- What's included in a guided trip?
- Every trip includes a professional guide, drift boat, and all the gear — rods, reels, flies, leaders, and tippet. Full-day trips include lunch (deli sandwiches when it's warm, grilled riverside when it's cold); half-day trips include snacks. Either way there's a cooler of Coke, Diet Coke, and water. Just let us know about any dietary needs or drink requests. You bring a Montana fishing license, weather-appropriate clothing, and polarized sunglasses.
- Do I need a fishing license?
- Yes. Montana fishing licenses are required for everyone 12 and older. You can buy a 2-day, 10-day, or season license online from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before your trip.
- What skill level do I need?
- Any skill level. Whether it's your first time holding a fly rod or you've been fishing for decades, Tom will meet you where you are — first-timers land fish all the time.
- Which river will we fish?
- It depends on the season, the flows, and what's fishing best that week. We guide the Bitterroot, Blackfoot, and Clark Fork out of Missoula, plus the Missouri tailwater — Tom picks the water that gives you the best day.
- What's the difference between a full day and a half day?
- A full day is 6–8 hours on the water with lunch included ($750). A half day is 3–4 hours with snacks ($600). Both include the guide, drift boat, and all gear.
- When is the best time to fish?
- Western Montana fishes well from spring through fall. Spring brings skwala and early dries on the Bitterroot, summer is prime dry-fly season across all the rivers, and fall is famous for aggressive brown trout. Prime weeks book up early — reach out well ahead.
