FLATHEAD FLY FISHING GUIDES
About Flathead Fly Fishing Guides
Brandon Barnes, owner of Flathead Fly Fishing Guides, has been a familiar face around Wild Fly for quite some time. You might recognize him from our South Florida adventures or some of our more recent Montana videos. He’s one of those people who is easy to spend time with, whether you’re in a skiff, a drift boat, or posted up swapping stories after a long day on the water.
Brandon and his team guide out of Columbia Falls, Montana, right on the edge of Glacier National Park. Their program is built around private, guided days on the water for anglers visiting the Flathead Valley, including Whitefish, Kalispell, West Glacier, Coram, Bigfork, and the surrounding northwest Montana area. Brandon and his team run trips for anglers of all skill levels, from scenic floats on the Flathead River to lower Flathead jet boat days and guided trout trips on the Missouri River.
Why We Fish With Brandon
What we like about Brandon’s operation is how personal it feels. It’s your group, your guide, and a day shaped around the conditions, your experience level, and what you’re hoping to get out of the trip.
Brandon and the crew are some of our favorite folks to fish with when we’re in the area, and we couldn’t recommend a better crew to show you around this stunning part of the country. Whether you’re hunting that two-foot brown you’ve dreamed about, chasing native Westslope cutthroat, learning the basics, or simply spending a beautiful day floating through northwest Montana, Brandon and his crew will make sure you come away having learned something, caught a few fish, and shared some laughs along the way.
Trips with Flathead Fly Fishing Guides
Brandon and his team offer a little bit of everything, from half-day and full-day drift boat floats on the Flathead to lower Flathead jet boat days and full-day trout missions on the Missouri River. The Missouri is a crew favorite and one of the most productive fisheries in the state. It fishes well outside of the peak summer months, which makes it a great call if you are planning a spring or fall trip to Montana. Whether you’re fitting a morning on the water into a family trip or building your Montana visit around a full day of fishing, the crew can help match you with the right trip, water, and guide.
Live availability coming soon. For now, reach out to the outfitter directly and tell them Wild Fly sent you for prime date availability.
What’s Included
- All fly rods, reels, and tackle
- Flies, leaders, and tippet
- A private drift boat or jet boat for your group
- A licensed and insured Montana fishing guide
- Casting instruction for all skill levels
- Help reading the water and matching the hatch
- Local knowledge, plenty of fish stories, and a few 10/10 guide jokes
What to Pack
- Comfortable clothing for rain or shine
- Polarized sunglasses
- Lunch (on full day trips)