Half‑Day Float or Walk‑and‑Wade Trips
Half‑Day Float or Walk‑and‑Wade Trips
Guide, non-alcoholic beverages, all the tackle including flies, leaders, tippet, the shuttle service for the guide’s vehicle from boat put in, to the take-out on float trips.
Your guide will supply rods if you do not have your own.
Waters You Can Fish
Half days are a great introduction to fly fishing; we will teach you the basics in casting, line management, knots, some entomology, and how to land fish. Got children? Don’t torture them on a full day trip; this can leave a bad taste in their mouth. Half days allow us to expose the child to the sport, leaving them with a good experience!
Duration of Trip
Half-day trips are based on 4 hours from the time you and the guide arrive at the boat ramp or fishing access site (FAS) and the guide starts setting up the boat and rods.
We offer half day fishing in the morning (from 8 am – 12 pm) or afternoon (1pm-5pm). Occasionally we can be flexible on start time, please call to discuss.
Please let us or your guide know if you prefer to finish earlier.
Guide Service
We are not a brick and mortar fly shop. Upon booking trips with Trout On The Fly, we will make suitable arrangements to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, we will ask you to meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. This applies regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone or Fort Smith Montana.
Three Anglers In A Boat
- This becomes a liability. Our drift boats and jet boats have U.S. Coast Guard max weight limit for each vessel. If we exceed this weight limit and have an accident we would be at fault. Yours and the guides safety comes first.
- If we were to allow three anglers in one boat, only two anglers could fish at any given time. This means one angler is not fishing. The best scenario for allowing three anglers in a boat is if it happens to be a mom, dad and a child that is young and needs to be with their parent. We would still observe the max weight limit.
- 3 persons or 750 lbs – this includes the weight of the guide.
- Most guides are not willing to take on three anglers in their boat. It is back breaking-work, and the boat is not as responsive to get you into position when needed.
- Everyone will have a more enjoyable and productive day if we can keep the boat to a max of two anglers for each boat/guide.
- If we agree on letting you have three people in the boat (plus the guide) the cost is an additional $200.00 on top of the daily rate.
Extra Costs
- Wader and Wading Boot Rental – Let us know when booking a trip if you need rental gear and we will arrange to have them upon your arrival. Prices with Trout On The Fly are $35 for half day rental and $45 for a full day wader and boot rental. Rent your waders and boots beforehand at our online store HERE.
- Montana Fishing License – To save time we recommend you purchase your license(s) online before your trip at the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks website. Any angler 12 years of age and older must have a Conservation License ($10-nonresident) plus a Fishing License ($14 for 1 day, $56 for 5 consecutive days or $100 for season-nonresident), plus an Angler AIS Prevention Pass (AISPP) ($7.50 for non-residents). No license is required for angler’s age 11 years and younger IF accompanied by an adult who holds a valid Montana fishing license. Click here to buy a Montana Fishing License Online
- Guide Gratuity – Gratuity is not mandatory, but is well appreciated to help with the guide’s fuel, flies lost on the trip, and reflects the hard work of the guide. Average gratuity is 20-25% of the price of the trip. However, if you feel the guide deserves more or less, please adjust the amount according to your experience.
- Transaction Fee – All credit or debit card payments add 4% to the total amount.
- Third Angler Rate – If we agree on letting you have three people on your trip (plus the guide) the cost is an additional $200.00 on top of the daily rate.
Deposit & Cancellation Policy
- A 50% deposit is required at the time of reserving your fishing guide. The remaining balance will be due 60 days before your scheduled trip(s)
- Cancellations made 61 days or more from your scheduled trip will be refunded the full amount.
- Cancellations made between 60 and 31 days before your scheduled trip will forfeit $100 of the trip amount.
- Cancellations made 30 or fewer days prior to your scheduled trip will forfeit 100% of the trip amount.
- Requests to move a scheduled trip date are the same as canceling and re-booking
Please understand that these trips are difficult to re-book on short notice, and that our focus is on providing the best fishing experience possible. If you have any concerns about attending your booked trip, please look into trip insurance.
- “Hi Nate,A quick note to let you know that we had an amazing afternoon with Greg. Greg was professional, very knowledgeable, and thoughtful. He worked really hard to give us a great experience with careful instruction and tips for the duration of the trip. We learned a ton (a few different methods of fishing), had a great time floating down the river, and the Upper Madison is gorgeous. I really appreciate your making this happen. Simply said, we want to come back. I hope you have a great rest of your summer season.Thanks so much,Nicole“
- “Our guide Jake S. was awesome! So knowledgeable and friendly. He was very punctual picking us up and made sure we felt comfortable going out on the water and returned us home safely afterwards. Nate was super responsive over email too in helping us coordinate details prior to our excursion date. Overall highly recommend!“
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Thank you Trout On The Fly for making our fishing trip one of the most memorable trips ever!
Our guide Nathan Anderson was knowledgeable about the area, rivers, and fish. My 81-year-old father couldn't wade the river, Nathan had no issue jumping into the river, to position and hold the boat, so my father can fish hard to reach areas. He also looked out for my father's safety the whole trip, being patient with an older client.
I was impressed with how hard Nathan worked for us while offering continued encouragement and instruction. The river was a bit murky in the spot we planned to launch, Nathan wasn't satisfied and drove further up the Madison to launch in clear water, this type of service only comes through pride in one's job.
We will definitely book again with Trout On The Fly for our next fishing excursion.
Sincerely, Mike Orloff.“ - “Our guides were fantastic. Very knowledgeable, eager to teach, and worked hard to give us a memorable experience. Matt was upbeat, shared incredible stories, and made sure we enjoyed our time on an incredible trip. Mark B. - CA Angler “
- “I really enjoyed the trip. Matt Hoff was a great guide with diverse experience. I learned a lot and improved tremendously in my knowledge and skill. I really appreciate his commitment to making our trip a uniquely special experience. Paul U. - TX Angler“