Backcountry Angler

Robert Roche

2023-09

Fished the Big Hole river with my brother-in-law on 8/27/23 - I was a first-timer, and it was his second fly fishing trip. We spent about 6 hours on the water and caught a total of 17 fish between us, which was exactly what we were hoping to do! Our guide was JD, and he made the trip exceptional. JD was super patient with us "newbies," teaching us basic casting technique, how to mend after the cast (very important!), and putting us on the fish! I highly recommend Backcountry Angler for your guided fly fishing trip in Dillon. Even though I caught a few less fish than my "opponent," I did manage to get the biggest one...

Shay Coburn

2023-05

Best fly shop experience ever!! Went in to get a fishing license and maybe a few flies... Tom not only got us our licenses but also gave us great local info and the perfect flies. We had a blast over the next few days fishing on our own catching lots of fish. Thanks Tom! Our fishing trip wouldn't have been the same without you!

Melissa Wehmeyer

2023-05

I would give these guys 100 stars if I could! My husband and I visited Montana for our honey moon to escape the Texas heat. We ended up staying in Dillon, MT. We decided one day we wanted to try fly fishing, as neither one of us had ever been. Out on a limb, we walked into Tom’s shop and asked about any available guided tours he had for that week. We had no idea Tom was booking about a year out. Him and his wife Mary were so unbelievably kind and made a few phone calls to see what they could work out for us. And he was able to book us within 3 days with our guide Mike. It was amazing how they did everything possible to make this happen. Mary was so kind to even let my husband and I borrow shoes for the water. Mike was awesome on our tour. He showed us everything we needed to know and was so helpful in teaching us about this incredible sport. From casting to educating us on the river. The ride was an experience of a lifetime as we do not have a lot of fly fishing around us in Texas. We cannot wait to come back some day and hopefully plan ahead better and take this tour again! Everyone was awesome and we appreciate y’all so much!!!- Kody and Melissa Fritz.

Kim McPheeters

2017-05

I have been fishing with Tom for more than 20 years once or twice a year. Began fishing with Tom when he was guiding in West Yellowstone. There is a good reason I keep coming back year after year. The fishing always meets or exceeds my expectations and the experience is always top notch. Tom and Mary are always most interested in making the trip as good as it can be, both with their excellent accommodations and fishing experience. I have never been disappointed and plan to keep coming as long as I am able. It is well worth the trip from Michigan. I consider them good friends after all of these years. I would highly recommend fishing at Backcountry Angler. You will not be disappointed.

Andy Nelsen

2017-05

I took my first trip to Montana last August with my wife. It was an outstanding trip, but the highlight by far was the two of us fly fishing the Big Hole river. Neither of us had ever fly fished before and we were a little nervous about it. Our guide was absolutely terrific: taught us what to do, where to cast, and we were catching some gorgeous trout and having fun in no time -- on dry flies! And we caught more fish than we could count! I can't say enough positive things about that fishing adventure and Backcountry Angler. Tom's business is top-notch and it was a wonderful experience. I really hope we get the chance to do it again.

Lisa Mcneal

2022-05

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Stephen Hull

2017-05

I just finished another visit to Dillon Montana where every year for the past 10 or more years I have fished with Backcountry Anglers. I have fished all over the world and had some awesome guided trips but hands down the fishing around Dillon and the guide service I get with Backcountry Anglers is the best. They focus on providing a top notch guide service with really knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides. When I take a float trip with them the guides always seem as fired up as I am. They also have a wonderful lodge a few hundred yards from the Beaverhead River and the package deals they offer are hard to beat. As with any fishing trip some days you catch more fish than other days but on my guided trips with Backcountry Angler I have never had a bad day and boy have I had some super days. If you are thinking of a fly fishing trip to South Western Montana, Backcountry Anglers is a great choice.

John Carlson

2017-05

I've been fishing with Tom and Mary since 2008. I can't say I have ever had a bad trip. We always catch more trout than I can count and have caught some of my largest brown trout fishing with Tom.This past trip was one of the best. I caught two Montana grand slams (brook, brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout plus Arctic grayling) in the same day!I highly recommend booking a trip with Backcountry angler.

Brian McMillin

2017-05

We have just completed our 8th visit with our friends at Backcountry Angler and are booked for 2017 and 2018. We thoroughly enjoy Tom and Mary's hospitality. The fishing is amazing with the numbers, size and variety of trout. The River Lodge is very comfortable, clean and convenient to town. Whether it's dries, nymphs or streamers Andy always puts us in the best position to catch fish. His knowledge of the area, history , wildlife and fish is without equal.

Jeff Beuttell

2017-05

I have fished with Tom every year for the last 15 years and have never been disappointed. My partner and I have consistently caught 15-25 fish each and every day! Tom's knowledge of the rivers and what the fish are "eating" is unsurpassed. We also like the variety that the three close by rivers afford to us. It doesn't hurt either that the scenery is gorgeous.When we go we stay at their lodge which we like because it is quiet, convenient , and "homey".

Jonathan Kipp

2017-05

We recently returned from our annual “trip of lifetime” to Dillon to fish with Tom and Andy at Backcountry Angler. This was our eighth trip overall – first in 2007, then every year since 2010. The people, the rivers, and the accommodations are exactly what we look for in a fly-fishing trip. Andy is as enthusiastic as we are about fishing and having a good time on the water, and trust me, do we catch fish (some huge)! This year, 2016, I managed to catch practically every species of fish in the Big Hole the same day, all on a streamer. We’ve also had great success with nymphs and dry flies over the years, and the guides have always known what’s working. The river lodge is clean and comfortable, and since it’s so convenient to town we can grab a quick dinner before getting a good night’s sleep to be ready for the next day’s action. We have had opportunities to fish with other outfitters in Montana, but why mess with success? We’re already booked for 2017 and 2018, and can’t wait to return to Dillon.

Jesse Kolber

2016-05

So I just booked my fourth year in a row fly fishing with Backcountry Anglers and felt compelled to leave a review. That should tell you how much I've enjoyed my experience working with them. The fishing is so good on Beaverhead and the Big Hole that I started to insist to our guide that we use dries because nymphs made it feel like it was unfair! When we started using the dries the fishing was still great and even more exciting.

Eddie Whitaker

2016-05

Fishing is God’s gift to man, and well I’ve been deep sea fishing but I’ve never been fishing for trout. So I went to Back Country Angler and it was great! We went to the Big Hole River and not only was the scenery beautiful but the trout and salmon were really biting. It was a really great experience and I especially want to commend Tippet for his ability as a guide. Happy fishing!

David King

2022-05

Riding my bicycle through Montana in May, a snowstorm with high winds came along and I needed to hole up. I ended up at the lodge in Dillon. The hosts were friendly and the suite was comfortable. I stayed two nights. Going out was not pleasant because of the weather, so I watched some TV, read, and spent hours observing the pine siskins, house finches, and other little birds in the snowy garden outside my window. I’m not a fisher, but I noted the well-stocked store in the front of the lodge. If I end up in Dillon again I will try to stay here.

George Marton

2017-05

Late August was my 15th trip in 14 years with Tom, my buddy Tippet their dog and Mary. It, the company, the fishing for 18"+ rainbows and browns was outstanding. So was the accommodation at "the lodge". We saw amazing wild-life and caught lots of fish. I'll be back, for sure!

Philip Stevens

2021-05

This shop saved me! We were on a road trip up through Montana and wanted to get fishing licenses before getting to Butte, as we were seeing lots of excellent fishing locations near by.Great fly fishing shop. Staff was very friendly and helpful. They've got a large selection of flies and various other merch.

Phillip Richardson

2016-05

I love taking trip to Montana to stay at Montana Fly Fishing Lodge. It’s just the getaway I need sporadically. The accommodations are always superb, but what I really love about my visit is the fly fishing. I find it very relaxing and I’m able to unwind and regain some energy.

mark tucci

2017-05

I went to this place a few years back. I will not return. Go to north Montana instead. Better river water and much better trout fishing! I go every year on a trip with my son. That particular year, I told them my son would need to rent a fly rod. Backcountry made it sound like it was perfectly okay and said they had plenty of rods to rent. When we arrived, they immediately tried to sell me a $350 pole! They didn't have rentals! So we rented a rod from the guide, and were made to feel guilty that I didn't buy one instead. As it happened to be, while stopping along a bank, the guide hit hard, the boat shook and my son fell on his rod breaking it. The Guide became very upset even though he cause the accident. He must have told the the people at Backcountry some kind of lie because they billed me for the rod! I tried to tell them the truth, but they wouldn't listen. I signed nothing regarding the rental, so why was I made to pay? All that aside, I was very disappointed in the fishing... 10" trout, narrow rivers, etc., etc. And the Guide complained because we didn't want to fish the same spot both days! WAY over priced for what you get.

David Nguyen

2016-05

I love nature. I’ve gone camping, went on hikes and even travelled forests on bikes, but I have never tried fly fishing, that was, until a month ago. I took a nice trip to Montana and had an amazing time fly fishing. I really want to thank you guys for adding one more memory in my adventure book. Can’t wait to try it again.

Gerard Gryffen

2016-05

It’s been a year since I last took a trip to Montana for fly fishing; and it’s been a year too long! My most previous experience was one I’ll treasure forever, and I have to thanks Montana Fly Fishing Lodge for this! It was my first time, actually, but I enjoyed it so much that I knew they’ll be seeing me more oftenCan’t wait for my net adventure.

Lyon Richmond

2015-05

There was one main reason I visited Montana last year, and that was to try out some fly fishing. My first experience was an amazing one, and I believe it had a lot to do with Backcountry Angler. They were really helpful in helping me to learn, and within no time, I was having fun.

Johnny Entrekin

2017-05

Third year fishing with Backcountry Angler. Great experience Always caught lot of fish and many large fish. Guides are helpful and congenial to make the trip a memorable trip

Peter Geoghan

2019-05

Good knowledgable owner.

Chris Clemow

2018-05

Knowledgeable, friendly and helpful.

Jason Johnson

2023-05

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