Lefty Angler's Difference

~ The Remnant of The Old School Outfitter ~

I first obtained my guide license in 2011. Then I applied and obtained an outfitter license in 2015. Even during this short period of time, I've been seeing so many and constant changes in the industry. Here's one thing that has never changed and will never change: my guiding philosophy.

Although it was a very humble beginning, I was fortunate to meet and learn from some long time and reputed outfitters in the area during my initial few seasons. Experiences and knowledge that established me as a guide are still fully running in my blood.

I am not the busiest and biggest outfitter in the area. Certainly I'm not claiming to be the best in the area. However, the fact is, I've been catering serious and die-hard fly-fishing clients for over a decade. It's not about the level of experience. People who contact me, from total beginners (including as a part of their tourism) to highly skilled anglers, are ones who want to enjoy fly-fishing with me in one of the world's foremost destinations, learn expert knowledge from me, and expect the art of professional guiding.

Have you got tired of bags after bags of sandwiches? (Nothing wrong with sandwiches - I love them and serve them in my trips too - but repeatedly.....)

Offering a table and chairs, or even carrying them in the boat!!, has become an "act of dinosaur".... But I still do. If time and weather permit, I cook and offer hot lunches. And nowadays I must be the last one, if not a few, who serves ice cream for desert - indeed an art of old school outfitting.

Are you truly satisfied with the duration of guide trip?

To prove the point, I'm usually the last one who leaves the spring creek or who takes the boat out from the Yellowstone River. I've been catering serious and die-hard anglers (*different from those who take advantage of the service) for over a decade. They are my resume and references. This is based on one my axioms: "guiding is not a 9-5 job". Many other shops and guides would claim "fly-fishing and guiding people are our passion!!".... OK, this is just a guiding requisite 101. I'm truly embodying it. And, I really row my boat....

"Guide trip is up to the client of the day". There have been clients who want to get off the river at early hours. That is totally fine. I'm not stating that I stay for clients endlessly. I don't offer overnight fishing and I need to get back home and sleep. But my point being: I don't plan your trip because of the routine or cut off your trip because of my schedule for the next day. Many clients come and spend fair amount of money just for one day (may be a few days) of the year. I totally understand this because I had hired guide service back in yonder years.

Unfortunately - to my perspective - guide services in recent years seems to be standardized for the guides' convenience, not client oriented. This is what others do and totally none of my business. And I have no intention to talk bad about others so I "look good". But clients who book with me tell me their experiences. This is another motivation for me to remain "Old School" with pride.

Unlike many other big outfits or fly shops, clients are directly talking with me = outfitter and guide. I'm not a shop clerk who collects your credit card information. Also unlike those big operations, I don't have a list of guides (feels and sounds good, doesn't it?, but...), ie, clients will know who is going to be their guide. If I am not available, I will contact and hire only guides I personally know (About Guides). Because clients are directly in touch with the guide, they can convey what they want to achieve during the trip without anyone in the middle.

This mission statement is well informed to the guides I hire for the trip I'm outfitting and organizing. In other words, I won't deal with guides who can't follow my codes.

So, rest assured, your Montana fly-fishing will be memorable with my guide service.

Any questions and concerns, please contact me any time! And we go from there!!

MONTANA
&
YELLOWSTONE
OUTFITTER

Lefty anGler & flies

Satoshi Yamamoto - Livingston, MT

INNOVATIVE TROUT FLIES
&
ATLANTIC SALMON FLY
FRAMES

Lefty Angler's Difference

~ The Remnant of The Old School Outfitter ~