Missouri River Fly Fishing Guides
Living Water is an independent Orvis-endorsed outfitter based on the Missouri River near Craig, Montana. We don’t sell gear. We don’t run a lodge. We guide — full time, on one of the finest tailwater fisheries in North America. Every decision we make, from the boats we run to the guides on our team, is made with one thing in mind: giving you the best possible day on the water.
Our guides are full-time professionals who specialize in Missouri River float trips, walk-and-wade adventures, and jet boat access to the Land of Giants — a remote canyon section below Hauser Dam that holds some of the largest trout in the Missouri River system.
(406) 465-1688
What Anglers Are Saying
★★★★★ 100 Five-Star Reviews on Google
★★★★★ 69 Five-Star Reviews on Orvis
“If you’re looking for a fly fishing trip of a lifetime, no need to look any further. Remarkable fishing, great guides and spectacular scenery. Already booked for June 2026.”
— Diane & Scott, North Carolina
“Absolutely epic two days with Living Water. Crushed massive brown trout and rainbows on the Missouri, then headed out to Land of the Giants — it definitely lived up to its name. Biggest fish we ever caught on the fly.”
— Dillon
“I have fished with over 30 guides throughout my lifetime and can honestly say Jeff is the best. Hard working, excellent fisherman, very knowledgeable, and his demeanor makes for a positive environment on the water.”
— Brett M.
“Jeff is one of the nicest, most patient guides out there — and you will learn a ton. The mighty Mo really lives up to the hype, and you shouldn’t do it unless you’re with Jeff or one of his guides.”
— Nelson Oxley, Flylords
“This is my favorite fly fishing experience. The guides were supportive and instructive for all skill levels. We loved Living Water Guide Service and have already booked for next year.”
— Kathy & Steve
“Before our trip, my wife and I had never flyfished for trout and neither of us had ever been to Montana. John was very knowledgeable, gave clear instruction, and was extremely patient with us learning. It wasn’t long before we had both boated our first trout — they were much larger than I anticipated. I highly recommend Living Water Guide Service.”
— Joey Putnam
“My dad and I have had multiple fly fishing trips to Montana and I can honestly say this year’s trip with Living Water was the best one yet. The personalized service and tailored approach allowed us to customize our trip on the fly depending on conditions — which differentiated Living Water from other guides in the area.”
— Davis Tice
“Had an epic day on the Missouri with these guys. Trip of a lifetime. David was our guide and we couldn’t stop catching monster fish. Definitely recommend these guides.”
— David
Whether you’re picking up a fly rod for the first time or chasing technical dry fly eats you’ve been thinking about all winter, you’ll be in the right boat. Patient teachers, skilled watermen, and genuinely good company for a day on the water.
Missouri River Journal
The Rusty Spinner Fly
With all the flies that fill a guide’s box, one pattern stands above the rest on Montana’s Missouri River: the Rusty Spinner. This deceptively simple dry fly has earned its reputation through season after season of fooling some of the most selective rainbow and brown trout in the country. The Rusty Spinner imitates the spent …
Fishing the Blue Wing Olive Hatch
The Blue Wing Olive — or BWO — is one of the most important insects on the Missouri River. Small, prolific, and incredibly effective at bringing big trout to the surface, the BWO hatch is something every dry fly angler should experience at least once. This guide covers the entomology, timing, fly patterns, and presentation …
Why We Fish Barbless
The Science and Ethics Behind Better Trout Care If you’ve fished with us, you know about barbless hooks. It’s how we prefer to fish, and it’s how we ask our clients to fish. Some anglers push back at first, worried they’ll lose fish. But after a day on the water, most come around. They realize …
Missouri River Swing Seasons
A Month-by-Month Trout Spey Guide While the Missouri River is a world-class fishery year-round, there’s a second season that runs from October through May — one that most visiting anglers never experience. Swing season. For those who’ve felt the electric grab of a big brown or rainbow crushing a swung fly, it’s the season they …
Best Time to Fly Fish the Missouri
A world-class fly fishing destination and one of Montana’s finest fisheries, the Missouri River sits just a short drive from Helena. This a year-round tailwater begins at Holter Dam and flows north 35 miles through Wolf Creek, Craig, and down to Cascade. Along the way, it’s lined with deep pools, shallow flats, and productive riffles—prime …
Building A Missouri River Fly Box
The Missouri River is one of the most productive tailwater fisheries in the United States, offering year-round fishing opportunities and healthy populations of rainbow and brown trout. But success on this legendary river requires more than just showing up with a rod—it demands the right flies in your box. Whether you’re wading the riffles or …