Event Questions
Please utilize this webpage and the MT Fish and Hang Facebook Group as most of your questions will answered. Otherwise email [email protected].
Facebook Group
Join the Facebook Group to network with fellow attendees, seek advice, and exchange travel and event photos/videos. Co-hosts will share further event details there. Join the Facebook Group HERE.
Event Hosts
Live Q&A Session
- Tuesday, 7/15/25 at 6 pm MT. Register HERE.
Dates
September 5th – 7th, 2025
Check-In Time
Follow your lodging and campground check-in times. Refer to the weekend schedule for meet-up times.
Location
The iFishiBelong Montana DIY fishing event offers a unique experience, distinct from our other locations. While there isn’t a centralized campground due to the popularity of West Yellowstone as a global fishing destination, many attendees opt for various hotels instead of bringing camping equipment.
Drawing from our experiences over the past couple of years, we’ve refined our approach for an enhanced event. On Friday, we’re coordinating a social fishing session combined with educational elements, pending permit approvals. We’ll have a potluck lunch on the river and end with an evening of live music, food and community at the Wretched Mess Art and Fly Fishing Festival. Saturday we encourage everyone to come to the Wretched Mess Festival where we’ll have an iFishiBelong booth to pick-up registration and connect. Our social evening gathering will be listening to music at the festival.
What's Included
- This Exclusive Webpage Established Specifically for Registered Montana Participants.
- It includes event logistics, packing tips, fishing details, etc.
- iFishiBelong Cling Magnet ($20 Value)
- Interactive Live Q&A Session on Tuesday, 7/15/25 at 6 pm MT (Register HERE )
- Online Access to the “Summer Trout Fishing Techniques” Pre-Recorded Course
- 1hr Donation-Based “ABCs of Fly Fishing” Workshop on 9/5/25.
- Wretched Mess Fly Fishing Festival Festivities
- Nightly Social Events
- Friday 9/5/25 Morning Social Fishing
- Location & Fishing Research Compiled for Easy Participant Reference
- Dedicated Co-Hosts Focusing on Education, Community, Fun
- Commitment to Support Local Businesses and Highlight Women and Underrepresented Owners and Guides in the Region
What's Not Included
- Transportation to and from West Yellowstone
- Accommodation/Camping
- Meal Arrangements
- Fishing Gear – Equipment Available to Borrow
- 1hr Donation-Based “ABCs of Fly Fishing” Workshop on 9/4/25 (Registration Opens on 5/1/25)
- Montana Fishing License
- Guided Fishing Opportunities
Tentative Weekend Schedule
Each day is centered on fishing adventures, concluding with social hangouts in the evenings. We urge individuals to engage with each other in the Facebook Group to form fishing friendships and coordinate weekend adventures.
- Thursday 9/4/25
- Some Arrive and DIY Fish
- Evening – Social Time (Location to Be Announced)
- Friday 9/5/25
- 9:00 am – 10:00 am – Donation-Based Education
- 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Organized Social Fishing and Lunch
- Evening – The Wretched Mess Festival Location
- Saturday, 9/6/25 – DIY Fishing and Education
- All Day – Wretched Mess Fly Fishing Festival
- Evening – Live Music at the Wrtetched Mess Fly Fishing Festival
- Sunday 9/7/25
- DIY Fishing on Own and Depart
Friday Social Fishing Day
We’re obtaining a permit from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks for a social fishing day at the 3 Dollar Bridge on the Madison River. Join us for a day of social fishing on Friday 9/5/25! Heather will kick things off with an overview of basic leader setups and a Match the Hatch session for fishing the Madison River, starting at 9:00 am. This is a casual, do-it-yourself fishing day, not guided. Let’s share the riverbanks with new and old friends. Don’t forget to say hello, swap tips, and help each other net those catches!!
Friday 9/5/25 – 3 Dollar Bridge on the Madison River
- 9:00 am – Leader Set-Ups and Match the Hatch Overview
- 10:00 am – Social Fishing at 3 Dollar Bridge on the Madison River
- 1:00 pm – Riverside Potluck
Camping
There are numerous camping, cabin, and RV choices near West Yellowstone. We’ve highlighted several spots to assist you in locating accommodation. We recognize that some campgrounds may be more distant from West Yellowstone than others. We suggest choosing a site close to prime fishing spots and driving in for evening events. With the extended daylight, many participants are coordinating carpool arrangements within the Facebook Group.
Most anglers stayed at the Beaver Creek Campground in 2024 and have plans to stay there again in 2025.
Lodging
There are several lodging options in and around West Yellowstone. Airbnb, VRBO, Hotels/Motels, Cabin Rentals, etc. Please post in the Facebook Group if you are looking for a roommate or want to share lodging expenses.
Please consider using Roam Property Management, a women-owned business in West Yellowstone. Click HERE.
Food
You’re responsible for arranging your meals. On Friday afternoon, we’ll gather at 3 Dollar Bridge for a potluck lunch. Moreover, there are numerous local grocery stores, restaurants, and bars nearby for your convenience.
Area Resources
Exploring West Yellowstone, Montana, provides both a gateway to the majestic wonders of Yellowstone National Park and renowned fly fishing opportunities, set against a backdrop of stunning natural vistas and plentiful wildlife sightings.
- Fish MT River Map –
- Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Park Interactive Map –
- https://fwp.mt.gov/gis/maps/fishingGuide/
- The Locals Guide to West Yellowstone
- https://www.yellowstonescenictours.biz/learnmore/2023/3/24/the-locals-guide-to-west-yellowstone
- Yellowstone’s West Entrance: Everything You Need to Know
- Quick and Easy Guide to Yellowstone’s 5 Entrances
- Click HERE
Fishing
West Yellowstone, famous for fishing, is located near the headwaters of the Madison, Gallatin, and Henry’s Fork of the Snake River.
Fall is a prime time for fly fishing near West Yellowstone, with the Madison River, Henry’s Fork, and surrounding waters offering incredible opportunities. The Madison, known for its strong run of migrating brown trout from Hebgen Lake, sees aggressive fish chasing streamers and large nymphs. Henry’s Fork, especially in sections like the Railroad Ranch, offers technical dry fly fishing with lingering hatches of blue-winged olives and mahogany duns. Cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and stunning autumn colors make this season one of the most rewarding times to fish these legendary waters.
Water Safety
Please be prepared for water conditions to change quickly. We will keep you all updated on the conditions to keep everyone safe. This DIY fishing weekend will happen rain or shine. Go to the Real-Time Yellowstone National Park Stream Flow Data.
DIY Fishing
Please mark your calendars for the Live Q&A Session on July 15th, at 6 pm MT, where we’ll explore weekend logistics and share local fishing information. The Montana fishing event requires some preparation and proactive involvement. To ensure participants are well-informed, each registrant will be granted access to a dedicated event webpage designed for all registrants. This resource will assist you in organizing and planning your trip effectively.
Hire a fishing Guide
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 who have registered on the Fish and Hang website, demonstrating their support and alignment with the iFishiBelong mission.
- Alice Owsley – Riverside Anglers Inc.
- Aurorra Dominguez – Madison River Fishing Company
- Kara Tripp – Damsel Fly Fishing
- Katherine Robinson – Blue Ribbon Flies
Fishing License
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.
Fish Species
These are the fish species tha you might encounter while fishing in the West Yellowstone Montana area.
Brook Trout
Brown Trout
Grayling
Rainbow Trout
Westslope Cutthroat
Whitefish
Yellowstone Cutthroat
DIY Fishing Blogs
- Fishing Yellowstone in June Blog –
- Fishing Yellowstone Park –
- https://www.montanaangler.com/fly-fishing-yellowstone-park
- Insiders Guide to Angling in West Yellowstone –
Fishing Yellowstone
Felt Sole Boots are prohibited
With over 2500 miles of rivers and streams, as well as numerous lakes, Yellowstone waters present an excellent opportunity for the recreational angler.
Regulations and Fishing Regions – https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fishing.htm
Yellowstone Fishing License
Anglers 16 years of age or older must be in possession of a valid Yellowstone National Park fishing pass to fish in the park. State fishing licenses are not valid and are not required.
Permits can be purchased at Park Visitor Centers or at Fly Shops near the park. Click HERE for more information.
Fishing Equipment
- Fly Rods – 4wt – 6wt.
- Rod Length – Average 9’.
- Trout Sepy – 2wt – 4wt
- Fly Lines – Typical Floating Fly Lines
- Leader – 9’ 4x – 4x
- Tippet Spools – 3x – 6x
Each angler is expected to bring their equipment and flies. We have rod/reel setups, boots, and waders available for borrowing on a first-come, first-served basis. Please fill out the “Borrowed Equipment” form by August 25th, 2025 if you wish to borrow equipment. Click HERE.
Clothing
Weather in our area can be unpredictable, so plan for anything. Temperatures range from the 40s to the 80s, depending on the day. Be prepared with shedable layers to add or shed throughout the day. Don’t forget a rain jacket!!
Montana and Area Flies
We chose these dates to potentiate the famous salmon fly hatch on the Madison River and Henry’s Fork. Stoneflies and Caddis are the predominant bugs, so you will want to choose your nymphs accordingly. Salmonflies and Golden Stones usually begin to hatch during the last few days of June, so dry fly fishing can be had if the water is right. Here are a few fly suggestions to have with you –
- Salmon Fly Patterns
- Hendrickson’s
- Quill Gordons
- Adams
- Pale Morning Duns
- Blue-Winged Olives
- Midge Patterns
- Caddis
- Green Drakes
- Terrestrials
Yellowstone Hatch Chart
Women Guide Top 10 Area Flies
- Double Articulated green dungeon
- Silver lightning bug
- Henry’s Fork Salmon Fly
- Peacock Perdigon
- Tan Sculpzilla
- Olive Single Screamer
- Silver and black sparkle minnow
- Yellow Spot
- Tan SweetGrass Hopper
- Tan and Pink Water Walker
- Pats Rubber Leg – Black
- Pats Rubber Leg – Coffee
- Soft hackle Pheasant Tail
- TJ Hooker
- Pine Squirrel Leech – Black
- True Salmonfly Fly
- Firestarter
- Black Zebra Midge with Copper Bead and Ribbing
- PMD Pullover
- Shop Vac
- Tungsten Zebra Midge – Any Color
- Lightning Bug – Pearl, Gold, Black, Purple
- Rubber Legs – Black, Coffee/Black, Tan/Coffee, Green/Coffee
- Caddis Emergers
- Elk Hair Caddis – Tan, Green, Purple
- Parachute Adams – Purple, Grey
- 3$ Dip – Any Color
- Bead Head Caddis Larva
- Perdigons – Any Color
- Salmon Fly
- Sparkle Dunn- BWO or PMD #14-16
- Iron X Caddis- Tan, #14-16
- Iris Caddis- #14-16
- Spent Partridge Caddis- #14-16
- Bubble Back Caddis- #14-16
- Razorback Salmon Fly- #10-12
- Pats Rubber Legs- #8-10
- Olive Bullet Quill- #16-18
- Jig Duracell- #14-16
- CDC Pheasant Tail- #14-18
- Henry’s Fork Foam Stone Salmon Fly
- Henry’s Fork Foam Golden Stone
- Mercers Missing Link Caddis
- Green Drake Parachute
- Craig Mathews – Green Drake Foam Spinner
- Flav Spinner
- Film Critic – PMD, Flav and Drakes
- Antonio’s Adult – PMD and Large Size as Flav
- A Ruberleg! Any color, but I prefer weightless to fish tighter to the banks.
- Split Flag PMD
- Parachute Elk Hair Caddis
- Pat’s Rubberleg
- Chubby Chernobyl
- Zebra Midge
- Mercury Baetis
- Beadhead Prince Nymph
- Lime Trude
- Pheasant Flash
- Foamwing Parachute Adams
- BH Caddis Larva
Leader Examples
Please refer to the Montana Q&A for additional leader examples.
Local Fisheries
Below are some of the notable fishing rivers you can explore when visiting the West Yellowstone region.
Safety Policy
For the safety of all, if you show any signs of illness or have a positive covid test result, kindly remain at home. Stay informed about the weather, dress for the occasion, and stay alert to any shifts in water conditions.
Weekend Disclaimer
We aim for a memorable weekend, emphasizing community for everyone present. Educational resources will be available, and connections among anglers encouraged. We expect a drama-free setting and clarify that while co-hosts will be around, the weekend is self-guided. Attendees can coordinate fishing plans with other participants via the Facebook Group. This is not an exclusive women’s weekend. Partners, friends, and family are encouraged to join.
