Rivers We Fish
David Evans Fly-fishing Outfitting is operated out of Ennis and Bozeman, Montana.
From there a short drive can access many of South Western
Montana's Blue Ribbon Trout Fisheries.
From there a short drive can access many of South Western
Montana's Blue Ribbon Trout Fisheries.
Yellowstone River 
The Yellowstone River is a large, free-flowing river. There are no dams, so the flow can vary seasonally. It averages 1,200 CFS (Cubic Feet per Second) in the winter, the spring runoff it can be over 15,000 CFS, and in summer 2,000 CFS. Ideally, I like to float when it is 7,000 CFS or below. It begins in the high country of Yellowstone National Park and flows north, than east through Montana. Typically, we fish the Yellowstone from Carbella Bridge to Big Timber. Throughout this length, the river is continually rejuvenated with cool waters from the surrounding mountains. In a typical float,we'll fish about 10 miles of river in a day. There are many sections to fish, each with a slightly different character. So many choices! The Yellowstone River is a big river and lends itself to be fished out of a drift boat.
The drift boat gives us great access to the many drop offs, runs, and miles of interesting bank water that are tough to access on foot. There are, however, several spots that could be accessed for a wade trip. The Yellowstone holds Rainbow and Brown Trout, the Rocky Mountain Whitefish and is still a strong hold of the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout as well as some Rainbow/Cutthroat Hybrid Trout.
The drift boat gives us great access to the many drop offs, runs, and miles of interesting bank water that are tough to access on foot. There are, however, several spots that could be accessed for a wade trip. The Yellowstone holds Rainbow and Brown Trout, the Rocky Mountain Whitefish and is still a strong hold of the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout as well as some Rainbow/Cutthroat Hybrid Trout.
The Madison River 
The Madison River is a consistent flow, dam-controlled river. Typically is runs about 1,000 CFS. The upper river, from Quake Lake to Ennis Lake, has a steady gradient and is therefore consistent riffle water throughout. The Madison is often fishable when other rivers in the area are not because of the controlled flows. While sight fishing is difficult because of its wavy character, it lends itself to prospecting with dries or any of the many subsurface flies for Rainbow and Brown Trout or the occasional Whitefish.
Ennis Lake is a flat water option where sight fishing for rising fish is a possibility. The lake is often subject to wind and the weather can play into it being a choice.
Below Ennis Dam, "the Lower" Madison River slows down a bit. This allows for some weed growth and added structure for the fish to hide in. This lower stretch will warm up in the summer which makes catch and release fishing, not an option. This is because the fish do not recover successfully in the warmer summer waters. Although, because it tends to be warmer, "the Lower" is a great fall, spring or winter option. "The Lower" is very fertile and has a lot of fish food. Parts of this river can hold very large Brown Trout, some of which seasonally move in from the Missouri River downstream. "The Lower" is more often than not, a streamer/nymph fishing piece of water, however when a hatch is on, the dry-fly fishing can be amazing!
Ennis Lake is a flat water option where sight fishing for rising fish is a possibility. The lake is often subject to wind and the weather can play into it being a choice.
Below Ennis Dam, "the Lower" Madison River slows down a bit. This allows for some weed growth and added structure for the fish to hide in. This lower stretch will warm up in the summer which makes catch and release fishing, not an option. This is because the fish do not recover successfully in the warmer summer waters. Although, because it tends to be warmer, "the Lower" is a great fall, spring or winter option. "The Lower" is very fertile and has a lot of fish food. Parts of this river can hold very large Brown Trout, some of which seasonally move in from the Missouri River downstream. "The Lower" is more often than not, a streamer/nymph fishing piece of water, however when a hatch is on, the dry-fly fishing can be amazing!
The Gallatin River
The Gallatin River is a classic freestone river and mostly a wade-fishing destination. It is of the riffle/pool arrangement and its tree cover lends it to a more intimate and close in character. Its nature lends it to all styles of fly-fishing presentation from attractor dry-fly fishing to indicator nymphing.
The Missouri River 
The stretch of the Missouri River that we fish is from Holter Dam to Cascade past the towns of Wolf Creek and Craig, Montana. While this stretch of the river is accessible as a day trip from the Bozeman area, it makes for a long day. It is best to secure lodging in either Craig or one of the other local towns. The Missouri is often fishable when other Southwest Montana free-stone rivers are dirty with runoff. This water often has a flat water character. This stretch of the river can be fished with nymphs or streamers but excels in dry-fly opportunities; sight fishing for rising trout is a strong possibility. The Missouri is a destination for the more experienced angler. Because it is a big river, the drift boat gives access to the many islands and riffle dropoffs that are difficult to reach from shore. There are many wade-fish opportunities here as well.
The Big Hole River
The Big Hole Riveris another free-flowing gem! To this outstanding fishing it adds breath-taking beauty. The tree cover and frequent canyon walls provide a very intimate character. The Big Hole has a riffle/pool character and can lend itself to technical flat water situations. It also has miles of great bank water for streamer fishing or prospecting with an attractor dry fly.
The Ruby River
The Ruby River is a small dam controlled tailwater fishery east of Ennis. It is a wade fishing destination with limited access. This is another fertile fishery that holds surprisingly large fish for the size of the river. There are occasional dry fly possibilities but more often than not this is a nymph or streamer fishing opportunity.
Private Lakes
The Burns Ranch and the Sitz Ranch are fee fisheries that have small lakes holding often very large fish. These smaller lakes provide an interesting and challenging (with potential big reward) alternative to the flowing river fishing.
Spring Creeks
These pay to play, private waters are smaller wade fishing destinations. Here the water bubbles out of the ground at perfect trout temperatures year round. Armstrong's, Depuy's, Nelson's and the MZ Ranch each have their own character and each can lend to sight fishing for spooky fish. These fertile waters hold surprisingly large fish for such small water. They are definitely an experience to be had for the experienced angler.
The Bighorn River
The Bighorn River is located in Eastern Montana and is not available as a day trip from the Bozeman Area. It is however a good alternative or choice for a couple of days with local lodging, as it is another classic, dam controlled tailwater fishery. While there are consistent nymph opportunities there are often some technical dry fly situations as well.
