Guide Services

Without question, no matter your experience level, booking a guide during your visit to the Yellowstone region is your best decision. It will save you money, time and aggravation. There's nothing worse than going on a fly fishing trip or vacation and being stressed out the whole time. This is especially true if it's your first visit to the Yellowstone region. Browse our Fly Fishing directories and see what a daunting task it is to decide even where to go.

First off, prepare a list of your favorite type of fly fishing. Will you be by yourself, with family/pet? Are you booking multiple days? Do you care about a relaxing trip, perhaps sight-seeing or are you the type that fishes for 8 hours a day. The more information you give the fly shop, the better your experience. Communication in advance is the key. You're not reserving a flight here. If you call a fly shop to book a guide and give general dates without much interaction on the phone with the shop guy, I advise calling another shop unless you have disposable income.

Fly Fishing guides is a peculiar occupation. During peak season, there are hundreds of them, all doing the same thing. Providing their client with the best fly fishing experience on that particular day and then do the same thing the very next day and so on. Catching much fish, for a particular water, is no guarantee considering the day-in-day-out pressure. Some of the best guides I know actually fish on their off days. Many do not. They require a mental time off. When 8 hrs. of human interaction is required every single summer day, then personality is, in my opinion, the number one trait you can have as a guide. Most guides are well educated. It is advisable to check your attitude at the start of the day.

Most guides are versatile on the waters they work but many are also specialist in the type of fishing they prefer. All know how to float bobbers and say "strike" but is that what you want to spend half a grand on? If so, hopefully, it comes with a few jokes. If your preference is dry fly fishing, now your choices have been narrowed down. The more specific fishing you prefer, the more you should do your research in advance and be selective with the shop and guide you choose. Be cautious when you call the fly shop and who you talk to if you know what I mean.

One last comment on gathering knowledge from a local fly shop. I find the best approach is, if you got nothing of fishing value, then mingle around a bit. Work your way into the conversation. Listen to the shop guys while they yak away with other customers. My point is, there's always some staff more knowledgeable than others. The friendliest might not be the most informed. Remember a lot of the shop guys/gals are getting their information from customers like you that just fished certain waters, qualified or not.

Here's a non biased list of Fly Shops with a guide service that I can recommend.

Big Sky Anglers - Big Sky Anglers is a recently formed group of experienced Outfitters/Guides that purchased the long established Bud Lilly's Trout Shop in West Yellowstone, Montana. The owners are Outfitters that have, through years of bonding, selectively chosen the best guides in the region.

Trouthunter - Located on the banks of dry fly nirvana, the Henry's Fork, Trouthunter always has guides that go the extra distance especially in teaching you, if necessary, to advance your fly fishing experience. Rene's flies are the finest in the country.

Madison River Outfitters - A long established Fly Shop with a solid reputation of repeat clients and versatile guides located in West Yellowstone, Montana

Slide Inn - Owned and operated by Kelly Galloup. This ever expanding shop sits on the bank of the Madison River. Kelly is a no nonsense personality. He's especially knowlegeable in fly fishing streamers.

Blue Ribbon Flies - Owned and operated for years by Craig and Jackie Mathews, this fly shop has the best assortment of fly tying materials. The Mathews recently sold their shop to their long standing and all around nice guy, Cam Coffin. The shop always has high marks for it's friendly staff.

Arricks Fly Shop - Owned by Arrick Swanson, this fly shop has a great selection of tying materials along with everything you need for the many hatches in Yellowstone country.

Madison River Fishing Company - Who hasn't recieved the MRFC catalog? For many years even before the internet, this shop produced the best fly fishing catalog (well along with Mercer's The Fly Shop). Located in Ennis, MT, MRFC is always in tune with the latest hatches on the Madison and Southwest Montana waters.

Rivers Edge- As far as fly shops go, Rivers Edge has it all when it comes to merchandise. I don't know anything about their service and to be honest I have no clue on the quality of their guides but if it's anything like their fly shop, then their guides should be first rate. With Simms next door, they must have the latest in Simms gear. I dunno

Yellowstone Angler - George Anderson's primo fly shop next to the Yellowstone river in Livingston, Montana. This shop has been around for many a decade and their guides are knowledgable from the largest of western rivers like the Yellowstone to the finest blue ribbon spring creeks.