Fishtail is twenty-five miles southwest of Columbus. It was named for a Mr. Fishtail who resided in the area. A post office was established in 1901 with Charles Sullivan as postmaster. A new mail route was laid out to service many new homesteaders of the Fiddler, Fishtail, and Rock Creek areas. Stressley Tunnell set up a store and later served as postmaster. The Columbus Mercantile bought out his store in 1908, and livery barn completed the business section of town. The streets were laid out and the town was planet in 1913 (Annin). (from Cheney’s Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company)

Fishtail is in the foothills of the dramatic Beartooth Mountains. This area offers opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing, and a variety of other outdoor activities. Rosebud Isle is a state fishing access site on Fishtail Creek.