The Missouri River is a very rich "tailwater" river. With it's high trout populations, weed laced flats, beautiful mountain scenery, and great hatches, it is one of the best dry fly fisheries in the West today. The controlled water flows provide excellent fishing opportunities year round.

The rising Rainbow Trout are the main attraction. These "hot" fish average 13-19" and are very prone to surface feeding. Baetis, PMD's, Caddis, and Tricos are the big hatches here. There is always a chance to catch a 5+ pound trout on wet flies too, the big Browns the Missouri has long been famous for. It is a challenging and rewarding fishery. Many of our guides have fished the Missouri all their lives.

If you plan to fish the Missouri, go with the long time resident guides who know it best - MONTANA RIVER OUTFITTERS!

Thank you for your interest in our Missouri River fly shop, guides, and lodging facilities. Anglers who get to know the Missouri usually return time and again, to re-sample this river’s great diversity, richness, scenery, and the outstanding fishery. It’s been a productive tailwater since the late 1920’s, and will continue to be one of Montana’s finest for decades to come.

Most guests drive or fly into either Helena or Great Falls, where they rent a car. From either town it’s less than an hour’s drive to Wolf Creek, the location of our Missouri River Headquarters. MRO’s fly shop, and lodging are easy to find. If coming from Great Falls, take the Wolf Creek exit, then turn left under the interstate in the middle of town. This is just past the "Frenchman & Me" restaurant, one of two in Wolf Creek where meals are available 7 days a week (7 a.m. - 10 p.m.). After crossing the creek, take a right (you’ll see our sign). Our shop is on the left side of the road about 300 yards south on Recreation Road.

If coming from Helena, turn right off the interstate at the Wolf Creek exit, cross the creek, and proceed as above.

Our fly shop hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. After hours we have an evening contact person who can show you to your reserved lodging or we will post information on the front door of the shop.

If you arrive the day before a scheduled guide trip, it’s a good idea to first obtain a fishing license which is available in Wolf Creek, stock up on flies, fill in the Montana Outfitters record sheet, and take care of payments at our shop. This allows you to get on the water more quickly the morning of your trip. Each guide has his own game plan, but some of them like an early start. If you’re staying several days, you can still get any flies that are needed and fill in the outfitter report sheet (after getting a MT fishing license). Reservations are suggested for lodging, guides, and boat rentals as these do book full at times.

Days are long in Montana summers, and as mentioned each guide will have his or her own game plan adapted to your preferences. Some prefer early starts. Most start around 8:00 a.m., while others may start a little later, staying out until dark. If you stay too late, the local restaurants will be closed. By staying in our cabins with kitchens, you can prepare your own meals, fishing at any hour of the day. You can also have your car shuttled to your guided trip take out point if you like to stay out until darkness reigns. (This can be until 11:00 p.m.!) Most guides will finish up by 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. MRO lodging is a good choice for ardent anglers. Otherwise, there are four restaurants within easy driving distance, but they may stop serving at 9:00 or 10:00 p.m.

All of our guides will put you on the water for approximately 10 hours a day. Some choose to stay later at times. If you would like a shorter day or want to be in by a certain time, be sure to let your guide know. Half day trips, either morning, mid-day, or afternoon, are available, too. All guides can give fly fishing instruction, and are full of local fishing lore. Some have guided in Montana for 10-20 years. Feel free to question them about any and all fishing matters.

MRO provides a generous lunch and assorted drinks on day trips, but not on half day trips. Feel free to bring extra snacks, food, and drinks on any trip. The guides will have a cooler.

Most guides recommend you bring two rods, one for dry fly flies, one for wet flies. While our guides do have some back up fly patterns on board, they’re not "carrying the store." We suggest you purchase a modest selection of flies. While the Missouri is warm enough to wade "wet" in summer, we also suggest you bring lightweight waders for cool times, rain storms, and deep wading. Other items to bring include sunscreen, hat, bug repellent, sunglasses, jacket, rain gear, and camera. These items and more are available at our fly shop.

Our lodging units are best described as comfortable, practical, and reasonable. They are not plush or river front (they are 2.75 miles from the Missouri). Some folks are looking for accommodations a bit more elegant and secluded. We can provide upgrades in lodging from elegant bed and breakfasts, to riverside bungalows, to private homes and cabins for rent or complete all inclusive fishing lodge packages.

If you are renting a boat and have a rental car, our staff will put in and pick up boats for you between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Shuttle and late pick up fees are in addition to rental costs. It is best to reserve rental boats ahead of time, as availability is limited. We have drift boats, canoes, rafts, and one person boats to choose from.

Our fly shop is well stocked with the broadest selection of flies, and all the odds and ends fishermen need. We also stock Winston and Redington rods, Ross reels, and other quality products.

Fly tying anglers often ask what patterns they should tie before visiting. While there always seems to be some new "hot" pattern, the following are Missouri stand-bys. These fish can be picky at times!

DRY FLIES

NYMPHS & WETS

If you have any questions or need to make reservations for any of our services, please call our toll free numbers: 800-800-8218 (year round in Great Falls), 800-800-4350 (May-November in Wolf Creek). Local numbers are 406-761-1677 in Great Falls or 406-235-4350 in Wolf Creek.

We look forward to having you join us soon.