Montana Fishing License
If all anglers could purchase a Montana fishing license before your arrival that would be great! Purchasing your fishing license in advance allows us to get you on the water early if needed; this can make the difference in a great day and a fair day. (Buy a license online at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks). If you forget to purchase your MT fishing license online before the trip don’t worry we can swing you by a licensing agent and wait for them to open their doors to sell you one.
Yellowstone National Park Fishing Permit
If you plan to fish in Yellowstone National Park a different license is required. Anglers 16 years and older can purchase a three-day ($40), seven-day ($55), or season ($75) permit online HERE. Anglers 15 years of age and younger may fish without a license when supervised by an adult or may obtain a free permit signed by a responsible adult to fish without direct adult supervision. No Montana or Wyoming state fishing license is required in Yellowstone National Park.
Rod/Reel
9 foot, 5 or 6 weight rods with a floating line on your reel is recommended. If you do not have a rod/reel Trout On The Fly’s guides will provide them free of charge.
Waders/Wading Boots
Lightweight breathable chest high waders with a wading belt, felt sole wading boots with or without studs (*if you have studded boots let us know so we can have proper mats for the drift boats*). Felt sole boots are banned in Yellowstone National Park. To protect and preserve Montana’s waters, Trout On The Fly recommends following these three easy steps before bringing any waders or boots. Clean. Drain. Dry.
RENTAL WADERS: If any angler needs to rent waders please let us know each anglers body height, weight and shoe size and we will make sure your guide has your rental waders for your trip. $40 per day per angler on full day trip, $30 per angler per half day trip.
Rent your waders and boots beforehand at our online store HERE. *Felt free boots are mandatory when fishing in Yellowstone National Park*. Felt sole wading boots are still permitted while fishing in Montana.
If you are scheduled to fish from a boat with us during the summer (late-June through early-September) you will more than likely not need waders, unless the forecast is for heavy rain.
Wading Staff
A wading staff can help during walk-n-wade trips. If it is too awkward to bring don’t worry- we can help!
Polarized Sun Glasses
With hooks flying around eye protection is important. Polarization helps cut the sun’s glare and betters your ability to see what the guide is pointing out underneath the water.
Brimmed Hat
This helps cut the glare of the sun along with the polarized sunglasses. Forgot a hat and need a TOTF hat? Click HERE to purchase.
Sun Screen
Higher elevations and the sun’s reflection off the water lead to twice the sun exposure. Trout On The Fly recommends a 30 SPF or greater, applied before your day begins and at lunchtime.
Medicine
If you have medicines or medical devices, such as an EpiPen or asthma inhaler, please be sure to remember them on your trip.
Layers
Have you ever heard the saying, “If you don’t like the weather in Montana, just wait 5 minutes?” In the unpredictable weather, mornings can be cold and afternoon thunderstorms can drop the temperature 20 degrees. A long sleeve, quick-dry shirt, a fleece, a jacket, a rain-proof shell/dry coat with hood, and quick dry pants are recommended in summer months. In the spring/fall months, extra layers such as long underwear, stocking hat, fingerless gloves, and maybe a light down vest can’t hurt. Don’t forget socks! Using rental waders that someone else has worn without socks is not okay for you or the next person. For the spring/fall months I recommend a heavier sock such as SmartWool®; cotton socks are okay in the summer months. Once again, if you do not have the items mentioned, just let us know so we can help outfit you.
To purchase extra layers click HERE.
Camera
Don’t forget your phone to capture the catch of a lifetime and improve your bragging rights! Don’t forget to charge your phone. Most of our waters have little to no cell coverage and we recommend putting your phone on airplane mode to save on battery life. Forgot your phone? Don’t worry! Most guides carry their phone/camera with them and are happy to airdrop you the pictures at the end of the day!
Flies
Trout On The Fly’s guides will supply flies on your trip. If you have your own flies that you would like to try on our waters, bring them along. Remember the guides are out every day and will know what flies are best. Don’t take it the wrong way if he or she does not use your flies. Please remember that the flies are the property of the guides. The guides would appreciate your consideration of the lost flies and the cost to replace them when deciding upon gratuity.
Season Park Pass
If you are scheduled to fish inside Yellowstone National Park with us and you have an annual National Parks Pass don’t forget to bring it with you. If you forget your pass, the cost for each angler riding with the guide in the vehicle will be $20.00 to enter YNP. Having an annual pass gets all anglers in the vehicle entrance into YNP. Purchase your YNP entrance pass HERE.
Bear Spray
If you are scheduled to fish in Yellowstone National Park with us we highly recommend bringing a can a bear spray for each angler to have on themselves. If you do not have bear spray we recommend purchasing UDAP. Our guides carry extra cans that you can use but sometimes we do not have enough to go around.