Montana — Hosted Fly Fishing
Four Journeys Through the American West
June–July 2027 · 13 days · 12 nights · Nine guided fishing days · Four guests per group
Since 2010, Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing Centre has hosted small-group journeys through Montana, combining substantial days on the river with time to enjoy the country between them.
In 2027, choose from four departures, each with its own route and seasonal emphasis. Fish the Missouri and Madison, explore the contrasting rivers around Dillon, or travel from the Bighorn through Yellowstone country to eastern Idaho.
The journeys share a familiar rhythm: three regions, experienced local fishing guides, comfortable accommodation and Anthony Boliancu travelling with you throughout.
For a first visit, the Classic Montana Journey offers our established introduction to the region. For returning guests, the other departures provide fresh opportunities without giving up the small-group format and personal hosting they already know.
Twin-share: US$9,000 per person
Private bedroom: US$9,900 per person
Twin-share is available to guests travelling together. Private bedrooms are limited and confirmed when booking.
Four Journeys Through the Season
Rather than repeating the same itinerary throughout June and July, each 2027 departure follows a different journey through the American West.
Some departures share favourite rivers, but their sequence and seasonal emphasis change as summer develops.
The regional plans below provide the framework for each journey. Individual fishing waters are selected with our local guides according to flows, temperatures, access and the group. A particular hatch or river can never be guaranteed months in advance.
Early Season Journey
6–18 June 2027
Craig and the Missouri → Dillon and southwest Montana → Ennis and the Upper Madison
Begin with three guided days on the Missouri River near Craig, then travel south to the contrasting rivers around Dillon before finishing on the Upper Madison.
The Missouri provides an excellent early-season starting point, with mayfly and caddis fishing alongside productive subsurface opportunities. Its broad runs, flats and long feeding lanes allow us to settle into the rhythm of Montana fishing while other rivers continue their transition from spring into summer.
Around Dillon, the Beaverhead forms the centre of our planning, with the Big Hole and other nearby fisheries considered as conditions develop.
The final stage moves us to Ennis and the Upper Madison, putting this part of the journey later in June as summer insect activity begins to build.
This departure offers a broad introduction to early-summer Montana: changing rivers, green valleys and a mixture of dry-fly, nymph and streamer fishing, with the approach chosen for the day.
Planned arrival and departure: Bozeman.
Hatch Season Journey
20 June–2 July 2027
Ennis and the Upper Madison → Dillon and southwest Montana → Craig and the Missouri
Start on the Upper Madison from a base around Ennis, move south to Dillon, then finish with three guided days on the Missouri River near Craig.
Late June and early July bring some of Montana’s most anticipated insect activity. The Madison is renowned for its major stonefly hatches, while mayflies, caddis and other summer insects become increasingly important across the region.
This journey is timed to explore that period across several fisheries rather than depending on one hatch arriving on one particular day.
The Dillon stage gives us access to the Beaverhead and other suitable southwest Montana waters before the journey finishes on the Missouri, where the combination of prolific insect life and long drift-boat days provides another change of style.
This departure will particularly appeal to anglers who enjoy watching insect activity, adapting to changing conditions and refining presentations as the fishing develops.
Planned arrival and departure: Bozeman.
Classic Montana Journey
4–16 July 2027
Craig and the Missouri → Dillon and southwest Montana → West Yellowstone and the greater Yellowstone region
This is our established three-region journey and the departure Anthony recommends as a starting point for a first Montana visit.
Begin with three guided days on the Missouri River near Craig, fishing its broad runs, flats, riffles and feeding lanes from drift boats.
From Craig, we travel south towards Dillon. The Beaverhead, Big Hole and Ruby provide contrasting fishing within this part of Montana, with the final choice of water determined by seasonal conditions.
The final stage takes us towards West Yellowstone and the greater Yellowstone region. Depending on conditions, the fishing may include the Upper Madison, Yellowstone National Park and other suitable fisheries within the region.
It is the route featured in our Montana film: substantial fishing days, familiar fly shops, small-town evenings and landscapes that change as we travel south.
For many guests, this combination of fishing, people and country is what first brings Montana together.
Planned arrival and departure: Bozeman.
Big Water Journey
18–30 July 2027
Bighorn River → Yellowstone country → Eastern Idaho and the Teton Valley
A substantially different journey for anglers wanting to explore beyond our classic route, and particularly appealing to guests returning to Montana with GVFFC.
The trip begins on the Bighorn River below Yellowtail Dam, where three guided fishing days take us through a landscape of open country, sandstone bluffs and enormous skies.
The Bighorn offers long drift-boat days and a very different atmosphere from western Montana.
On our travel day west, the route can include a visit to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument before continuing into Yellowstone country.
The middle stage brings opportunities for wade fishing in northeastern Yellowstone National Park and drift-boat fishing on the Yellowstone River outside the park.
Paradise Valley spring-creek fishing can also be considered where access is secured in advance.
The final stage takes us into eastern Idaho and the Teton Valley.
Based around Victor or Driggs, the region opens up another remarkable collection of fisheries. The Teton River and South Fork of the Snake are central to our planning, with other regional waters considered according to conditions.
The change from the open country of the Bighorn to Yellowstone’s mountain valleys and finally the canyons beneath the Tetons gives this departure a character entirely its own.
Planned arrival: Billings.
Planned departure: Jackson Hole.
South Fork Canyon Overnight — Optional Variation
A two-day South Fork float can link the final fishing days with a night at a riverside tent camp, allowing the group to remain deep in the canyon rather than returning to town.
The two fishing days count towards the nine guided days of the journey.
This variation is arranged by prior agreement and is not included in the standard trip price. Availability, camp arrangements and any additional cost are confirmed before booking.
A private-bedroom booking does not automatically provide a private tent during the overnight experience.
Watch the Montana Film
Our approximately 17-minute film follows the Classic Montana journey through Craig, Dillon and the Yellowstone region, introducing the fishing, local guides, accommodation and travel between regions.
It provides a useful look at the pace and atmosphere of a GVFFC Montana trip, including the moments away from the river.
The newer itineraries visit different places while retaining the same approach to the journey.
How the Thirteen Days Work
Every journey follows the same basic rhythm: three regional stages, each with four nights’ accommodation and three guided fishing days.
This gives you time to unpack, settle into the fishing and experience the surrounding area before moving on.
Day 1
Airport collection and settling into the first region.
Days 2–4
Three guided fishing days in the first region.
Day 5
Travel to the second region.
Days 6–8
Three guided fishing days in the second region.
Day 9
Travel to the third region.
Days 10–12
Three guided fishing days in the final region.
Day 13
Departure transfer.
The Country Between Rivers
The two travel days are part of the experience.
There is time for small towns, fly shops, a worthwhile stop and the changing country through the windscreen.
They also provide a change of pace between the three fishing stages, without turning the journey into a succession of rushed departures and overnight stops.
For many guests, Montana eventually becomes as much about the country between the rivers as the rivers themselves.
Personally Hosted by Anthony
I developed our Montana programme around rivers I enjoy fishing, local guides I trust and places where a small group can settle in comfortably.
Since our first hosted Montana departure in 2010, I have continued refining how those parts fit together.
The local guides conduct the fishing. I travel with you throughout the four advertised departures, organising accommodation, transfers and daily arrangements and helping you prepare before we leave Australia.
Those longstanding relationships help me understand which guides, waters and approaches are likely to suit the people in the group.
My job is to make the journey work as a whole, from the first airport collection to the final fishing day, so you can enjoy both the rivers and the country around them.
Anthony Boliancu
Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing Centre
Accommodation, Evenings and Room Choices
We stay in carefully selected houses, lodges and guest accommodation, chosen for comfort, location and how well they work for a small fishing group.
Shared living areas provide somewhere to relax, compare the day’s stories, prepare equipment and enjoy the company of the group.
Evenings are generally unhurried. There is time for dinner, conversation or simply a quiet night before another full day on the water.
You can enjoy travelling with other anglers without having to share every moment of the trip.
Twin-Share — US$9,000 Per Person
Twin-share is available to two guests travelling together who choose to share a bedroom.
Where twin-share is offered, the room will have separate beds.
The guided fishing, transport, hosting and itinerary are exactly the same as for guests booking private bedrooms.
Two friends choosing twin-share save US$1,800 between them compared with booking two private rooms.
We do not pair individual travellers with someone they have not chosen to share with.
Private Bedroom — US$9,900 Per Person
For guests who prefer their own bedroom throughout the land-based journey.
Private bedrooms are limited and subject to availability on the selected departure.
Individual travellers are welcome. You do not need to bring a fishing companion or organise your own group before getting in touch.
All prices are in US dollars.
Bedroom and bathroom arrangements are explained before booking so you know exactly what has been arranged for your particular journey.
Any agreed South Fork overnight variation is quoted separately, including its camp arrangements.
Bringing a Group of Four?
Four anglers travelling together can book an entire group.
Where a scheduled departure is already full, or where another complete group wishes to travel on the same dates, GVFFC may be able to establish an additional four-person group.
That group travels with another experienced GVFFC host, a separate vehicle and nearby accommodation while using the same professional local guiding network.
We remain in regular contact throughout the journey and, where practical, the groups may meet at fly shops, restaurants or during travel days.
These arrangements depend on guide and accommodation availability.
Each group remains limited to four guests, with no more than two anglers per local guide.
What Our Guests Say
“Every aspect of the trip was exceptional, from the pre-trip planning to the fishing, accommodation and support throughout. Anthony’s experience and relationships with the local guides and outfitters made the journey effortless, while the travel days allowed us to experience far more than the fishing alone.”
Craig Horneman, Sydney, Montana guest
“I was fairly new to fly fishing, but the guides were knowledgeable and friendly and I learned a great deal from each of them. I loved the road-trip format, moving between different locations and fishing a variety of rivers, with every day feeling different.
The fishing, accommodation, wildlife, scenery and food were all excellent, but what truly set the trip apart were the people running it. From my first phone call until the journey was over, nothing was ever too much trouble.”
Tim Hitchins, Melbourne, Montana guest
“The secret sauce is the rhythm created by three days fishing followed by a travel day. It is perfection, and clearly the result of years of fine-tuning. While the fishing is central, soaking up small-town America is one of the memories that will also stay with me.”
Rodney Hirst, Melbourne, Montana guest
Reviews condensed for length from Tripadvisor and Google Reviews.
Fishing Experience, Pace and Comfort
You do not need to be an expert fly fisher to join us.
Nine days with experienced local guides provide developing anglers with considerable time to learn and practise, while accomplished anglers can concentrate on particular techniques, hatches and fisheries.
Much of the fishing is drift-boat based.
Selected days may involve walking and wading, particularly within Yellowstone National Park.
More demanding canyon outings are considered only when suitable for the group and are not a requirement of every departure.
Guests should be comfortable with full days outdoors, getting into and out of boats and travelling between regions.
Please discuss mobility concerns, previous injuries or a preference for predominantly boat-based fishing before booking so we can identify the most suitable journey.
River conditions also influence how we fish. The approach, timing and selected water can change during the trip, and no departure depends entirely on one method or one particular hatch.
What Is Included?
The standard land-based trip price includes:
Twelve nights’ accommodation
In the private-bedroom or twin-share arrangement booked.
Nine professionally guided fishing days
With one experienced local guide for every two anglers.
Lunches on all nine guided fishing days
Ground transport throughout the hosted journey
Including agreed airport transfers and travel between fishing regions.
Pre-trip preparation and coordination
Anthony hosting throughout the four advertised departures
Local outfitters provide the drift boats and normal guiding equipment required for each fishing day.
What to Allow for Separately
International and domestic flights, fishing licences and permits, guide gratuities, travel insurance, personal fishing equipment and personal expenses are additional.
Breakfasts, dinners and meals on arrival, travel and departure days are not included unless expressly stated in your booking.
Lunches on the nine guided fishing days are included.
Additional-cost experiences, including the South Fork overnight or private spring-creek access where applicable, are discussed and agreed before booking.
There is no need to purchase unfamiliar fishing equipment before travelling. We will first work through what you already own, what you will need for your particular departure and what is supplied by the local outfitters.
Arrival, Preparation and Booking
Airport arrangements follow the route of each journey.
The first three departures are presently planned around Bozeman Airport.
The Big Water Journey is planned to begin at Billings Montana and finish at Jackson Hole Wyoming, allowing the trip to continue naturally west through Montana and into eastern Idaho without having to return to its starting point.
Please speak with us before booking flights.
We confirm the itinerary, airports, suitable arrival and departure times, accommodation choice and inclusions with you first.
A 50% deposit is due within three days of confirmation.
The balance is due by 1 April 2027.
Bookings made after that date require full payment.
The applicable booking and cancellation terms are supplied before your deposit is paid.
2027 Departures
Early Season Journey
6–18 June 2027
Craig and the Missouri → Dillon and southwest Montana → Ennis and the Upper Madison
Hatch Season Journey
20 June–2 July 2027
Ennis and the Upper Madison → Dillon and southwest Montana → Craig and the Missouri
Classic Montana Journey
4–16 July 2027
Craig and the Missouri → Dillon and southwest Montana → West Yellowstone and the greater Yellowstone region
Big Water Journey
18–30 July 2027
Bighorn River → Yellowstone country → Eastern Idaho and the Teton Valley
Price
Twin-Share
US$9,000 per person
Private Bedroom
US$9,900 per person
Each standard group is limited to four guests, with one professional local guide for every two anglers.
Individual travellers are welcome.
Discuss Your Montana Journey
Whether this will be your first visit to Montana or a return to the American West, get in touch with your preferred dates, whether you are travelling alone or with friends, and the kind of fishing you most enjoy.
Anthony will help you choose the departure and accommodation arrangement that suit you, explain the remaining availability and work through the practical details.
Anthony Boliancu
Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing Centre
Call or text: 0418 995 611
International: +61 418 995 611
Email: gvflyfishing@gmail.com
