It’s wintertime here in Western Montana which means one thing – it’s time to think about how to become a better angler when fishing picks back up in the Spring.
Every year we see so many BIG Trout that anglers miss out on because they fail to do a few simple things when it comes to dry fly fishing. Generally speaking, when casting a dry fly to a feeding trout, you don’t usually have to do a 60 foot reach cast into the wind. But you should do these things correctly.
Watch: Take your time watching the fish feed and relax. Observe its feeding timing, and be patient. Do not rush your cast.
Slack: When feeding line to a fish from a stationary position, make sure you have enough slack out to let your fly get there completely drag free. We see so many accurate casts that tighten up and start dragging right as it reaches the fish. No dice.
First Cast: Your first cast is the only one. Well, not really, but it is BY FAR your best opportunity to catch the fish. Once you put a drift over a feeding fish, they see a bad drift, leader, or fly line moving and you’ve lost the element of surprise. The element of surprise is everything in any pursuit of fish or game.
Set The Hook: When setting the hook on a feeding fish, it’s common to set early and pull the fly out the front of the mouth due to how excited you are, and how much you’re anticipating the eat. Watch them eat it, close their mouth, swim down, then come up and back with the rod firmly, but not too fast.
If you follow these simple steps, I bet you’ll put more big trout in the boat this upcoming season! We are looking forward to seeing you on the water in 2026.
We’ll see you on the water,
Trevor Anderson
Owner/Outfitter Montana Guiding Company
Contact Montana Guiding Company today to hire a Missoula Montana Fly Fishing Guide to learn more about fly fishing in Montana.
About Montana Guiding Company:
Montana Guiding Company is a full-service fly fishing outfitter based in Missoula, Montana. Specializing in guided fly fishing trips on some of Montana’s most famous rivers, the company offers personalized fly fishing experiences to anglers of all skill levels. With decades of guiding expertise, Montana Guiding Company provides professional and customized trips on the Bitterroot, Blackfoot, Clark Fork, Missouri rivers, and more.
Contact Information:
Contact Person: Trevor Anderson
Phone Number: (406) 239-7959