"A friend suggested the Tackle Shop for a guide and we were really pleased. Booking it was a breeze, and we bought our fishing license at the shop which made the whole thing very easy. The shop has a nice selection and is a lot nicer than some of the tackle shops Iāve been seen. John was our guide and he was excellent. Iām a bit of a novice but my walk hubby is pretty good. John was able to easily adapt to help both us immensely. I highly recommend it "
"We are a mid-sixties couple who went on a half-day trip with guide James Terry last week. We don’t usually hire guides, partially because I was a professional whitewater guide for many years. James was gracious, professional and was able to quickly meet us where we’re at with our fishing skills. We learned a lot and caught a bunch of fish. Our expectations were exceeded and we highly recommend James. We’ll be back for another trip next year! "
"Ennis Lake was a revelation! Guide Kelly positioned us perfectly during the Callibaetis hatch, and the gulper fishing was beyond anything I’d imagined. Watching massive browns rise confidently to dry flies while the Madison Valley surrounded us was pure magic. The technical challenge and incredible scenery made this trip unforgettable. "
"The Madison River with John was absolutely incredible. His intimate knowledge of the water and ability to put us on fish was remarkable. We caught over 20 trout in a day, including several browns over 18 inches. The streamside lunch was fantastic, and John’s patience with our casting made this trip perfect for our skill level. Simply the best guide experience we’ve ever had! "
"The Tackle Shop exceeded all our expectations! Our guide John was patient, knowledgeable, and put us on fish all day. Being new to fly fishing didn’t matterāby midday I was catching beautiful trout and never wanted to leave. The streamside lunch was amazing too. Can’t wait to come back next season! "
"The Missouri River challenged every skill I thought I had, and John’s expertise was invaluable. His knowledge of water reading, fly selection, and presentation techniques helped me understand this incredible fishery. Catching multiple 18+ inch rainbows on technical dry fly presentations was the fishing experience of a lifetime. "
"The Beaverhead exceeded every expectation for technical trophy fishing. Guide Isaac’s expertise with precise presentations and fly selection resulted in multiple browns over 20 inches, including a 24-incher that fought like nothing I’d experienced. The combination of challenge and incredible fish made this an unforgettable Montana experience. "
"The Big Hole River delivered everything I’d hoped for in a Montana wilderness fishing experience. Guide James navigated challenging water expertly while putting us on fantastic fish throughout the day. The river’s wild character and stunning scenery made every moment special. Truly authentic Montana fishing at its finest. "
"Gorgeous early autumn weather in Montana, with sunny skies, clean crisp air, trees golden and crimson in color, and rivers running nicely. What else is essential for a mildly-experienced fly fisher to have a great vacation…a knowledgeable, personable, hard-working guide. Yep, I had it all….six days of guided fishing in the Missoula area, with Tackle Shop owner John Way as my guide and tutor. After a day each on the Clark Fork, Blackfoot, and Bitterroot, John then let me select which waters I wanted to visit again. In addition to knowledge, gained via years of experience, John also brings an incredible work ethic. He changed flies, patiently untangled and rebuilt leaders, advised on and tactfully demonstrated line management, and moved the drift boat in various manners so as to overcome my shortcomings, and enable me to get the flies where the fish were. He is patient, and in my eyes, genuinely wants the guest / client to enjoy the experience….i.e. brauts and burgers grilled along the river at lunch. Quality courteous customer service is, in the eyes of many, a dying art in today’s world….not so with John and The Tackle Shop!! "
"If you are headed to Montana, The Tackle Shop is a must stop destination! We had the most incredible guided trip, with John Way as our guide! He also is the owner and was BEYOND helpful with our booking. His staff is also extremely knowledgeable of the river, flys and helped our group choose options for their needs. Donāt let 1 bad review scare you off because this was the highlight of our trip! I mean, there is a reason The Tackle Shop was voted ORVIS OUTFITTER OF THE YEAR in 2017! "
