Walk-N-Wade

Some of our rivers are wade only (Gallatin River & all of Yellowstone National Park) and some rivers have wade only sections in them (Madison River). The ability to stand in one position and fish a single bucket (hole) can produce several trout versus floating by the bucket one time and only having one opportunity to get a good drift through the hole. As a new angler having the opportunity to get several drifts through a bucket can make the difference in a fair day and a great day. If you tangle your line while fishing a bucket while wading, no problem- fix the tangle and get several more drifts through the bucket.

Once we have worked an area of water during our wade trips, we use either our vehicle or our drift boats to taxi us from spot to spot. Using our drift boats on rivers like the Madison River in the designated “wade only” sections from Raynolds Bridge to Lions Bridge, and Ennis 287 highway bridge to Ennis Lake allows us to hole hop to all the “A” spots. When using our vehicles on rivers such as the Madison River in Yellowstone National Park we will work one location and then jump in our vehicle and drive to the next location.

Our guides will typically carry extra gear in a backpack, such as water, lunches and rain gear. Depending on the circumstances (river conditions or rivers), you may jump from spot to spot using the guide’s vehicle or drift boat. Full day walk-n-wade trips include a guide, the use of a rod and reel, lunch, non-alcoholic beverages, flies, leaders, and tippet.

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.

Adding A Third Angler

1. Most guides are not willing to take on three anglers. The guide ends up spending more time running between each angler untangling line and has no time to help with your cast to make sure you are not tangling up as much.
2. Everyone will have a more enjoyable and productive day if we can keep the trip to a max of two anglers for each guide.
3. 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.

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 $30 for half day rental and $40 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 all anglers purchase a 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 nonresident). 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
• Yellowstone National Park Fishing License – 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.
• 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.
• Yellowstone National Park Entrance Fee – On all guided trips inside YNP, each angler is required to pay a $20.00 entrance fee (excluding the guide). This fee can be paid at the entry gate or in advance HERE. If you are a national park season pass holder, this will get you and everyone in that vehicle into the national park without the above additional entry fee.
• Transaction Fee – All credit and 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.