5.0(1 Reviews)Family & Group Drift Boat Fishing
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
River Fishing
Fullday drift boat fishing for up to five guestsProfessional guide provides all gear and shoreline lunch includedFish Snake River, Salt River, or Yellowstone National Park waters
Looking for a fishing trip that works for everyone in your crew? Our Family & Group Drift Boat Fishing trips are built around the idea that great days on the water don't require everyone to have a rod in hand at once. We pack up to five guests aboard our roomy Clacka Max drift boat and spend eight solid hours working some of the best trout water in the region—whether that's floating the Snake River, exploring the Salt River, or casting lines inside Yellowstone National Park itself. Two anglers fish at a time while the rest of your group soaks up the scenery, swaps stories, and gets ready for their turn. It's the perfect setup for mixed groups where some folks are die-hard anglers and others just want to be part of the adventure.
Your day starts early with a riverside meet-up where your professional guide runs through the game plan and gets everyone sorted with gear. The Clacka Max is a bomber of a drift boat—plenty of space to move around, comfortable seating for those taking a break, and all the rod holders and storage you need for a full day. We're talking about real fishing time here, not a quick float. Eight hours gives us the flexibility to hit multiple spots, adjust tactics based on what the fish are doing, and make sure everyone who wants to fish gets quality time with a rod. Your guide handles all the boat work, reads the water, and keeps you on fish while you focus on having a good time. We provide all the tackle, flies, and gear you need, plus we'll throw together a solid shoreline lunch to keep everyone fueled up. The only things you need to sort out are your fishing licenses and getting to the launch point if you've got three or more people in your group.
Drift boat fishing is all about covering water efficiently and presenting flies naturally. Your guide uses the boat's position to control your drift speed and angle, putting you in the strike zone without spooking fish. We run a mix of techniques depending on conditions—nymphing through deeper runs, swinging streamers along undercut banks, and throwing dry flies when the hatch is on. The beauty of the drift boat setup is that we can anchor up and work a hot spot thoroughly, or keep moving to find active fish. All our rods are rigged with quality reels and lines matched to the water we're fishing. Fly selection changes throughout the day based on what's working, but you can expect to throw everything from size 20 midges to meaty streamers depending on the situation. The guide calls the shots on fly changes and technique adjustments, so even beginners can fish effectively while experienced anglers pick up new tricks. Waders aren't necessary since most fishing happens from the boat, but we'll pull over for wade fishing if the situation calls for it.
"Best guided fishing experience in the area. Matt and the staff go above and beyond. Have done trips two times with them and expectations were blown out of the water! Caught tons of fish and made great memories. Lunch was perfect as well. 11/10 recommend!" - Daniel
Rainbow Trout are the bread and butter of our local fisheries, and for good reason. These fish fight hard, jump often, and seem to be everywhere once you know where to look. Rainbows in our waters typically run 12-16 inches, with plenty of bigger fish mixed in. They're most active during cooler parts of the day and love structure like fallen logs, undercut banks, and deep pools. Spring and fall are prime time for rainbows, but they bite consistently through summer if you fish the right water at the right time. What makes rainbows special is their willingness to eat—they'll slam a well-presented nymph, chase down a streamer, or rise to a dry fly with equal enthusiasm.
Brown Trout are the craftiest fish in the river, and landing a good brown is always a highlight of any trip. These fish grow big, fight smart, and have a habit of hiding in spots other trout won't touch. Browns often hold tight to cover and ambush prey, making them perfect targets for streamer fishing and precise nymph presentations. They're most active in low light conditions—early morning, late evening, and overcast days. Fall is when browns really turn on as they prepare for spawning, becoming more aggressive and willing to chase bigger flies. A 20-inch brown is a legitimate trophy, and our waters hold plenty of fish in that class.
Cutthroat Trout are the native species that make fishing in Yellowstone country special. These fish have that classic red slash under their jaw and a willingness to eat that makes them a joy to target. Cutthroat are less spooky than browns but more selective than rainbows, creating the perfect middle ground for both beginners and experienced anglers. They love deeper water during the heat of summer but move shallow to feed during morning and evening periods. In Yellowstone National Park waters, cutthroat are often the dominant species, and their numbers can be phenomenal during peak season. They're also excellent dry fly fish when conditions are right.
Brook Trout might be small, but they make up for size with attitude and beauty. These colorful fish rarely exceed 12 inches in our waters, but what they lack in size they make up for in numbers and willingness to bite. Brooks love cold, clean water and are often found in the upper reaches of our river systems or in high-elevation tributaries. They're extremely aggressive feeders and will often out-compete other species for food, making them reliable targets when you need some action. Their spawning colors in fall are absolutely stunning—deep reds and oranges that make every fish a photo opportunity.
This trip delivers exactly what it promises—a full day of quality fishing in some of the best trout water around, designed so everyone in your group has a great time
Salvelinus FontinalisBrook trout are the most beautiful fish we catch - olive backs with yellow spots and those stunning red dots circled in blue. They're typically smaller at 8-15 inches, but what they lack in size they make up for in spirit. These char prefer the coldest, cleanest water under 68°F, often hiding in shallow pockets near fallen logs, boulders, and undercut banks. Late fall through early winter offers peak action as they prepare to spawn. Guests love brookies for their gorgeous colors and the challenge of fishing tight spots with precision casts. They're also fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. Here's the key: brook trout are super sensitive to water quality and temperature, so focus on the coldest, most oxygenated areas you can find. A long fly rod helps get into those tight spaces where they hide, and small presentations work best.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smart ones - they average 14-22 inches and can live up to 12 years, learning every trick in the book. These golden-brown beauties with black spots prefer deeper pools and undercut banks during the day, often hiding in structure like fallen trees or rocky ledges. Fall brings the best fishing when they feed aggressively before spawning. What sets browns apart is their wariness and powerful fights - they're known to test your gear and skills more than other trout. Their rich, buttery flavor makes them a favorite for the dinner table too. Here's a guide secret: browns often feed at night and early morning, so if you see big fish during the day but can't get them to bite, they're probably waiting for low light conditions. Try casting tight to cover rather than open water.
Oncorhynchus ClarkiiCutthroats are the native jewels of these waters, easily spotted by those orange-red slashes under their jaw. They typically run 12-16 inches in our area and love cold, well-oxygenated water with rocky or gravel bottoms. You'll find them near structure like beaver dams, brush overhangs, and weed beds where they can ambush prey. Spring and early summer provide prime fishing as they actively feed after ice-out. What guests love about cutthroats is their aggressive nature - they'll often hit dry flies with confidence that other trout won't show. Plus, they're beautiful fish with those distinctive markings and fight well for their size. Local trick: match whatever insects are hatching, but when nothing's going on, a gold bead prince nymph or elk hair caddis rarely fails. These fish are less spooky than browns, so don't be afraid to work the water thoroughly.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout run 12-20 inches on average in these waters, with that distinctive pink stripe along their silver sides. They love clean, cold water between 55-65°F, so you'll find them in faster runs and deeper pools during summer heat. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during evening hatches when they're actively feeding on insects. What makes rainbows special is their fighting spirit - they'll jump and run like crazy once hooked, making for exciting battles that get everyone on the boat involved. They're also excellent eating with that mild, flaky meat. Pro tip: when nymphing deeper holes, keep your flies about a foot off the bottom where they cruise looking for food. These fish are smart and spook easily, so a quiet approach always pays off in these clear mountain waters.
5.0 out of 5.0Best guided fishing experience in the area. Matt and the staff go above and beyond. Have done trips two times with them and expect...
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