Northwest Montana’s Kootenai River

The Kootenai River is Montana’s largest tailwater with over half its drainage located in British Columbia. Immediately below Libby dam, a phenomenal trout fishery begins. This outfitter is a past Montana Guide of the Year, and has about 40 miles of guideable water from the dam to the Idaho border. The Kootenai’s wild and native strain of redband rainbows are strong, hard-fighting, and very acrobatic. The Kootenai is a classic dry fly fishery with long flats that offer endless drifts. Bull trout, often in the 10 lb. class, are also native to the Kootenai and can be caught on streamers down and deep. Other local waters include the Clark Fork, Bitteroot, Missouri, and other local small streams that are teaming with wild trout. Two different lodging options are available. There are three handcrafted log cabins located in Yaak, MT, minutes from the Yaak river. Each cabin has a queen bedroom, loft with two twin beds, full bath, kitchen, and porch overlooking the Kootenai National Forest. The second lodging option is the Kootenai Riverhouse, located in Libby, MT, on the banks of the Kootenai river. This four-bedroom, two bathroom spacious house if perfect for intact parties of six. Cast and blast packages for mountain grouse are also available.