Author Archives: McKinnie Fly Fishing Outfitter of Montana

Thankful for Another Great Season

As the calendar starts keeping towards 2024, I am thankful for everyone that made this season a memorable one.  I was lucky to explore rivers around Montana with lots of great people!  The season was filled with memorable days on Rock Creek, the Big Hole River, Blackfoot River, Bitterroot River, Clark Fork River and MissouriContinue reading “Thankful for Another Great Season”

“Where’s Summer, Dad?”

Every morning over the last couple of weeks my 3 year old daughter, Jessie, has started off the day with the question; “Where’s summer, Dad?” With the lingering winter, this is the same question most Montanans have been thinking in their heads. I have responded to her by saying that it is coming soon, orContinue reading ““Where’s Summer, Dad?””

10 Years On The Water

As I look back at the 2022 season, I also reflect on this summer being my 10th year guiding around Montana. Looking back it makes me realize how fast the time really goes. In 2012 I started walk/wade guiding the Gallatin River and was just getting comfortable rowing a drift boat. Ten years later, IContinue reading “10 Years On The Water”

Looking Forward to 2022

The past year was not without its challenges, but overall we made it a memorable one on the waters around Montana. We were faced with lower water on some of our rivers, warmer than average temperatures, forrest fires and days of smoke filled skies. On most days the trout still cooperated and when fishing wasContinue reading “Looking Forward to 2022”

Back to the Water

Instead of wintering in New Zealand, as we did in 2020, our adventure this past off-season was welcoming our second child, Eliza, into the world.   Although we have our hands full with two children under 2 years old; Jessie and Eliza have stolen our hearts and are our world! I can’t wait for the days when these two will join meContinue reading “Back to the Water”

Sunset on Summer 2020

As the calendar turns to Fall, and leaves begin to change, it is amazing to think about how fast the summer has flown by.  2020 has been unpredictable and crazy for everyone, but thankfully the fishing has been one predictable thing to help it feel like a normal summer.  It has been an extremely rewarding year to help peopleContinue reading “Sunset on Summer 2020”

New Zealand Backcountry

This is what makes New Zealand so unique and special: the backcountry, and the chance of finding the fish of a lifetime in a small stream. After a 3 hour hike, covering 7.5 miles, I reached the wee headwaters of one of the local rivers. As I first started stalking the banks there was notContinue reading “New Zealand Backcountry”

Challenges & Rewards of Southland

My Recent Adventures Fishing in New Zealand Fly-fishing is hard. Fishing a new river for the first time can be very hard. Fly-fishing the South Island of New Zealand on my own is one of the most challenging tasks I have experienced in the sport.   We are based in Te Anau in the SouthlandContinue reading “Challenges & Rewards of Southland”

Time Flies

It is the most amazing experience watching the passage of time through the growth of my little girl. Every summer seems to fly by but this summer has gone faster than any other before. It started in May, full of anticipation and uncertainty. During my first couple of guide days through the end of theContinue reading “Time Flies”