Meet the Outfitters and Guides

Yellowstone Angler acts as a booking agent for Montana's finest, most in-demand outfitters and guides.  We'd proudly put these guys head to head with the best guides in the world, let alone Montana.  They are the reason we have one of the highest volumes of guide bookings and repeat business of anyone in area.  Most importantly however, these guys understand that you are out here to have fun! (And that's what it's really all about).

Below (in alphabetical order) are the best of the best.  Their schedules get booked quickly, so be sure to contact us early in the year if you want to set up a trip.  However, if you roll into town unexpectedly, we always welcome walk in business, as we also book for about 20 other different outfitters and guides in the Greater Yellowstone area, all who have worked with us for several years.

James Anderson

Born and raised here in Livingston Montana, "Jamie" was exposed to the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and skiing at an early age. Even before he could walk Jamie joined his father on fishing expeditions. Jamie's first real fishing came early at age 4, chucking spinners with his Zebco spin cast rod and slamming browns and rainbows at Nelson's fish hatchery and DePuy's ponds. Not much later he began working at the Yellowstone Angler. Early job opportunities included picking up cigarette butts out of the dirt parking lot for a penny a piece and swatting flies. Through high school he was promoted to shipping and receiving manager and retail sales. After several years of managing the shop, and guiding during the summer months, today he works in the shop the majority of the time as general manager and webmaster but he still enjoys guiding many repeat and new clients on his days off.  After many years of guiding under other Outfitters Hank Bechard, James is now an Outfitter himself, the principal Outfitter for the Yellowstone Angler.  Feel free to drop him a line at james@yellowstoneangler.com if you have any questions on equipment or would like to share a your fishing photos.

Hank Bechard

Born and raised in the Treasure State, Hank grew up fishing the waters around his hometown, Great Falls.  After high school, Hank attended Western Montana College in Dillon, where he occasionally focused on his studies, but spent most of his time fishing the Big Hole, Beaverhead, and Poindexter. After two years, Hank transferred to Montana State University in Bozeman, where he could focus on the Madison, Yellowstone, Gallatin, Missouri, and Jefferson rivers. Hank worked for us here in the shop during the summer months for a few years, doing a terrific job and then went on to guide for the Yellowstone Angler and eventually get his own Outfitters license.  One of the reasons Hank is so dialed into the fishing game is that he spends more time on the water than anyone.   Don't even bother looking for Hank in the lift line, last winter he fished every single weekend!  His knowledge of Montana's uncountable waters, along with his positive personality have made him a favorite with our clients.  Whether you are looking to land a big brown from the Yellowstone, or looking to raft one of Montana's secret streams, Hank will go the extra mile to make sure you enjoy your time on the water.  His great attitude, enthusiasm and cheerful personality make a day on the water with Hank something special.   Hank teaches at Monforton Elementary School during the school year but works as a guide full time during the summers and weekends.  Ever wonder why Hank is such a great instructor?  He was nominated by his students for the Gold Star award and won, (an award given out on TV for Montana's top teachers).  Hank has been an Outfitter for several years.  Henry R. Bechard, 671 Green Tree Dr. Belgrade, MT 59714. His outfitter license is #10368.  Also check out Hank's web site at treasurestateoufitters.com

Bob Bergquist

Bob grew up as a missionary's kid in southern India's Palani Hills, fly fishing for trout and indigenous mahseer. While attending secondary school in England, he fished the chalk streams of England and the rivers and lochs of Scotland. He has fished many tropical salt water destinations, but the fabled trout waters of Montana have always been his passion. Bob hosts several months of flats fishing for bonefish, permit and tarpon in extremely remote areas of the Bahamas every winter. These trips have been very popular with our clientele. Once described in an article penned by a British client as a “ghillie with a personality”, he prides himself in working hard to make each day on the water the best it can be. His goal is to provide great service, catch fish and have fun doing it, whether it be instructing a novice or catering to the accomplished angler in search of the most interesting fish of their life. To that end, Bob is known for his patient perseverance on the water, believing there are no fish that are impossible to catch!   His intimate knowledge of all our of our streams, rivers and private lakes is hard to come by, and anglers new or old to the sport are lucky to benefit from his insights.  Bob is his own outfitter: Bob Bergquist 38 Kindsfather Drive, Livingston, MT 59047.  Bob's outfitter license is #9747.

Dave Bryan

Growing up in Texas, Dave learned how to fly fish for bass and bluegill.  Not far from the gulf, this is where Dave also developed his love for saltwater fishing.  Whether it's redfish, snook, or tarpon, in the off season you'll find Dave with a bend in his rod and a saltwater fish taking him deep into his backing.  Dave has lived here in Montana for 15 years now and has been guiding for 5.  He has a passion of duck hunting and is one of the best cast and blast guides you'll find anywhere.  He is an expert angler on technical tail waters and spring creeks, but the Yellowstone River is his real bread and butter.  Dave is great at building growing relationships with clients because not only does he satisfy their quench for fish, but also shows them a great time.  Many of our clients have written letters expressing how much they enjoyed his company and how impressed they were with Dave.  He can match up with any client who is willing to listen and learn, from beginners to experts.  His positive attitude, regardless of the conditions can turn any day into an epic fishing adventure.  Dave guides under Outfitter Jeff Blatter, 3168 Tumbleweed Dr. Bozeman MT 59715. Jeff's Outfitter Licence is #8375.

Marcus McGuire

Marcus grew up fishing for small and large mouth bass near St. Louis Missouri.  Once he was old enough to drive, he'd head to southern Missouri to fish for trout on the weekends, which quickly became his favorite sport fish.  Looking for good skiing and sea run fish, Marcus headed for Bellingham Washington.  There he attended the University of the Mt. Baker ski area for 3 seasons and fished for steelhead, sea run cutthroat, and dollyvarden.  Marcus headed west, attending college at Montana State University, graduating with a BA in photography and business.  If you catch a trophy trout with Marcus (which there is a very good chance), rest assured that he'll get some awesome shots of you and your fish!   Marcus enjoys fishing year round and is one of the best at rowing hard all day to put you into fish.  As a superb streamer fisherman, Marcus is very good at teaching others how to catch big off the banks of the lower Yellowstone, Madison, or Gallatin.  Marcus guides under outfitter Henry R. Bechard, 671 Green Tree Dr. Belgrade, MT 59714. His outfitter license is #10368.

Doug McKnight
Doug is one of the shop mangers, in charge of our guide bookings and travel, but he also guides on his days off.  For over 15 years Doug has been taking people fishing for a living, and he's one of the best guides you'll find anywhere! Many of his repeat clients continue to book him today.  By the time Doug was 15, he began tying flies commercially and has taught fly tying lessons since he was 18 - so you may have a few "secret" flies in the boat. In the Fall of 2005, Umpqua Feather Merchants added Doug to their list of fly tying designers. You can find several of Doug's magical flies in the Umpqua catalog, and in our fly bins at the Yellowstone Angler. Doug's career has provided him with the chance to fish around the world, including: New Zealand, Chile, Alaska, Russia, Bahamas, Belize, Mexico, the Florida Keys as well as all over the Western and Northeastern United States. Doug has had over 10 years of experience outfitting clients who travel the world. He can rig anything from trout to billfish and would be glad to help you plan your next fly fishing adventure.  Doug guides under Outfitter Henry R. Bechard 671 Green Tree Dr. Belgrade, MT 59714. Henry's outfitter license is #10368.

Eric Paulson
Eric grew up along the Kootenai River in Northern Idaho and came to Bozeman in '89 to pursue college football at Montana State University. Overtime, Eric’s passion for fly-fishing lured him away from the field and into the water. Upon graduating college he began his career as fly-fishing guide for George Anderson’s Yellowstone Angler. Since then, he has been setting the bar when it comes to getting clients into BIG fish! Without a doubt, spending a day on the water with Eric not only will give you a solid shot at a "grip and grin" photo, but it might also change your technique on how to fool big trout! A superb tactician, Eric can help even the most expert fly fisherman with techniques needed to take their fishing up to the next level. 

Eric is his own outfitter. Eric Paulson 1721 Gateway South Road, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730. Eric's outfitter license is #6869. Eric’s guide season begins in early February on Idaho’s Clearwater River. He migrates to Southeastern Montana’s Bighorn River from April through early June and returns to waters of Southwestern Montana for the remainder of the year. Eric’s guide experience includes the Beaverhead, Big Hole, Bighorn, Clearwater, East Gallatin, Gallatin, Madison, Missouri, Ruby and Yellowstone River’s as well as an extensive list of spring creeks including Depuy’s, Milesnick’s, Nelson’s and O’Hair’s spring creeks. Eric has spent substantial time guiding & fishing in Yellowstone National Park. Additionally, Eric is a fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants.

Brian Sienkowski
Brian, a native of Wisconsin, has been fly fishing since the age of ten. He got his first job in a fly shop at the age of 16, and has worked in the business ever since. His passion for the sport led him to the state of Montana. Brian graduated with a degree in public relations in the Spring of 2002. While attending the University of Wisconsin, he spent his summers in Montana, learning the local waters. Brian has also spent a great deal of time in Yellowstone National Park, gaining an intimate knowledge of the Park's waters. Brian is now in his fifth season working at the Yellowstone Angler. We've had a ton of great reports about Brian and are proud to have him as an asset to our team.  During the off season you can find "Flyin' Brian" catching air at a local ski resort or wetting a line on a mild winter day. Brian is his own outfitter: Brian Sienkowski 509 South Black #4 Bozeman, MT 59715. Brian's outfitter license is #9967.

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