Wild Trout Outfitters

We had an incredible time. I took my daughter (14 yrs old) on her first fly fishing expedition. Dave (our guide) was extremely patient with her and me and we caught a ton of fish in chalky water. These guys know what they are doing and are extremely professional in all regards. Go! We had an incredible time.

We booked with this no-​nonsense outfitter and couldn’t be more pleased with our experience. Sam Geppert, our knowledgable and friendly guide pulled out all the stops to make sure we had memories to last a lifetime. When we arrived, we were quickly fitted with premium gear and Sam asked us what we were looking for during our trip. When we let him know we were first timers, he helped us map out our spots in and outside Yellowstone and create a schedule. He spent extra time working with my 13 year old son on his technique which was priceless to me because I know my son will remember his wonderful experience. My wife and I were also successful first time fly anglers with Sam’s excellent tutoring. A delicious lunch prepared by the owner JD’s wife was also included and we were grateful for it. All in all we couldn’t have asked for a better time. If you are in the Yellowstone/​Big Sky area and looking for a memorable experience, go straight to these guys. You won’t regret it!

One more year down with JD once again setting us up to catch fish! It’s now and annual trip, and despite just finishing it I’m already looking forward to next year! Thanks again JD.

We had a great time fishing with Nick! Our group had a grand slam. I will be coming back this summer to fish with Wild Trout Outfitters again!

J.D. and crew at Wild Trout Outfitters–
I can’t thank you enough for the wonderful time I had fishing with you out in Montana. I truly enjoyed ever minute and appreciate you letting me bum around the shop each night with some beers, dice and conversation. The fishing on the Gallatin and Madison rivers EXCEEDED my expectations, but the knowledge I gained from you about so many aspects of fly fishing was INVALUABLE and I greatly appreciate it! I’m already scheming for my next excuse to come out and fish with you again!
Thanks again for the professional expertise, guidance and wonderful fishing during my time out in Big Sky. Hope to talk and fish with you again soon–

Went on a guided fishing trip in Yellowstone with Ray from Wild Trout Outfitters. Caught some big browns and rainbows. Great food and great times! I will definitely be booking again with JD and his team.

We tried a few different guides/​outfitters in Big Sky. We settled on Wild Trout Outfitters as our go-​to. I’ve now been on 5 trips w/​3 different guides, these guys are great. I sent my Baby Boomer cousins on their first Fly Fishing trip, they caught fish, had a great time and are still raving about it.
I’ve fished on guided trips in Wyoming, Utah and Montana and am really impressed with JD and his team. The best river-​side lunch in the industry and guides who are good people and great teachers. Can’t wait for my next visit.

My friend who has done some fly fishing in the past set up a half day with Wild Trout. This was my first time fly fishing and it could not have been better. JD sent us out with Dave Williamson who was very knowledgeable and friendly. He got us on the fish in a matter of minutes. My friend and I both caught the slam, cutthroat, brown, rainbow, and white. We hooked up at least 20 times each. I had 5 consecutive casts with a fish!
What an amazing day, great guys, great fishing. I will be back to Wild Trout next year.

There are the big box shops and then there is Wild Trout.
Where do you go to rent equipment? Where do you go to buy gear? Where do you go for local information? Most importantly, where can you walk in the door in the middle of a winter evening and be welcomed for an hour of conversation and laughs?
Wild Trout.
As 2 of my traveling companions were without gear, we randomly stopped in and my buddies were styled out by JD with top of the line rod and reel, boots and waders (for a fair price!). The shop is clean, well stocked and inviting. There was a down home feel the moment we walked in the door, and though expertise was clearly evident, there was not a bit of snobbery.
I highly recommend Wild Trout for any of your Big Sky fishing needs. Our experience has undoubtedly made our trip a success and I will plan on coming back over the summer for a guided trip on the Gallatin.
One thing to keep in mind, don’t forget a couple dollar bills…

About 12 years ago i wandered into Wild Trout and met JD and his dog, Baxter. i started talking with JD about the area and admitted that my fishing skills were a bit «rusty». JD gave me a lot of good information and some great advice. He set me up on a one day wading trip on the Gallatin with Dave Williamson who proved to be a truly excellent guide. We caught lots of fish and more importantly had a great time. It was a great way to start fishing again. So good that i have been back every year since for multiple day trips, both alone and with friends and family.
I have fished with many of the guides at Wild Trout, even JD himself, and have caught a lot of fish. They have all been great: — friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, humorous and above all patient. So patient that I had wild trout teach each one of my kids flyfishing and all three love fishing to this day and do it often. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, the wild trout trips will not dissappoint.
If you want to go on a trip, need some flies or equipment or just want some good advice give wild trout a try. They know «What they’re eatin’ and where they’re eatin’ it».
I highly recommend them.

Stopped by this fly shop with my family and spoke with the owner about fishing in the area. We had intended to look around the shop but after this gentleman’s display of hostility we quickly left. Don’t have any idea what prompted his abusive demeanor, since he was rude before I even spoke. A few minutes later we had a very positive experience at Gallatin River Guides fly shop just down the road.

The shop is only about 15 minutes down the hill from the Big Sky resort. J.D. does full and half days, but after landing 30 fish between 12:30pm and 4:30pm, i think a half day is just right, particularly as it was 20 degrees outside and we were wading in 35 degree water. I brought my own rod and wading boots, but he can provide it all.
JD had me on fish on my third cast with his «secret rig» which was devastating. The Gallatin is catch and keep so the fish tend to run on the smaller side (6″ — 12″). However, this was a nice 15″ cutthroat that hit the rig like a truck. Within an hour, I had the grand slam of cutthroat, brown, rainbow, and white. All 30 fish in the day were released unharmed. A half dozen were good size (12″ — 15″), the rest were smaller but nice fish.
The shop is well equipped, JD’s been around for 20+ years and knows every cut and ripple. I was pleasantly surprised to find that guests can usually land 14+ in an afternoon even in the winter. He can also go most anywhere in a 90 min radius from the shop. I stayed close to Big Sky and fished 3 nice spots within 4 miles.
If you want to rip some lips and take a break from the bumps and jumps, give J.D. a call. The best couple hundred bucks you can spend to round out your ski week.