Montana? Whirlwind work trip...

[Matthew Longley]

I've got to visit a few clients in Montana at the end of the month, which will likely see me flying into Billings (centralish) driving to Terry (east), then to Philipsburg and Superior (west) and flying out of Missoula. I'm not going to have much time to dedicate to fishing, but will definitely bring my rod and should be able to get away for a few hours here and there. I've got --some-- leeway in where I stay, especially on the long drive from Terry to Philipsburg. Anyone have any suggestions on ideal places to situate myself so I can get some good river time (likely early mornings or evenings)? Not exactly the Montana fishing trip of my dreams, but hey we play the cards we're dealt...

[Freeman]

I grew up out there, live in DC now. I had to Google where Terry is... haha. You'll be crossing almost the whole state, so lots of options. The Yellowstone River is great... around Livingston it braids quite a bit and this time of year, streamers can be fun. The Boulder flows into the Yellowstone at Big Timber and can be good fishing right in town - there's a park and you can walk up the river. Closer to Pburg, Rock Creek is about as consistent as they come. You can either fish the lower portions closer to Missoula or the upper reaches closer to Pburg. Message me if you need more details. Jealous. Even if it is a work trip.

[Andrew LaVigne]

If you're in Missoula, stay downtown at the Doubletree. It's on the Clark fork, with wadeable water right there - caught a couple 14-16 inch rainbows in a quick pre-departure hour there last year. If you have a half-day, you could try to book a guide for the lower section of the Bitterroot. Kingfisher Fly Shop always has good info on the Missoula area rivers. 

Agree with Freeman that Rock Creek is a good choice, either on the upper end by P-Burg or the lower end by Missoula. I used to work out there, and would schedule a lot of Missoula meetings that ended around 3pm during the summer. You've got less light to work with now, though, so keep that in mind. 

As you cross the state on I-90, you will run into a variety of options. Yellowstone parallels the highway, Stillwater kicks in at Columbus, Boulder at Big Timber.  At Bozeman, the East Gallatin is an easy stop.  

You will cross the Madison and Jefferson as well - those are tough wades at I-90 though. The Clark Fork parallels I-90 from Butte to Missoula, but access isn't all that great.