I’ve fished with the crew at Backcountry Anglers annually for over 15 years. Why? First, their guides are a lot of fun to spend a day (or a week) with. Second, they are exceedingly patient with my errant casts and occasional “bird’s nests.” Third, they are great teachers—both for experienced casters, and first timers who’ve been invited on my annual trip. But most guides worth their salt check at least two of these boxes. What really differentiates the crew at Backcountry Anglers is how well they know their rivers—Montana restricts the number of days an outfitter can fish certain rivers, and Backcountry Angler has acquired more days than other outfitters in the area. As a result, they know where fish will hang out in Spring, Summer, and Fall (on the Big Hole, a freestone river, the river changes by the month, if not the week, as water levels and flows drop over the course of year). They know where and how deep the fish are, and what they’re eating. While all experienced fly fishermen can catch fish on a good river, the level of local knowledge of the Backcountry Anglers crew can turn a good day into an incredible day. It has for me, and the friends who’ve joined my annual trip and now beg to come back.