I grew up exploring the remote rivers and creeks of Northern Nevada in a backpack, on my father's shoulders while he fly fished. I had a whistle, which I was to "whistle up a fish" for him. He shares his love for the outdoors with me and as soon I was able, I had a fly rod in my hand.  After completing my collegiate wrestling career, I chose Montana State University for its world-class fly fishing, and I’ve been guiding in Southwest Montana ever since.

With 30+ years of guiding experience, I founded Montana Trout Wranglers in 2001 to create a premier fly fishing outfitter where professionalism, preparation, and passion come first. I believe that anyone can guide when the fishing is easy — but a truly great guide turns a tough day into a meaningful one.

Many of my clients have been fishing with me for more than two decades. They know me for:

• Consistent professionalism

• Clean, well-organized boats and vehicles

• Strong instructional skills

• A relentless work ethic

• And, of course, my constant reminder to “mend” for that perfect drift

I’m committed to making every angler better, whether it’s a first-time fly fisher landing their first trout or an experienced angler refining their drift on the Missouri River. The Missouri is my favorite river in Montana — a place that shaped me as a guide — and the rivers of Patagonia remains one of my favorite destinations in the world.

Guiding is more than a day on the water. I spend countless hours behind the scenes tying flies, preparing gear, scouting conditions, and making sure every guided trip is dialed in long before clients step into the boat. These details matter, even if they often go unseen.

I’m also a sentimental person at heart — the memories created on the river are what keep me passionate about this work.

For anglers seeking a Montana fly fishing guide who values teaching, preparation, and creating meaningful experiences, I’d be honored to share the rivers I love with you.

Meet Bert – Montana Fly Fishing Guide, Educator, and Family Man

Bert is a Montana fly fishing guide with deep roots in the outdoors. Originally from Virginia, he grew up fishing the rivers and streams of the central and southwestern parts of the state. He started with bait and spinners, but once he discovered fly fishing, he was hooked for life.

A graduate of the University of Richmond, Bert spent six years teaching high school in Virginia before moving to Montana to embrace the lifestyle and world-class fishing that places like Bozeman and the surrounding waters are known for. Now a Montana educator, he brings the same patience, clarity, and passion for learning to his guiding that he does to the classroom. Whether you’re brand new to fly fishing or an experienced angler looking to sharpen your skills, Bert has a calm, encouraging teaching style that makes every day on the water enjoyable.

Thanks to years of travel and exploration, Bert has fished rivers across the country, but Montana’s trout streams continue to inspire him. He loves discovering new water, but he’s just as excited to share his favorite local spots with clients. When he’s not guiding around the Bozeman and Belgrade areas, you’ll find him tying flies through the winter months, hunting when the seasons change, or scouting new stretches of river.

Bert lives in Belgrade, Montana, with his amazing wife, Candi, and their four daughters. They spend as much time outdoors as possible—hiking, fishing, and soaking up everything that makes Montana special.

Friendly, patient, and incredibly dedicated, Bert is the kind of Montana fly fishing guide who makes your day on the river both productive and memorable. Whether you're exploring the Bozeman area or venturing farther across Southwest Montana, Bert is excited to share the waters he loves.

Meet Matt “Matty” Nispel – Montana Fly Fishing Guide, Spring Creek Specialist, and All-Around Good-Vibes Guy

Matt’s early years were spent in Wisconsin, but fly fishing didn’t find him until a boss in the mountains west of Colorado Springs finally pestered him into giving it a try. That first attempt—on a nearly iced-over lake—wasn’t exactly a glamorous introduction, but it sparked a curiosity that quickly became a full-blown passion. Soon Matty was spending every spare hour dialed into Colorado’s famed trout waters: the South Platte, Arkansas, Taylor, Blue, Frying Pan, and even New Mexico’s legendary San Juan.

It didn’t take long for him to realize that fluorescent lights and cubicles weren’t his future. He left the insurance world behind, packed his bags, and made the move to Livingston, Montana. There he worked as general manager and guide at Dan Bailey’s Fly Shop before stepping fully into life as a year-round Montana fly fishing guide.

Having fished and guided across Montana and Wyoming, Matty is equally at home on all the region’s waters—from big rivers like the Yellowstone, Madison, and Missouri to intimate spring creeks, side channels, and stillwater lakes. Known for his constant smile, enthusiastic energy, and endless patience, he has a gift for balancing focused fishing with laughter, storytelling, and fun. Beginners love his clear instruction; seasoned anglers appreciate his deep knowledge and tireless work ethic.

When he’s not guiding around Livingston, Bozeman, or the greater Southwest Montana region, Matty fills his off-season with cross-country skiing, traveling, reading, tying flies, and sneaking in as many personal fishing days as possible until guide season returns.

If you’re looking for a Montana fly fishing guide who brings skill, positivity, and a whole lot of heart to every trip, Matt “Matty” Nispel is your guy.

Meet Chase – Montana Fly Fishing Guide and streamer connoisseur.

Chase’s journey to Montana began far from the Rockies, with years spent chasing trout across Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, Wyoming — and even the wild rivers of Patagonia, Chile. In 2019, he made Montana his home, enrolling at Montana State University, where he earned a degree in Wildlife Habitat Ecology. That scientific foundation gives him a deep appreciation for the rivers, landscapes, and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem — and the knowledge to share it with anglers in a way that’s both insightful and practical.

Since 2019, Chase has been guiding in Southwest Montana, helping anglers of all skill levels connect with the waters, refine their technique, and reach their fishing goals. His experience as an environmental consultant on streams and wetlands gives him a unique, science-backed perspective on fisheries — the kind of insight that turns an ordinary day on the water into a learning experience and a memory that lasts a lifetime.

Chase is known for his patience, local expertise, and easygoing attitude, blending focused instruction with a relaxed, fun approach. He thrives on tossing streamers in search of the river’s biggest trout — if you’re chasing monsters, Chase is your guy, all in from the first cast to the last. Whether rowing a boat, wading a spring creek, or hiking to a secret honey hole, he’s fully engaged in every moment, making every trip a day to remember.

Off the river, Chase can be found hunting, skiing, traveling, or tying flies — often while smoking something delicious on his Traeger. For anglers seeking a knowledgeable, approachable, and passionate Montana fly fishing guide, Chase is the kind of guide who makes every cast count.

Meet Jason – Montana Fly Fishing Guide, Big-Fish Hunter, and Blue Ribbon River Expert

Jason has guided on nearly every one of Montana’s legendary blue ribbon rivers, and his passion for chasing BIG trout is matched only by his enthusiasm for helping others experience that same thrill. From the Madison River to the Missouri, the Big Hole to the Yellowstone, he’s spent years exploring the waters that make Montana a world-class fly fishing destination.

Raised in an outdoor-focused family, Jason grew up camping, fishing, and adventuring across the state. Those early days sparked a lifelong love of Montana’s wild places and laid the foundation for the guide he’d eventually become.

His obsession with fly fishing only intensified during college in southwestern Montana—where living close to rivers like the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Madison, and Missouri made it nearly impossible to stay out of the boat. His degree may have taken six years to complete, but what he gained is something you can’t learn in a classroom: river knowledge, instincts, and experience earned one cast at a time.

Jason has a talent for knowing where trout live, how they behave, and how to help anglers of all skill levels connect with them. He’s also known for finding hidden gems—those quieter, tucked-away waters that few anglers ever fish.

But for Jason, guiding is about more than catching fish. It’s the camaraderie on the river, the story at the end of the day, and the friendships built along the way. Many of his clients have become lifelong friends, bonded through shared memories on Montana’s iconic trout streams.

If you’re looking for a seasoned Montana fly fishing guide who brings deep knowledge, a passion for adventure, and a contagious excitement for big trout, Jason is your guy.

Meet Sam – Montana Fly Fishing Guide, Southern Hospitality, and Trout Fishing Enthusiast

Originally from the South, Sam’s unmistakable accent is the first hint that a day on the water with him will be relaxed, fun, and full of good vibes. Growing up fishing in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, he honed his skills chasing largemouth bass, redfish, flounder, and speckled trout. In 2019, Sam made the move to Montana, trading warmwater salt flats for mountain streams to pursue his true passion: trout fly fishing.

Sam adapted quickly to Montana’s rivers, from the Yellowstone and Missouri to smaller blue-ribbon streams near Bozeman. His natural talent, easygoing approach, and genuine love for guiding make every trip enjoyable and memorable. Whether you’re a first-time fly angler or an experienced fisherman looking to refine your skills, Sam’s calm, patient instruction and approachable style help you feel confident, relaxed, and ready to catch fish.

Teaching is as important to Sam as catching fish, and his Southern hospitality shines through in every interaction. When you spend a day on the water with Sam, you’re not just getting a Montana fly fishing guide—you’re gaining a mentor, a storyteller, and a partner in adventure. By the end of the day, you’ll leave with new skills, fresh memories, and a smile, whether you’re exploring the Yellowstone, the Missouri, or other hidden trout waters around Southwest Montana.