Boulder River Fishing Report Updated: 04/22/24 The stream is still flowing above a normal level and stained. There are Skwala stoneflies, Little Black Caddis, March Browns, Light Green and red, or blood Midge hatches taking place. Check back as we will keep you informed.
We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Brown Trout (Wild)
Rainbow Trout (Wild)
Cutthroat Trout (Native)
Size:
Small – Medium
Location
South West Montana
Nearest Towns
Big Timber
USGS stream level:
Big Timber
Season
Regular season; 3rd Sat. May – Nov 30th
Catch and release otherwise.
Access:
Good
Special Regulations
None
Non-Resident License
State of Montana
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
The season is the general Montana Season
Spring:
Springtime is only good prior to the runoff
Summer:
Summertime is the best time for fly fishing the Boulder River
Fall:
Early Fall season is usually excellent
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Options For Selecting Flies:
1. Email us (sales@perfectflystore.com)
with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response.
2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need.
3. Email us (sales@perfectflystore.com)
with a budget for flies and we will select them to match the budget and get them to you in time for your fly fishing trip.
All orders are shipped free in the
U. S. Orders over $100 are shipped via Priority Mail.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing On The Boulder River In Montana
The Boulder River starts in the Absoraka-Beartooth Wilderness in the Gallatin National forest. It’s a tributary of the Yellowstone River. This river has a wide diversity of water types from its headwaters down to its lower valley section. The lower section flows through open areas of land near the town of Big Timber.
From the Boulder River headwaters downstream for about twenty miles, the river consist mostly of fast, pocket water with lots of plunges, fast rapids, riffles and runs with some pools. This section has mostly rainbow and cutthroat trout. Lower downstream it begins to fall on a lower decline and the water slows down to a more moderate speed with longer sections of riffles with larger and deeper pools.
It flows over the hundred foot high water falls at the Natural Bridge State Monument and then begins to slow down even more as it flows through agricultural land. The section below the falls downstream for about ten miles flows through private property without any access. Farther downstream it picks up the water from the East Boulder River at the Forks and begins to speed up to some extend through more open and wider areas of pocket water.
The lower sections of the river contains some very nice size rainbow and brown trout ranging from about ten to twenty inches. Much of the fishing done below the falls is done on a drift boat or raft. The water above the falls is very difficult to float in anything but a kayak. We don’t suggest it at all for fishing purposes. Below the falls, downstream of the confluence of the East Boulder River the river can be fished from a boat, but the upper section is still quite fast. The lower section of the river slows down and can be fished from any type of drift boat.
Fly fishing the Boulder River is as good as most any stream in the United States. It is just surrounded with many more fine trout streams most of which have been published much more than the Boulder due to its lack of commercial establishments. It is one of Angie and I’s favorite Montana streams. We highly recommend it.
Boulder River Fishing Report:
09/28/20 Sorry for missed reports. The stream is running a little below normal level but in good shape. There are still some good hatches taking place and our Sculpin streamers are catching some big trout for our customers.
11/01/20 The stream levels are just a little above normal levels and we continue to get some good reports from customers. Our articulated streamers are catching some big ones.
03/18/20 The season has ended at the end of November. Send us an email and let us help you plan that next trip. sales@perfectflystore.com
05/18/21 The season is closed until the 3rd week of May.
05/26/21 The season is open. The stream level is normal but normal is a little high due to some runoff. It can b fished at the current level. There are good hatches. Let us have your report.
06/02/21 The river is in runoff with very high levels and dingy water. Now is the time to get your flies and gear ready for the good fishing opportunity at the end of runoff. Call or write us for a recommended fly and gear list.
06/11/21 The river is still high flowing at 2570 cfs. Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.
06/15/21 The stream level is still too high but falling fast. Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.
06/20/21 The stream is flowing at 1770 cfs which is still a high but it can be fished from a drift boat. We received two good reports recently.
We are no longer posting the archives due to the number of post we already have. See the top of the page for the latest report.