Backcountry Fly Fishing Montana

3 Essential Safety Items

Guest post by Stephanie Witham, Montana backcountry guide and angler

There’s a certain type of fly fisher who craves solitude—the kind that involves strapping on a backpack, hiking up a mountain to an alpine lake, or bouncing down dirt roads to a remote stream. You trek for miles through gin-clear water, casting dry flies to native cutthroat, with nothing but the sounds of nature around you. No other anglers. No cell service. Just you, your fly rod, and the river.

I’m one of those anglers. I spend countless days each season in Montana’s backcountry, hiking, fishing, and scouting alpine lakes and remote rivers. There’s something deeply satisfying about carrying everything you need on your back, breathing in fresh mountain air, and figuring out what the trout are feeding on. Just you and the water, the river speaking its own language as it rolls over the rocks.

But as peaceful and fulfilling as backcountry fishing can be, it comes with real risks. When you’re miles from the nearest town with no cell service, that zen moment can turn dangerous in seconds.

As both a backcountry guide and solo angler, I’ve learned to mitigate those risks. Some lessons came the hard way; others through trial and error. I try to strike a balance between packing light and carrying true essentials. Depending on the adventure, my pack changes—but no matter where I’m headed, there are three items I ALWAYS carry.

The 3 Essential Items for Backcountry Fly Fishing

1. Bear Spray

Bear spray is lightweight, effective, and easy to use—you don’t need to be an expert. It works on just about any animal, including aggressive humans. Just make sure you’re not downwind when you deploy it.

I highly recommend practicing how to remove the safety clip and aim the canister. In a high-stress situation, muscle memory can make all the difference if you’re suddenly charged by a bear or moose.

When I’m trekking through the backcountry, I’m constantly calling out, “Hey bear! Hey bear!” The last thing I want is to surprise a grizzly in the wild. Make noise, stay alert, and keep your bear spray accessible—not buried at the bottom of your pack.

Why it matters: Montana has healthy populations of grizzly bears, black bears, and moose. All of them can be dangerous if startled or feel threatened. Bear spray gives you a fighting chance.

2. Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

I carry a ResQLink 400 Personal Locator Beacon. It’s a global unit registered with NOAA that sends out a GPS and Galileo GNSS signal so search and rescue can be notified immediately.

I’ll be honest—I got this unit because my family got tired of worrying about me. Discussions were had, and I was basically told to get a PLB. It was the right thing to do.

All I have to do is unlatch the antenna, push a button, and wait for SAR to arrive. I’ve hurt myself while scouting rivers—once bad enough that I had to crawl back to my vehicle. Reality is, a medical emergency can happen anywhere: you could injure yourself on slippery rocks, get caught in a flash flood, or take a rattlesnake bite. All of these scenarios require backcountry rescue, and in an emergency, time is critical.

A PLB gives you and your loved ones peace of mind.

Why it matters: Even experienced backcountry anglers get hurt. Cell service is nonexistent in most remote areas. A PLB is your lifeline when things go wrong.

3. Electrolytes

I know—not what you were expecting. Hear me out, though.

Everyone knows how important it is to stay hydrated when you’re active. Drinking water is smart, but you can be even smarter. When you’re putting on the miles, trekking through the backcountry, you sweat out important minerals as your body works to cool itself down.

In Montana, we’re at higher elevation, and the UV light is stronger. Add in the sun from above and the reflection off the water, and over the course of a day, it really takes a toll on your body.

I’m allergic to the sun (yup, I take medicine for it) and suffer from heat exhaustion quickly. It took me years to get dialed in. The game changer? Starting my day with electrolyte-infused water. I drink it before any physical activity and continue sipping throughout the day. I noticed a huge difference in my ability to finish a hiking and fishing day feeling good versus feeling rundown on the hike out.

When you’re tired or not feeling your best, that’s when the risk of injury or poor decisions increases. When I’m guiding clients, I always explain Montana’s elevation and UV exposure and stress how important it is to stay hydrated. I make them stop and drink their electrolytes.

Even though I listed this as number three, it’s actually my number one priority.

Why it matters: Dehydration leads to fatigue, poor decision-making, and increased risk of injury. Electrolytes keep you sharp and safe all day long.

Backcountry Fly Fishing Safety: The Bottom Line

Backcountry fly fishing in Montana is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have as an angler. The solitude, the wild trout, the stunning scenery—it’s what dreams are made of. But it’s also unforgiving if you’re unprepared.

These three items—bear spray, a personal locator beacon, and electrolytes—are non-negotiables for me. They’ve kept me safe on countless solo trips and guided adventures, and they give my family peace of mind when I’m out in the wild.

If you’re planning a backcountry fishing trip in Montana, don’t cut corners on safety. Pack smart, stay alert, and respect the wilderness.

Wishing you tight lines out there on those remote waters!

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About the Author: Stephanie Witham is a Montana backcountry guide and master naturalist. Follow her adventures on Instagram at @stephanie_of_the_406.

Planning a Montana fly fishing trip? Whether you’re exploring the backcountry or fishing the Missouri River, our guides know these waters inside and out. Contact us to plan your trip.