Guides

Unsurpassed. Guidance.

As beautiful as our location may be, sometimes the true magic of a destination lies with those who guide you in all the ways you can make the most of it. That’s why you’ll enjoy the company of some of the most talented, knowledgeable and friendly guides on earth.

Not only is our lodge a top fishing destination, we attract some of the most talented guides in the industry. We may be prejudiced but we feel we have the best guides on the river. With over 15 years of experience on the Bighorn, these men are devoted to their craft and typically spend over one hundred days on the river each year. Whether you are a beginner who is casting a fly rod for the first time or a world-travelled fly fisherman, our guides will adapt to your needs and requests to ensure your time on the water is the best Montana fly fishing experience possible.

Meet a few of our top guides.

Matt Clawson

Matt is the Fishing Outfitter for the Bighorn River Lodge, started fly fishing the Bighorn over 25 years ago. After receiving a degree in business management from the University of Montana, Matt embraced his passions and entered the world as a professional fly fishing guide. The Clawson family has been farming, hunting and fishing the Bighorn Valley for three generations. His intimate knowledge of the river, its history, and its ecosystem is just one of the reasons Matt is so highly regarded amongst the guides and local stewards of the river. His extreme devotion to the art of fly fishing along with his diligent work ethic ensures that every client will have the best possible fishing experience. In the off season Matt spends his winters skiing, elk hunting, working for his father’s catering business and of course tying flies.

Del Despain

Del is also a native Montanan, has been a professional guide for over 19 years. A graduate of the University of Utah, Del grew up fishing and his love of guiding has taken him to virtually every river in Montana as well as a few in Brazil and New Zealand. Del has traveled extensively over the years both guiding and fishing on his own and as a result brings a world class perspective to fishing as well of a wealth of great stories to go along with a great day of fishing. In the off season Del pursues his passion of competitive road cycling and his many and varied art projects.

Ron Ford

Ron is a native Montanan as well and has been guiding the Stillwater, Yellowstone and Bighorn
Rivers for over 13 years. His love for the sport and the challenges it presents has always been
what makes Ron so good at figuring out how to get the most out of every day he takes a client
down the river. He is, as anyone will tell you, very “Fishy”. In the off-season Ron is head of the
ski patrol at Red Lodge Ski Resort.

Chris Madson

All you have to do is take a look at the picture on the left and you know what kind of day you will have with Chris on the river. Chis Madson, a native of Sheridan Wyoming is an avid outdoorsman and has been hunting and fishing throughout the northwestern United States his entire adult life. Add in his numerous trips to Mexico and Belize for saltwater fishing and you have a guide who has a wide range of experience and skills. Now in his tenth year as a guide on the Bighorn Chris is an extremely knowledgeable and patient teacher for the newest of anglers as well as a great match for the more seasoned.

Contact Cheryl to book your trip.

Cheryl will answer your questions and customize your trip for the ultimate Montana fly fishing experience.

Call 406 666-2368

EMAIL US

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