Dearborn River Montana Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. 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 have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes that 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
Rainbow Trout
Cutthroat Trout
Size
Medium to large
Location
Western Montana
Nearest Towns
Craig
Season
3rd Sat. May – Nov 30th
Access:
Hiking required in the uppermost
section, lots of private property in the
lower section
Non-Resident License
State of Montana
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS Stream Flow Data:
Near Crag
Seasons:
Fly fishing the Dearborn River can be good any day of the season.
Spring:
Springtime is the best time for fly fishing the Dearborn River due to plentiful hatches and higher water levels.
Summer:
The water stays cool enough during the Summer, but it can get low in areas making fishing tougher than normal.
Fall:
Early Fall is an excellent time to fish the Dearborn River.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Dearborn River Montana
The Dearborn River is 70 mile long tributary of the Missouri River. It originates in the Lewis and Clark National Forest near Scapegoat Mountain in the Lewis and Clark Range of the Rocky Mountains. It terminates in the Missouri River near Craig, Montana. Fly fishing the Dearborn River is probably not as popular as its whitewater rafting.
The upper part of the Dearborn River flows through mountainous terrain. This section that’s approximately twenty-twp miles long must be accessed on foot or by horseback. A good trail follows along the river. Like most of Montana’s freestone stream’s headwaters, most of the trout are on the small side and consist mostly of rainbows and cutthroats.
When the river flows out of the mountains into the prairie, the declination becomes much lower and the flow of the river slows down. There are still a few plunges and whitewater areas for the first few miles. The lower river contains mostly rainbows and brown trout but there are a few cutthroats.
Downstream of highway #434, the river flows mostly through private property. There are a few access points along the river but they are very limited. This lower part of the stream is best fished from a drift boat. The best section to float is downstream of the highway #200 bridge, or the public access on highway #434. You should also keep in mind that the river can get low in the summer months and larger size boats may have a tough time getting through certain areas.
The Dearborn River’s close proximity to the more popular Missouri River keeps most visiting anglers away from its waters. It deserves more attention than it gets but I’m sure most locals just as soon it stays that way.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies – The Dearborn River Montana
Fly Line:
The ideal fly line for the upper section of the Dearborn River would be a 4 weight or lighter, floating fly line. If you fish for the brown and rainbow trout in the larger portions of the river, then we suggest something larger, of course. A 5 weight fly line would deliver most flies that are ideal for most of the fly fishing. If you fish streamers and larger nymphs, then you should consider using a 6 weight, floating fly line.
Fly Rod:
For the smaller size rainbow and cutthroat trout, we recommend a 4 weight, eight to eight and one half foot, slow to medium action fly rod. For the five weight line, we would recommend a 5 weight, eight and one-half to nine foot, medium to medium fast action fly rod. The rod for the 6 weight line should be from eight and a half to nine foot long, in a medium fast to fast action. A slightly heavier tip comes in handy for larger nymphs.
Fly Reel:
The reel for the 4 weight line isn’t all that important as long as it is light and holds the line. The reel for the 5 and 6 weight lines should have a good drag. It should be smooth and adjust to fine increments.
Leaders:
You should probably use at least a 9 foot leader anywhere you fish the Dearborn River. In
some situations you may need to use a 12 foot leader. We suggest you have them in sizes
ranging from a 1X for streamers, up to 7X for small dry flies.
Tippet:
You should have extra tippet material in sizes ranging from 1X to 7X.
Waders:
I would not want to fish the Dearborn River without waders.
Wading Boots:
Felt soles would be our choice for wading boots. The new rubber soles may work well. We
haven’t tried them there yet.
Wading Staff:
A wading staff would be optional. It certainly doesn’t hurt to have one with high water.
Landing Net:
A landing net would be recommended but not necessary.
Flies:
We always recommend our own “Perfect Fly” Trout Flies. We have specific imitations of every important insect that hatches on the Dearborn River. Our flies are the most realistic imitations you can buy as well as the most effective imitations you can obtain. If you haven’t already tried them, we certainly hope you do.