Our Montana Fly Fishing Guides
Swan’s Fly Fishing is based in Livingston, Montana and guides year‑round across Southwest Montana and nearby waters, including the Yellowstone River, Paradise Valley spring creeks, the Madison River, and select freestones near Big Timber. Each day is built around conditions, guest goals, and the kind of experience the angler wants on the water.
Guests are not booking a single river. They are booking a guided day with the right person. Once a date is on the calendar, water and timing are matched to the conditions, whether that means a classic Yellowstone float, a technical spring creek session in Paradise Valley, or a freestone day on the Stillwater or Boulder Rivers.
Every guide below is capable of adapting to changing conditions and different experience levels. The differences are in style, pacing, and the kind of day each guide is especially good at delivering.
Matt Swan
Matt’s guiding foundation was built on the Colorado River at Lees Ferry, a tailwater where precision matters: reading seams, controlling drifts, and understanding how subtle changes in flow affect trout behavior.
He later guided with The Fly Shop in Redding, California, splitting seasons between Northern California trout and steelhead and summers in Montana. That schedule built range across freestones, spring creeks, tailwaters, stillwaters, and big Western rivers—the same mix that defines fly fishing in Southwest Montana.
Now based full time in Livingston, Matt focuses on putting the right day together for each guest on the Yellowstone River, Paradise Valley spring creeks, the Madison, and other regional fisheries. He is an FFI Certified Casting Instructor, a Trout Unlimited Business Member, and a Guiding for the Future graduate, with a calm teaching style that works well for beginners, mixed groups, and anglers who want clear instruction and actionable takeaways.
Jan Axtell
Jan is a personable, upbeat guide with a deep wading focus and a strong connection to the Paradise Valley spring creeks. He helps anglers see small seams, subtle depth changes, and how trout use quiet currents that often go unnoticed.
In winter, Jan’s work as a commercial fly tyer and instructor shows up on the water. His patterns and teaching reflect a practical understanding of seasonal behavior, presentation, and the small details that matter on clear, pressured fisheries in Paradise Valley, Yellowstone National Park, and the Bighorn.
His background in the outdoor industry includes roles that demand calm decision‑making and guest care. Days with Jan tend to feel relaxed and encouraging, making him a good fit for anglers who want a patient pace, clear instruction, and a spring‑creek style approach that transfers well to any river.
Sam Spector
Sam lives in Big Timber and spends much of his season rowing the Stillwater and Boulder Rivers. He is known for precise boat handling and for putting anglers into high‑percentage slots that many visitors float past.
A background in the school system informs Sam’s teaching. He is exceptionally patient with beginners and kids, breaks skills into simple steps, and keeps the day fun without losing progress on the learning side.
As a graduate of Guiding for the Future, Sam brings a steady, teaching‑first style that fits families, newer anglers, and anyone who wants a supportive pace on classic Montana freestones.
Chris Gerono
Chris is a highly technical, well‑rounded guide with decades on the water across the West. His strength lies in diagnosing what is happening quickly, making small adjustments that produce outsized results, and explaining the “why” in a way that is easy to use immediately.
As the owner of Boise River Guides, Chris has built a program centered on instruction, river education, and approachable coaching. He is an FFI Certified Casting Instructor and brings a calm, structured teaching style that works well for anglers who want to progress efficiently.
Chris also serves as Lead Instructor for Swan’s Guide School, helping set the standard for professional instruction, decision‑making, and on‑water clarity across the team in Montana.
Website: boiseriverguides.com
Bill Schoonover
Bill’s fly‑fishing roots were shaped on the technical spring creeks of Pennsylvania, where small details and careful presentation matter. That early influence shows up in his patience, observation, and the way he helps anglers read water clearly.
After guiding in multiple regions, Bill now focuses on Southwest Montana. His calm style suits a wide range of anglers, from first‑timers to experienced guests seeking practical refinements and a steady, unhurried pace on freestones and spring creeks.
Matt Kelly
Matt brings a calm, adaptable style with an emphasis on clear communication and straightforward instruction. Guests tend to appreciate his steady pace, practical explanations, and the way he helps anglers find rhythm without overcomplicating the day.
He is especially strong on varied freestone structure, explaining positioning, timing, and presentation in a way that feels approachable for newer anglers while still offering depth for experienced ones. Matt is a good fit for anglers who want to explore shoulder‑season opportunities on the Yellowstone and other regional rivers.
Ready to Plan a Day on the Water
Share dates, experience level, and the kind of Montana fly‑fishing day you are hoping for. The team will match the trip with the right guide and choose water as conditions line up.
