Testimonials

“Wow!! The finest, best organized fishing trip I have ever been on. The guides are a wealth of fishing skills, knowledge and fly selection. Joe is a great leader. The food is restaurant quality and has great variety. I learned more to improve my fly casting and catching in five days than I thought possible. I hope to float again next summer with my whole family.”

“Thank you for what I consider a great time. You are a skilled guide with the patience of Job and the eyes of an eagle. I appreciated how you have the skill and ability to know where the fish were going to be and somehow put me on them. You gave me some things to work on in casting at home and through observation, I am getting an inkling of what kind of water holds fish and what stuff is probably not productive. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to have such fond memories of fishing in Montana.”

“Great trip, great food, great weather & great companionship…The spectacular scenery cannot be captured by the camera; only by the mind. Thanks for showing a bunch of flatlanders from Kansas City the special place that is the Smith River.”

“This has got to be as good as it gets. Thanks to all of you for the fishing, food, and great guiding and company. I want to do this every year!”

“My first of hopefully many trips down the Smith. I don’t know why I laughed so much for so many days in a row. Great friends, great guides, great trip. Thanks for sharing your river-”

“First, I’d like to say that I just had the trip of a lifetime and will highly recommend your trip to my friends. Your guides are all 1st class all the way. I can’t say enough good things about them………. Thanks for the greatest trip of my life so far - with memories that will last a lifetime.”

“I just wanted to take a moment and let you know how great our trip down the Smith River was and how much it meant to my father and I. As you know my father and I had been anticipating this trip for many years and certainly had very high expectations and it did not disappoint. Everything was well beyond our imagination, especially your outfitting company. Your guides and staff were extraordinary and everyone said so... even Geoff. Apparently, Geoff has been talking about Chris (Mungo) nonstop, saying that he was so big that he could pick up cars. I guess they had a good bonding last night! Anyways, I just wanted to thank you and the crew on behalf of the Lind's…. It was an absolute pleasure and has given us so many great memories.”

“Thanks for a great week of fishing. I finally broke the 20+ inch barrier on a fly thanks to your awesome crew. The positive energy from your guides made the trip the "total" experience and not just about catching fish. We were talking over dinner in Great Falls last night about guides who we have used in the past that, while they may have put us on fish, their attitudes were such that we would never spend time on the water with them again. I'm betting you'll see all of us in the future.”

“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!”

“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.”

“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!!!”

“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.”

“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.”

“Thanks so much for a 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 long time. Your hard work during the trip made for an enjoyable adventure. It was awesome that the kids, Paige and I hooked big beautiful Brown and Rainbow trout!”

“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!”

“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.”

“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.”

“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 compliment is that I would enjoy fishing with them again!”