Gear We Love

As a full-time fishing and hunting guide, I don't just use gear - I abuse the crap out of it. At Montana Trout Hunters, we take pride in providing our customers with the best possible equipment to ensure a successful and enjoyable fishing experience. With hundreds of clients every year, we have the opportunity to see and use a wide variety of equipment in real-world applications, giving us valuable insights into performance, durability, and demands put on gear in fishing applications.

In the following articles, we'll share some of our recommendations for gear that has survived our scrutiny and exceeded our expectations. From fly rods and reels to clothing and fly lines, we'll provide insights into what we believe are the best choices for Montana Trout Hunters. We hope that these recommendations will help you make informed decisions about the gear you choose for your next fishing adventure.

At Montana Trout Hunters, we know that preparation is key when it comes to fly fishing in Montana. One of the most common questions we get is about appropriate clothing for our adventures, and we understand that it's not always an easy question to answer. Montana is known for having the world record for the fastest temperature rise, and also for the fastest temperature drop. With such drastic weather changes, it's important to be prepared for anything.

We recommend checking the weather before your trip to get an idea of what to expect. Other than winter, Montana's daily temperatures can range from high to low by roughly 40 degrees. A rain jacket is a must, as we can get a lot of rain in a short amount of time. Even if it's not raining, a light puffy jacket is never a bad idea.

At Montana Trout Hunters, we want to make sure that our customers are comfortable and prepared for anything. We recommend dressing in layers, so you can adjust your clothing as needed throughout the day. This can include a base layer, mid-layer, and outer layer. We also recommend bringing a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun, as well as comfortable and sturdy footwear that can handle various terrain.

Our seasoned guides understand that appropriate clothing is an essential part of being prepared for a successful and enjoyable fishing experience. We recommend checking the weather, dressing in layers, and bringing a rain jacket and puffy jacket for unexpected weather changes. With the right clothing and the guidance of our expert guides, you'll be well on your way to catching some of Montana's premier trout and having the experience of a lifetime.

At Montana Trout Hunters, we know firsthand the importance of having a high-quality reel when you're fly fishing in Montana. Our premier rivers are home to some of the biggest and most powerful trout in the country, and having a reliable reel is essential to landing them.

When it comes to choosing a fly reel, there are several key attributes to consider. Durability, performance, price, and customer service are all important factors that can impact your fishing experience. We understand that there are many lightweight, aesthetically pleasing reels on the market, but we know that not all of them can stand up to the tough conditions of Montana's premier rivers.

We look for reels with an excellent sealed drag system that can keep out salt water and provide smoothness and low start-up inertia. Startup inertia is significant in the initial run of a powerful fish, and having a smooth sealed drag system with low start-up inertia can make all the difference when it comes to landing big trout.

All reel companies claim to have a smooth sealed drag system and low start-up inertia, but it can be difficult to determine these attributes with a new reel. At Montana Trout Hunters, we put our reels to the test by heavily using them in real fishing situations. This is when the features of the reel become more apparent, and it's also when customer service becomes invaluable. If a reel needs to be sent back for repairs, we expect a quick turnaround time to minimize downtime for our customers.

We have recommended certain reels in the past because they have passed our extreme scrutiny, but we know that the best reel for you may depend on your specific needs and experience level. That's why we offer high-quality reels from the best brands in the industry, and our experienced guides can help you choose the right reel for your fishing situation.

We understand the importance of having a high-quality reel when you're fly fishing in Montana. We offer the best reels in the industry, and our experienced guides are equipped with the tools to provide a successful and enjoyable fishing experience. With the right reel and the guidance of our expert guides, you'll be well on your way to catching some of Montana's premier trout and having the experience of a lifetime.

Tippet is a critical part of any angler's gear, and selecting the right tippet can make all the difference in your fishing success. At Montana Trout Hunters, we've seen many people make big mistakes when it comes to tippet selection, and it can lead to lost flies and missed opportunities.

When it comes to tippet material, some anglers prefer nylon for dry flies and fluorocarbon for nymphs, but at Montana Trout Hunters, we use fluorocarbon for everything. Fluorocarbon tippet has several advantages over nylon, including being less visible in the water and having higher abrasion resistance.

It's important to note that selecting the right tippet size is also crucial. We recommend using 4x fluorocarbon for most situations in Montana, with the exception of Spring Creeks where large, educated trout may be "tippet shy." Some anglers argue that smaller tippets need to be used for dry fly fishing, but if you present the fly properly, you can use 1x tippet if you could get it through the eye of the hook.

It's important to remember that tippet is the weakest point in your leader setup, so it's crucial to inspect it regularly for any signs of wear and tear. It's also important to replace your tippet frequently, especially after catching several fish or if it's been exposed to heavy use.

Selecting the right tippet is crucial for your fishing success. At Montana Trout Hunters, we recommend using fluorocarbon tippet in 4x for most situations in Montana, but it's important to do your research and select the tippet that best meets your needs. By selecting the right tippet and inspecting it regularly, you'll be well on your way to landing more fish on the river.

Wading boots are an essential piece of gear for any angler fishing Montana's rivers and streams. But, before you show up for a guided float trip, please do not wear studded boots. Studded boots will absolutely ruin the floor of your guide's boat, and he or she is likely to test your swimming prowess.

When it comes to purchasing wading boots, careful thought should be given to the decision. Several years ago, a war raged against felt boots, claiming they were responsible for the transfer of harmful aquatic species. However, what the industry failed to address was the other textiles within the boot, waders, and socks. In the end, felt made a comeback for one reason: nothing works better.

It's worth noting that Yellowstone National Park does not permit felt boots while fishing in the park. Therefore, anglers fishing in Yellowstone must use non-felt alternatives.

When selecting wading boots, look for boots that are comfortable and durable, with good ankle support and grip on wet, slippery rocks. Rubber soles with a good tread pattern are an excellent alternative to felt, and some anglers prefer them due to their durability and ease of maintenance.

At Montana Trout Hunters, we recommend rubber-soled wading boots with a good tread pattern, but we also encourage our clients to do their research and select the boots that best meet their needs. Ultimately, having the right wading boots will provide the necessary grip and stability to safely navigate Montana's rivers and streams.