Missoula Guided Fly Fishing Trips FAQ

How much does a trip cost?

A full day trip is $675, and a half day trip is $550. That cost is for the boat, which holds one or two anglers. The cost is the same whether one or two people are in the boat. There are times when we run float trip specials- click here to see what’s available

What do you get when you book a trip? What is provided.

We like to call it fly fishing from A to Z. Most trips meet at the shop. Once at the shop, everything is covered. The guide takes you to the river, supplies all tackle, flies etc, has a good fishing lunch, water and soft drinks, arranges the shuttle and brings you back to the shop. If you bring seasonally appropriate clothing and a positive attitude, the guide has the rest taken care of.

Can I take a trip if I’ve never fly fished?

Of course. While our guides have the skills to take seasoned anglers and improve their game, they truly enjoy taking someone who’s never fished and get them angling. More guide trips are run for intermediate/ beginning anglers than for highly experienced anglers. Our guides teach all the time. They’re good at it, and they enjoy it.

Are your guides nice?

Actually, yes. Our guides have it figured out. It’s not life or death. As an angler, you’re trying as hard as you can, just as they are. But if you don’t catch the fish, it’s not the end of the world. There’s no use getting angry- it helps no one. Our guides grab the oars and move to the next fish. We’re in Montana, there’s always a next fish. You’re on the water, not at work. It’s beautiful. There’s no reason to harsh that buzz, and our guides don’t.

When do you offer guided trips?

We run guided trips any time it’s safe to get on the water. In our 35 year history, we’ve run trips in every month of the year. In late Fall, Winter and early Spring, weather is the deciding factor. We prefer the temperature to be above 40 degrees- when the fish will be active enough to make a day of it. If you’re in Missoula during the off season and want to float, give us a call. Be sure to pack the correct clothing. It’s always worth asking about trip availability, but you need to trust the shop judgement as to whether floating is safe. But if the stars align, we can run a trip at any time.

What should I bring on a guided trip?

The first thing is seasonally appropriate clothing. Always bring a rain suit, or waders and rain coat. In fall and spring, layers for warmth are on the list. A hat and sunglasses are also essential, for safety. If you have daily medications, bring them with you. If it’s not wader season, bring shoes you can get wet, like sandals. Not flip flops, Crocs or beach shoes- river shoes must stay on, with a thick sole to protect from rocks when you get out of the boat. And the last thing- a positive attitude! That takes you farther on a guided trip than anything else.

Do you tip a guide?

A tip is always appreciated but never required. With that said, it’s become customary to add a gratuity at the end of the day. Not going to dodge that. The average tip is 18-20% of the trip cost, and can be taken care of at the shop with a Credit Card if that helps. Because fishing is fishing, the tip shouldn’t be based on fish caught, but on how hard the guide works. Ask any guide- when the fishing is hot, the job is easy. When fishing is slow, that’s when they work their butts off to turn it around. Work and preparation are the factors to look for when deciding on a gratuity.

What Rivers Do You Float?

Our most floated rivers are the Blackfoot, Clark Fork and Bitterroot Rivers. For those in Missoula during runoff (late April through mid June) the Clearwater or Missouri are floating options. We’ve also been known to float the Flathead on scorching summer days for Smallmouth Bass, which can be exceptional. As a general statement, 90% of our trips are run on the Bitterroot, Blackfoot and Clark Fork.

Can I choose what river we fish?

You definitely have the option of choosing the river. It’s your day on the water, and if a specific river makes that day better, the choice is yours. However, if you don’t have a strong feeling for a specific river, we always suggest allowing the guide to choose. They have their ear to the water, and know the best fishing options.

We book many trips with this notation- Guest would prefer to fish this river, but will go where the guide thinks the fishing will be best. That way everyone knows there’s a preference if river choice is a toss-up.

How do I book a trip with your shop?

The only way to book a trip is give us a call. 406-728-7766. We don’t book online for a couple of reasons. We’ve self-limited our boat count per day for conservation reasons. (Link to blog) Booking by phone helps us keep tabs on per day boat count. Additionally, when talking to guests, we pick up a lot of information- information used to find the best guide/guest match. Actual conversation allows us to maximize your on-water experience.

To finalize booking, a down payment of $150 per boat per day is required to confirm float dates. We take Credit Cards over the phone, but don’t save the numbers.

What is your cancellation policy?

Do I need to bring my own lunch?

Lunch is provided on full day floats, while a snack is provided for half day floats. During the booking process, we always ask if there are any dietary issues we need to know about. The issues range from hates pickles to food allergies that can hospitalize or worse. You’re always welcome to bring your own lunch and snacks, but it’s not needed.

However, for those with a severe food issue, bringing your own lunch isn’t a bad idea. Our guides do their best to be gluten free, etc- however, they can’t guarantee their lunch supplier is peanut or shellfish free. Only you know your tolerances and triggers. For some, bringing lunch is a small insurance policy against possibly much bigger issues.

How long is a full day?

The average full day is 8 hours on the water. It can be a bit more during peak summer days, and be a bit shorter in spring and fall. The 8 hours doesn’t factor in travel to and from the river, so if you’re on a time budget, factor that extra time in.

How long is a half day?

A half day float is 4 hours, pretty much door to door. We do our half day floats close to town, and keep to a pretty strict schedule.

We have an evening engagement on the day of the float. Can the guide have us back by 5:00 pm?

Yes, the guide can have you back at any time you request, AS LONG AS YOU MAKE THE REQUEST BEFORE STARTING THE FLOAT. You can’t all of a sudden tell the guide at 4:30 you need to be back by 5:00. That is very problematic, due to the logistics of floating. But if the guide knows before launching there’s a cut-off time, you will be back in town in time for your engagement.

Do you do evening floats?

We won’t say no immediately, but evening floats are difficult to schedule. Evening floats are a summer thing- designed to be on the water for the dusk hatches. You’ll be back at the shop about 11:00 to 11:30 pm. Because most trips start between 7-8:00 AM, it’s impossible for guides to do an evening float followed by a regular day. So while we won’t say no right away, it’s the luck of the scheduling draw to find a guide with a day off after the date you want an evening float. If you’re booking a multi-day float, then an evening float can be accommodated, with a later start time the next day.

Will I catch a fish on my trip?

There is no guarantee of catching a fish on your trip. No guarantees in fly fishing. That being said, we can’t remember the last time one of our guides got skunked. So while we won’t guarantee it, we are very confident you will catch a fish.

How big a trout will I catch with a guide?

Despite Instagram, FaceBook, the pictures on our walls and the last 6,834,147 fish pictures friends show you, the average size trout in most western freestone rivers is 8-12 inches long. You’re going to have shots at bigger fish, but most of the fish caught are about that size.

This is because guides want you catching fish, and there’s a lot of average size trout. If you want bigger trout, tell your guide that’s important. They will do their utmost to get you into a trophy, but there’s a price. When you chase lunkers, the average fish are by-passed, which means fewer fish caught. And there’s no guarantee Mr. Big will even eat. If you want to target larger than average trout, know your fish count will be less than average.

I’m a beginner, but want to get better. Will guides teach when they’re on the water?

Absolutely! And they love doing it as well. When you know your business inside and out- and our guides do- it’s fun to share that knowledge. Make sure your guide knows you want instruction. Some anglers are less open to on-water learning, so guides take a bit of time working out the level of advice that’s wanted by their anglers. When a guide knows your expectations, they don’t have to feel the situation out. During the booking process, let us know you want instruction as well. We’ll match you to the correct guide.

How can I get the best day on the water with a guide?

Communication. It’s a one word answer. If you have expectations, tell us when you book the trip, then tell the guide before the float. We have the best guides in Missoula- none of them are mind readers! If you want to catch a lot of fish, say it. If the focus should be on your grand-daughter so she has a great experience, tell your guide.

LET YOUR GUIDE KNOW

We’ve all heard “interesting” guide stories- most could have been defused with two minutes of conversation. When guides are clear on what you want, they do everything they can to make it happen. If you’re not sure what you want, tell the guide that. They’re professionals, they know the options and lay them out for you. You’re going to spend 4-8 hours in a boat with them, it won’t hurt starting the conversation early to maximize your time on the water.

Why does a guided trip cost so much?

This is our axiom- We can’t say a guided trip is inexpensive, but we can justify the cost. It starts with guide pay rate- when you have the best guides in Missoula, you need to retain them. From that, our guides are required to provide a safe rig, good food and drink, river shuttles, flies, all tackle and six things we forget right now. The busiest guides work 120 days a year in Missoula- most work less. It’s not easy to make a living wage on seasonal work with that overhead, but we do our best to provide that. The shop also has a stake, covering insurance, licenses, paperwork and outfitter fees. As we said, not cheap but easily justified.

I tried booking but no guides were available. How can I get a guide when I need one?

We’re assuming you tried to book last minute at a popular time of year. We understand modern travel planning, but there are certain times in Missoula when guides are at a premium. Not surprisingly, these times correspond to the best fishing in Missoula. The last two weeks in June/first week of July, and the last two weeks in September are booked anywhere from 4-6 months in advance. With our conservation policy of six boats max per day, the only way we know to get the days you want is book as soon as possible. The earlier you book, the better chance you have of getting the dates you want.

How long in advance do I need to book a guided trip?

The short answer is as much in advance as you can! However, there are some times when advance booking is almost critical, and other times when it’s less so. The last 2 weeks in June/first week in July are wildly busy, as are the last 2 weeks in September. Advance booking, up to 4-6 months, is highly recommended at those times. However, spring and late fall, as well as mid-July through mid-September are less busy, and advance booking MAY not be needed. It’s always worth calling to find out availability.

Are your guides good?

Yes.

And we back that up. We’ve been in business over 35 years. You don’t get there with bad service. And you don’t get there without learning a few things. The owner, and outfitter, is a 5^th generation Missoulian who started floating the rivers before he was out of diapers. He started guiding at age 19. He knows a few things about local rivers, local guides and the best way to combine the two.

So yes, we’ll take the “Pepsi Challenge”: at any time.

Can I get the same guide I had last year?

The answer is a definite maybe, and you should always ask. However, there are things you can do to make it a lot more probable. We have the best guides in Missoula- they have a positive impact on a lot of our guests. Some of our guides are booked for next year on the day the trip ends this year. As with most things, booking early gives you the best chance of getting the guide you want. But always ask- we do our best to accommodate all requests.

Can you do big group trips?

We can accommodate groups of up to 12 anglers. We have a six boat policy per day, and with a maximum of 2 people per boat, 12 is our limit. There’s more to big trips than just getting boats. Due to our conservation policy, we take no more than 3 boats to a single section of river. Any more than that, and the fishing suffers, as does the river. If your big trip requires all boats to be on the same river section for camaraderie, we won’t be your best choice of outfitters.

Where do we meet for the trip?

We meet at the shop for most of our trips. It is NOT to boost sales. It simplifies paperwork, and central to all local rivers. Accommodations can be made to meet elsewhere, please let us know when booking if different arrangements are needed.

When do the trips start?

Trips begin at different times during the year, but for the most part we meet clients at the shop between 8:00 and 9:00 am. However, this can vary by season. Some early spring and late fall days may meet later, while in the heat of the summer, we meet as early as 6:00 am. Meet time is based on multiple factors, but a good rule of thumb is the hotter the weather, the earlier we meet.

Will guides meet us at the river?

Yes, guides will meet at the river if that works best for you. However, if you’re staying 30 miles40 minutes down the Bitterroot and want to float the upper Clark Fork, our guides will not do that. Yes, we have to say it. But if you’re staying on a river, and want to float that river, those are easy arrangements.

How many people can float in a boat?

Two is the maximum passenger limit for our guide boats, whether raft or drift boat. This is done for both safety and enjoyment. Fly fishing boats have two seats for anglers. Add another and angling becomes more difficult and less safe. Two in the boat.

As an aside, we’ve always wanted to have the chutzpah to advertise 1-2 anglers in the boat- $675. Three in a boat- $1500. When the clients says, “We could get a second boat for less!”, we just nod our heads.

The only exception to this is children under 14 months old. You need to provide the proper life jacket for your infant, but at that age they aren’t a problem in the boat.

Do you fish in the rain?

The short answer is yes. When you book a trip in Montana, know it can rain in any season. We ask all guests to be prepared for inclement weather with foul weather gear, either waders or rain pants and a rain coat.

Can I bring my dog?

We leave that up to the guide. Some will and some won’t. You also need to know your dog. A badly behaved dog can be a nightmare in a boat. Know that if you bring your dog, and it doesn’t work out, the trip will be cut short and no refund will be given. With that knowledge, we will do our best to accommodate you.

My partner doesn’t really fish. Can they come in the boat?

Absolutely! Not only are our guides master anglers, they’re outdoors people. They can point out wildlife, river phenomena, flora and so many other things. That being said, 8 hours in a boat is a long time. We highly recommend a book, downloaded if electronic because not all rivers have cell service. We also highly recommend the fishing partner bring their partners favored beverage, preferred snacks and other sundries to make the day on the water go as easily for them as it does for you!

And if the non-fishing partner wants to give fishing a shot, that’s on the table as well. Just know if they WANT to try fishing, they can- they’re not being forced to fish.

How many guides do you use in a season

We use 6-7 guides on a very regular basis, and know an additional 4-7 experienced Missoula guides when the season is in full swing. A little bragging- people like working for us. We have also test floated with every guide we use. If we can’t find a guide we know and trust, we don’t take your booking. With our apologies of course, but we’re not putting you on the water with a sub-par guide.

I have food allergies. Can you accommodate a necessarily picky eater?

Yes, to a point. Only you know the severity of your food allergy. Most of our guides have their lunches prepared- guiding is tough enough without cooking. The lunches consist of a sandwich, fruit (not bananas), snacks and other sundries. Guides carry water, Gatorade and soda. When booking, we always ask if there are any dietary issues, and discuss food at that point. Guides do all they can to provide meals that adhere to dietary guidelines, but can’t say if the kitchen is peanut or gluten free. If your food allergy is anywhere from severe to life threatening, we strongly recommend you provide your own food. As we’re fond of saying, safety’s no accident.