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Montana Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing Montana Near Yellowstone, Big Sky & Bozeman

History of Karst Camp

The Gallatin River is also the home to our Fly Fishing Center in Big Sky, MT at the historic Karst Camp. Our private river front property has access to a great fishing and also boasts plenty of space to optimize the learning process. The shop is open for rentals as well as being the base for our Learn to Fly Fish program.

Originally a dude ranch, Karst Camp was established in 1901 by Pete Karst. The camp began as the gateway to Yellowstone National Park for early tourists. The camp, known as Karst Stage Stop Inn, saw up to 600 tourists per summer with 25 guests cabins. In 1937 Karst built a tow rope for skiers, (which has since vanished), as well as a bar and brothel for local miners. Visitors can imagine the rugged conditions both residents and tourists endured to appreciate Yellowstone Country 100 years ago.

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The Gallatin River Fly Fishing

The Gallatin River starts in Yellowstone Park, one of the purest water sources in the world. For 50 miles, it flows through rocky canyons and picks up more pure mountain water from crystal clear tributaries. It is a paradise for trout and a world famous fly fishing stream. The Gallatin River offers excellent “dry fly” fishing in beautiful surroundings and has famous scenery seen in the movie, “A River Runs Through It.” The trout are not picky eaters here, which makes the Gallatin River an excellent place to learn how to fly fish. The brown trout and rainbow trout average around 12 inches, with 16 inches considered a large trout – although some Biggies exceeding 20 inches can be found!

View Gallatin River Fly Fishing

The Madison River Fly Fishing

The Madison River is a headwaters tributary of the Missouri River with it confluence being in Madison Junction in Yellowstone Park. It is best known for brown trout and rainbow trout. With plenty of flow, this river will give a variety of angling options with the upper and lower sections as well as the Wilderness stretch through Bear Trap Canyon. We are one of two outfitters that hold this coveted permit to fish on the Beartrap. With this restricted permit, we have limited availability, so jump on your chance for this exclusive trip!

View Madison River Fly Fishing

  • Reservations are highly recommended and are the only way to get a guaranteed trip.
  • Montana Fishing License Required – You mush obtain a Montana Fishing License prior to the trip. Buy one at a local retailer or purchase a license online.
  • Meeting location – Montana Whitewater’s Fly Fishing Adventure Center at mile marker 55.5 on Hwy 191
    • Address: 55365 Gallatin Rd., Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730.
  • Lunch not included. You can purchase lunch adjacent to your trip at our Main Office, mile marker 64, a great option if you are doing a packaged activity or you can bring a packed lunch with you to eat riverside!
  • We need a minimum of 2 people to run a trip and a maximum of 6 per guide.
  • As a company, we recommend following catch and release policies in order to keep the fish populations healthy.

Fly Fishing Montana in the Greater Yellowstone Area on some of the most pristine rivers in the country!

No one should visit Montana and miss out on the fabulous blue-ribbon fishing our rivers have to offer! At Montana Whitewater, we are proud to offer packages for every level of experience. Whether you’ve never been on a river before or are tying your own flies, we’ve got you covered. We provide all the gear you need and have access on the Gallatin and Madison rivers. Book your Montana Fly Fishing trip today and maybe you’ll catch the big one!

Montana Whitewater offers experienced, friendly guides and great learning opportunities. Join us for a class or book a guided Montana fly fishing trip and get out on the river.

**Please note that each person 12 and older must purchase a fishing license prior to your trip. A one-day fishing license is $30-40 for non-residents. Anyone 11 and under does not require a license if they are with an adult who has already purchased one. Fishing with a hookless fly is an option if you do not wish to purchase a license but would still like to participate!

Trips

Gallatin River Learn to Fly Fish

  • Adult: $75 | Child (Ages 6-12): $65

  • Ages 

    6+

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Join us for an introduction to fly fishing on the Gallatin River ~ a blue ribbon wade fishing river in Montana. Topics included: rigging, basic entomology, knot tying, casting, reading water and on-water instruction and includes all the necessary equipment like rods, reels, terminal tackle, and flies during the course.

Gallatin River Cast & Raft

  • Adult: $150 | Child (Ages 6-12): $135

  • Ages 

    6+

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Always wanted to learn fly fishing and love to go rafting? This is the day for you. Mix learning and fun for a full day of adventure. Enjoy a half day of learning to fly fish, and then a half day of rafting down the more challenging or less challenging section of the Gallatin.

Gallatin River Learn & Guided Fly Fishing

  • Adult: $200 | Child (Ages 8-12): $175

  • Ages 

    8+

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Start with the "Half Day Learn to Fly Fish" and then follow up with 3-4 hour guided float/wade trip on the lower section of the Gallatin River. Min 2-Max 3

Madison River Full Day Fly Fishing – Beartrap Canyon Wilderness Area

  • 2-4 people:  $2600 for 2 boats

  • Ages 

    8+

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Enjoy an all inclusive fishing trip through the remote and scenic Beartrap Canyon Wilderness Area on the Madison River. Guides will take you through this rocky, narrow canyon and give you a unique fishing experience in an area only accessible by foot and boat.

Gallatin River Half Day Guided Fly Fishing

  • Adult: $150 Minimum of 2

  • Ages 

    8+

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Enjoy a Half Day - Walk and Wade fly fishing trip with an experienced guide on the Gallatin River. These trips are really designed for folks with at least a little fly fishing experience, but who still have a desire to improve, to learn this river area and enjoy a beautiful day outdoors!

Gallatin River Learn to Fish & Classic Zip

  • Adult: $130 | Child (Ages 6-12): $117

  • Ages 

    6+

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Join us for an introduction to fly fishing on the Gallatin River, one of the best wade fishing rivers in Montana and famous for the scenery featured in "A River Runs Through It." Then, sway in the trees and fly across the Gallatin River on the Classic Zip. Witness the beautiful scenery of Castle Rock on 3 zips and 3 sky bridges.

Gallatin River Learn to Fish, Half Day Raft & Classic Zip

  • Adult: $211.50 | Child (Ages 6-12): $192.50

  • Ages 

    6+

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Begin this full day of Gallatin River fun swaying in the trees and flying across the Gallatin River while witnessing the beautiful scenery of Castle Rock on the Classic Zip Tour. Then, cool down on a half day raft trip down the Gallatin River! Finish the day with an introduction to fly fishing on the Gallatin River, one of the best wade fishing rivers in Montana.

Gallatin River Learn to Fish, Half Day Raft & Super Zip

  • Adult: $234.50

  • Ages 

    12+

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Begin this full day of Gallatin River fun swaying in the trees and flying across the Gallatin River while witnessing the beautiful scenery of Castle Rock on the Super Zip. Then, cool down on a half day raft trip down the Gallatin River! Finish the day with an introduction to fly fishing on the Gallatin River, one of the best wade fishing rivers in Montana.

Gallatin River Learn to Fish & Super Zip

  • Adult: $159.00

  • Ages 

    12+

Package featured image
Join us for an introduction to fly fishing on the Gallatin River ~ one of the best wade fishing rivers in Montana. A great lesson, catered to families and first time anglers. Then sway in the trees and fly across the Gallatin River on the Super ZipLine Tour. Witness the beautiful scenery of Castle Rock on 6 zips and 6 sky bridges.