About

Originally for Wyoming, Rick moved to the “Big Sky” state for the world-class fly fishing, skiing, and hunting. Rick is no stranger when it comes to guiding anglers and hunters as he has been guiding both before anyone knew what guiding was about. Rick is an independent contractor like most guides in Montana, but he is not like most guides. His knowledge of fly fishing and hunting on Montana’s waters and land surpass the “average” guide. Rick has the patience and will spend the time teaching you the basics from how to hold a rod, casting, line management, knots to releasing a trout properly. Rick goes above and beyond for all his clients and it is not uncommon to find Rick out with clients until dark just to cast a dry fly to rising fish in an evening hatch. Rick has a work ethic that the West was built on and you can be sure he will work hard for you on any day you fish with him! Rick is proficient on the Madison, Gallatin, and Yellowstone Rivers. Rick was voted best guide in “Best of Big Sky” 2019. Rick lives between Big Sky, Montana, and Bozeman, Montana on highway 191.

Rick lives on the Gallatin River between Bozeman, MT and Big Sky, MT. He is certified in CPR and first aid.

Matt’s affinity for fly fishing started at an early age. While growing up in his home state of Colorado, he travelled the backroads and spent countless hours scouring the rivers in pursuit of wild brook, rainbow, and brown trout.  His insatiable appetite for fishing inevitably turned into a career and he started guiding trips and teaching anglers of all skill levels. Because his passion for the sport only continued to flourish, he decided to capitalize on every opportunity to fish and moved to Maui to further his angling career. After chasing pelagic fish for 5 years off the shores of Maui and becoming USCG licensed captain, Matt decided to leave the ocean and return to the rivers to do what he loves most, which is fly fish.

Matt is an honest, hardworking, and passionate angler. His outgoing personality, excellent instruction, and natural communication skills makes him an expert at building positive client relationships. If you’re wanting a memorable fly fishing experience that includes laughter and education, spend a day on the river with Matt.

Matt lives in Bozeman, Montana and is certified in First Aid and CPR.

Sam grew up in the mountains of Vermont, fishing the docks of Lake Champlain since he could walk. Throughout his childhood, Sam was a focused competitive snowboarder and spent summers wakeboarding and chasing northern pike on the lake. A passion for cooking took hold in high school, and work was all he could do. All while sneaking away in the mornings to target native brook trout in small mountain streams.

His passion and love of snow brought him to Bozeman in the fall of 2009. He fished rivers for a few months with conventional tackle, and then after fly fishing the Ruby River one day with a friend from Three Forks, MT; he put down the spinners and spoons to chase trout on the fly.

In the summer of 2011, Sam took a job as a chef at a fly fishing lodge in Alaska, and his obsession only grew from there. Spending 2 years targeting all five species of pacific salmon and rainbow trout is where he learned how to approach any situation with a fly rod. 8 years and three restaurants later, he left the kitchen to follow his dreams and spend every day he could on the water.

Sam loves to teach newcomers and finds more joy in others catching fish than himself these days. He likes to simplify fishing for people in a way to allow them to learn rather than be overwhelmed. Sam loves to fish big dry flies and streamers but knows the importance of the all-mighty strike indicator when it comes to catching fish. You can still find him chasing deep powder on his board when he’s not on the water or just hanging with his dogs tying flies.

Sam lives in Bozeman, MT. He is certified in CPR and first aid.

Nathan grew up in Minnesota, the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes and a whole lot of rivers. He found his passion for rivers while living on the upper Mississippi fishing for walleye, smallies, and muskies. Like many Minnesotans, he started fishing with cane poles and worms. Since then, he has fished for just about everything in freshwater, with every kind of gear, graduating up to Spey rods for steelhead (and trout) in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and British Columbia.

In 1985 he moved to Bozeman, where he pursued a microbiology degree but has, in actuality, spent his time “wasting his life” as an unrepentant fly fishing river rat.

There are few rivers worth fishing in Montana that he hasn’t spent time on in the last 35 years.

Nathan truly enjoys teaching fly fishing to the uninitiated and passing on whatever techniques and expertise he can to those who have experience. While nymphing is the most productive method, he loves to fish dries, and is a hardcore streamer junkie, and will gladly pursue those methods if his clients prefer. He also has extensive experience on less productive rivers and stretches of rivers that frequently fish well for those who might want to venture off the beaten path.

Nathan lives in Bozeman, MT and is certified in CPR and first aid.

Jarrett was born and raised in northern Colorado along the front range. He was introduced to the
outdoors early and started fishing at a young age. Mainly using spinning gear and targeting panfish,
bass, and stocked trout, at the age of 13, he found the joy and passion of fly fishing and started primarily
fishing the area rivers in pursuit of trout.

After one year in college in Colorado, Jarrett decided it was time for a change of scenery and transferred
to Montana State University. After moving to Bozeman, he fished his way through school, taking every
opportunity to get out on the rivers around Bozeman. While he is still avid in the outdoors, hunting,
hiking, camping, and exploring southwest Montana, his passion is still fly fishing.

As a guide, Jarrett is patient and a good communicator with anglers of all ages and skill levels. Whether
a client has never held a rod before or is an experienced angler who has fished for years, he will pass
along tips, expertise, and advice to help the client have a good day on the water. He will always advise
clients on what method of fishing will be most productive, but if they prefer a different style, Jarrett is
ready and willing to accommodate to ensure the client has a fun day fishing the way they prefer. Jarrett
believes that time on the water fishing should be enjoyed and will try to provide some laughs and good
conversation to help make for a memorable day along the way.

Jarrett lives in Bozeman, Montana, and is certified in First Aid and CPR.

Originally from Minnesota, Ryan has been living and fishing in the Bozeman area for the last 15 years. His passion for the outdoors comes second to none, and his desire for adventure is always present. Ryan is a big fish junkie and can often be found on the Yellowstone throwing streamers with any free time he may have. Ryan is proficient on the Yellowstone and Madison Rivers. His background in the industry ranges from guiding around SW Montana to being an Orvis fishing manager.  After a long guide season, Ryan can be found in the high county chasing elk with his bow or out on the plains of eastern MT in pursuit of Pronghorn Antelope, as hunting is another one of Ryan’s greatest passions. As an independent contractor for the past six years, Ryan has been a great addition to Trout On The Fly team.

Ryan lives in Bozeman, MT. He is certified in first aid and CPR.

Sam is from the south, and when you hear him speak, there is no mistaking it. With that accent, he brings a laid-back southern approach to fly fishing. Spending time in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina in his youth, Sam grew up fishing for largemouth bass, redfish, flounder, and speckled trout. In 2019, Sam decided to change it up and moved to Montana to fly fish for the beautiful mountain trout. He took to fly fishing like a fish to water! Sam loves being a guide and has a passion for sharing knowledge and experiences with those who fish with him.

You’re guaranteed to walk away with a great experience when you fish with Sam. With his calm, positive, and relaxed instruction, Sam is dedicated to making you a better angler and getting the most out of your trip. Priding himself on good manners and being courteous, you will have a great time out on the river with Sam.

Sam lives in Belgrade, MT. He is certified in first aid and CPR.

Meet TOTF’s Adventure Director!

Chris is a seasoned outdoorsman and a dedicated fly-fishing enthusiast with over 25 years of casting experience. Originally from New England, Chris raised his family in the hustle and bustle of the NY/NJ area before moving to Montana. He made the decision to relocate to Montana to be close to his family, as his three adult children, all graduates of Montana State University, also live in Montana. Chris resides in Bozeman with his wife, Lisa, and their two dogs, Haylee and Mulligan. He enjoys all that Montana has to offer, including hiking, skiing, hunting, and boating. Chris is assisting in the office operations and client bookings for Trout On The Fly, having once been a client himself.

No worries if you do not see your guide on this profile page. In Montana, the guides are independent contractors who own their boats, rods, flies, and tackle. This means that they can work under any permitted outfitter they want. As a result, most guides do not want their profile on any outfitter’s website. Rest assured, your assigned guide is a real person.