Species / Brown Trout / Montana
Trout & Salmon
Brown Trout Fishing in Montana
Wary, long-lived trout of rivers and tailwaters. Browns feed most aggressively at low light and turn to streamers and big flies in fall before spawning.
Best Months: Mar to May, Sep to Nov
Plan by Month
Best Flies, Lures & Bait for Brown Trout
8 picks for October.
Parachute Adams #12-20
FlyDry Fly
Shop This FlyBlue-Winged Olive #16-22
FlyDry Fly
Shop This FlyPheasant Tail Nymph #14-20
FlyNymph
Shop This FlyPat's Rubber Legs #4-10
FlyNymph
Shop This FlyWoolly Bugger #2-10
FlyStreamer
Shop This FlySculpin Streamer #2-6
FlyStreamer · Low light and fall.
Shop This FlySuspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in
LureHard Bait
Shop This LureInline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz
LureSpinner
Shop This Lure
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Rod & Reel
Brown Trout Setup
Brown Trout
Fly 9 ft 5 or 6 wt rod, floating line for dries and nymphs, sink-tip with 0X to 2X for streamers.
Spin / Cast 6.5 to 7 ft light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb line. Jerkbaits and inline spinners.
Montana
Where to Catch Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Beaverhead River
A narrow, brushy tailwater below Clark Canyon Dam known for large trout.
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Big Hole River
A freestone river in southwest Montana with a famous salmonfly hatch and native Arctic grayling.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Bighorn River
A tailwater below Yellowtail Dam at Fort Smith with some of the highest trout densities in the West.
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Bitterroot River
Wide, wadeable valley river south of Missoula with heavy caddis and stonefly hatches.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout · Bull Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Blackfoot River
The river of A River Runs Through It, with native westslope cutthroat.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout · Cutthroat Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Clark Fork River
A big western Montana river through Missoula with strong dry fly fishing.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout · Cutthroat Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Gallatin River
A fast, scenic freestone through Gallatin Canyon near Bozeman and Big Sky.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Madison River
Fifty-mile riffle famous for salmonfly hatches and wild browns and rainbows below Hebgen and Quake Lakes.
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout · Mountain Whitefish
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Missouri River
Tailwater below Holter Dam from Wolf Creek to Cascade, plus the big trout of the Hauser to Holter reach.
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout · Walleye
Rivers & Streams · Montana
Yellowstone River
Longest free-flowing river in the lower 48. Paradise Valley floats, big dries, and native cutthroat upstream.
Yellowstone Cutthroat · Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout
Montana
Shops to Stock Up
Bass Pro Shops
Billings, Montana
The fishing department carries conventional tackle, bait, fly-fishing gear and ice-fishing equipment.
Recommended
Gear for Brown Trout
Fly Rods
Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod
A smooth, moderate-action rod that is forgiving for new casters and protects light tippet.
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Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit
A complete rod, reel, and line outfit that covers most trout water and small-stream bass.
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Redington Behemoth Fly Reel
A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.
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RIO Gold Fly Line
A trout line that casts dries delicately and turns over nymph rigs.
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Scientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line
A smooth-shooting, all-around freshwater line.
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RIO Fluorocarbon Tippet
Low-visibility tippet for nymphs and wary fish in clear water.
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RIO Tapered Trout Leaders
Nine foot tapered leaders in 3X to 6X for dries and nymphs.
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Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable waders that hold up to seasons of wading.
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Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive boots with good grip on slick rock.
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Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.
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Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
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Trout Fly Assortment
A starter mix of proven dries and nymphs for Western and Eastern trout water.
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