All Montana Fly Fishing trips secured with Classic Journey Outfitters require a 50% deposit that is refundable if a change or cancellation occurs 45 days or more prior to the 1st day of the trip. That deposit becomes non-refundable if the cancellation or change occurs less than 45 days prior to the trip. In all cases of non-refundable deposits we will try to re-sell the days and refund what we can.
See you on the river...
Joe Cummings
Hatches -
May/June - Our full complement of the Big Bug game. Salmonflies come in first in late May and by the end of June we are full of Goldens and Green Drakes.
July - A consistent rising fish game grounded in PMDs and the evening Caddis blitz. Also Goldens will linger late into the month giving a nice big bug option.
August - The best of the best Hopper fishing in the afternoon and great pods of fish on tricos in the morning. On rainy August days we get Hecubas (Fall Green Drakes) which can be some of the most rediculous fishing of the year on the Bitterroot.
September - The most consistent fishing conditions month of the whole year. Late in the month Mahogonies and Blue Wing Olives and in early September you are still playing the Hopper/Trico game.
October - A great trophy fish time of year. However not ideal for beginners, but for an experienced angler an excellent time of year to match your dry fly skills with the brutes. Fish are up on Mahogonies and Blue Wings with more motivation and the pre-spawn brownie bite in the morning is exceptional.
Weather Conditions - May through early September is true summer fishing and is generally nice with most days we are wet wading. By mid September we are back in the waders and by October its cold in the morning, but cool and pleasant in the afternoon. For those anglers that love the Fall Splendor of our foliage turning, then late September and early October is the best.
PACKAGES AND SPECIALS
RIVER LODGING
GUIDED RATES
JOE'S GUARANTEE
CLASSIC JOURNEY OUTFITTERS SPRING SKWALA SPECIAL MARCH 15-MAY 31
4 night Lodging/3 nights guided Fishing $725 per angler.
Includes - 4 nights Riverfront Lodging, 3 days guided float fishing, All flies, and rental fishing gear. Rate is base on a minimum of 2 anglers per package.
We sell this one out every season, please call toll free 1-877-327-7878 for available dates.
CLASSIC JOURNEY OUTFITTERS CRAZY DEAL OF THE SEASON June 1 -OCTOBER 30
FOUR NIGHTS LODGING / THREE DAYS FISHING WITH THE CLASSIC JOURNEY OUTFITTERS (INCLUDES GUARANTEED RIVERFRONT LODGING) - $995 per angler, minimum four anglers. Two anglers per room/guide boat.
Package Includes- 4 nights lodging/3 days guided float trips, all flies, gear rental, shuttles and lunches. Not Included - MT fishing License, breakfast, evening meals, gratuities.
Lodging- lodging available, please call toll free 1-877-327-7878 for more information.
CLASSIC JOURNEY OUTFITTERS NEWSLETTER
Sign up to receive our Montana Fly Fishing Newsletter. Joe plans on putting out information on guiding trips, special offers, and new must-see photographs of some guided trips throughout the year. Keeping up with Missoula Fly Fishing and Joe and his crew has never been easier. Please note: As a courtesy to you, your name & e-mail will only be used by us, and not given out.
Our deal of the season is $995 per angler for four nights of guaranteed riverfront lodging and three days of guided fishing on some of the best fly fishing water in America. Book now!
That's right. Finally a convenient Riverfront Lodging Option for Missoula, Montana.
2009 Rates - this complete riverfront lodge (introductory price) is currently only $325 / night + 7% Bed Tax, 3 night Min, 50% Deposit. 10 guests maximum. You read right. You and nine other fishing buddies at about 35 bucks a night.
Missoula has never had great on-the-river lodging that was central enough to allow Missoula anglers to strike at all our rivers conveniently. Anglers had to choose which river to concentrate on and give up on all the rest to get rural lodging. Now you can have it all! Angling convenience and the kind of front deck atmosphere that is a fitting theater for the off water lies and legends.
About the fly fishing - This stretch of the river is what I regard as probably some of the best dry fly fishing in America - in the summer months, as the sun goes down, an immense Caddis Hatch emerges and our lower river rainbows go on a drunken spree feed. If you are into pure dry fly fishing, this is something that you have to experience in your life. It's that simple.
CLASSIC JOURNEY OUTFITTERS 2010 RATES
Blackfoot, Bitterroot, and Clark Fork River
Full Day Float Trip $475 - Includes all flies, tippets, hotel pickup and drop-off, shuttles, all day guide services 2 anglers per guide boat, grilled shore side lunch based on our rotating menu. Special meals are prepared on request. Not Included - fishing gear, gratuities, and alcoholic beverages.
Half Day Float Trip $350 - Same as Full Day with 4-6 hours fishing and snacks on the river rather than lunch.
The Missouri River and Dearborn
Full Day Float Trip $475 - Includes all flies, tippets, hotel pickup and drop-off, shuttles, all day guide services 2 anglers per guide boat, grilled shore side lunch based on our rotating menu. Special meals are prepared on request. Not Included - fishing gear, gratuities, and alcoholic beverages.
Rock Creek
A special permit river with just three outfitters in the world that are permitted to float fish on it. We have only 50 launches a year, so these trips carry a premium price tag and are available on a first come first serve basis.
Full Day Float Trip $575 - Includes all flies, tippets, hotel pickup and drop-off, shuttles, all day guide services 2 anglers per guide boat, grilled shore side lunch based on our rotating menu. Special meals are prepared on request. Not Included - fishing gear, gratuities, and alcoholic beverages.
I only hire enthusiastic experienced guides for my staff. Patience is at a premium and their ability to fish all levels of anglers is paramount. They are my respected colleagues in the trout game. If you are unsatisfied with their work ethic, professionalism, or their attitude I will refund your money. No questions asked. --Joe Cummings.
Because life is too short......
First of all, we love our job. We love the outdoors, and we love sharing Montana and it's timeless rivers to others. If you've never come to the Big Sky Country, you're missing something. Classic Journey Outfitters takes your Montana fly fishing vacation time very seriously and our number one goal is a satisfied Montana Fly Fishing Smile at the end of the day. It can come from a single trout up on rhythm on the Bitterroot River that you and your fly fishing guide quietly stalk. It has also appeared on faces from a quick shot with a bright orange size four stimulator into a churning back eddy on the Blackfoot River and watch as a native cutthroat trout comes from six feet down to inhale the fly, or massive pods of trout up on piles of tricos that fell in the late morning on the Missouri River. Montana Fly Fishing Smiles can come from the late fall colors of the Clark Fork River and Mahoganies and Blue Wing Olives filling the riffles and back eddies. But most likely your Montana smile will be rooted in the quiet time spent on our waters and amidst our mountains with your angling companions. Long after you've made a Montana Fly Fishing Trip with Joe Cummings and the guides of Classic Journey Outfitters, that Montana Smile will appear, as you think back warmly to that special day on the river in Montana. Once you get it, it never leaves. Our lead guide Brooks Jessen is living proof of that!
"I think often about the great day you showed me on the Bitterroot; with lot's of good fish, a slam, trying really hard to catch a difficult fish, two fish with one cast, watching a fish take forever to slowly take the hopper, catching what may be the biggest fish I ever get and a fish on the last cast of the day. All of this in a beautiful setting with good company and patient tutoring and encouragement. If I get the chance I'll be back. Cheers!" --Frank Ryan, Australia
First of all, we love our job. We love the outdoors, and we love sharing Montana and it's timeless rivers to others. If you've never come to the Big Sky Country, you're missing something. Classic Journey Outfitters takes your Montana fly fishing vacation time very seriously and our number one goal is a satisfied Montana Fly Fishing Smile at the end of the day. It can come from a single trout up on rhythm on the Bitterroot River that you and your fly fishing guide quietly stalk. It has also appeared on faces from a quick shot with a bright orange size four stimulator into a churning back eddy on the Blackfoot River and watch as a native cutthroat trout comes from six feet down to inhale the fly, or massive pods of trout up on piles of tricos that fell in the late morning on the Missouri River. Montana Fly Fishing Smiles can come from the late fall colors of the Clark Fork River and Mahoganies and Blue Wing Olives filling the riffles and back eddies. But most likely your Montana smile will be rooted in the quiet time spent on our waters and amidst our mountains with your angling companions. Long after you've made a Montana Fly Fishing Trip with Joe Cummings and the guides of Classic Journey Outfitters, that Montana Smile will appear, as you think back warmly to that special day on the river in Montana. Once you get it, it never leaves. Our lead guide Brooks Jessen is living proof of that!