Montana Flyfishing Connection

Montana Flyfishing Connection - guided flyfishing trips on the finest waters in Montana - The Smith River, The Clark Fork, The Blackfoot and more...

Guided Flyfishing Trips on Montana's finest waters

I want to take a little time to brag about my core guides and staff first. It is their dedication to making every trip more professional, better equipped and more successful in every way that is the real reason that this outfitting business has been so successful over the years. But beyond their loyalty to me, it is the fact that these guys are the kind of people that anyone would want to spend five days on the river with that makes people want to come back. They are all great individuals in their own right and I keep crossing my fingers every winter that they will want to work again the next year because I know they are all destined for great things in their lives. - Joe Sowerby

		Adam DeBruin - Adam started working for me the first year that I bought my Smith River Business. He was fresh off a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) course and a flyfishing fanatic. His constant “build a better mousetrap” frame of mind helped me
refine our camping systems and improve the equipment that we use. This same mentality carries over into his fly tying and fishing skills and for years it resulted in many of the biggest fish of the season. He is definitely one of the most innovative fly tiers that I know and certainly one of the best casters. He has worked nearly every single Smith River trip since I have owned the company! I definitely owe him a lot of gratitude for his continued leadership. Spend a day on the river with Adam and you will learn from his wealth of knowledge! Adam spends his winters in Key Largo, FL running Redhook Charters, chasing tarpon, bones and all those other rod-benders down there in the salt.

		Kirk Gammill - As soon as Adam started working with me he started telling me about one of his best friends in college and how he would be a great addition to our Smith River crew. Now, six seasons later, Kirk is an irreplaceable part of team. Anglers that have
traveled the world fishing have told me that he was the best guide they ever had. His contagious positive attitude is combined with a true dedication to the profession of guiding. In the fall Kirk migrates to Northern California where he runs his own Steelhead guiding service, and he also finds time to be the Varsity Soccer coach at Frenchtown High School here in Montana.

		Steve Blanche - The “third stooge” is the other best friend of Adam and Kirk. They dragged him out the year after Kirk. Steve’s practical joker sense of humor will have you laughing all day. After several seasons of running the camp crews, he has become an excellent guide in his own right. Steve has
always has that fishy quality that he could catch a fish on any old fly you handed him. With over 35 trips down the smith river he is truly a wealth of knowledge. Steve is known throughout the flyfishing industry for his company that provides logistical support for outfitters and other companies during the Flyfishing Show circuit. Steve also winters in Key Largo, FL. If you drive over one of those long bridges down there you might get a glimpse of him getting towed around in his kayak by a tarpon!

		Chris Orwig - During his tenure at the University of Montana as Offensive Lineman for the Grizzlies football team where he earned a Div.1-AA National Championship, we were lucky enough to have him join the crew. His muscle was a welcome addition to the crew
largely composed of ex soccer players, but it is his positive attitude and enthusiasm that will keep you casting late into the night. One thing you can be sure of is that no matter what the fishing gods throw at you for the day, Chris is going to have a good time. He sincerely cherishes every day on the water. When he is not guiding he is a sales rep for Hog Island Drift Boats and Fetha-Sticks fly rods.

		Jake Van Noppen - Our newest full time addition to the crew, Jake is originally from Bend, Oregon, where he earned his reputation as the youngest snow groomer ever at Mt. Bachelor. When the temperatures were above freezing Jake learned the ways of the river by
guiding, leading youth groups, and generally exploring up and down the Deschutes River. He has been a key addition to the crew and we are looking forward to sharing many years with him on the Smith.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Joe Sowerby - Outfitter
Montana Flyfishing Connection, LLC
P.O. Box 17701
Missoula, MT 59808

Phone: (406) 370-2868
Fax: (406) 327-0293
Email: jsowerby@montana.com

REFERENCES

Please call 406-370-2868 or email us for references in your area.

“Great Trip! First class service. Lots of fun.”
R.E. Brown 6/14/06

“What a great trip! Scenery, Food, personalities were all great. Hopefully we will float the Smith again soon.”
Dottie Do’Orazio

“Great trip! Great Humor among the river rats. Backwoods smokes, beer and jerky. Love those Big Browns!”
Bob Brown, Bethlehem, PA

“A great trip with a great staff. You should feel good about how your staff interacts with your guests. My best wishes for success.”
Bill Bash 6/14/06

“Thanks for everything - food - fish… I can’t wait to tell my family what a great time I had. Thanks again - I will be back.”
Don Brennan 6/14/06

“Joe and the rest of the River Rats - Thanks for a fabulous trip! You did everything possible both on and off the water to make the trip great and to assure that we would all have lasting memories of a wonderful experience. The food, fishing and attention to serving your clients were all outstanding! Thanks ever so much!”
Gary Stenson, Minneapolis MN (6/25/06)

“All successful organizations start with good leadership and Joe sets the pace. His style is perfect mentoring for his staff. Each young man treated everyone like family and hopefully we all reciprocated. Best of luck to all and I personally look forward to returning.”
Herb Lewis (6/25/06)

“Well Done!! A truly great experience - The trip could not have been better - the operation obviously has been refined and refined. Outstanding crew of young men well led! Many thanks for all the hard work and hospitality. All the best!
P.S. The fishing was outstanding!!!”
Dan Fazendin

“Our five day tour of the world’s most scenic latrines has almost ended. The scoreboard to date:
Many trout
A 30 inch snake caught on the fly.
A multitude of incredible meals.
The thickest drake hatch in history-fish rising like starved maniacs
Thanks for a wonderful and most memorable week!”
Tim O’Leary, Portland, OR

“I’ve been dreaming about this trip for over a year, so I came with high expectations…and the trip exceeded everything I hoped for. The best meals I’ve ever had streamside; superior guides; scenery that is beyond description; and fabulous fishing…WOW! THANK YOU to your entire team. This trip was amazing.”
Alan Johnson, Portland, OR

“What a hoot! Just loved the whole trip…outstanding guides, meals, and big browns. The drift in the Smith River canyon is one of the most scenic and beautiful I’ve experienced. I’ll be back.”
Hadley Robbins (6/25/06)

“What a great group of guides - Even Joe! Super time - great food. The Smith River has given a new outlook on living life. I’ll be back!”
Kim Coggins, Roswell, GA (7/1/06)

“This was truly the Experience of a Lifetime. I’ve been many places, but the Smith River is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.”
Al Work, Suwanee, GA (7/1/06)

“Thanks so much for a really wonderful experience going down the Smith River!! It was a great time that Paige and I shared with you, Carroll Anne, Babu, Grammy Sue; and of course, our kids. Donald, Reid, and Lily will remember this for a ling time. Your hard work during the trip made for an enjoyable adventure. It was awesome that the kids, Paige and I were able to hook big beautiful Brown and Rainbow trout!”
Don and Paige Bedell, Fair Haven, NJ (7/19/06)

“Many Thanks for a great trip on the Smith River. Mari and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it (except that trophy brown I lost on the fourth day.) You have a fantastic crew and everything is first class!”
Dave Clack, Spokane WA

“I just wanted to tell you what a great time we had on the Smith River ..You run a first class outfit and you have an exceptional crew, we were all impressed by them. What good camaraderie. The food was outstanding and so was your wine!”
Bob (the hog fisherman), Spokane, WA

“I would be remiss if I did not write and thank you and your crew, Adam, Kirk, Steve, and Kate for the wonderful time I had fishing the Smith River with you all. There was not a single instance when I didn’t feel comfortable with all of you and it was a real stress free time. I could recommend your Smith River trip to any fly fisherman. It was a total learning experience, and there are little techniques that work anywhere. I tried the little jiggle in the foam line and it worked well on the Beaverhead River. Meals were excellent, tents and sleeping equipment the very best and probably the best item was the attention and care shown by all the guides and camp personnel to each individual guest.”
Hal Webster, Fort Benton, MT

“The Smith River float trip will be difficult to top anytime or anyplace! We launched on Memorial Day weekend 2003 into five days of perfect weather, magnificent scenery, and with the finest people possible. Our guides were absolute experts in fly fishing and instruction. They knew the river, all the right spots, and the hatches. Most important, they were an absolute joy to spend time with.”
Fred N., Springfield, VA

“The trip (at the Clark Fork River Lodge) went as smooth as possible. We most enjoyed the “small lodge” atmosphere with just our group. Everyone had their own bedroom which was great... We were very pleased. The highest complement is that I would enjoy fishing with them again!”
Danny B., Graham, TX

“I had the greatest time fishing with Montana Flyfishing Connection! The fishing was hot, the scenery sublime and the food and guides as good as it gets. The Smith River has to be experienced to be understood, it isn’t like any other river in Montana – truly one-of-a-kind. Thanks for one of greatest camping/fishing trips of my life.”
Russ V.L., White Sulphur Springs, MT