Hello everyone,

I'm looking for some tips for fly-fishing in Montana late April to May to early June. Something that can be accomplished on long weekend. The earlier the more likely we will prefer a cabin for a base but end of May and June camping would be fine too.

So essentially, backcountry-strips with easy access to fishing. The more South in Montana the better but I know the North is pretty amazing from my trip last year to Schaefer Meadows.

Home base is Broomfield CO (BJC) thus the desire for something to the South. I fly a pretty capable C205 with big shoes and more ponies up front than standard and a stol kit. I have been in (and out of) many different short and slightly technical strips, but never sand bars. I would try that if they were long enough and not too soft (@4500-6000' DA, I can make do with about 1000').

From what I understand, a simple fishing license is all that is needed in Montana and ideally I don't want it much more complicated than that.

If there is a base that provides access to airstrips and fishing within 30 minutes to an hour at most, that is terrific.

Any other thoughts, insights and suggestions are also most welcome.

Thank you kindly in advance for your suggestions,

Stig

Pretty much any strip near a river or creak probably has some potential. Bring a bike. Rock Creek, SE of Missoula, comes to mind.

FWIW, there's a LOT more airplane fishing access in the Frank than in Montana, though after decades of buying year-long ID fishing licenses, I've quit buying any licenses from the state of Idaho. I disagree vehemently with their predator depredation policies, which are funded in part by license and tag sales. Just something to consider if you have strong opinions one way or the other...

Fort Smith and then a short hike to the Bighorn River.

I agree with Bonanzaman that Ft Smith is your best bet on the Bighorn river. End of May/June is runoff and a lot of rivers will be blown out. At the Bighorn you can camp where you land and walk to what has been world class fishing. I say what has been because recent fish counts are way down. A dam controls water flows and sometimes the spring flows can be very high. Would be wise to get a fish report prior to leaving. High mountain stuff like Shafer, Meadow Creek, and Spotted Bear will be blown out and very well could snow on you. That time of year I generally fish lakes because of run off. Nothing you can really fly to. I assume you want to self guide if not their are many other options for lodging, car rentals, boats and guides. The Missouri between Helena and Great Falls would be an option. Twin Bridges you can camp at the airport and travel to various rivers in the airport Lincoln Continental. Nothing like cruising in your waders in a land yacht down a gravel road fishing. Cody Wyo you can fly into a regular airport rent a car and hotel and fish the shoshone river in town and then drive over to Luce lake where you will find me.

Don't forget about the Miracle Mile on the North Platte. It's in WY, not MT, but easy to get to from BJC. The RAF just refurbished an airstrip with great access to the river. Its dam controlled so it might or might not be blown out that time of year.

I started a shareable google spreadsheet last night that listed airstrips vs distance to fishing, remoteness, fish species etc. I wonder if I opened it up for public editing it would end up being useful. I'll post a link later tonight if I can get to it.