Bridges
- AMPLE public access
- A great place to finish up your day or trip
SPRING CREEKS
If you are looking for the big name spring creeks, like Depuys, Armstrongs, or Nelsons, you won't find them here. What you will find is places like Poindexter Slough in Dillon (entirely on state ground) - no rod fees there. Other options are the lower Beaverhead, Albers Slough, Owsley Slough, and a multitude of smaller feeder creeks, many of which don't even have names!
- Poindexter Slough
- Owsley Slough
- Albers Slough
- Public Access as well as private
STILLWATERS
- Clark Canyon Reservoir - try this one in July!
- Ruby River reservoir
- Countless high mountain lakes, accessible by vehicle and foot
When considering using a flyfshing guide, you should keep a few things in mind. You should know that good guides are hard to come by and when you find a one, you are likely to cling to him like a brother.
We have fished around the world with the good, the bad, and the ugly. Guides that fell asleep, guides that didn't show up on time, guides that had trucks break down, guides that had leaky boats, no boats, small boats and big boats. We've been with guides that couldn't communicate with a preacher. We've also fished with some professional guides that could get the job done. We can honestly say that the list of flyfishing guides below is comprised of the best guides in the industry. These guys are all professionals that do not have a "real job". Fly fishing, and guiding fly fishermen in Montana, Argentina, Chile, Washington and Alaska is our job, and these boys take it very seriously. Recently we had a well travelled angler write to us and let us know that the Stonefly Inn had the best guides in the zip code, and possibly the whole state of Montana!
The Guide Staff of The Stonefly Inn has Rooster's personal guarantee - not written on the box in small print, and you don't pay extra for it. If you aren't happy with your guide at the end of the day, you'll get your money back. End of story.
Owner Dan "Rooster" Leavens
Montana Outfitter #10393 & Head Guide
Rooster knows how to spend 300 days a year on the water, and somehow enjoy each and every one. He has the patience of Job, and he can teach you how to stop hooking your rod on your backcast or how to throw a reach mend.
He knows how to bail out a sinking driftboat if someone launches it too fast off a cliff. Dan is on the pro staffs of R.L Winston, Simms, Hatch Reels, Clackacraft Drift Boats and Mossy Oak Camo. He's rebuilt diesel engines, called in bull elk, and he knows how to grill a mean steak. Those that know Rooster are certainly aware of his belief that there is plenty of room in Montana for all of God’s creatures - right next to the mashed potatoes. But most importantly, he knows how to listen, communicate, and he'll remember your name on a handshake.
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Jeff BrazdaJeff has one concern in life, other than his wife Lisa. Catching fish. He thinks about what they eat, when they eat it, and why. Spending every season of the year on river systems in Montana and Washington, Jeff is no stranger to the rowers seat. He certainly isn’t afraid of fishing new water, or being the guy that gets you out of bed at 0500 if he thinks that’s when you need to be on the water. He’s the guy you want to be friends with when the fishing gets tough, because he will be one of the first ones to figure out what their biting on! You can learn more about Jeff on his website at http://www.brazdasflyfishing.com/. |
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Greg BrickerOne thing you wont hear Bricker ask for is a day off. He loves what he does and takes every aspect of being a guide to a new level. He spends his winters in Chile and summers in Montana, putting people on fish over 10 months out of the year. He has vast experience on all of the rivers in Southwest Montana, and isn't afraid of a road trip to the Yellowstone when the time is right. Bricker is on the pro-staffs of Simms, St.Croix flyrods and RO driftboats. Recently engaged, we are looking forward to his wedding this summer in Montana! |
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Joe WillauerWillow is almost twice as tall as Rooster, but we don't hold that against him. Like most fish fanatics, Joe has been casting a fly rod since he was much, much shorter than he is now, and his experience gives him the ability to read different water, any place, any time. Joe's entomology (knowing which fly to tie on) is at a level most anglers cant grasp. He comes to Montana from the rivers of Washington, where he cut his teeth on the Yakima, Methow, Klickitat and Naches Rivers. Joe is putting his masters degree in planning to good use - by guiding for us! |
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Jimmy KerrJim comes to us from the coastal rivers of Washington, where he is affectionately referred to as a steelhead junkie. Depending on the time of year, you might find Jim in Alaska, Montana, Washington, or the Florida Keys. At first, Jim may not seem like the stereotypical fly fishing guide, and that’s why we like him. Under that mask he is one of the most knowledgeable guides we have ever sent an angler out with. He is on the prostaff of Scott Fly Rods and Clackacraft Drift Boats, and he will teach you how to do it right, whatever it is. |
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Tommy CaffreyHave you ever wanted to fish with a guide that really knows some secret spots? Tommy is your man. He has covered almost every inch of our water on foot, and has the uncanny ability of talking you into walking there with him. Sounds like a lot of work at first ~ after all, Montana is drift boat country, right? Trust your guide, and don’t knock it ‘till you’ve tried it. I know Tommy didn’t coin the phrase, “the purpose of famous rivers is to keep people off the really good ones”, but it sure fits him well. He loves to fish with kids, and certainly makes light of any situation with his sharp witted humor. |
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Garey AvisGarey once told me he was “put on this earth to catch trout”. Most people wouldn’t say that about themselves unless they were damned serious about it. He spends the colder months down south of the equator guiding for sea run browns in Argentina’s Tierra Del Fuego, where he met his wife Susan. When he isn’t guiding in Montana, you might find him restoring an old Ford, tying flies, or fishing the Big Hole with his wife. A great neighbor and a better guide, Garey & Susan keep our boxes full of magic hoppers! |
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Tyler BarrusSome river guides will make you wish you booked 4 days on the water instead of 1, they are that good at what they do. Tyler is one of those guys. He might be late now and then, but his intensity level and uncanny ability to find fish when others can’t makes up for it. Tyler understands the big picture, whether it is finding rising fish, bugling elk, hot goose fields or building a house, you can bet it will be done right. He is the guy that everyone notices on the river, not just because he hasn’t cut his hair in several years, but because his anglers are having the time of their lives. |
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Brett SengBrett is the kind of fishing guide I want to hire when I travel. He is the guy that shows up early just in case you are ready to go, but he sure doesn't mind staying late if the situation calls for it. Brett keeps his gear in tip top shape, knows the difference between a novice angler and one that he may learn a thing or two from - and excels in guiding both classes of angler. He was a bit hard to get ahold of, since he fishes and chases elk so often, but we are certainly glad to have him aboard. |
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Jack MitchellHe has two speeds - full steam ahead and stop. He is well read and can carry on a conversation with anyone from a toddler to a PhD – while tying a blood knot. Although you might not get Jack to sit down and have lunch on the river with you, what you might be able to do is pick up a pointer or two as he grabs the closest fly rod and mechanically fishes a run that you may think doesn’t have a fish in it. When Jack isn’t in Montana, he is busy tending to his business in Washington, chasing fish on rivers like the Yakima, Columbia, Klickitat, Methow and Cle Elum. Check out his website at http://www.theeveninghatch.com/. |
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Robert Boyce You talk about a guy that takes fishing serious. Robert has fished just about everywhere on the planet, with a few exceptions. A great instructor and quick with a smile, Robert is comfortable guiding any angler, any time. hris Ledoux once sang, "the last to quit and the first to buy the beer" ~ that pretty much sums it up in the Robert Boyce department. |
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John "Modobi" Dobson Aside from being the Rocky Mountain sales rep for Scott Fly Rods, Solitude Flies, Buffs, Kaenon Glasses and a myriad of other things, "Modobi" as we refer to him, spends the better part of his summer months guiding anglers at The Stonefly. He is a seasoned pro, having done everything in the industry from owning a fly shop to giving casting lessons and everything inbetween. Modobi is our resident CARP specialist - dont knock it 'till you have tried |
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Mike Zavodlov Mike "Z" is one of the latest additions to our team, and a welcome one. Mikey and I have guided for steelhead on the Washington Coast together for the last 10 seasons. It didn't take much convincing to get him to Montana last season to chase trout in nice weather! He has a very personable air about him, and excels in the teaching department. A quick study on our waters, Mike has a knack for being in the right place at the right time! |
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Ian DavisIan has been involved in the fly fishing industry since the early 1990's. Before moving to Montana, he resided in Colorado as owner of Breckenridge Outfitters - a three-time "Orvis Endorsed Outfitter of the Year" fly shop. After leaving Colorado Ian became co-owner of Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures in 2004. Ian guides throughout southwestern Montana and has a passion for fishing large streamers for big browns. He takes enormous pride in educating anglers of all skill levels and creating a fun vibe in the boat. If you are considering a saltwater vacation in the future, be sure and check out Ian’s website at http://www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/. |
Early season - April, May, June - Although our weather is generally stabilized by the middle of May, we can experience weather that will test any outdoor gear. The Rocky Mountains can deliver some pretty severe weather on occasion. You should plan accordingly, and realize that the weather can be here today - gone tomorrow. You will want breathable waders, felt or rubber soled boots, raingear, layers of fleece, gloves, hats, glasses and hats. We could also have summer weather as early as late May, so a couple pairs of shorts and your favorite fishing shirt are good wearables to have in your bag.
Summer season - June, July, August and September - With the summer on us, you can expect temperatures to range from cool in the early a.m. to downright hot in the afternoons. Long sleeve fishing shirts and broad billed hats can relieve some of the summer sun. Although shorts and wading sandals are the norm, thunderstorms are common in SW Montana, so always have a light rain jacket in your gearbag.
Fall season - September, October and November - As the summer winds to a close, we say goodbye to the dog days and welcome cooler mornings and warm afternoons. The water temperatures start to drop and river flows rise as irrigation demands wane trough the valley. September is hopper month in these parts, so a stout 6 wt. is a good choice. Waders should be in the gear bag, although you won't need them until the weather turns in the middle of September. Some of our biggest numbers of fish to hand are seen though the month of October. For those that plan an October trip to Montana (a great time to fish in Montana), your gear bag should have layers of fleece, raingear, a warm hat, gloves and of course a good pair of glasses.
Rod, Line and Fly Recommendations - The most commonly used rod weights in southwest Montana are 6 weights. 9 footers are fine, and 9.5 footers are even better for nymphing. A 5 weight will do almost anything a 6 will, but you might have to work a little more to get the fly to the fish in the wind. Yes, the wind does blow out here in the Rocky Mountains . Line choice is up to the angler, any line that is a WF will do the trick. My favorites are the Rio Nymph taper, or a Rio Grand. When it comes to leaders, anything 7.5' in 2,3 & 4X class will work fine. Fly patterns change so much through the season, it's best to call us and see what's working before your trip, if you want to tie some of your own. When you fish with us, the flies are included in your package, and we have plenty of them, so don't spend a lot of time or money filling your boxes up with patterns that may not work so well on these waters.
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May
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June
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July
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August
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September
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October
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