Meet Our Missoula Fly Fishing Guides

ESTABLISHED 1987

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The Missoulian Angler Fly Shop has been outfitting anglers for over 30 years! We employ the best Missoula Montana Fly Fishing Guides that Missoula has to offer – seasoned pros with years of experience on our local waters.

Missoula Fly Fishing Guides, Backed by a Missoula Fly Shop

The Missoulian Angler Fly Shop has been running guided fly fishing trips in Missoula since 1987. The outfitter behind every trip is Taylor Scott, who owns the shop, grew up in Missoula, and started guiding these rivers at 19. Today he runs the outfitting side of the business. He hires every guide personally, matches each guest to the right one, and stands behind every trip that leaves the shop. When you book with us, your day is put together by people who fish these rivers every week and answer for the result in person, at the shop counter.

Why We Cap It at Six Boats a Day

We limit our guide trips to six boats a day, on purpose. Missoula's rivers don't fish better with more pressure, and neither do our guests. A small operation means the guide rowing you knows about your trip days in advance, not the morning of, and we never send a line of company boats down the same stretch of river.

It also means something simpler: when you book with us, you are never the twentieth guide trip going out that morning. Six boats a day means we only need the six best guides in Missoula, and those are the ones rowing our guests. Does the cap cost us bookings in the busy weeks? Sure. But the fishing is the reason people come to Missoula, and taking care of it is both good business and the right thing to do.

FRIENDLY • HARD WORKING • LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Our Guides

Matt Robb

From northern Michigan originally, Matt grew up catching bass, pike, walleye, and trout.

He moved out west to pursue his passion for fishing, hunting, and skiing.

After living all over the western states (Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Northern California) he quickly realized nothing beats Montana!

After rowing the boat all season as a fly fishing guide here in Missoula, he’s off to chase elk as a hunting guide in Eastern Montana.

Matt’s easy going demeanor and skills with the boat will set you up for a wonderful day on the water.

Chase Harrison

Chase is a native Missoulian to the core.

Chase took up fly fishing these rivers in Middle School and never looked back.

He’s a talented hockey player, powder skier, and angler.

Chase also spent many years fighting fires for the Forest Service and a season on a Hot Shot crew then hung it up to row a boat as a Missoula fly fishing guide.

We’re glad he did.

Matt Spangler

Born in Superior, Montana, Matt Spangler has been casting a fly rod since he was a kid, though he’s not exactly sure when he wasn’t fishing. Growing up exploring the Clark Fork River and hidden creeks in the area, he’s developed an uncanny feel for Montana’s waters and an eye for the perfect fly – the result of over 16 years of fly tying.

Spangler’s expertise doesn’t stop at his knowledge of rivers and flies. Known for his patience, he’s a natural at teaching beginners and fine-tuning advanced anglers alike, helping them enjoy each moment on the water. With an almost sixth sense for what his clients want out of a trip, Matt can shift seamlessly between big-fish hunts, peaceful floats, or kid-friendly adventures, always putting his clients’ happiness first.

Matt genuinely loves seeing others fall in love with the sport, and his enthusiasm is contagious. For Matt, every trip is an opportunity to create a lasting memory, share his passion, and make sure his clients leave not only with new skills but with stories they’ll be telling long after the day is over.

Brian Scheirer

Born and raised in Missoula, Montana, Brian Scheirer is a dedicated local fishing guide with a deep passion for the rivers and lakes of the region. With years of experience as an angler in Missoula, Brian knows the landscape and adjusts his approach based on the season. This ensures a unique and unforgettable experience for clients. A true steward of the environment, Brian is committed to conservation and the responsible treatment of fish and wildlife, making sure future generations can enjoy the natural beauty of Montana.

With a meticulous understanding of fly fishing, Brian knows the craftsmanship behind selecting the perfect fly for every condition, ensuring success on the water. Customer service is his top priority, and Brian takes pride in crafting core memories for each client. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a first- time fisherman, Brian’s hard work, fun personality, and expert knowledge will ensure you leave with both new skills and cherished experiences.

Cole Ashby-Finnegan

Cole grew up in the north west corner of Montana fly fishing around the glacier area.

After graduating from Whitefish High School he moved to Missoula where his dad has lived since he was a kid.

Cole has been fishing and rowing the Missoula rivers for as long as he can remember.

Aside from that, he also came for college where he got a degree in anthropology with a concentration in archaeology.

Since graduating back in 2020 Cole dedicated his time to guiding where he has tailored his craft from throwing delicate dry flies to hucking big streamers and everything in between.

Lane Armstrong

Lane grew up in Kalispell, Montana just two hours north of Missoula.

Raised by two teachers meant his summers were spent floating and fishing on the Flathead River and all three of its main tributaries.

When he was 12 him and his father would spend a week in the Missoula area checking out the famed Salmonfly hatch on Rock Creek and the Blackfoot River.

It’s safe to say that when it came time to choose which college he would attend the choice had already been made.

When he isn’t spending his time as a Missoula fly fishing guide or fishing for himself with friends and family he can be found in the mountains around Montana chasing Elk and Mule Deer or coaching wrestling.

James Quigley

James Quigley has been a Missoula fly fishing guide for close to 20 years for a variety of fish species.

His knowledge and love of small stream fly fishing for trout has allowed him to step away from the crowded and popular float fishing waters and off the beaten path to find trout in places that others may not venture.

He loves to hunt big trout on dry flies wading small streams across Montana.

If you want a wade fishing guide in Missoula that knows every piece of water around Western Montana, then James is your guy.

Taylor Scott, owner and outfitter of the Missoulian Angler Fly Shop, holding a permit on a saltwater fly fishing trip

Taylor Scott | Owner and Outfitter

Taylor is a Missoula native who grew up with Rattlesnake Creek as his backyard and was rowing rafts by the time he was twelve.

He started working in fly shops right out of high school at 18, became a Missoula fly fishing guide at 19, and spent the next ten years rowing these rivers for a living. Then he bought the Missoulian Angler, the oldest fly shop in Missoula, and stepped into the outfitter's seat.

These days Taylor runs the guide program instead of the oars. Every guide on this page is someone he hired, test floated, and trusts with the shop's name, and a decade of guiding plus a lifetime on these rivers taught him exactly what separates a good guide from a great one.

His job now is simple: get to know you, match you with the right guide, and make sure your day on the water is everything you came to Montana for.

You'll still find him behind the counter at the shop most days. Call to book a trip and there's a good chance you're talking to Taylor himself, which means the plan for your day starts with the guy who runs the whole program.

The fishing never stopped at the Montana state line, either. Taylor is a lifelong angler who chases fish all over the world when he can get away, from tarpon in Cuba to roosterfish in Baja.

Taylor Fishes Worldwide

Taylor Scott with a roosterfish caught fly fishing in Baja

Roosterfish, Baja

Taylor Scott with a tarpon caught fly fishing the flats in Cuba

Tarpon, Cuba

Taylor Scott holding an African pompano caught on a saltwater fly fishing trip

African Pompano

Taylor Scott with a trophy mahi-mahi caught offshore near Cabo

Mahi-Mahi, Cabo

Taylor Scott with a steelhead caught fly fishing in Idaho

Steelhead, Idaho

Missoula Fly Fishing Guide FAQs

Common questions about fishing with our Missoula fly fishing guides.

Who are the Missoulian Angler's fly fishing guides?

We run a core crew of six to seven Missoula fly fishing guides, and we've test floated with every one of them before they ever row for our guests. Most have spent their whole lives on these rivers, and between them they carry decades of experience on the water around Missoula. If we can't find a guide we know and trust, we don't take the booking.

What rivers do your guides float?

About 90% of our trips run on the Bitterroot, Blackfoot and Clark Fork rivers, all within minutes of downtown Missoula. During runoff, roughly late April through early June, the Clearwater and Missouri are great options too.

Do your guides teach beginners?

They do, and they like doing it. When you know these rivers as well as our guides do, it's fun to share. Let us know when you book that you want instruction and we'll pair you with the guide who fits.

Should I tip my fly fishing guide?

A tip is never required, but it's customary and always appreciated. Most guests tip 18 to 20% of the trip cost, and cash is preferred. Base it on how hard your guide works, not on the fish count. When the fishing gets tough, that's when a good guide really earns it.

Can I request a specific guide?

Always ask. We do our best to accommodate requests, and the earlier you book, the better your chances. Some of our guides get rebooked for next season before this year's trip is even over.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find another city where the fly fishing opportunities are within such close proximity as you will in Missoula, Montana. The Bitterroot, Blackfoot River, and Clark Fork Rivers – as well as Rock Creek – are all within minutes of downtown Missoula, providing some of the best trout fly fishing in Montana. Matching up clients with our exceptional rivers and talented Missoula fly fishing guides is our goal.

Our guides are eager to provide a quality experience on the water for anglers of all skill levels. We hire select individuals from a large pool of experienced fly fishing guides in Missoula, MT. The crew on this page represents our core group of guides who have dedicated time and energy to Missoulian Angler Fly Shop clients over the years.

Learn more about our professional fly fishing guides in Missoula, MT, by contacting us today.

Missoula Fly Fishing Guided Trips and Vacations Provided By:
Licensed Montana Fly Fishing Outfitter
Missoula Fly Fishing LLC #36888

To book your days on the water, give us a call at 406-728-7766.

Fish With The Best Fly Fishing Guides in Missoula Montana

Expert Guides With Decades of Experience
Beginner-Friendly
Competitive Pricing
Bookings available 7 days/week
Full and half-day trips offered