Blue Ribbon Flies

Hebgen Lake sits two miles from the Blue Ribbon Flies front door, and the shop treats it as dry-fly water first: sight fishing to gulpers working Trico and Callibaetis across a flat surface. August is prime, but the fishing holds from ice-off in mid-May through September. It is weather-dependent in a way a river is not, since low wind is a must, and on a blown-out day the trip is commonly paired with an afternoon float or wade on the Madison or the Gallatin instead. Trips are full day only, for one or two anglers, and brown and rainbow trout in the two to four pound class are the fish. Guide service, lunch, soft drinks and transportation from the shop are included, along with rental rods, reels, boots and waders.