Most of our season runs from late March through early November. Spring creeks and the Bighorn/Madison can fish well in late winter and early spring, the main Yellowstone floats really kick in after runoff, and fall is hard to beat for color, stable flows, and fewer people.

Winter on the Paradise Valley spring creeks is one of the most overlooked opportunities in Montana. Clear water, steady flows, warm huts, and very low pressure make it a fantastic time to fish — and we offer a dedicated Winter Spring Creek Special at a reduced rate.
View Winter Spring Creek Special details

I match your dates, comfort level, and goals with current flows, clarity, and weather. Some days that means the Yellowstone. Other days it might be a spring creek, the Madison below Ennis, or a smaller freestone like the Stillwater or Boulder.

Yes. We guide a lot of beginners and mixed groups, and we are a teaching-focused outfitter. Every guide on the team is patient and instructional.

I’ve been an FFI-certified casting instructor since 1999 and have taught hundreds, if not thousands, of people to cast and fish. We keep rigs simple, pick friendly water, and spend time on casting, line control, and reading water so you leave with real, transferable skills, not just a grip-and-grin photo.

One strong option is to pair a guided fishing boat with a Montana Classic Boat Tours wooden dory on the same section and schedule. Anglers get a proper fishing day, and the rest of the group gets a comfortable, catered scenic float. You still share the same river day.

Yes. Every angler 12 and older needs a valid Montana fishing license. The easiest way is to buy it online through Montana FWP before you arrive, then carry a digital or printed copy on the water.

You can purchase your license directly through Montana FWP’s online license system .

Yellowstone National Park has its own fishing permit, separate from a Montana license. If your trip includes the Park, I’ll let you know which permit you need and where to purchase it online or in person.

You can buy your Park permit in advance via Recreation.gov .

For most trips we meet in Livingston, Paradise Valley, or near the river we’re fishing. A day or two before your trip I’ll text or email a simple meet-up time and pin so you’re not guessing.

Most full days run about 7–8 hours on the water. Winter and shoulder-season trips may run a little shorter so we line up with the best weather window and safest conditions.

That’s normal here at certain times of year. I watch gauges and snowpack and will shift to the best option for your dates, whether that’s a different stretch of the Yellowstone, the Madison below Ennis, the Stillwater/Boulder, or a spring creek.

Most years, the Yellowstone blows out sometime in May and early June as snow comes off. During that window we often focus on spring creeks, the Madison below Ennis, and other tailwaters or lakes until big rivers come back in shape.

We fish in less-than-perfect weather all the time. Wind, cold, or showers can actually help the fishing. If conditions become unsafe or truly unfishable, we’ll talk about rescheduling or changing the plan.

Guiding and instruction, flies, terminal tackle, use of rods if needed, river shuttle, and a good streamside lunch on full days. I’ll also provide a cooler with water and soft drinks. Winter and ice trips include appropriate shelters and heaters.

Fishing licenses, Yellowstone Park permits if needed, gratuity, alcohol, and personal clothing like rain jackets, waders, boots, hats, and polarized sunglasses.

Dress in layers. A light sun hoody or fishing shirt, quick-dry pants or shorts, a good rain jacket, hat, polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, and any personal medications. Wet-wading shoes or sandals that stay on your feet work well once the water warms up.

Plan for cold mornings and changeable weather. Bring a warm base layer, insulating mid layer (fleece or puffy), waterproof shell, warm hat, gloves, and wool socks. Waders and good boots are important in colder water.

I take a 50% deposit to hold your dates. The balance is due closer to the trip.

Deposits are fully refundable up to 30 days before your trip. Inside 30 days, I’ll refund your deposit if I can rebook those dates. If I cancel for weather, safety, or conditions, we’ll either reschedule or refund.

If high water, wildfires, extreme weather, or closures make your original plan impossible, we’ll first look for another fishable option. If we truly can’t find a safe, reasonable plan, we’ll work with you on rescheduling or a refund.

Yes. I guide families often. We’ll pick the right water and pace for your kids and focus on keeping it fun, simple, and safe.

In many cases, yes. The boat does most of the work. Tell me about any concerns ahead of time so I can choose the right stretch, put-ins, and take-outs, and make a realistic plan.

Simple, filling river food: sandwiches or grilled options, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks. For scenic boat tours we can step that up with catered boards and local touches. Let me know about allergies ahead of time.

A guide trip is built around fishing. A Montana Classic Boat Tour is a slower, more comfortable wooden dory float with more time for scenery, photos, and food. It’s for guests who want to be on the Yellowstone but don’t necessarily want to fish all day.

Yes, and this is one of the unique things I can do. We can run a classic wooden dory for the non-anglers and a standard fishing boat for the anglers on the same section and schedule so everyone shares the day and the river.

Most classic boat trips are 2–3 hours on the water. One dory is comfortable for 1–3 guests. We can run multiple boats for larger groups, and we can talk through catered vs non-catered options and pricing when you inquire.

Prime summer and fall dates often book months ahead, especially around holidays and popular hatch windows. Winter, early spring, and late fall can be a little more flexible, but the more notice you give me, the better I can match rivers and guides to your dates.

It depends on the season. Some days are built around dries, others around nymphs or streamers. My job is to be honest about current expectations, pick good water for your skill level, and give you a real shot at learning and catching fish.

We practice catch and release on almost all trout water we guide. On certain stillwaters or ice trips, there may be limited harvest options where it’s appropriate and legal. If that’s important to you, ask and we’ll be upfront about what makes sense.