Greatest Fly-Fishing Training in Montana

Montana is one of the greatest outdoor states in the country. If you want to get a taste of what the American west used to be like a century ago, go to Montana. It's not that the state is primitive; it's just that there is so much wild and protected land here and so many ways to experience it. Horseback riding is a common activity at the many dude ranches. Hunting is king here, too. But it is fishing that brings so many people into the state from surrounding areas. Why? Because Montana's many rivers and lakes are huge attractions because of the incredible variety of fine fish that can be caught in their waters. Because of its tremendous tourist business there are many outfitters and camps that teach the beautiful and ever more popular sport of fly-fishing. Some take small groups and others will even teach private lessons to persons who want the special attention. The more established providers have a variety of choices of lessons.

The Falls Outfitters provides guided fishing tours on the best trout streams in the state and on rivers like the Dearborn and Missouri. John Arnold is the head outfitter here. They teach all the basics of this sport to raw beginners and they train experienced fly-fishermen some of the tricks needed to catch the wily Missouri browns. Please contact them about lessons and the times they offer them at 1-866-727-2087 or by cell at 406-868-1951. Though they don't offer classes per se, all their guides provide some instruction and are glad to help beginners.
Falls Outfitters
1704 16th Ave. S.
Great Falls, MT. 59405

Royal Tine Fly Fishing will train beginners to become the best at this sport. Their school is located outside of Philipsburg, Montana, a great fly fishing area. They offer the best expert training in the state and teach not only the basics and the techniques, but they also impart a lot of information about how to read the different waters, how to locate the best spots, and to be able to understand conditions that favor or hamper the best fishing. There's a long list of things to bring posted on their web site, but suffice it to say that people need to come fully equipped with all their own fishing gear. A Montana license is a must and it costs $69.50 for the year. Their summer class begins this year on May 30 and goes 4 days through June 2. This includes 1.5 days of class and 2.5 days of guided fishing. The whole stay costs $995 with a $500 deposit required and it includes fod and lodging as well, plus, they provide transportation to and from the airport you're using and all the equipment used during the training and all loner fishing material.
Royal Tine
P.O. Box 809
Philipsburg, MT 59858
1-406-859-5138
royaltine@blackfoot.net

About 54 miles south of Butte is the Canyon Creek Ranch. This is the site of the fly-fishing instruction provided by the School of Fly Fishing. This school is run by a father/daughter team that has over 60 accumulated years of experience, and several instructional locations in the states and in New Zealand. In addition to their hands-on instruction they also provide a self-guided study course that compliments their regular courses on site. Their classes begin in late June and last throughout most of the summer. There are five courses for the beginning angler and some for intermediate and advanced fly-fishermen. For 4 nights, all lodging and meals, plus training for three full days students pay $1695 per person. While this may sound expensive, the package is all-inclusive so you really get some great instruction. There are a maximum of 8 students and 1 or 2 instructors for the sessions. A $600 deposit is required on registration. Please call them to get more complete registration information and for questions at 800-306-4111.