Course Testimonials

“As the owner of Montana Fly Fishing Guides, LLC, this program was equally valuable to both new and veteran guides. I found both immediate practical applications as well as detailed information that my clients will enjoy discussing on our fishing days. I will be encouraging all of my guides to participate in the upcoming years as it simply makes you a better guide, instructor, and informed advocate for our industry. ”

“Gary Behrent lifelong Montanan and head guide for Montana Troutfitters in Bozeman. Fishing primarily the Yellowstone, Madison, Gallatin, and Missouri. Being a guide for 17 years I was somewhat skeptical as to what I could gain from G4F. I was blown away by what the program was able to offer me, this course is truly incredible. I was able to gain knowledge in every portion of the curriculum, the instructors were outstanding and provided the information in a fun yet professional manner. I am able to use what I learned on a daily basis and share it with my clients, helping them to become better anglers as well as conservationists. I highly recommend G4F to any guide in the industry looking to take their career and professionalism to the next level. ”

“I work for Eric Adams - Montana Fly Fishing Guides mostly, I also work for Anglers West a decent amount. I think this program was very valuable, with a little tweaking I think it is something that can become the industry standard for guiding. I know already in my first few days back guiding on the water I have used many different things I learned in this class. From the casting to the hydrology I think there is a lot of value in the material.”

“I own and operate Stillwater Anglers Fly Shop and Outfitting Service in Columbus, MT. This was a valuable program for me to participate in because in addition to improving my knowledge and experience, I can promote the program to the guides that I use and encourage their participation. I may even offer some incentives to guides who complete the program in the future. I feel I am a better guide out on the river as I have a much better knowledge base and appreciation for a wider variety of issues and concerns for our industry.”

“I am the owner and outfitter of Wild Montana Anglers, a guided fishing service based in the Flathead Valley. I call the banks of the Flathead River home but I am fortunate to guide on several other streams, rivers, and lakes across the state of Montana.”

“I am on the Madison River and operate out of Ennis, Montana. I own Magical Madison Scenic Tours and also work out of Shedhorn Sports in Ennis. The G4F course was a great representation of a community of outdoors men that absolutely care about the rivers and environment surrounding. The staff that designed the course have the utmost respect for the rivers and it showed by what the course taught. Specifically, one thing it taught me is the involvement that one should have to keep informed and keep active. It helped me truly understood what it means to be a good guide is being a true defender of the river and the community.”

“Being out of Livingston, MT spending most of my season on the Yellowstone River I work predominantly for Matson Rogers of Anglers West, and Eric Adams of Montana Fly Fishing Guides.”

“I am an independent guide, I work for most outfitters in the Livingston area. I feel this program was very valuable in teaching guides the important, truthful information about the rivers and fish. I do think it has made me a better guide in the way of teaching my clients why the river is a living, breathing thing. ”

“ I guide primarily for Eric Adams’ Montana Fly Fishing Guides and Matson Rogers’ Anglers West along with other Paradise Valley area outfitters. I feel G4F was very valuable due to the depth of the content, the instructors that presented from their areas of expertise and the learning that came from the dialogue and shared real-world scenarios of other experienced guides and outfitters. I felt I definitely left the program a better guide thanks to having acquired actual knowledge about topics beyond fishing itself that I was only familiar with but wasn’t truly informed on. There were also several pieces that came from the entomology and hydrology segments that could be applied immediately to my fishing.”

"I started my guiding career in Michigan before moving to Montana in 2012. I guided for Craig Madsen’s Montana River Outfitters as well as The Trout Shop for a couple of seasons before opening Wolf Creek Angler in 2014. I’ve been an outfitter since 2015 and run Wolf Creek Angler as well as Iron Fly Outfitting. I feel this program was hugely valuable in that it focused on big picture topics relevant to our industry as well as dealing with day-to-day topics like risk assessment, rules and regulations governing our industry and guide ethics. There is no doubt in my mind that going through the inaugural course has made me a better guide and I would like nothing better than to have all of my guides go through the program in the future. The broad base of study offered through the course is exactly what we should be seeking as guides looking to continuously grow and improve."

"Invaluable knowledge gained. Love the River Ecology portion. So neat to learn what is actually happening on our rivers, with our rivers, and the natural, and unnatural, progressions occurring around us! A better guide in the fact that I do understand much more about how things work. About nature. How fish gills work. Better C & R practices. "

"I work for TroutChasers Lodge in Gallatin Gateway as well as a few other small outfitters based in Bozeman, Montana. This program was valuable to me as it focused on conservation and how fishing guides have a responsibility to be river stewards. I do feel it made me a better guide as fly fishing is a never-ending education. No matter how long one has been in the industry there is always the opportunity to learn more and become a better steward of the resource."