Copyright 2010 James Marsh
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Fly Fishing The Teton River Montana
There are two Teton Rivers - one in Montana and
another in Idaho. The Teton River in Central Montana is
formed in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Although this
isn't a named blue-ribbon trout stream, fly fishing the
Teton River in Montana is a very rewarding experience.
The Teton River is formed by the confluence of several
branches. Eventually they flow together into what is
called the North Fork Teton River and the South Fork
Teton River. They flow out of the eastern side of the
Rocky Mountains into the high prairie country of central
Montana. The river is almost 200 miles long. It flows into
the Marias River just before it enters the Missouri River.
The best area for fly fishing the Teton River is in the
upper area of it and its branches - North, South, Middle
and West. Most of the river outside of the mountains
flows through private property. This is another river in
Montana that's located in a very isolated area of the
state. It's rarely fished by anyone other than local
anglers. Like many of the other rivers in the huge
section of the state, its popularity is
reduced because of all of the other great trout fishing
that's available in more populated areas of the state as
well as Yellowstone National Park.
LIke most headwaters, the headwaters of the Teton
River does not have many large fish. It has a lot of trout
that are very willing to take a fly. Most of the fish in the
uppermost areas are brook trout and small cutthroats.
Rainbows are present in the main Forks of the river.
Most all of the headwater streams that make up the two
main Forks of the river are not accessible by road. You
must hike or backpack into the mountains to fish them.
The North and South Forks are accessible in some
areas by road. That is the only area of the stream Angie
and I have fished.
The main river, outside of the mountains, flows through
some small canyons and across the high prairie. For the
most part, this main part of the river does not provide
good fishing although trout exist. There are areas that
can be floated but the main river has several
agricultural/cattle diversion areas and some beaver
dams in its upper areas. Fly fishing the Teton River in
this area from a boat can be tricky.
If you ever decide to fish this river, you better be
prepared to camp. If not, you will be driving a very long
way before you find a motel. I can personally vouch for
that. There are many campsites in the area and that
would be the way to fish the area. Our one trip there of
two days of fishing was greatly shortened by the amount
of driving we had to do each of the two mornings we
fished the river along canyon road. Once you are there,
you should have no problem catching trout. Competition
from other anglers certainly wouldn't be a problem. We
were able to catch a large number of small rainbows and
cutthroat trout for the short amount of time we had to
fish. I can only imagine what it would be like to backpack
in and fish the upper branches of the river. You would
probably be by yourself.
Seasons:
Seasons follow the general Montana fishing season.
Spring:
Spring would be okay, before and after the runoff.
Summer:
The Summer would be best for fly fishing the Teton
River's headwaters.
Fall:
Early Fall would present good opportunities.
Fly Fishing Gear Tackle and Trout Flies
There are two Teton Rivers - one in Montana and
another in Idaho. The Teton River in Central Montana is
formed in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Although this
isn't a named blue-ribbon trout stream, fly fishing the
Teton River in Montana is a very rewarding experience.
The Teton River is formed by the confluence of several
branches. Eventually they flow together into what is
called the North Fork Teton River and the South Fork
Teton River. They flow out of the eastern side of the
Rocky Mountains into the high prairie country of central
Montana. The river is almost 200 miles long. It flows into
the Marias River just before it enters the Missouri River.
The best area for fly fishing the Teton River is in the
upper area of it and its branches - North, South, Middle
and West. Most of the river outside of the mountains
flows through private property. This is another river in
Montana that's located in a very isolated area of the
state. It's rarely fished by anyone other than local
anglers. Like many of the other rivers in the huge
section of the state, its popularity is
reduced because of all of the other great trout fishing
that's available in more populated areas of the state as
well as Yellowstone National Park.
LIke most headwaters, the headwaters of the Teton
River does not have many large fish. It has a lot of trout
that are very willing to take a fly. Most of the fish in the
uppermost areas are brook trout and small cutthroats.
Rainbows are present in the main Forks of the river.
Most all of the headwater streams that make up the two
main Forks of the river are not accessible by road. You
must hike or backpack into the mountains to fish them.
The North and South Forks are accessible in some
areas by road. That is the only area of the stream Angie
and I have fished.
The main river, outside of the mountains, flows through
some small canyons and across the high prairie. For the
most part, this main part of the river does not provide
good fishing although trout exist. There are areas that
can be floated but the main river has several
agricultural/cattle diversion areas and some beaver
dams in its upper areas. Fly fishing the Teton River in
this area from a boat can be tricky.
If you ever decide to fish this river, you better be
prepared to camp. If not, you will be driving a very long
way before you find a motel. I can personally vouch for
that. There are many campsites in the area and that
would be the way to fish the area. Our one trip there of
two days of fishing was greatly shortened by the amount
of driving we had to do each of the two mornings we
fished the river along canyon road. Once you are there,
you should have no problem catching trout. Competition
from other anglers certainly wouldn't be a problem. We
were able to catch a large number of small rainbows and
cutthroat trout for the short amount of time we had to
fish. I can only imagine what it would be like to backpack
in and fish the upper branches of the river. You would
probably be by yourself.
Seasons:
Seasons follow the general Montana fishing season.
Spring:
Spring would be okay, before and after the runoff.
Summer:
The Summer would be best for fly fishing the Teton
River's headwaters.
Fall:
Early Fall would present good opportunities.
Fly Fishing Gear Tackle and Trout Flies
| Type of Stream Freestone Species Rainbow Trout Cutthroat Trout Location Southwestern Montana Size: Small to medium Nearest Towns Choteau Season 3rd Sat of May through Nov 30th. Access: Good but lots of hiking required Non-Resident License State of Montana Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Teton River Hatch Chart (Coming) Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle & Trout Flies |
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Teton River
Montana
Montana
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Photo Courtesy Steven Lamb
Photo Courtesy Steven Lamb
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us 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. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |