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.

Well that narrows it down.

Maybe you should just give some random dude at the boat ramp your $600 bucks and then go get drunk. Save everybody some frustration.

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Originally Posted by plugboots

Well that narrows it down.

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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.

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Originally Posted by neckdeep

Maybe you should just give some random dude at the boat ramp your $600 bucks and then go get drunk. Save everybody some frustration.

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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.

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Originally Posted by cspringsposer

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.

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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.

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.

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Originally Posted by plugboots

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.

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Rontelle helped a guy I know get on some fish on the Clark fork. He is definitely a goto for the area.

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Originally Posted by plugboots

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.

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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.

Oh, I just noticed I spelled it wrong, it’s rontele.

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.

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Originally Posted by BS720

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.

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stfu kook :tongue:

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...

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Originally Posted by Tye 1on

stfu kook :tongue:
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...

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Me on the other hand, if you recall my Belize story :)

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/

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/

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Idk, I heard that place sucks...Attachment 288296

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


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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.

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Originally Posted by snapt

Mark requires you bring him a jar of mayonaise on all guided trips these days in case you're able to book him.

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That sounds like him. I first met him about 15 or so years ago. He was a total freak back then too.


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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

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Originally Posted by Harry

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/

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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.

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Originally Posted by snapt

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.

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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!

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Originally Posted by mooseknuckles

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.

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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.

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.