Private Waters
Fish Private Waters in Montana Frontier Anglers offers some of the best private water fishing in Montana. Some of our waters require a guide, some do not, so please ask at the time of reservation. These waters tend to book early, so please reserve your spot early. WHEAT’S LAKE A beautiful setting with an abundance of large browns and rainbows. Wheat’s is a very productive 21-acre lake that offers the chance at catching the trout of a lifetime—it is full of big fish. We have caught rainbows to 8 pounds and browns over 10! Endless food supply of damsels, scuds, midges, Callibaetis, crayfish, small chubs, leeches, water boatman, and small ducks (at certain times of the year) prove that these fish will never go on a diet! Stalking bank feeders or going offshore and fishing hidden drop-offs and shelves, you’ll find plenty of action at Wheat’s. The ranch property also provides access to over 2 miles of the Beaverhead River. ROD FEES: $125 per angler, per day. On your first trip, you are required to have a guide with you. To reserve private water, call us at 406.683.5276 or toll free at 1.800.228.5263
Clark Canyon Reservoir
Spring time provides some of the best stillwater fishing for large trout. Conditions vary and at times can be phenomenal. Summer time can also be productive fishing near springs or tributaries. Winter Ice Fishing Trips are available. Please call us at 406.683.5276 for more information!
Jefferson River
Incredible backdrop and even better fishing. The Jefferson Rivers starts at the confluence of the Beaverhead and Big Hole Rivers. The Jefferson flows north to the town of Whitehall and then east until it joins the Madison and Gallatin Rivers to form the Missouri River near Three Forks. The Jefferson doesn’t fish well every day, but we know the conditions to look for and race to the Jefferson when the situation is ideal. The hardest pulling rainbows that we know of and some oversized brown trout live in the Jeff as it is affectionately known. Dry flies, streamers, and dry/dropper rigs all have their time and place on the Jefferson. A beautiful valley river with the Tobacco Root Mountains as a backdrop makes the Jefferson a favorite of our angling clients.
Ruby River
In the Ruby Valley north of Dillon lies a small dynamic fishery, the Ruby River. The headwaters of the Ruby are on the Beaverhead National Forest where the river forms as a small freestone. A majestic mountain setting combined with eager rainbows, cutthroats and grayling make the upper Ruby a hidden gem for small stream aficionados. The Ruby River flows into the Ruby Reservoir near Alder. It emerges from the reservoir as a smaller version of the Beaverhead. Brown trout make up almost the entire fish population from the dam downstream. Limited public access from Alder to the Ruby’s eventual confluence with the Beaverhead near Twin Bridges presents some challenges for access. We have access to a couple of places and are always eager to share our knowledge of the Ruby.
Big Hole River
There is no river on Planet Earth that is in the same class as the Big Hole River. The finest freestone trout stream in Montana, the Big Hole River, begins near Jackson and flows 150 miles to its confluence with the Beaverhead forming the Jefferson River. Best described by the late George Grant as “a big, little river”, the Big Hole is revered by all those that have dropped a fly into its waters. The Big Hole starts as a wide and meandering meadow stream surrounded by majestic peaks in its headwaters before picking up speed and added volume from the Wise River. Below the Wise River, the Big Hole runs through a section of canyon water known for some of the best salmon fly fishing in the world during mid-June. As the river leaves the canyon it becomes a valley river lined with cottonwood trees. Equally as diverse as the water on the Big Hole is the varied opportunity for anglers. It is possible in a single day on the upper river to catch brown, rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout as well as arctic grayling. The Big Hole holds the last remaining, native, stream-dwelling population of arctic grayling in the lower 48. As the river leaves the canyon, brown trout begin to dominate the fish population. WHEN TO FISH We fish the Big Hole primarily from mid-April through July and throughout the fall. Fly fishermen seeking excellent fishing with a degree of solitude should inquire about our discounted spring guided float trips. Providing another degree of solitude, are the regulations placed on the Big Hole. While pressure from guides and outfitters continues to grow on other rivers in Montana, the Big Hole remains protected by a set of rules implemented in 1997 that capped the growth of guided fishing trips. We have an abundance of usage on the Big Hole but urge those interested in fishing in June and July to book their trip as early as possible.
Beaverhead River
Originating at the outflow of Clark Canyon Dam, the Beaverhead River is a small tailwater with large fish. The Beaverhead is narrow and willow-lined over its entire length. There is never a dull moment as anglers drift and or wade the river. We are unaware of any fishery that allows fishermen to see and sight fish to as many nice trout as the Beaverhead. The fifteen miles of water that twist and turn from Clark Canyon Dam to Barrett’s Diversion is some of the best trophy trout fishing in the country. The abundant and large brown and rainbow trout of the Beaverhead eat a variety of flies throughout the season. Nymph fishing is always productive. Streamer fishing can be fast and furious. Small dry fly fishing peaks in mid-summer and some of the best big dry, big fish fishing that we’ve ever seen anywhere takes place in late summer. Similar to the Big Hole River, outfitting and guiding usage was capped in 1997. This translates to less crowded fishing as angling pressure continues to rise on many other rivers. Anglers seeking even more solitude might be interested in fishing portions of the river downstream where we have private access. HATCHES & FLY PATTERS These three major hatches—PMDs, Yellow Sallies, and Caddis—will continue for most of the summer season with varying degrees of intensity. On most years you’ll see PMD’s and little Yellow Sallies last clear into the first week of September, with larger and larger Caddis becoming more prevalent in mid-September. During the first week of August, we start to see Tricos and of course this is when the big “riffle” craneflies start their descent on area waters and can provide the most outrageous dry fly fishing of the year! Excellent dry fly fishing continues until we get the really cold weather towards the end of November. With a good mixture of both Brown and Rainbow trout in the upper Beaverhead River, anglers can expect to catch a number of fine trout on most any day of the fishing season. WHEN TO FISH Our guiding season starts in March and we continue to fish right on through November. The fishing in March, April and May can be exceptionally good. The traffic is quiet and fish eager to feed as the water temps. will be on the rise. Since the Beaverhead is a tailwater fishery run-off is usually never an issue, except during a few weeks below where Grasshopper Creek enters. June, July, August, and September are popular times to fish the Beaverhead. Many anglers fear the heat of late summer, but in our neck of the woods daytime temperatures rarely exceed 95 and do not interfere with the outstanding fishing that is found. And since the Beaverhead is a bottom release dam, water temperatures are not a problem.
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