Get Hooked in Montana

Learn to fly fish on Montana’s Missouri River! Licensed outfitters, Luke Andrews and Brian Neilsen, will instruct a two day fly fishing course. This fun and engaging course will cover knot tying, casting, fish and insect ID, trip preparation, boat handling and more. Their 25 years combined experience on the water will quench your curiosity about the sport and create a need for more time on the water. So wade on in and get hooked!

Designed to provide the beginning fly angler with basic skills and knowledge to prepare for, and successfully complete, their very first fly fishing trip. The course will provide an introduction to fly fishing and basic instruction on equipment identification and use, as well as an overview on insect life cycles and trout behavior. In addition, each student will receive basic instruction on knot tying, fly casting techniques, fly fishing strategies and drift boat handling. Following practical demonstrations, each student will be given an opportunity to demonstrate proper casting and fly presentation techniques on the Missouri River.

Course Details:

Students must be able to meet the physical demands of the training course, which includes several practical demonstrations and exercises.

Day One

Convene at 9am in Helena

• Instructor/participant introductions
• Montana fly fishing - 
Brief history (famous Montana rivers)
• 
Basic gear, tackle, & terminology - 
Rods, reels, lines, leaders, waders
• Basic knot tying & application - 
Backing to tippet knots - Nail, surgeons, blood, clinch - Demonstration and participation

• Introduction to casting
 - Demonstration and participation
• Trip Preparation
 - Planning for the expected and unexpected
• Insect & trout behavior, 
Missouri River hatches, seasons, water
  

End time 4pm

Day Two

Convene at 10am in Craig, MT

• Shop tour, equipment/gear overview
• 
Ten minute drive to instruction site
• Basic Fly Casting Techniques - Taking your new cast to the Missouri River
• Basic Fly Fishing Strategies 
Nymph, Dry Fly, Streamers
• 
Wading -VS- Rowing - 
Benefits of each
• Drift Boat handling - 
Learn the basics of handling a drift boat on the Missouri River
• Open forum/question and answer period
 - Q&A about casting, mending, reading water, habitat and other questions that may arise.

End time 4pm

Cost: $225

All training equipment is provided by the instructor. Two day fishing licenses may be purchased on-line or at the The Trout Shop on day two.

Instructors: Brian Neilsen and Luke Andrews

With 16 years of guiding under his wading belt, Brian Neilsen is a seasoned fly fishing professional.  Born and raised in Montana, Brian has been fishing the Missouri since he was 3-years-old--it’s been his backyard for over 32 years. 



Brian started guiding in 1992 and started Finfetchers Outfitting  2001, his talents run the gamete: dry flies, streamers, nymphing, casting, beginner instruction, and fine tuning pros.  Pin-pointing strengths with a laugh around every corner, you’ll find Brian’s company comfortable, fun, and educational. If that’s not enough, ask Brian about his 10 years on the Smith River, being a Scott Pro Staff member, or his role as a local Trout Unlimited board member.  

Growing up on the east coast in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains for Luke Andrews was a good start for a young angler. After cutting his teeth on small mountain trout streams and big smallmouth rivers Luke left for college in Maryland.  While obtaining a b.s. in fisheries biology he was also educated by the trout on the Savage River and almost all of the central Pennsylvania spring creeks. After college Luke moved to Montana, worked at a fly shop, and started a downward spiral ending in a life as a fishing guide.  Don't let youth fool you, Luke has spent more days fishing the Mo' than most people have spent fishing in their entire lives, he knows where and how to get 'em.  He is always trying new techniques and soaking up all the knowledge he can.  You won't find a harder working or more patient guide