Results 1 to 23 of 23
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Posts
    618

    Float Fish Guide Recommendation - MT, ID, WY

    Have fished most things that live in the water with a spinning rod and decided it was time to see what all this hoopla was with long stick fishing. The dogs bought me a guided fly trip for father's day and now I am hooked. Even better, the wife came along and actually really enjoyed it as well (she might have caught the biggest fish but she caught the most too).

    We are planning a 10sh day Glacier to Yellowstone driving trip the last week of August and decided we need to do a guided float fishing trip along the way. I see lots of good float fishing porn on here and wanted to see if anyone had recommendations of a guide or outfit we could hire for a trip anywhere from Whitefish to Jackson. To be clear, we have fly fished a total of once (wil probably fish a few more times before the end of August though) and are not looking for some dick to tell us about the serenity of fly fishing or how it is a spiritual experience (this is why I avoided it for so long). I do want to learn and catch fish, but full disclosure, if the fish aren't biting, I will be drinking heavily. Also, if the fish are biting, I will be drinking heavily.

    I appreciate any recommednation folks might have and hope to begin figuring this hippy fishing shit out.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Bottom feeding
    Posts
    10,828
    Well that narrows it down.
    Well maybe I'm the faggot America
    I'm not a part of a redneck agenda

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Greater Drictor Wydaho
    Posts
    5,380
    Maybe you should just give some random dude at the boat ramp your $600 bucks and then go get drunk. Save everybody some frustration.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Posts
    618
    Quote Originally Posted by plugboots View Post
    Well that narrows it down.
    We are literally wide open for anything from Spokane (where we fly into) to Jackson (where we fly out of). We are very flexible when we take trips. Only thing solid on the agenda is trying to find the remains of the hippie commune north of Bonners Ferry, Idaho that I was allegedly born on.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Posts
    618
    Quote Originally Posted by neckdeep View Post
    Maybe you should just give some random dude at the boat ramp your $600 bucks and then go get drunk. Save everybody some frustration.
    But then what would the wife do? Serioualy, I have floated and fished (not fly fished though) hundreds of times and always do so with a cooler of beer. Never been a drunk asshole that caused any problems, but also not a high and mighty tea tottler either. Just really enjoy a good time on the river and a cold cooler of beer.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Greater Drictor Wydaho
    Posts
    5,380
    Quote Originally Posted by cspringsposer View Post
    But then what would the wife do? Serioualy, I have floated and fished (not fly fished though) hundreds of times and always do so with a cooler of beer. Never been a drunk asshole that caused any problems, but also not a high and mighty tea tottler either. Just really enjoy a good time on the river and a cold cooler of beer.
    Whatever. Good guides usually don't want people getting drunk in the boat, especially a sport who doesn't really know how to cast. Those hooks have sharp points, bud. You can put someone's eye out.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Bottom feeding
    Posts
    10,828
    Alright, I'll be nice. PM Rontelle, he probably knows someone that's right for you, as he lives in Missoula, and I know he fishes the area.
    Well maybe I'm the faggot America
    I'm not a part of a redneck agenda

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    In the shadow of the wasatch
    Posts
    4,116
    Quote Originally Posted by plugboots View Post
    Alright, I'll be nice. PM Rontelle, he probably knows someone that's right for you, as he lives in Missoula, and I know he fishes the area.
    Rontelle helped a guy I know get on some fish on the Clark fork. He is definitely a goto for the area.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Posts
    618
    Quote Originally Posted by plugboots View Post
    Alright, I'll be nice. PM Rontelle, he probably knows someone that's right for you, as he lives in Missoula, and I know he fishes the area.
    I definitely appreciate it. I will see what he has to say.

    Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love to fish (and learn to fly fish), I am just really trying to avoid paying some dude a bunch of money to judge me for liking beer, fishing and floating all at the same time. Lots of cool fly fisherman, but I have come across plenty of "river runs through it" types and totally support their right to guide someone else.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Bottom feeding
    Posts
    10,828
    Oh, I just noticed I spelled it wrong, it’s rontele.
    Well maybe I'm the faggot America
    I'm not a part of a redneck agenda

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    SFCA
    Posts
    1,354
    Dude, I'm probably the kook of everyone as a fly caster, but you are making a huge error if you hire a guide and then show up with a sixxer. Figure out fly first, then figure out if you can even drink with it. I can't.
    "Yo!! Brentley! Ya wanna get faded before work?"

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    crown of the continent
    Posts
    13,947
    Quote Originally Posted by BS720 View Post
    Dude, I'm probably the kook of everyone as a fly caster, but you are making a huge error if you hire a guide and then show up with a sixxer. Figure out fly first, then figure out if you can even drink with it. I can't.
    stfu kook

    that's like not drinking beer if it impacts your golf game...we're not pros, never will be, just out on the course or river enjoying the day...

    however i will admit when the guide handed my a joint on a fishing boat in Mexico after two weeks of no cannabis i did wonder how it would impact my casting. Not one bit it turned out...
    Something about the wrinkle in your forehead tells me there's a fit about to get thrown
    And I never hear a single word you say when you tell me not to have my fun
    It's the same old shit that I ain't gonna take off anyone.
    and I never had a shortage of people tryin' to warn me about the dangers I pose to myself.

    Patterson Hood of the DBT's

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    OOTAH
    Posts
    3,939
    Quote Originally Posted by Tye 1on View Post
    stfu kook
    however i will admit when the guide handed my a joint on a fishing boat in Mexico after two weeks of no cannabis i did wonder how it would impact my casting. Not one bit it turned out...
    Me on the other hand, if you recall my Belize story
    Samuel L. Jackson as Jules Winnfield: Oh, I'm sorry. Did I break your concentration?

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Making the Bowl Great Again
    Posts
    13,779
    He's probably booked every day this season, but if not, Karl is a good dude in Missoula, and I bet he won't mind if you drink a few beers: http://www.sheerwaterguides.com/

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Big Sky/Moonlight Basin
    Posts
    14,418

    Float Fish Guide Recommendation - MT, ID, WY

    The most trout-per-mile in the state of Montana is the Missouri River stretch near the town of Craig, Montana. Exactly halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier Parks. A great drift boat river.

    Headhunters Fly Shop is the place. My favorite guides there are Ben and Mark.
    https://www.headhuntersflyshop.com/

    Name:  IMG_1732.JPG
Views: 750
Size:  108.5 KB


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1731.JPG 
Views:	108 
Size:	243.7 KB 
ID:	288287  
    "Zee damn fat skis are ruining zee piste !" -Oscar Schevlin

    "Hike up your skirt and grow a dick you fucking crybaby" -what Bunion said to Harry at the top of The Headwaters

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    2,274
    Idk, I heard that place sucks...Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20190524_215216.jpeg 
Views:	91 
Size:	68.1 KB 
ID:	288296

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using TGR Forums mobile app

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Big Sky/Moonlight Basin
    Posts
    14,418

    Float Fish Guide Recommendation - MT, ID, WY

    ^^ I shared some beers with pro skier Kina Pickett at that exact picnic table one evening a few years back.


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
    "Zee damn fat skis are ruining zee piste !" -Oscar Schevlin

    "Hike up your skirt and grow a dick you fucking crybaby" -what Bunion said to Harry at the top of The Headwaters

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Behind the Potato Curtain
    Posts
    4,042
    Mark requires you bring him a jar of mayonaise on all guided trips these days in case you're able to book him. Geoff, Beth and Whitney are all great HH guides too.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Big Sky/Moonlight Basin
    Posts
    14,418
    Quote Originally Posted by snapt View Post
    Mark requires you bring him a jar of mayonaise on all guided trips these days in case you're able to book him.
    That sounds like him. I first met him about 15 or so years ago. He was a total freak back then too.


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
    "Zee damn fat skis are ruining zee piste !" -Oscar Schevlin

    "Hike up your skirt and grow a dick you fucking crybaby" -what Bunion said to Harry at the top of The Headwaters

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Last Best City in the Last Best Place
    Posts
    7,272
    This guy is a buddy of mine from college days in Missoula and I bet he wouldn't care if you drank like a fish. Laid back dude.

    https://rainbowbendoutfitters.com/

    mark@rainbowbendoutfitters.com

    (406) 370-9882
    Last edited by yeahman; 07-14-2019 at 06:31 PM.

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    FEMA RGN X
    Posts
    953
    Quote Originally Posted by Harry View Post
    The most trout-per-mile in the state of Montana is the Missouri River stretch near the town of Craig, Montana. Exactly halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier Parks. A great drift boat river.

    Headhunters Fly Shop is the place. My favorite guides there are Ben and Mark.
    https://www.headhuntersflyshop.com/

    Name:  IMG_1732.JPG
Views: 750
Size:  108.5 KB


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
    Just left there. I was blown away by the traffic. It was like Disney World with boats on a track in It's A Small World. Everyone waiting their turn around every bend. Thanks for the heads up on the guides! Heading your way PBR weekend.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_8371.jpg 
Views:	98 
Size:	1.01 MB 
ID:	288510


    Quote Originally Posted by snapt View Post
    Mark requires you bring him a jar of mayonaise on all guided trips these days in case you're able to book him. Geoff, Beth and Whitney are all great HH guides too.
    Thanks, this info is key as we are heading back end of Aug and were discussing booking it now but were in need of names. Appreciate the recommendations!
    Last edited by mooseknuckles; 07-15-2019 at 11:14 AM.

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Bottom feeding
    Posts
    10,828
    Quote Originally Posted by mooseknuckles View Post
    Just left there. I was blown away by the traffic. It was like Disney World with boats on a track in It's A Small World. Everyone waiting their turn around every bend.
    Makes sense. I’ve seen it like that early season since it’s a tailwater. Anyway, this is gonna be the new normal from now on at all the “name” spots. Pretty rare to catch a fish now without mangled jaws.
    Well maybe I'm the faggot America
    I'm not a part of a redneck agenda

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Sep 2021
    Posts
    6
    Not every river or every section of the river is suitable for float fishing for trout. The best water to float fish is the bigger deeper pools and not the fast shallow pocket water.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •