Testimonials

JD and his crew are not only top notch fly fishing guides, they also understand the importance of customer service in their business. JD knows the trout Waters around Big Sky better than anybody, and put me on a ton of great fish. I would highly recommend JD and Wild Trout to anyone looking for a great day enjoying all that SW Montana has to offer.

March 2019

From the minute, I booked JD at Wild Trout Outfitters, I was laughing and excited about my trip. Not only did he know his stuff, he patiently re-taught me everything I had forgotten. Soon I was on my way to catching way more fish than I expected. My wife even joined halfway through our trip, and he had her catching fish in no time. Whether experienced or a novice, Wild Trout Outfitters will make it a trip to tell your friends about.

December 2018

Last minute fly fishing trip

My husband and I decided to go on a last minute fly fishing trip while on a quick road trip to Montana. We called the WTO on a whim at 9:30 pm after randomly talking to two separate groups of guys who had fished with them earlier that week. Becouse were only in town for one more day and thankfully the owner was able to line something up for 7:30 am the next morning! We are from Minnesota and have done our fair share of walleye and bass fishing, but never fly/trout fishing. Our Guide was Luke, he knew we were both beginners.

Luke was extremely patient

Knowledgeable, and just an all around good guy. We began catching fish soon after our brief, but effective lesson on the proper fly fishing technique. Definitely a unique experience and with the mountains in the background the scenery could not have been better. I couldn’t help but make fun of my husband’s ‘permagrin’ as he had a huge goofy grin on his face the whole time he was out there. Kid in a candy store, won the lottery kind of smile. It made our trip memorable and we can’t wait to do it again!

October 2018

The place is straight forward

JD who owns the place is straight forward and you get what you expect and much more. This was my first guided drift boat trip and JD set me up with 3 different guides for three days running on the Madison river. Each guide was fantastic. Not only do they row but they TEACH you all they know at the time you need advise and wow did we catch fish. Day one Sammy was all hoppers. We released so many fish we stopped counting.

Day two with Nick was a lesson in mending with dropper rig and again countless fish totals. And the grand finale day three with Dave on the upper Madison we caught huge rainbows. Can’t say enough good about each guide. All different but all are top pro’s. I’ll be back with family next year or maybe sooner. Totally recommend JD and his boys.

September 2018

The guys there make you feel like family the second you walk in the door! They are super funny, extremely polite and extremely knowledgeable. Our guide Tom was very patient and kept working with us learn best practices since we were fairly “green” ant this type of fishing. Thank you guys!

August 2018

This is our 4th summer going out to Big Sky and fishing with the whole Wild Trout crew! They have actually become like family to us:) We have 2 boys (9&11) and they adore every guide! We have a very competitive family fishing tournament between the groups and all of the guides really feed into our craziness:)
I can’t say enough about them! They are patient, have taught us all how to fish and are just incredibly nice people:)
Our boys talk about the shop dog, Hopper, all the time! Can’t wait till next summer!!!

July 2018

Took our grandson on an week fly fishing trip for his highschool grad present. 2 days with Matt, wade and walk the best time ever. Then float trip with Dave and Nick all three guides are professional and know the rivers. Can’t wait to do it again soon. And to JD and his wife great lunch and the shop helped us with all the details very smooth . Ps loved Big Sky area.

July 2018

The entire process was easy from the 1st contact. JD cares about his clients. He was very informative, giving plenty of info over the phone. Our Guide Tom was patient and informative for two 1st time fly fisherman. The lunch provided was a treat in its self. We booked an All day trip leaving the destination and type up to Tom. He elected to do a wade/walk. What a great time we had landed plenty of fish and lost just as many. Weather you an expert or a 1st timer. Wild trout is the place for you. My only regret is that we should have booked 2 days.

June 2018

Had the most unbelievable experience. Nick was amazing and over the top about our experience! JD was over the top when it came to equipment and accommodating us; his wife’s lunches were the bomb! We didn’t get to fish with Sam, but our friends adored him.

June 2018

JD set our 2 families up – with 4 kids between ages 8-10. First time fly fishers with super patient guides Sam and Chris. Everyone not only learned but caught rainbows! Great equipment for kids and super knowledgeable about the river. Felt like we got a bonus nature guide along with the fishing excursion – which the girls loved. Highly recommend

April 2018

Our trip with Sam

I took my 12-year-old son out on a trip with Sam. Everything was great. As you read the many reviews about this outfitter, they are all excellent. Sam is one of the many reasons why they are so excellent. We had never been flyfishing before, and he took a lot of time with my son, as well as me. I asked him to focus more on my son, which he did, and I just picked up the basics. It was great to see him spend so much one on one time teaching my son his own craft.

Amazing job

I can’t overstate the patience that Sam has with kids, as well as the grown-ups. He really does an amazing job. No question was too dumb, and I had a lot of them. We spent the first part of the trip learning how to fly fish, then we went to several different fishing holes to try to catch fish. We did winter fishing, and they suited us up very well so we stayed warm the entire time. If you want an alternative thing to do in this area rather than skiing, this is a great trip to do in the winter time. You will not be disappointed.

February 2018

JD embodies all of the things I look for in a guide. He is well prepared, thoughtful, has an intimate knowledge of the land and waters, knows exactly where to go and how to get to fish, a great sense of humor, attentiveness to your needs, and has the most amazing wife who painstaking prepares perfect lunches for his trips.

JD is a legend of fly fishing in my book and I would recommend anyone to book with him for a great experience. After this trip, we will be booking with Wild Trout Outfitters for years to come!

January 2018

Our winter fishing trip with JD was phenomenal and the perfect way to end our Big Sky vacation. My sister and i are new to fly fishing and had so much fun. JD worked so hard between the both of us and had us laughing the entire time. Can’t wait to go back.

January 2018

In total, we fly fished for seven hours. Our guide, Mat, was really nice and patience when it came to moving around the Madison in Yellowstone. We were able to catch three big brown trout, 5 white fish, and 3 rainbow trout. They were all between 15 and 22 inches long. Overall, it was a pretty awesome experience.

October 2017

These guys are awesome!

From JD helping get things set up long distance to the actual fishing experience with guide, Sam, I couldn’t have asked for a better time. My husband and adult son are still talking about the trip. For my husband, this was his first fly fishing experience and Sam was incredibly patient and laid back which helped my husband finally relax and enjoy the process.

Sam only had to duck a few times and he was very gracious when he did! 😉 My son had more experience but not with trout. Sam quickly schooled him in the ways of the Montana trout and success was to be had. The conversations and insight into the wildlife seen along the route were an added plus. We traveled from Texas for this experience and it did not disappoint. In fact, plans are in the works for a multi-day trip soon.

August 2017

We had a great time fly fishing! My husband & daughter both did the fishing, and I watched them, and nature & took pictures! The folks at Wild Trout Outfitters were great, very helpful and accommodating. The owner even loaned me his folding chair so I didn’t have to sit on the ground the whole time! Matt, our guide, was friendly, patient and knowledgeable. We would definitely go back to Wild Trout Outfitters again when we’re in that area!

July 2017

First time fly fishing. We had an amazing time. Two adults and one 10 year old. Great experience from beginning to end. We all caught fish, although 10 year old out fished us. Nick was our guide and he did a remarkable job. He is great with kids!! Highly recommend Wild Trout Outfitters and Nick! We will be back!!

July 2017

As less than “expert” fly fishermen

I was looking for someone that could help us plan and execute a memorable trip, and found the perfect outfitters at Wild Trout. JD was friendly and helpful acquiring licenses and information on equipment (without trying to sell us anything!) and Sam was an excellent guide, providing us with options and instruction based on our feedback rather than being forced into a “one size, fits all” trip. We caught fish, experienced the natural beauty of Montana and had a bunch of laughs along the way. Would recommend them to anyone…as long as they keep those secret fishing holes just for us!

May 2017

JD really took care of us. We did a half day trip with him as our guide. We caught loads of trout and learned a ton. He was great with my 11 year old son. I highly recommend Wild Trout Outfitters.

April 2017

Fish the week before Christmas

I never knew I could fly fish the week before Christmas in the snow… JD was our guide, he has a great personality, while being totally professional in his business. The trip was my teenage daughter’s first trip to Montana, snow, and real winter having grown up in Alabama. In minutes JD had my daughter catching trout on a fly rod… she stood in the river for most of the time we fished in steady snowfall. JD focused on making the experience positive, and all of us are getting into the sport now. My daughter already wants to go back and do more fishing.

I already have scheduled a return trip with JD for myself to learn the sport. We have talked more about fly fishing than skiing in Big Sky since coming home. Note, JD provided us with top of the line equipment which made it possible to stand in the river for over an hour at a time.

January 2017

ook my 2 son’s on their first fly trip ever. I hadn’t been fishing for 12 years. EVERY guide we worked with was excited, patient and easy going. Everyone caught fish, one son 23 on his last day, and he is still talking about it. The other fished at his own pace and had a terrific time. The lunches were outstanding! After the desert was discovered I don’t know how the owner, JD, stays under 300lbs. Make sure he includes one or two of his wife’s deserts or you have been shorted. Great job of pairing guides with personalities. I will definitely be back. Thanks for the great time JD!

October 2016

Spent 2 days there with my dad who is an experienced fly fisherman, and my brother. My brother and I were first timers to fly fisher’s. We got a great guide our first day Chris Gandy he took great care of us got us our technique down in almost no time. We caught about 14 trout or first day. Second day our guide was Tom Gardner and he knew all the hot spots we caught a total of 28 on that day. Wonderful time, wonderful experience, wonderful staff, great guides, I just cannot say enough great things about this place. Also JD’s wife personally makes the lunches. Those were great and you can go about 5 day with never getting the same thing. Highly highly recommend for anglers both new and experienced fly fisher’s.

October 2016

We were in town with four couples with varying degrees of experience with fly fishing. The whole team at WTO went out of their way to make sure that everyone had a wonderful time regardless of their skill level. Not only did everyone catch a fish, but I believe I heard the word “trophy” tossed around about a few of the larger catches!

September 2016

Our two teens went with Joe on a half day fly fishing trip. Neither had fly fished before. Joe started with a lesson before letting them fish on their own. Each were able to catch 5-6 fish a piece. They had an awesome time and were raving about it all afternoon. Would highly recommend.

August 2016

My wife and I were planning a trip to the west coast and needed a break along the way. Yellowstone park and the town of Big Ski, Mt. met our needs. I only had a couple days in the area. We chose Wild Trout Outfitters for the float trip we took down the Madison river. Their service was very friendly and knowledgable. Our guide Nick was as highly skilled in fly fishing as he was in fun conversation. The scenery was breathtaking and the fishing was over the top amazing. I was able to catch dozens of fish from the time we launched until the float was concluded.

July 2016

I had an awesome time fishing with my Dad and brother. You can’t beat the scenery. Matt was a great guide, very patient when teaching and determined to get you a fish. Both Matt and JD, the store owner, did everything to make sure the trip was enjoyable as possible. Very highly recommended for those looking for an awesome trip in Big Sky.

June 2016

No-nonsense outfitter

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!

May 2016

I’m not one to write reviews very often, but after getting out with guide Dave Williamson on multiple occasions, as well as friends who have been out with Dave, it’s safe to say that Dave and everyone else at WTO are as good as it gets. Not only are all the guys in the shop very laid back and easy to work with, but they flat out know how to put you on fish. From access, knowledge, customer service, and overall experience, I would highly recommend WTO along with any of their guides. JD is always great in making sure we are all set before getting into town, and I won’t travel to southwest Montana unless Dave is on my calendar. Do yourself a favor and book a day with these guys – you won’t be disappointed.

April 2016

JD and crew outdid themselves yet again. My wife, friend, and I came out for our annual xcountry skiing week and once again added a day on the Gallatin with JD and Rick. We had a glorious day – great guidance and instruction, wonderful and plentiful fishing, and just an all around great day. Can’t wait until next year!!

March 2016

J. D. Bingman is serious about catching fish. So much so that he did not want to stop catching rainbows in the Madison with 22 degree temperature, 30 something degree water to stand in, and about 8 inches of snow while we fished. They would not stop biting, so we stayed another 1 1/2 hours beyond his obligation to us. We landed over 35 rainbows in January. J. D. is very attentive and helpful, and we did catch fish.

We did a winter half day fly fishing outing with JD today and had the most incredible time. Favorite experience in Big Sky. We seriously caught too many fish to count. JD made sure we had the right gear and wouldn’t be too cold. He did just the right amount of guiding. He took great photos for us. We were thrilled with the experience. You won’t regret it – very memorable!

I had a 6 and 10 year old with me and the most awesome JD was so patient with us all. The kids haven’t stopped talking about their “big fish” since we got in the car. An amazing day and a big thanks to JD!!

JD took us out today and we had a fantastic time! He scheduled us last minute and put us right on the fish. We caught 20 together (2 of us) and he was a very attentive and knowledgable guide. Will use him again and recommend him to friends. It was such a fun day!

My son and I decided to spend a day fly fishing in Feb as the snow wasn’t so great that day. I have never fly fished and basically he hadn’t either. JD was the best! He was entertaining, patient and taught us how to fly fish! I can’t recommend this trip enough. They are located right on Gallatin about 20 min from BIG SKY village. Dress warm if you aren’t used to Montana weather. You spend the entire time fishing and we caught loads of trout. This isn’t a trip where the guide is catching them. He teaches you and then you catch. He makes his own flies and the hooks are NOT barb so they don’t hurt the fish. Remember in Montana everything is catch and release.

This was my third outing with Wild Trout Outfitters and the best yet. Booking was seamless as usual. My guide, Matt, was fantastic and led me to some great fishing holes on the Madison River. I caught the largest trout I’ve ever seen, and lots of them. I actually lost count there were so many! We had a moose and her two calves eating willows across the river from us and a bald eagle flew overhead. The equipment was first rate, lunch was excellent(Homemade scotcharoos for desert), the instruction was invaluable. I will definitely be back!

The best guide service in SW Montana. JD and his team of experienced guides know the waters of SW MT better than any guide service in the area. Have fished with them for many years and the experienced just keep improving. Caught more fish than I thought possible and had an unforgettable few days.

Another blockbuster trip with Wild Trout Outfitters! J.D. Bingman ( owner) has set me, my family and friends up with one or two trips a year for the last 7 years and I just did a fall trip and knocked ‘em out again! WildTrout outfitters guides consistently put us on fish year after year and we love it and always have a great time! Whether you are a beginner, an expert, or anywhere in between, I highly recommend Wild Trout Outfitters!

Matt, our guide from Wild Trout Outfitters put us on large rainbows and browns in Yellowstone Park and nearby campgrounds. He rigged our rods, he led us to great spots, and coached us on the techniques that we needed to hook and land these torpedo trout 18-20 inches. The packed lunches were superb with great sandwiches, chips, homemade salads, fruits, and homemade cakes. Matt provided all of the transportation and took beautiful photos with his camera and ours. Fabulous fishing experience. Baxtor (the fly shop dog) provides the friendly greeting for all of the customers. Can’t wait until next year. Great Fly Shop! Great Guide Service!

First fly fishing trip for trout

While this was my first fly fishing trip for trout, I’ve been on many other trips with guides. Nick Lawton is simply the best guide ever. He has a great positive attitude and amazing fly fishing skills! Nick taught me the basics of fly fishing and then helped me perfect my technique. I was traveling with an experienced fly fisherman and Nick also helped him improve his technique. Some guides are all about making sure you catch a fish – even if they do all the work for you. That’s not for me. I want to learn how to fish. Nick ensures you catch fish – but he teaches you how to do it! My two days with Nick were perfect and I’d highly recommend him for both novices and experienced fishermen! Check out this rainbow trout that I caught with Nick. What a great time. I’ll be fishing with Nick again soon.

Had an awesome time fishing! We had to change our trip from two people in the morning to seven people in the afternoon and they were able to accommodate us! Everyone caught fish including our 12 and 13 year olds!

J.D. went well out of his way to rearrange the schedule of his guide’s with one day’s notice so that my son and I could both learn a bit about fly fishing (1st time for both of us) and also to catch some fish! Our guide (Nick) was exceptional. After going over some of the basics we started fishing and it really was a day to remember for both of us. I think it took all of 10 minutes to land the first fish and we continued to have strikes (and even land quite a few) all day. Even the lunch provided was great. I would recommend these folks to anyone, whether you are a beginner or an old hand at it. These folks know their stuff and the service is unparalleled.

Fished the afternoon with our guide Blane. Awesome day, awesome River, awesome guide, landed some beautiful rainbow trout! Would definitely recommend this guide service and big sky Montana!!

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-

The owner was there form the start making sure everything was taken care of. Him and the guide were so helpful and had a great deal of knowledge about flyfishing. We took a float trip and this is something i will never forget.

J.D., Bob Norton and I had a great trip on the Gallitan today thanks to your hospitality and Wild Trout Outfitters guide Matt Ruuhela’s expert assistance . We caught lots of fish including this nice brown ! Thanks again for a wonderful time and I look forward to my return.

J.D., We always have a great time fishing together and our half-day trip on the Gallatin yesterday was perfect. Great fishing, great fun, great weather and most of all lots of trout in the net without a single whitefish. After having fished many rivers and lakes in south west Montana for more than a decade I can honestly say that your valuable casting tips, easy going style and unmatched local knowledge make a trip with Wild Trout Outfitters the top fishing experience in Big Sky County.

JD, Thanks for a fantastic afternoon fishing trip today on the Gallatin. Thanks to your invaluable expertise and guidance, I hit the trout trifecta today by catching three species of trout – Rainbow, Brown and the rare Cutthroat. By the end of the trip, I had tallied twenty-five trout in the net, without a single white fish. I certainly made the right decision in going fishing with you on this warm afternoon, instead of attempting to ski through the slush on the mountain.

Hi JD, Beverly and I had a great time fishing with you in minus 1 degree Montana weather! I never dreamed I would stand in a sub zero stream all day. We were fortified by your skill, your sense of humor and your ”little buddy”! Your guiding skills are a close second only to “little buddy”. Tell all your fair weather fisherman who cancelled today that they were out-fished by a couple of southern belles! No whiners allowed.

We just got off the river with J.D. and Dave and what a day. No one in our group had any real experience fly fishing but it didn’t matter. J.D. and Dave started at the beginning with us and had us catching trout in no time. We caught so many that our arms grew tired. My son, who’s 18, wanted to catch his age in fish and J.D. made it his personal mission to make that happen. Whether you’re a seasoned fly fisherman or a newbie like us, these are your guys. They are professional, personable, great sense of humor, and you’ll feel like your all old friends by the end of the day. I can tell you this is one of the greatest things we’ve done as a family and we can’t wait to do it again. One last thing: make sure you meet Baxter; he’s the four legged guide who runs the place. Get J.D. and Baxter to give you the full show.