River life beats real life. Trust us.
 

 

RIVER life
is better than REAL life. 
Trust us. 

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Learn to be a fishing guide or learn to fish like a fishing guide. Or both. That's the Montana Fishing Guide School. 

The Montana Fishing Guide School is the ideal place to learn the trade of being a fly fishing guide or to become a better angler. Fishing guides can earn up to $10,000 a month or more during the busy season. The cost of the guide school is a small investment in giving you the confidence in landing the guide job you've always wanted or for taking your guiding and fishing to the next level. In fact, the investment in the guide school can be returned after a few weeks on the job.

 
 
 

Our
Program

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Our Program

A dynamic and comprehensive course provides variety, challenge, and plenty of river time

Our curriculum was honed through years of guiding and outfitting, business management, and working throughout all levels of the outdoor education industry. We continually adapt to industry trends and incorporate innovative teaching methods, fishing techniques, and ways to put better guides on the water. 

Curriculum

You Will Learn

  • Entomology and Fish Feeding Habits

  • Technical Guiding Fly Fishing Aspects

  • Rowing A Boat to Catch Fish

  • Guide and Client Relations

  • The Business of Guiding

  • Marketing Yourself and Your Services

  • Managing Your Book of Clients & Calendar

  • River Safety

  • CPR and First Aid Certification

  • Streamside Ecology and Riparian Education

  • Job Placement and Networking

 

Our
Classroom

 
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Locations

Our classroom boasts world class fisheries that will not disappoint

 

The Gallatin, Madison, Yellowstone, and Missouri Rivers, as well as private lakes, spring creeks, and smaller freestone rivers offer some of the best opportunities to challenge your angling ability and learn the profession of guiding. We fish a variety of waters in seven days, not the same river every day.

 

Upcoming Courses

 
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COURSE DATES

Upcoming Sessions

Enrollment

Apply Now

Complete a brief questionnaire to begin the enrollment process.  


Details

What's Included

Basic Tuition Includes: 

  • Seven full days of fly fishing instruction

  • Course materials

  • Free swag bag

  • 7 lunches, 1 dinner

  • Diploma

  • Personal evaluation

  • Transportation during the course

  • We would be happy to help point you in the right direction for lodging.

 

Students provide their own fishing gear and Montana fishing license. Flies and tackle for the on-the-water sessions can be purchased throughout the course from Gallatin River Guides at a school discount.


2023

Cost

$2,490

 

Our
Impact

 
 
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Alumni TESTIMONIALS & 

Success Stories

My biggest takeaway was the confidence the guide school gave to achieve my goals in my guiding career. If you are a newer guide in the industry and unsure of your skill level or would like to improve any aspect of your guide career I would recommend this school to you. 
— K. Harrison, Graduate
 
 

About
Us

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The Montana Fishing Guide School is built on the foundation of great teaching from our world-class instructors with over 100 years combined guiding, outfitting, retail, lodge management, and instructional experience.

Organized and managed by Gallatin River Guides fly shop and career guide and outfitter, Mike Donaldson. The Montana Fishing Guide School, and the instructors we hire, are committed to professionalism and quality. Our goal: to help you become a fishing guide, better angler, or both.

All of our instructors are full time professional guides and industry professionals.

We are ‘lifers’ in this business and want to share our passion with you.