The Fishing
An Authentic Montana Fishing Experience

Where We Fish here at the Lodge at Eagle Rock

We’re proud to partner with an exceptional outfitter and guides who unlock the diverse fishing opportunities of the region. They expertly navigate the renowned Missouri River and the charming Dearborn River.

Our guides primarily use drift boats on the mighty Missouri, and switch to rafts for the more intimate tributaries, ensuring access to a wide range of fishing experiences, from productive catch-and-release to peaceful solitude.

For those seeking unique adventures, our Coast Guard-licensed captains offer thrilling jet boat excursions and guided floats on the Dearborn River which can be arranged for an additional charge. Please note these options are not included in our standard packages and are subject to availability based on the time of year.

What To Catch:

The local rivers abound with wild rainbow and brown trout. The Missouri River is known for catching trophy-class fish with brown trout from 16-24 inches and rainbows from 15-22 inches.

Gear & What to Wear:

RODS

We recommend our clients use mid- to fast-action, high-modulus graphite rods. To suit Montana’s diverse conditions, 5 to 7 weight rods are best. For anglers interested in fishing smaller streams and creeks, 4 weights are the most appropriate.

REELS

Your reels should not only match your rod weight, but also have a quality drag system for our wild trout.

LINES

We prefer you use lines matching your rod weight or possibly overloaded by one weight for casting in the wind. For streamer fishing we recommend an intermediate tip line matching your rod.

FLIES AND TERMINAL TACKLE

Our Guides will provide you with all terminal tackle and flies including leaders, tippets, and bugs. The guides maintain an accurate understanding of the current aquatic entomology of the river, enabling them to select effective fly patterns for the active trout.

What To Wear:

In the spring, the weather can change a lot and can be chilly and wet. Layering is strongly recommended. In the summer, sun clothing is important because of the intense UV radiation at higher altitudes. We recommend hats to shade you from the sun. Breathable clothing with high SPF protection can also help prevent a sunburn that could ruin your trip. Sunscreen is important too to deal with water reflection. And polarized sunglasses are a must! Fall is likely to be cool in the morning and evenings but can really warm up mid day. Once again layering is a good idea.

Lightweight, quick-dry clothing are always a good idea. You can use sandals or flip-flops in the boats. If you’re wading, we recommend wading shoes, sandals or boots.

JACKETS, WADERS AND BOOTS

Due to the diverse weather conditions in Montana, we suggest you bring the following clothing: Good quality Gore-tex® (or other breathable material) jacket for wind and rain protection.

The Lodge has waders and boots for you to borrow, or you can bring your own.

Gear can also be purchased or rented at the following stores:

Great Falls: North 40
Helena: Montana Fly Goods
Craig: The Trout Shop, Wolf Creek Angler, Crosscurrents, Trout Montana and Headhunters
Online: TakeMeFishing.org