The people who catch the most and biggest trout don’t make a 70 foot reach cast or have some really fancy tricks. They do the small things right. Do these four things better and watch it pay dividends on your Missoula Montana Fly Fishing Trip.
The “Pinch”: There is no bigger reason for missed fish than an angler’s “pinch”, where the line is pinched between your pointer and middle finger underneath the cork. This pinch is incredibly vital for keeping line tension that allows for line speed in your cast, as well as holding the line tight when you set the hook. When you set the hook, make sure your pinch is tight on the line and do NOT strip the line through it with your off hand that is holding the slack line. The trout hookset is only done with your rod hand with the line pinched. The other hand is not involved.
-Set Straight Up: This is the second biggest culprit for missed fish. Setting to either side, or setting too hard or not hard enough will all result in missed opportunities. Watch the trout eat your fly and close its mouth, and set the hook straight up. Lift your arm up and back firmly and allow the bend in the rod above you to drive the hook home.
-Look Downstream: This sounds simple, but it’s one of the biggest differences between advanced and intermediate anglers. An advanced angler is looking downstream where the boat is headed all the time. They anticipate the spots so they can make a cast at a very significant downstream angle. As we all know, this downstream angle helps alleviate drag on your drift and makes it much easier to mend.
-Stay Engaged: Understand this; rarely can you EXPECT the fish to be jumping on your fly all day long. Many anglers get spoiled from great fishing days, and then subconsciously expect all the other days to be the same. It is called fishing for a reason. What these anglers fail to understand is that it is indeed their attitude that VERY SIGNIFICANTLY contributes to how their fishing result ends up being at the end of the day. It is very common for fishing to be slow in the morning, but hot in the afternoon, or vice versa. Also, a lot of the biggest fish I have ever seen caught came on “slow” or “average” fishing days. Don’t let a poor attitude self-destruct the day. Stay focused, engaged, and have fun!
Our 2026 calendar is shaping up fast! Book your Missoula Montana Fly Fishing Guide today with Montana Guiding Company. We look forward to having you out on the water!
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