Nate is your ultimate guide for fly fishing across Montana. Along with his experienced team, he travels wherever Rainbow and Brown Trout thrive—which covers nearly the entire state and more. With bases in Bozeman, West Yellowstone, Ennis, Helena, Cascade, Three Forks, and Cameron, Montana, Nate’s outfit fishes iconic rivers including the Madison, Missouri, Yellowstone, Gallatin, Jefferson, Ruby, Firehole, Gibbon, Lamar, and Bighorn. They also provide expert guided fly fishing adventures on Holter, Hebgen, and Ennis Lakes, as well as Soda Butte and Slough Creek. Their exclusive access extends into legendary Yellowstone National Park waters.

Nate’s family roots in Montana stretch back to the late 1800s, when his great-great-grandfather settled in Billings after working as a cook on a cattle drive. Although fishing runs in Nate’s veins, he first picked up a fly rod at age 13, marking the beginning of a lifelong passion. He spent his younger years exploring rivers like the Bighorn, Yellowstone, Stillwater, and Boulder, launching his guiding career in 1999 while attending Montana State University. More than two decades later, Nate continues to guide anglers of all levels, taking great pride in mentoring new guides. He treasures the chance to fish with clients ranging in age from 8 to 90, including those with disabilities, terminal illnesses, families, and large groups. In his own words, “Teaching people the skills to fully enjoy fly fishing and create unforgettable memories is what makes this job so rewarding.”

Now a single dad, Nate lives in Bozeman with his two daughters, Emily and Elizabeth. Every day, he makes the journey to the waters he loves and is eager to share those experiences with you, your family, and friends. Customize your trip by selecting your date, group size, trip length, and departure time to join Nate for an unforgettable outing on Montana’s pristine waters.

Our day with Nate’s guide, Patrick, was truly exceptional. Patrick brought professionalism and simplicity, making it easy for beginners to learn and enjoy the experience. Even if we hadn’t caught any fish, the outing would still have been fantastic, but thanks to Patrick’s expert knowledge of the Madison River, we landed several Brown and Rainbow Trout along with a few Whitefish. It was an incredible fishing day!

One highlight for me was fishing the Yellowstone River by drift boat—a personal goal realized. With years of fishing travel behind me, I never know how things will turn out, but this was a perfect day. We met our guide Nathan early at the boat ramp and quickly got on the water. As novices to fly fishing, we found Nathan to be the ideal guide—patient, skilled, and genuinely enjoyable company. The day’s plan focused on larger grasshopper flies, inspired by the abundance of grasshoppers around Yellowstone. It was fascinating to watch the trout react: some aggressively hit the flies while others simply inspected or rolled on them. Although I struggled at first, I eventually managed to land several small rainbows. This was a brand-new technique for me, one I plan to use in Colorado this fall.

My companion, “the Boss,” found the day to be an excellent learning experience as well. Her persistence paid off when Nathan switched tactics late in the day to a nymph setup with an indicator, helping her catch both a rainbow trout and a native whitefish. She mostly enjoyed soaking in the peaceful surroundings and casting patiently, while Nathan remained patient and encouraging despite our beginner mistakes and occasional tangles. His professionalism and good humor made the experience both comfortable and memorable. In fact, we all shared a laugh when, amidst multiple snags, Nathan jokingly exclaimed, “Stop casting!”

Among the many guides I've worked with worldwide—from the Great Barrier Reef to Belize and Colorado—Nathan ranks as one of the best overall. Although the fishing was steady rather than explosive, Nathan kept adapting fly patterns and tactics until we finished strong with the nymph rig. His dedication to getting us on bigger fish didn’t go unnoticed. Despite some distractions from river traffic and other anglers, Nathan modeled true sportsmanship by always choosing kindness and patience—a practice that ensured a pleasant day on the water.

The drift boat experience itself was comfortable and safe. The “Boss” appreciated Nathan’s skillful handling and the opportunity to stand and cast from the leaning post. I also learned a great deal about how these boats perform on moving water. Montana’s abundant public fishing access earns an A+ in my book, and I’m grateful to Nathan for welcoming me to fish his home waters regularly if I ever settle nearby. Special thanks go to Jonathan at Captain Experiences for coordinating our trip seamlessly and connecting us with such top-notch guides. If you’re seeking expert guidance anywhere, or want to fish the Yellowstone region, Jonathan and Nate’s team come highly recommended.

All told, our time on the river was a perfect complement to our broader park explorations. We saw nearly everything we hoped for during the trip, including daily wolf sightings and a wide variety of wildlife. And thanks to Nathan, the Madison River has officially joined my bucket list of must-fish destinations.

Thank you, Nate, for organizing another fantastic outing, this time on the Missouri River. Drew and Will went above and beyond to keep us on the big fish all day despite windy conditions and chilly temperatures. Their relentless effort—changing patterns and rowing us up and down the river—made for a memorable trip. Much gratitude from Jim, Deborah, Tina, and Terry.

Our Madison River trip with guides Ryan and Matt was equally wonderful. Both were dedicated to putting us on fish, adjusting tactics as needed, and expertly navigating the river’s seams. Thanks again, Jim, Deborah, Tina, and Terry.

Matt’s expertise and engaging conversation made a strong impression. I’m already planning to book with him again next June. Nate was great as well, communicating promptly and providing all the necessary trip details. It was an all-around excellent experience that I highly recommend.

The entire trip—from initial booking to the final cast—was smooth and enjoyable. Ian helped us immensely over the phone, especially considering we made our reservation just the night prior. Nate’s team was attentive throughout, and Matt freely gave of his time and enthusiasm. Even on a day with modest fishing success, our time on the water was incredibly rewarding.

Fishing with Shelly on the Missouri River was a real treat. Extremely knowledgeable and supportive, Shelly guided us first-time fly fishermen to land our first Rainbow Trout on a fly rod. Whether you’re new to the sport or a seasoned angler, I highly recommend fishing with her.