Julie Eaton - A licensed Montana Outfitter, professional fishing guide and instructor grew up working & fishing on her dad's charter fishing boat in upstate New York. After moving to Idaho to attend Idaho State University in the early 80's, she earned degrees in both ecology and secondary education. Since that time she has worked for the Idaho Fish & Game, U.S. Forest Service, taught high school biology for many years and currently works for Trout Unlimited on the Western Water Project and spends countless hours fishing and guiding on the local rivers. As a fishing guide and instructor she teaches fly fishing courses for "Becoming an Outdoors Women" in both Colorado and Idaho. She co-owns, guides and instructs for Eaton Outfitters as well as being an Orvis endorsed guide for The Tackle shop, the Orvis Pro Shop in Ennis, Montana. Her fishing instructional workbook called "A Fly Rod and a Trout" was published in early 1997 and she continues to be on the pro advisory staff for the Scoot Fly Rod Co. and Ross Reels. Nobody is as passionate about their fishing as Julie.
Chris Eaton - A licensed professional Montana fishing guide has over 30 years of fishing experience under his belt and has over 1000 guide days on the rivers of southwestern Montana. Along with his wife Julie he co-owns, guides and instructs for Eaton Outfitters, is the Director of Fishing Operations at the Madison Valley Ranch, and is an Orvis Endorsed Guide for The Tackle Shop in Ennis. Chris specializes in working with the beginning fly fisher and with his vast fishing experience on the local rivers gives his clients a variety of blue ribbon fishing opportunities. Chris has also been the featured Madsion River Guide on ESPN for "Fly Fishing the World" and "Trout Unlimited TV", and on PBS for their show "Flyfishing Destinations". To read more about Chris click on this recent article from Fly Rod & Reel Magazine click here. His business background includes a degree in public relations along with many years spent working for an investment banking firm.
Jim Shouey - Jim combines over 40 years of fly fishing experience along with 22 years as charter fishing boat captain on Lake Ontario and 33 years as a high school biology teacher to bring you the experience, knowledge, wit and wisdom to have a great day on the river. His specialty is the dry fly. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or its your first day you will instantly build a special rapport with Jim and will keep coming back and asking for Jim year after year.
Gunnar Folsom - A licensed professional fishing guide, grew up fishing in Washington State and moved to Montana to study Fish and Wildlife Biology at Montana State University in Bozeman. From trout fishing in Montana, bonefish and tarpon in Belize, steelhead in Washington and walleye and pike is Saskatchewan, Gunnar is an experienced fisherman and guide. His even temperament and teaching skills make him an excellent teacher and guide for all skill levels. Fishing the rivers and streams of Montana year-round gives Gunnar the edge in establishing a positive repertoire with the local trout who assure him they will be most cooperative in the upcoming season.
Dave Evans – Since relocating in Montana back in 1992 he has spent countless days on the rivers of southwest Montana. After 20 years in golf course maintenance business, skiing and fishing had more appeal (he is a certified ski instructor in the off season). Dave is a trained and very patient instructor and passionate about his fly fishing so don’t be surprised when your excitement is matched by Dave’s when that rainbow charges your elk hair caddis.
Brandon Struckman – Brandon is back with Eaton Outfitters after a 2 year hiatus to get married (he is still married). He is the ultimate guide with lots of experience, enthusiasm and always has a smile on his face. He ties hundreds of flies in the off season only because sometimes its to cold to fish. Spending the day with Brandon is worth the price of admission, all the fish you catch are a bonus.
Fishing Opportunities:
The Madison Valley Ranch Property -
- The "Channels" section - of the Madison runs right behind the Madison Valley Ranch and is a great section to fish. It is a wade only section with very limited access and lot of different channels to fish. It offers good caddis and hopper action and you could easily spend days out there, but it really ideal for going out in the evening after dinner and fishing dry flies.
- Jack Creek - This tributary runs through the Madison Valley Ranch property and is a great little dry fly stream. Expect a lot of action especially for brown trout.
- The "Jurassic Pond" - Our 2-acre Pond is a great place to practice and hone your skills. Loaded with big
and feisty Kamloops rainbows you can either fish from the bank or use one of our float tubes to stalk these fish.
Guided Fishing:
- The Madison River - Probably the most recognized trout stream in the world. This river offers over 100 miles of fishable water. Known for its salmon fly hatch and great hopper fishing this river gives an angler virtually every type of fish habitat found. Of all the rivers we fish the Madison day in and day out offers our clients the best fishing. It’s a great river to do float and wade combos.
- The Yellowstone River - The longest undammed trout stream on earth, it provides over 300 miles of fishable trout-bearing water. This river is known for its hatches and excellent cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing.
- The Beaverhead - This River offers Montana’s most consistent fishing for big brown trout. It’s the most challenging river we fish and due to its smaller size and undercut banks and is not an ideal fishery for beginners but can be well worth the effort.
- The Big Hole - this is the classic western stream with lots of gravel bars, drop-offs and lots of structure. We do a lot of wading on this river using the boat more for access. Know more as a brown trout fishery it also offers an opportunity to get into a few grayling