
Nate and his team serve as your go-to experts for fly fishing across Montana. They travel far and wide to chase Rainbow and Brown Trout, covering nearly every fishable water in the state and beyond. With bases in Bozeman, West Yellowstone, Ennis, Helena, Cascade, Three Forks, and Cameron, Montana, they guide trips on famed rivers including the Madison, Missouri, Yellowstone, Gallatin, Jefferson, Ruby, Firehole, Gibbon, Lamar, and Bighorn. They also offer guided fishing experiences on Holter, Hebgen, and Ennis Lakes plus Soda Butte and Slough Creek, providing exclusive access to the iconic Yellowstone National Park waters.
Nate’s deep Montana roots trace back to the late 19th century, when his great-great-grandfather settled in Billings after working as a cook on a cattle drive. Although fishing runs in his blood, Nate didn’t start fly fishing until age 13, which is when his passion for the sport truly began. Over the years, he has explored rivers such as the Bighorn, Yellowstone, Stillwater, and Boulder and started his guiding career in 1999 while studying at Montana State University. After more than two decades, Nate remains dedicated to sharing his expertise with both anglers and emerging guides. For him, guiding is more than a job—it’s a chance to create lasting memories for clients ranging from young kids to seniors, including families, groups, and individuals facing health challenges. Nate emphasizes the importance of teaching essential fly fishing techniques to ensure every outing is meaningful and unforgettable.
Residing in Bozeman as a single father to two daughters, Emily and Elizabeth, Nate travels daily to the rivers and lakes where he fishes and guides. He looks forward to adventuring with you, your family, and friends. Simply provide your preferred date, group size, trip length, and desired start time to plan an exceptional day on the water. Flexibility with the meeting location is available to accommodate your needs.
Clients consistently praise the professionalism and knowledge of Nate’s guides. Patrick, for example, led a group through a memorable day on the Madison River, seamlessly teaching beginners while making the experience enjoyable for all. Even without catching fish, the trip was rewarding, and with Patrick’s expertise, anglers managed to land several Brown and Rainbow Trout, along with whitefish.
Another angler shared an unforgettable drift boat trip on the Yellowstone River, guided by Nathan. Despite being new to fly fishing, the angler felt at ease thanks to Nathan’s patience and skill, enjoying the challenge of fishing with grasshopper patterns and learning new techniques. Nathan’s calm demeanor and thorough instruction made for a fun and educational day, culminating in successful catches for the entire group. The experience left a lasting impression, described as among the best fishing adventures ever.
The guide team also adapts to changing conditions, often switching flies and strategies to maximize success. They understand that fishing isn't about quantity but quality moments and knowledge transfer. With a deep respect for river etiquette and safety, guides maintain a positive atmosphere throughout the trip, ensuring all participants feel valued and supported.
Montana’s spectacular public access and breathtaking waters provide unbeatable fly fishing opportunities, and Nate's operation showcases the best of what the state has to offer. Guests regularly highlight the ease of fishing from drift boats and the attentive care from guides that prioritize safety and comfort.
Several groups have shared glowing testimonials about their guided experiences—from fishing the Madison and Missouri Rivers to exploring other renowned Montana rivers. Guides like Drew, Will, Ryan, Matt, and Shelly are commended for their expertise, enthusiasm, and dedication to putting clients on fish through thoughtful fly selection and positioning.
Booking with Nate’s team is a smooth, professional process, with clear communication before, during, and after the trip. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned angler, the team makes every effort to ensure an exceptional and memorable Montana fly fishing journey.
You can cancel your booking at no cost if done at least 60 days prior to your scheduled trip, and the amount will be credited back to your account. If you cancel within 60 days of the trip, your deposit will be retained by the guide. Cancellations made on the day of the trip or if you fail to show up will result in charging the full trip cost to your payment method.
Please bring a hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket for your trip.
Wader and Wading Boot Rental: If you require rental gear, kindly inform us at the time of booking so we can have everything ready for your arrival. The rental fees are $30 for a half-day and $40 for a full-day.
(*If you have studded boots, please notify us in advance so we can provide the appropriate mats for the drift boats.*)
What’s Included in Your Trip:
Embark on an exciting fly-fishing adventure as you float along the Missouri River in a drift boat, guided by one of Montana's top fishing experts. Throughout this full-day trip, you'll pursue Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout in one of the region’s premier fishing locations.
The Missouri River stretch between Toston and Townsend, MT—often called the “Mighty Mo”—offers calm waters ideal for skilled fly fishers seeking a rewarding challenge. Here, large Brown and Rainbow Trout are easily startled, requiring soft, precise casts to avoid spooking them. Mastering this technique will put 20-inch-plus trout within your reach. For those looking to push their limits, targeting the rising population of Common Carp in this river adds an exciting challenge.
Your journey begins at a public access point where your guide will share expert fly-fishing advice and assist you in honing your skills. Whether you're a beginner or experienced angler, your guide is committed to helping you land impressive fish during your outing.
No matter if you're staying in Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone, or Fort Smith, Montana, convenient pickup options are available. Guides can collect you from your lodging—be it a vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or even the airport—or arrange a convenient meeting spot if your accommodations are off the beaten path.
All fishing gear, including rods, reels, flies, and tippet, is supplied by your guide, who will also provide a delicious lunch to keep you energized. Should you require waders and wading boots, they are available to rent for an extra fee—just let your guide know when booking. Be sure to bring your valid Montana fishing license along with essentials like a hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket to stay comfortable throughout the day.
Note: We offer several wade fishing trips in nearby areas around Bozeman and Yellowstone National Park. To ensure the best possible experience, your guide may suggest alternative locations based on current fishing conditions. Whether you prefer this river or want to explore other options, booking this trip will put you in touch with your guide to discuss what’s best for your day on the water.
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To provide the best experiences, we use technologies such as cookies to store and/or access information on your device. By consenting to these technologies, we may process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. If you do not consent or withdraw your consent, it may adversely affect certain features and functionalities.