Guests gearing up beside a pickup truck

Fly Fishing Montana

Since 1984

Fly Fishing Gear List — What To Bring

Big Hole Lodge is an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Lodge and there is a well-stocked fly shop on the premises to meet your piscatorial needs. The latest Orvis rods and reels are available, along with a variety of other Orvis gear. Leaders, tippet material, flies and other accessories can also be purchased there. We suggest that you arrive with a small selection of trout flies, with your personal favorites included, but flies are included in the package and our fly shop keeps a good supply of the flies you will need for the particular week that you are there, with some unique patterns designed for the local rivers and streams.

See below for our recommended gear list and buy directly from Orvis.

Buy your Montana fishing license online at fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply before you arrive, and carry the license on your phone each day on the river.

Gear List —

See the list below with descriptions of what you need to bring.

  • A 9’ rod for a #6 weight line will cover most conditions you will experience in Montana and we recommend it for the Big Hole River. A #5 weight or even a #4 weight rod in lighter line works fine on the numerous mountain streams in the area.

  • Presentation is the key word on the Big Hole and Beaverhead; consequently, a double taper floating line is recommended. Floating lines are recommended for all fishing except streamer fishing in the early part of the season when a sink-tip is helpful.

  • A proper leader is the most abused piece of equipment in the sport of fly fishing. A 9-12’ tapered leader with a stiff butt section is almost mandatory in Montana in order to handle the conditions. A good all-around leader is a 9' with a 4X tippet. If you are fishing “far n’ fine”, a 12' with a 5-6X tippet is recommended. For windy days and large hairwing and hopper patterns, a 7.5' 3X leader works well. There is always a good stock of leaders in the fly shop.

  • Lightweight chest waders are the favorite of most guests. Neoprene waders are fine on cold days but are generally too warm for most summer fishing. Rubber or felt soles both work, cleaned and dried between rivers, and a wading staff is recommended. Please don’t wear metal studded wading boots in the rafts since they damage the bottom. Also, metal studded wading boots are not allowed in the cabins since they damage the floors. Thank you! Wet wading in the warmer weeks of the season with wading boots and neoprene socks has become very popular. It is still a good idea to bring chest waders though and be prepared if the weather does turn.

  • The following accessories will help you enjoy your trip. Most of what is listed is available in the fly shop.

    • Dry Fly Floatant

    • Angler's Clippers

    • Surgical Forceps

    • Landing Net

    • Flashlight

    • Sunscreen

    • Insect Repellent

  • Polarized lenses protect your eyes and help you spot fish underwater.

  • Bring a good one because you never know when a storm will roll through in Montana and temperatures can drop 20 degrees in a bad storm.

  • Dress at the lodge is casual and comfortable. The weather can change abruptly in Montana so you should be prepared. The nights and mornings are cool, sometimes in the 40s, and the daytime temperatures can climb into the 80s. It’s best to dress in layers.

    • Flannel Shirt

    • Fleece

    • Vest or Jacket

    • Rain Jacket 

    • Fishing Hat

Recommended Fly Patterns —

Your guides will have all you need, but if you tie your own here are our recommendations.

    • Royal Wulff: #10, 12, 14, 16, 18

    • Parachute Adams: #12, 14, 16, 18

    • Blue Winged Olive: #18, 20, 22

    • Wright’s Royal: #12, 14, 16

    • Goddard Caddis: #12, 14, 16

    • Elk Hair Caddis: #12, 14, 16 (size #14 for spruce moth-slightly larger body)

    • Henryville Caddis: #16, 18

    • Trico Dun and Spinner: #20  

    • Pale Morning Dun: #14, 16, 18, 20  

    • Green Drake: #10  

    • Stimulator: #10, 12, 14

    • Rusty Spinner: #16  

    • Black Ant: #14, 16, 18, 20  

    • Adult Blue Damselfly: #10  

    • Salmonfly: #4, 6, 8  

    • Golden Stonefly: #6, 8, 10  

    • Parachute Hopper: #8, 10, 12, 14  

    • March Brown: #10  

    • Hoppers: #10, 12, 14  

    • Beetles: #12, 14, 16  

    • PMX Royal: #10, 12  

    • Purple Haze: #12, 14          

    • Dark Hare’s Ear: #12, 14, 16, 18

    • Flashback: #14, 16, 18

    • Beadhead Pheasant Tail: #14, 16, 18, 20

    • Pheasant Tail (traditional): #14, 16, 18, 20

    • Stonefly: #4, 6  

    • Prince: #12, 14  

    • Soft-hackle Beadhead Hare’s Ear: #14, 16  

    • Copper John: #14, 16, 18, 20  

    • LaFontaine Caddis Emerger (tan): #14, 16

    • Yuk Bug: #4, 6  

    • George’s Stone: #6, 8

    *Note: Bring weighted nymphs  

    • Woolly Bugger (black & olive): #4, 6, 8

    • Yellow Marabou: #4

    • Muddler Minnow: #4, 6, 8

  • APRIL: Skwalas, March Browns, Blue Winged Olive, Caddis Patterns, Midges.

    MAY: March Browns, Caddis Patterns, Blue Winged Olive, Stimulator.

    JUNE: Salmonfly, Golden Stone, Stimulator, Pale Morning Dun, Caddis Patterns, Parachute Adams, Royal Wulff, Green Drake, George’s Stone, Woolly Bugger.

    JULY: Pale Morning Dun, Parachute Adams, Royal Wulff, Caddis Patterns, Green Drake, Wright's Royal, Rusty Spinner, Stimulator, Blue Damselfly, Hopper Patterns, PMX Royal, Purple Haze and all nymph and streamer patterns shown above.

    AUGUST: Tricos, Hopper Patterns, Ants, Parachute Adams, Royal Wulff, Terrestrials, Rusty Spinner, Midges, Elk Hair Caddis, Purple Haze, PMX Royal,  Prince Nymph, Soft-hackle Beadhead Hare’s Ear, Flashback, Pheasant Tail, Copper John.

    SEPTEMBER: Blue Winged Olive, Royal Wulff, Parachute Adams, Hoppers, Terrestrials, Midges, Woolly Bugger, Prince Nymph, Soft-hackle Beadhead Hare’s Ear, Flashback, Pheasant Tail, Copper John.