Quick answer: For June, book at least two to three months out. It is our busiest month and popular dates fill up fast. July, August, and September also book well ahead, so if your trip is tied to fixed dates, get on the calendar as soon as you know them. Spring and fall have more availability and can often be booked with a few weeks’ notice. A $150 deposit holds your date and is fully refundable up to 30 days before your trip, so there is no downside to booking early.
That is the short version. Here is how the timing really works, month by month, and what happens if your plans are last minute.
Why does summer book so far ahead?
Two reasons. First, demand: June through September is peak fly fishing season in Missoula, with the salmonfly hatch in June, the golden stones and pale morning duns in July, and hoppers through August and September. Second, supply: we cap the whole operation at six boats a day, on purpose, so every guest gets a guide’s full attention. Six boats fill up. On a prime July Saturday there is no seventh boat.
So the rule is simple. The more specific your dates, and the closer they fall to peak season, the earlier you should book.
How far ahead by season?
- June: at least two to three months out. This is the month we turn people away most often, and the salmonfly window in the middle of the month goes first.
- July and August: one to three months out for specific dates, longer if you need a weekend or a holiday week. Weekdays are easier than weekends.
- September: popular with people in the know. Book six to eight weeks out if you can. The late-September window is short and fills fast.
- October: more flexible, but the first two weeks are some of the best fishing of the year, so do not assume they will be open at the last minute.
- March, April, and May: the most flexible months. A few weeks’ notice usually works, though spring trips depend on conditions, so we will talk through the water with you either way.
What if you are bringing a group?
Each boat fits one or two anglers with one guide, so a group of six needs three boats and three guides on the same day. With a six-boat cap, that takes coordination. For groups, corporate outings, and reunions, reach out as early as you can, at least two to three months ahead in summer, and five to six months if you can, so we can hold enough boats for everyone on one date.
Do multi-day trips need more lead time?
Yes. Our multi-day package runs June through October and includes three days of guided fishing and four nights at the DoubleTree, so there are more moving parts: guides for three consecutive days, lodging, and the right rivers for your dates. Give us the most notice you can. Three months ahead for summer is comfortable.
How does the deposit work?
Booking is simple. A $150 deposit holds your date. It is fully refundable if you cancel 30 or more days before the trip. Inside 30 days, the deposit is non-refundable, with one exception: if weather makes the trip unsafe, we reschedule at no charge. We respond to booking requests within 24 hours.
That policy is why we tell people not to wait. You can lock in the dates you want months ahead, and if life changes before the 30-day mark, you get every dollar back.
What if your plans are last minute?
Call us. Last-minute trips are usually not a problem outside the peak June and September dates, and even then we often have cancellations or openings a week out. If it is mid-July and you are coming next week, do not assume we are full. If you are already in Missoula and the itch hits, give us a ring. We would rather tell you a date is open than have you assume it is not.
Common questions about booking
Is it too early to book next summer now? No. If you know your dates, book them. Early booking is how you get the June and July weekends.
Can I book for a specific hatch? You can book for the window when a hatch usually happens, like the salmonflies in mid to late June, but no one can promise the bugs will be on a specific day. Your guide will put you on the river that is fishing best that day, hatch or not.
Do you take walk-ins? Yes, whenever a boat is open, and one often is. Call first and we will tell you straight.
What if the weather looks bad on my date? We fish in light rain, and it often fishes well. If conditions become genuinely unsafe, we reschedule at no charge.
Can I request a particular guide? Yes. Book early and ask, and we will do our best to line it up.
The simplest rule: the more specific your dates, the earlier you should book. Call us with your window and we will get you on the schedule. Rates and the booking form are on our Rates and Booking page.
Book your Missoula guided trip: (406) 728-4308