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. Later in his college years, he spent his summers guiding clients on the water.   James spent 3 years managing the shop but now guides on a full time basis.   He also has continued on as the Yellowstone Angler webmaster.  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. James guides under Outfitter Henry R. Bechard, 671 Green Tree Dr. Belgrade, MT 59714. Henry's outfitter license is #10368.

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. 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.   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 is his own outfitter.  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 impossible fish.  His knowledge of the stream is hard to come by and anglers new or old to the sport would be 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.

Doug McKnight
Not only is Doug one of the shop mangers, he is also one of the best guides you'll ever fish with.  For over 15 years Doug has been taking people fishing for a living, and many of those folks 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 flies in the Umpqua catalog.  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 has fly fished for over 26 years, including over 20 years in the Bozeman, Livingston area. We have been booking Eric over the last 14 seasons. Originally from Bonner's Ferry, Idaho, Eric attended Montana State and graduated with a teaching degree, which shines through when instructing on the water. Eric is an excellent technical angler, and no one works harder to get clients into big fish. In the early season, you may see him on the Big Horn River, nymphing with baetis or stripping streamers for a two-footer. He also loves to chase the salmon fly hatch with his own secret, lethal weapon like flies. He loves fishing the Park, the lower Madison, and the Yellowstone. When he's not chasing big browns in the fall, you'll find him scouting the hills and high country for elk. In the winter months, you'll find him ripping through the steep and deep at Big Sky Ski Resort. If you're a die hard angler looking for a good chance at a big brown on the river, or just a beginner eager to learn new techniques, Eric will do a great job for you. Eric is his own outfitter. Eric Paulson 1721 Gateway South Road, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730. Eric's outfitter license is #6869.

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.

Rick Wollum

Rick started flyfishing at the age of six, at an uncle's cabin in Minnesota for bluegill. Flyfishing quickly became a lifetime pursuit in Colorado, with Rick spending a lot of time fishing Colorado's South Platte while he attended Denver University. He then started guiding with mentor Steve Herter at Elk Trout lodge in Colorado, and later in Wyoming, Utah, and Montana. Rick guided Jackson Hole's One Fly for ten years, and also spent many summers guiding on Montana's Bighorn and Yellowstone Rivers. Later, Rick went on to host ESPN's FLY FISHING AMERICA, traveling and fishing extensively around the U.S. Rick has fished for trout, steelhead and salmon all over the world,and his vast knowledge of tackle, techniques and places to go makes him a great asset here in our shop. If Rick has one passion in fishing, it's steelhead fishing with two handed spey rods. Rick is a great fly tier, and his classic spey flies are works of art. In the off season Rick has been working as a ski instructor at both Big Sky and recently at Bridger Bowl, where he now teaches skiing during the winters. Rick guides under Outfitter Henry R. Bechard 671 Green Tree Dr. Belgrade, MT 59714. Henry's outfitter license is #10368.

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