We understand that not everyone uses or prefers Facebook to connect with fellow anglers registered for the Montana event. That’s why we’ve created an alternative: the Montana DIY WhatsApp Group. Our co-hosts will be active in both the Facebook and WhatsApp groups, answering questions and sharing helpful information leading up to the event. Use it to connect with other anglers, make fishing plans, share tips, and ask questions.
Registration Pick-Up
- Pick-Up Dates and Locations
- Friday 9/11/26–
- 10:00 am to 11:00 am – Registration Packet Pick-Up at 3 Dollar Bridge on the Madison River
- 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm – Registration Packet Pick-up at the iFishiBelong Booth at the Wretched Mess Festival
- Saturday, 9/12/26 –
- 10:00 am to 3:00 pm – Registration Packet Pick-Up at the iFishiBelong Booth at Wretched Mess Festival
- Friday 9/11/26–
Note: If you’re unable to pick up your registration bag, please email [email protected] by Saturday, 9/12/26. We can arrange shipping at your expense or coordinate a pickup.
Event Locations
We have two main locations for the weekend, and you’ll find the addresses listed below. Be sure to enter them into your GPS while you still have cell service, as coverage can be spotty in this area.
- 3 Dollar Bridge on the Madison River
- Latitidue/Longitude – 44.83193 -111.51416
- 39 miles south of Ennis or 32 miles northwest of West Yellowstone on Hwy 287. One mile downstream from Raynolds’ Pass Bridge.
- Wretched Mess Art and Fly Fishing Festival
- Union Pacific Dining Lodge & Bob Jacklin Casting Pond, 220 Yellowstone Ave, West Yellowstone, MT 59758
Friday Social Fish
We will obtain a permit with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks for a social fishing day at the 3 Dollar Bridge on the Madison River. Join us on Friday, 9/11/26, for a fun and relaxed day on the water!
The day will kick off at 9:00 AM with a 1-hour, donation-based “Fall Fishing Techniques” workshop led by Heather, focused on fishing the Madison River.
This is a casual, DIY fishing day, not guided, so come ready to explore, connect, and enjoy the river at your own pace. Let’s share the riverbanks with both new and familiar faces. Say hello, swap tips, and lend a hand when someone’s got a fish on!
Friday 9/11/26 – 3 Dollar Bridge on the Madison River
- 9:00 am – Fall Fishing Techniques
- 10:00 am – 11:00 am – Registration Packet Pick-Up at 3 Dollar Bridge
- 10:00 am – Social Fishing at 3 Dollar Bridge on the Madison River
- 1:00 pm – Riverside Potluck at the 3 Dollar Bridge Picnic Shelter
A DIY (Do It Yourself) Fishing Event means participants take an active role in planning and preparing for their fishing experience. iFishiBelong and our event co-hosts provide curated resources, local information, and essential guidance, but it is each angler’s responsibility to review all event emails, explore the website, and prepare in advance.
These events are non-guided, so anglers are responsible for their own logistics, fishing plans, and on-the-water decisions. We strongly encourage participants to connect ahead of time through the event’s Facebook Group or WhatsApp Angler Connection Group to coordinate plans, share tips, and find others to fish with. The more prepared you are, the more confident and rewarding your experience will be.
We recommend starting with the MT Facebook Group or the MT DIY WhatsApp Group, if you have a question, there’s a good chance others are wondering the same thing.
If your question is more specific or you’d prefer to reach out directly, please email [email protected]. As a volunteer-run organization, we appreciate your patience and will respond as quickly as we can.
For any last-minute questions not addressed in the Facebook or WhatsApp groups, please contact Heather Hodson at (509) 999-6317. Cell service in the area can be spotty, but she will get back to you as soon as possible. Text messages are encouraged.
No, this event is not guided. In order to keep costs down, this event is DIY, meaning that each angler does it themselves. iFishiBelong has provided a list of suggested guides and fly shops that you can book a guided trip through. NOTE: This is the responsibility of each individual. Click HERE for suggested fly shops and guides.
We recognize that not everyone wants to DIY Fish and may prefer the expertise of a fishing guide. In our commitment to showcasing local businesses and guides, we’re pleased to provide a list of area guides recommended by the iFishiBelong community.
- Alice Owsley – Riverside Anglers Inc.
- Aurorra Dominguez – Madison River Fishing Company
- Kara Tripp – Damsel Fly Fishing
- Katherine Robinson – Blue Ribbon Flies
We’re excited and grateful to have Big Sky Anglers as a sponsor for this event! Be sure to stop by their shop to pick up any last-minute gear or even book a guided trip. There are also several other great fly shops in the area that have always treated our community well. Here are a few additional local favorites worth checking out!
- Big Sky Anglers
- Blue Ribbon Flies
- Madison River Fishing Company
- Madison River Outfitters
- The Tackle Shop
Lodging is not included, and each participant is responsible for making their own accommodations. Please visit the Travel section of the event webpage for lodging and camping options. Please post in the MT Facebook Group or the MT DIY WhatsApp Group, if you are looking for a roommate or want to share lodging expenses.
Yes, these events are beginner-friendly. A core part of the iFishiBelong mission is to provide accessible, inclusive education for anglers of all experience levels.
Beginners will get the most out of the event by coming prepared. We recommend watching the recorded virtual courses included with your registration, signing up for the FREE “Intro to Fly Fishing” online course, attending the Montana Q&A session, and participating in the education opportunities offered during the Wretched Mess Festival. Our co-hosts will be available throughout the event to answer questions and offer support as you build confidence on the water.
Please note that these are DIY (do-it-yourself) events and are not guided. If you are seeking one-on-one instruction, we recommend hiring a professional guide. Click HERE for a list of suggested guides and local fly shops.
iFishiBelong has a limited supply of rods, reels, waders, and boots available to borrow from our gear locker on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability. To request equipment, please complete the gear request form no later than August 31, 2026. We will notify you if equipment or specific wader/boot sizes are no longer available. Request to borrow gear HERE.
Participants are responsible for bringing their own terminal tackle, including leaders, flies, tippet, and tools. Click HERE to view our recommended equipment list.
We’ve created two platforms for registered participants to connect with other anglers attending the Oregon event.
We recognize that not everyone uses or prefers Facebook, so we also offer the Montana DIY WhatsApp Group as an alternative. Our co-hosts will be active in both the Facebook Group and the WhatsApp group to answer questions and share helpful information leading up to the event.
Participants are welcome to use either platform to connect with fellow anglers, make fishing plans, share tips, and ask questions.
Registration for this event is $50. The fee is instrumental in offsetting the costs associated with travel logistics, online platforms, the extensive hours dedicated to research, meticulous preparation, and the ongoing correspondence that happens behind the scenes to ensure a seamless experience for all participants. By registering, you’re not only securing your spot but also actively supporting iFishiBelong’s core mission. We aim to create and sustain affordable opportunities in the realm of fishing and exploration. Through this registration fee, we can continue to organize a diverse range of cost-effective events and trips, catering to individuals from various financial backgrounds. Your contribution directly empowers us to widen our reach and offer enriching experiences to all people.
What’s included with your Montana registration:
- Exclusive webpage access for registered Montana participants
- iFishiBelong Registration Bag Including a Cling Thermometer, Tape, and a Rising Coil Leash
- Interactive Live Q&A Session:
- August 5th, 2026, at 6 pm MT – Register HERE
- Online access to the Fall Trout Fishing Techniques and the Reading Trout Water recorded online courses
- 1-hour donation-based workshop: “MT Fall Fishing Techniques” on 9/11/26
- Nightly social gatherings to connect with fellow anglers
- Permit secured for a community social fishing day on Friday, 9/11/26
- Curated location and fishing research provided for easy participant reference
- Dedicated co-hosts focused on education, building community, and creating a fun experience
- Support for local businesses and a commitment to highlighting women and underrepresented owners, guides, and creators in the region
Not included with registration are the following:
- Transportation to and from West Yellowstone, Montana
- Accommodation/Camping
- Meal Arrangements
- Fishing Gear – Equipment Available to Borrow
- Montana, Idaho or Yellowstone National Park Fishing License
- Registration to the Donation-Based “Fall Trout Fishing Techniques” workshop.
- Guided Fishing Opportunities. Click HERE.
This registration is non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, your fee will be considered a donation supporting iFishiBelong’s mission-driven work.
Multiple fishing licenses might be required based on where you are fishing. No state fishing license is required in Yellowstone National Park, but you need a Yellowstone Park Fishing Permit. The Madison River is in Montana, and the Henry’s Fork is in Idaho, and there are lots of fishing options in both states. We have provided links for the specific licenses and permits below.
If fishing in Yellowstone National Park, fishing permits are available at all ranger stations, visitor centers, and Yellowstone Park General Stores. Fishing permits are also available at many businesses in West Yellowstone and the Fly Shops.
Felt-soled boots are PROHIBITED in Yellowstone National Park.
Please review the Montana Fishing website for specific information on fishing conditions and regulations during the event timeframe.
Click HERE to view the suggested fly list.
Your safety matters to us. We strongly encourage anglers to avoid fishing alone and to connect with a fishing buddy through our Facebook group or the Montana DIY WhatsApp group. For the safety of all participants, please stay home if you are feeling unwell or have a positive COVID test result. Be sure to monitor weather conditions, dress appropriately for the environment, and remain aware of changing water levels, flows, and conditions at all times.
Click HERE for registration pick-up locations.
Note: If you’re unable to pick up your registration bag, please email [email protected] by Saturday, 9/12/26. We can arrange shipping at your expense or coordinate a pickup.
Click HERE for the social fish details.
Yes, the 4/8/26 Oregon Q&A Session will be recorded. Register for the Q&A Session HERE.
Click HERE to go directly to the Wretched Mess website.
iFishiBelong has prepared an event checklist containing links to all necessary items. This checklist will help ensure everyone is well-prepared and informed for the event.
The Wretched Mess Festival
We’ve intentionally scheduled our Montana event to coincide with the Wretched Mess Fly Fishing and Art Festival, happening the afternoon and evening of Friday, 9/5/25, and all day on Saturday, 9/6/25.
This event offers a unique opportunity for participants to connect, learn from industry experts, and come together in celebration of fly fishing and art. The Wretched Mess will feature a vibrant community atmosphere with educational clinics, delicious food, refreshing beer, and live music. Come say hi at the iFishiBelong booth outside by the casting pond
