FISHING TRIP FAQs

We offer half day and full day guide trips for individuals, couples, families, and groups. And YES we take out families with kids! We love to teach!

Types of fly fishing guide trips that we offer: Instructional Trips, Walk/Wade Trips and Float Trips.

Usually half day trips meet at 8am because there is usually less wind and less storms than in the afternoon. If you’re going into Yellowstone for a half day guide trip then we like to meet at 7am to avoid traffic jams at the entrance gate and on the drive to the location. That being said, half day trips can be arranged to go out in the afternoon, if it fits your schedule and we have availability. Half day trips are four hours on the water. This doesn’t include drive time, so if meeting people afterwards please know it could be longer than four hours depending on where you go fishing.

Normally they meet in the morning at 8am. If you’re going into Yellowstone for a full day guide trip then we like to meet at 7am to avoid traffic jams at the entrance gate and on the drive to the location.The trips are eight hours on the water. This doesn’t include drive time, so if meeting people afterwards please know it could be longer than eight hours depending on where you go fishing.

All equipment: waders, boots, all fly fishing gear and fly fishing tackle (including flies). Lunch is also included for full day guided fishing trips. Fishing licenses and gratuity are not included. 

Full day fees include guide, equipment, and lunch!

Half day fees include guide and equipment!

Full day fees include guide, equipment, and lunch!

After deciding on the day or days for your trip, call Arrick’s Fly Shop to reserve your trip with a deposit.  

Reservations require a 50% deposit per guide.

Cancellation Policy*: If you cancel your trip 30 days before the date of your guide trip you will be refunded the deposit amount less 10% of the total guide fee. (Example: Guide fee $500, Deposit $250, 10% of guide fee would be $50. Refunded amount $200)

If you cancel your trip less than 30 days before the date of your guide trip you lose your deposit.

If you cancel your trip the day of your trip or are a no show you will be charged the full amount of the guide fee plus the resort tax of 4%.

*Groups of 8 or more people must cancel their trip 60 days before the date of their guide trip to be refunded the deposit amount less 10% of the total guide fee. If you cancel your trip less than 60 days before the date of your guide trip you lose your deposit. If you cancel your trip the day of your trip or are a no show you will be charged the full amount of the guide fee plus the resort tax of 4%.

Madison River in MT: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Whitefish, and on some occasions Cutthroat Trout, or hybrids of Rainbows and Cutthroats.

Madison River in Yellowstone: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Whitefish.

Firehole River: Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout.

Gibbon River Above the Falls: Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Brown Trout.

Gibbon River Below the Falls: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and some Whitefish.

Lamar River/Slough Creek: Cutthroat Trout, some Rainbow Trout, some hybrids.

We practice catch and release. The reason this region has such great fisheries is because of the catch and release philosophy and regulations. We want to be part of that conservation. Be sure to bring your camera!

Weather changes quickly in the mountains so being prepared is always important. We’re in the mountains so think layers especially in the spring and fall. Fleece pants and base layers are going to help keep you warm and comfortable. Gloves and hats will also be important. In the summer mornings it is cool, if you’re from warmer climates, it will seem cold to you, but it warms up quickly. So layer your clothing. Remember to wear comfortable socks since you will be wearing waders or if warmer, boots for wading. Jeans aren’t the best option for clothing in the outdoors because they are so heavy and aren’t breathable. In the warmer months, consider lighter options, like convertible pants that zip into shorts, or outdoor clothing that you would wear for hiking that is lighter and breathable. Bring rain gear, sunscreen, and insect repellent. We recommend everyone bring a hat and sunglasses for protecting yourself from your fly casting and the sun too. 🙂  Polarized sunglasses are nice to have, as they will not only help you see a lot better on the water, but they also act as a nice safety guard for your eyes for when you are casting. Don’t forget to also bring a camera!

Yes, kids are welcome here at Arrick’s! We teach fly fishing to most any age and our guides are patient teachers who enjoy teaching kids how to fly fish. We want kids and families to get outdoors and enjoy nature with each other!

Arrick’s logo merchandise: hats, t-shirts, decals,

Fishing Gear: rod and reel outfits, flies, leaders, tippets, indicators and you can order custom tied flies by Arrick as well.

Yes, everyone 12yrs and older who wants to fish in Montana or Yellowstone needs a fishing license. 

It’s usually best to get the license the morning of the trip because after talking with the guide you and him will decide on which water to fish. If you decide you want to fish before your guide trip or if you are meeting your guide somewhere other than our business, then you will need to purchase your license ahead of time. 

You can buy them online for both Montana and Yellowstone.

You can also purchase Yellowstone licenses at any visitor center in the park.

You are welcome to use your own equipment and gear but we don’t offer any discount for doing that as  the guide will usually set up his rods with dry flies, or nymphs and set up your rod with the opposite so you will be able to switch back and forth quickly. The guide will also supply all the flies you need for the entire day.

The guide will have all the flies you will need. If you still want to tie flies and you are unsure of what to tie, you may email us at arrick@arricks.com or give us a call at the shop and the team will do their best to give you some suggestions.

Absolutely, beginners are always welcome at Arrick’s. If you want to learn to fly fish, we will teach you the basics and get you on some fish. Our guides are patient, kind, and knowledgeable and enjoy teaching others, including kids to fly fish.

We welcome you as well. The guides can help you refine some skills and teach you new techniques that work well for our area, show you great places to fish, do the work of rowing you down the river in a drift boat, and set you up in the right places with the right flies so all you have to do is fish.

Yes, if you have been referred or have a guide in mind that you feel would be a nice fit for you or your group we do take requests. Please keep in mind it is based on availability and if you would like a certain guide it helps to make reservations as early as you can to ensure their availability.

On this website under the main menu Fishing Trips scroll down to Meet the Team and there a photos and bios of each guide. To learn about the shop team and the owners go to About Us on the main menu and drop down to Meet the Team and some of the other categories under About Us. Also we are on Facebook, TripAdvisor, YouTube, and Instagram.

Weather changes very quickly here in the mountains and bad weather doesn’t last for very long, it comes in quickly and leaves just as fast. For this reason, and to help with the scheduling of guides, we don’t cancel trips for bad weather. If the weather is dangerous we can reschedule the trip if we have availability.

Cancellation Policy: 

If you cancel your trip 30 days before the date of your guide trip you will be refunded the deposit amount less 15% of the total guide fee. Example: Guide fee $500, Deposit $250, 15% of guide fee would be $75. Refunded amount $175

Groups of 6 or more people must cancel their trip 60 days before the date of their guide trip to be refunded the deposit amount less 15% of the total guide fees. If you cancel your trip less than 60 days before the date of your guide trip you lose your deposit. If you cancel your trip the day of your trip or are a no show you will be charged the full amount of the guide fees plus the resort tax of 4%.

No refunds or reduced rates on late arrivals or early departures.

Deposit refunds, less 15% of the total guide fee, for those eligible according to our cancellation policy will be issued on the date of the reservation.

If you cancel your trip less than 30 days before the date of your guide trip you lose your deposit.

If you cancel your trip the day of your trip or are a no show you will be charged the full amount of the guide fee plus the resort tax of 4%.

Please know we do not cancel trips due to weather. Our trips go out as scheduled regardless of the type of weather. Please think and plan like boy scouts and girl scouts and come prepared for different weather and temperatures.

Gratuity is very much appreciated and can be compared to other guest service industries.

Typically twenty percent gratuity is around the normal range. If you feel your guide went above and beyond for you or your group you can always decide to show your appreciation with a higher gratuity. Many people do this when they feel the guide worked hard for them and gave them a great experience. 

We truly appreciate when people share their experiences with us and provide feedback to us. Arrick’s Fly Shop is on TripAdvisor, and we welcome all feedback from our clients. Please share with us about your experience with us. We want to know how your guide trip was out on the water with your guide and how your experience was reserving your trip and meeting us in the morning.