The Right Gear for the Job
The Right Gear for the Job
If you’re looking for fishing gear that is suited for the trout country, you’ve found the right place. Our Montana site features a virtual smorgasbord of trout paraphernalia. We take pride in our fishing equipment. Expect to only find top quality gear that is specifically selected to help you catch Montana’s wild trout.
You Can Do It Yourself in Montana
Unlike the Bahamas and most places tropical, you can do it yourself in Montana. On guided trips, most outfitters will supply you with flies, leader and tippet, lunch and a great day on the river. If you’re not using the services of a guide, use Montana Fly Shop as your go-to place for your fly and tackle needs. Our website has over 1800 items specifically designed to catch Montana’s trout. Our supplier, The Trout Shop in Craig, MT, on the Missouri River, is a candy store full of useful items. It’s highly unlikely you won’t find all the goodies you need at The Trout Shop. But on the off chance you don’t, they’ll get it for you in short order.
Quality Equipment Through and Through
We take our fishing seriously and expect that you do, too. While there is a plethora of equipment available to you in today’s marketplace, we believe that you are making an investment into your fly-fishing career and want to make the right decisions the first time and every time that you buy gear. With 21 years in the tackle business, The Trout Shop has learned who the best suppliers are and what products hold the test of time. We understand it’s an investment, so we seek value for each dollar you spend.
Fly Reels
There are lots of great reels on the market. Even a $100 reel is generally sufficient to get the job done. Don’t get us wrong. There are plenty of times when you want a top quality reel with a solid drag system—like when you’re on the Missouri and a hefty rainbow or brown takes your fly. It’s good for the fish and it’s good for you. Quickly landed and released trout help sustain the future for generations to come. Another consideration is that many of the new rods on the market are very light. While old and heavy reels still work fine, often times they no longer balance out the rod, they feel clunky and can lead to fatigue. If you have a new rod, try balancing it out with one from the new generation of lighter and generally cost effective reels.
Rods for Every Occasion
If you’re fishing a remote creek in Yellowstone Park, a short and small rod may be the ticket. If you’re making booming casts on the Madison with heavy streamers on the line, you’ll want a bigger and stiffer rod to help send your package to the fish. Flat-water dry fly fishing on the Missouri is best done the medium action of, say, a 4wt Winston Boron Iix. Whatever the circumstances, we have the right rod for you. Only premium manufacturers like Sage, Winston, and Scott Rods make it to our display racks. Again, we view fishing as a lifetime experience. The equipment you buy is an investment for a lifetime. Why not fish with the best there is?
Leader and Tippet
You’ll build a lot of leaders if you fish throughout Montana. Each river requires a new formula. Most monofilament and fluorocarbon leaders made by the manufacturers can be considered equal. Still, it seems that everyone has his or her favorite. We stock tippet from RIO, Scientific Anglers, Dan Bailey’s, Frog Hair and Seaguar. When it comes to fluorocarbon leaders and tippets, each company has their own proprietary formula. The only way to know what you like is to try them. In our opinion, they’re all very good.
Protect Your Eyes and See the Fish
All sunglasses are not created equal. The glare from the water’s reflection and the intensity from the sky need to be tamed for the best fishing results. Without polarized glasses, you simply won’t be able to see the fish you’re trying to catch. Quality, polarized glasses are a must. The difference can be night and day. Make sure you have glasses for differing light conditions—gray for bright conditions and copper or amber for low light conditions. Have a backup pair of glasses in case your preferred pair is broken or lost. Most importantly, wear sunglasses at all times while fishing. Sharp, barbed hooks in all sizes will be flying towards you. Hooks will come out of your skin. Your eyes are another matter and cannot be put at risk. Don’t redefine “blind casting.”
The Sun is Not Your Friend
Your equipment will stand up to the sun, but your body won’t. You need to protect it at all costs. In today’s sunny and ozone free world, there are lots of ways to save your body from the harmful rays of the sun. It’s easy to forget the damage the sun can do as you float down majestic Madison catching big rainbows and browns. Start the day out right and dress for the damage the sun can cause.
Of course, bring lots of sun block with the highest UPF rating you can find. Since you’ll be in and out of the water, it’s best to have water resistant sun block. That’s just the beginning.
Like the Caribbean, be prepared to cover up. Most fly-fishing clothing is treated to be sun protective. Look for high UPF ratings in your clothing and your sun block. Have a hat that covers your head and your ears. It doesn’t take long before you start to feel the heat on any part of your body that isn’t covered. Buffs and other face guards may seem confining, but they are trip savers. Try one, and you’ll likely find that they are not confining and help to keep sunburns at bay. Shirts should have high collars to cover the back of your neck. Long pants seem like an odd thing to wear in the heat of the sun, but today’s garments are lightweight and UPF rated to save your skin. Convertible pants are nice for times when the sun isn’t intense and the mosquitoes aren’t biting.
Waders
You're in trout country. The water is very cool, the terrain can be rugged and thick brush abounds. You need a quality pair of waders.
Walking to and along some of Montana's streams can take you through heavy brush containing thistles. Breathable waders that have multiple protective layers are best suited for the job. You'll have breathable comfort and leak protection in one package. Simms G4 waders are ideally suited for the job. Five layers of fabric protect you from the calf to the lower back. Patagonia's Guidewater waders are equally up to the task. Depending upon the time of year, carry a back up pair of waders with you. Dan Bailey's lightweight waders are tough to beat. They are very packable and reliable.
Stay Stable while Wading
Unlike the ocean where you’re trying to protect your feet from sharp objects, river fishing requires stability. For the longest time, felt sole boots have provided sure footing while wading. This is especially true on those slippery moss lined rocks of many freestone rivers. Now, Simms and other manufacturers are producing specially designed rubber soles that provide solid footing. If the new rubber soles are not sure footed enough, you can insert removable studs and beef up your traction. There’s a wide variety of boots available to anglers. We provide the best there is from Simms, Patagonia, and Dan Bailey’s.
Gear Bags and Packs
At times, you’ll float the river and at other times you’ll do walk and wade trips. A gear bag that helps keep things organized is helpful in both the boat and in your car. Most people have switched to packs as opposed to vests. Having a combination of both an organized gear bag and a pack for wading the streams will keep you keep you casting flies rather than looking for that lost spool of tippet or magic fly.
If you’re looking for fishing gear that is suited for the trout country, you’ve found the right place. Our Montana site features a virtual smorgasbord of trout paraphernalia. We take pride in our fishing equipment. Expect to only find top quality gear that is specifically selected to help you catch Montana’s wild trout.
You Can Do It Yourself in Montana
Unlike the Bahamas and most places tropical, you can do it yourself in Montana. On guided trips, most outfitters will supply you with flies, leader and tippet, lunch and a great day on the river. If you’re not using the services of a guide, use Montana Fly Shop as your go-to place for your fly and tackle needs. Our website has over 1800 items specifically designed to catch Montana’s trout. Our supplier, The Trout Shop in Craig, MT, on the Missouri River, is a candy store full of useful items. It’s highly unlikely you won’t find all the goodies you need at The Trout Shop. But on the off chance you don’t, they’ll get it for you in short order.
Quality Equipment Through and Through
We take our fishing seriously and expect that you do, too. While there is a plethora of equipment available to you in today’s marketplace, we believe that you are making an investment into your fly-fishing career and want to make the right decisions the first time and every time that you buy gear. With 21 years in the tackle business, The Trout Shop has learned who the best suppliers are and what products hold the test of time. We understand it’s an investment, so we seek value for each dollar you spend.
Fly Reels
There are lots of great reels on the market. Even a $100 reel is generally sufficient to get the job done. Don’t get us wrong. There are plenty of times when you want a top quality reel with a solid drag system—like when you’re on the Missouri and a hefty rainbow or brown takes your fly. It’s good for the fish and it’s good for you. Quickly landed and released trout help sustain the future for generations to come. Another consideration is that many of the new rods on the market are very light. While old and heavy reels still work fine, often times they no longer balance out the rod, they feel clunky and can lead to fatigue. If you have a new rod, try balancing it out with one from the new generation of lighter and generally cost effective reels.Rods for Every Occasion
If you’re fishing a remote creek in Yellowstone Park, a short and small rod may be the ticket. If you’re making booming casts on the Madison with heavy streamers on the line, you’ll want a bigger and stiffer rod to help send your package to the fish. Flat-water dry fly fishing on the Missouri is best done the medium action of, say, a 4wt Winston Boron Iix. Whatever the circumstances, we have the right rod for you. Only premium manufacturers like Sage, Winston, and Scott Rods make it to our display racks. Again, we view fishing as a lifetime experience. The equipment you buy is an investment for a lifetime. Why not fish with the best there is?Leader and Tippet
You’ll build a lot of leaders if you fish throughout Montana. Each river requires a new formula. Most monofilament and fluorocarbon leaders made by the manufacturers can be considered equal. Still, it seems that everyone has his or her favorite. We stock tippet from RIO, Scientific Anglers, Dan Bailey’s, Frog Hair and Seaguar. When it comes to fluorocarbon leaders and tippets, each company has their own proprietary formula. The only way to know what you like is to try them. In our opinion, they’re all very good.Protect Your Eyes and See the Fish
All sunglasses are not created equal. The glare from the water’s reflection and the intensity from the sky need to be tamed for the best fishing results. Without polarized glasses, you simply won’t be able to see the fish you’re trying to catch. Quality, polarized glasses are a must. The difference can be night and day. Make sure you have glasses for differing light conditions—gray for bright conditions and copper or amber for low light conditions. Have a backup pair of glasses in case your preferred pair is broken or lost. Most importantly, wear sunglasses at all times while fishing. Sharp, barbed hooks in all sizes will be flying towards you. Hooks will come out of your skin. Your eyes are another matter and cannot be put at risk. Don’t redefine “blind casting.”The Sun is Not Your Friend
Your equipment will stand up to the sun, but your body won’t. You need to protect it at all costs. In today’s sunny and ozone free world, there are lots of ways to save your body from the harmful rays of the sun. It’s easy to forget the damage the sun can do as you float down majestic Madison catching big rainbows and browns. Start the day out right and dress for the damage the sun can cause.Of course, bring lots of sun block with the highest UPF rating you can find. Since you’ll be in and out of the water, it’s best to have water resistant sun block. That’s just the beginning.
Like the Caribbean, be prepared to cover up. Most fly-fishing clothing is treated to be sun protective. Look for high UPF ratings in your clothing and your sun block. Have a hat that covers your head and your ears. It doesn’t take long before you start to feel the heat on any part of your body that isn’t covered. Buffs and other face guards may seem confining, but they are trip savers. Try one, and you’ll likely find that they are not confining and help to keep sunburns at bay. Shirts should have high collars to cover the back of your neck. Long pants seem like an odd thing to wear in the heat of the sun, but today’s garments are lightweight and UPF rated to save your skin. Convertible pants are nice for times when the sun isn’t intense and the mosquitoes aren’t biting.
Waders
You're in trout country. The water is very cool, the terrain can be rugged and thick brush abounds. You need a quality pair of waders.Walking to and along some of Montana's streams can take you through heavy brush containing thistles. Breathable waders that have multiple protective layers are best suited for the job. You'll have breathable comfort and leak protection in one package. Simms G4 waders are ideally suited for the job. Five layers of fabric protect you from the calf to the lower back. Patagonia's Guidewater waders are equally up to the task. Depending upon the time of year, carry a back up pair of waders with you. Dan Bailey's lightweight waders are tough to beat. They are very packable and reliable.
Stay Stable while Wading
Unlike the ocean where you’re trying to protect your feet from sharp objects, river fishing requires stability. For the longest time, felt sole boots have provided sure footing while wading. This is especially true on those slippery moss lined rocks of many freestone rivers. Now, Simms and other manufacturers are producing specially designed rubber soles that provide solid footing. If the new rubber soles are not sure footed enough, you can insert removable studs and beef up your traction. There’s a wide variety of boots available to anglers. We provide the best there is from Simms, Patagonia, and Dan Bailey’s.Gear Bags and Packs
At times, you’ll float the river and at other times you’ll do walk and wade trips. A gear bag that helps keep things organized is helpful in both the boat and in your car. Most people have switched to packs as opposed to vests. Having a combination of both an organized gear bag and a pack for wading the streams will keep you keep you casting flies rather than looking for that lost spool of tippet or magic fly.