Guide School Program Outline

Program Outline

Approved for the GI Bill®
“GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.”

Up to 6 students are accepted for each class
8 Full days $4855.00 Lodging and meals $2500
Contact for dates and reservations
First aid CPR card required to take class
New guide or outfitter license applicants must have a current first aid certification from the MT Board of Outfitters approved provider list.
March class lake day will be substituted with extra river day if the lake is still frozen

Day One
(The first full day will be spent in the classroom)
8:00 am - 8:30 am
Meet the instructors, Introduction to the Course, distribute the course curriculum and discuss course expectations.
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Requirements for guiding, Insurance, paperwork, and forms. Familiarization with Montana Board of Outfitters regulations, FWP regulations, hook removal techniques, and client safety.
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Lunch
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Introduction to Rafts and Trailers, set up, cleaning, repair, and maintenance. Trailer backing practice.
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Safety speech and casting lesson preparation
5:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Meal planning for the following day. accommodating client dietary needs.

Day Two
(Walk and Wade Bitterroot River East or West Fork)
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Travel will include discussion with instructions on driving, passenger comfort, and safety.
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Field Study and Practical Application, Safety speech and casting lesson practice. Walk and wade stream basics, Equipment set up Western/Tenkara. client safety, knot tying, insect identification, and fly selection. How to read the water and get your client into fish.
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Instruction in proper streamside meal presentation walk & wade.
12:30 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Streamside ecology and entomology.
Playing fish/netting strategies Casting instruction Western/Tenkara
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Travel with discussion on special considerations for walk and Wade clients. Meal planning for the following day

Day Three
(Lake Float Painted Rocks or Bitterroot River)
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Safety and pre-trip inspection
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Travel to include discussion with instructions on trailer towing and safety.
10:00 am - 10:30 am
Boat and angler prep, Safety speech and casting lesson practice, launch, and boat ramp etiquette.
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Stillwater tactics, basic boat handling, and rowing techniques, boat safety, and watercraft operation.
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Instruction in proper streamside meal presentation float trip lake.
12:30 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Field Study and Practical Application
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Western/Tenkara fishing techniques
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Travel with discussion on how to plan and prepare for multi-day travel trips. Meal planning for the following day

Day Four
(River Float upper Bitterroot River)
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Travel and field study with practical application, Safety speech and casting lesson practice, freestone river navigation, boat safety, watercraft operation, and river etiquette. How to read the water and get your client into fish.
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Instruction in proper streamside meal presentation float trip river.
12:30 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Watercraft operation and field repair, scenic float trips, nature viewing, safety/survival, wildlife awareness, first aid/CPR review, and river etiquette
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Travel with discussion on accommodating special needs. Meal planning for the following day.

Day Five
(River Float Bitterroot River large freestone)
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Travel, field study, and practical application, Safety speech and casting lesson practice, advanced rowing techniques, advanced casting techniques. How to read the water and get your client into fish.
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Lunch on the river
12:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Field study, and practical application reading larger rivers.
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Travel with discussion on the day's achievements, Meal planning for the following day

Day Six
(River Float West Fork of the Bitterroot River)
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Travel and field study with practical application, Safety speech, casting lesson practice, tailwater ecology and entomology, and fish habitat identification. How to read the water and get your client into fish.
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Lunch on the river
12:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Continued practical application, playing fish/netting strategies.
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Travel with discussion on the day's achievements and meal planning for the following day.

Day Seven
(River Float Exam Blackfoot River)
Field testing and Practical Application Exams, Final Testing, and Critical Evaluation.
8:00 am - 10:00 am
The final exam of safety speech, casting lesson, boat operation, and maneuvering, fly casting techniques, and Reading the water to get your client into fish. Making the best out of a slow day, becoming a guide.
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Field testing and practical application exam
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Lunch on the river
12:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Continue testing and practical application exam, mock medical emergency response drill.
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Travel discussion on what are your concerns or insecurities, and what you feel are your weak points. recap the practical application exam with instructions to remedy any weak points.
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Graduation Dinner

Day Eight
(Classroom)
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Review of Montana Board of Outfitters license requirements and regulations, complete the paperwork, and documentation required for guiding. Prepare a professional resume,
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Recap class, discuss guide and client relations, and how to market yourself as a professional. Networking in the industry, developing and maintaining a customer base, finding jobs, and meeting employment expectations. Award diplomas to successful graduates, and departure.
**Top-level graduates may be allowed to continue their education and gain valuable on-the-job training guiding with Montana Hunting and Fishing Adventures. **

Additional Resource Readings
· Montana State fishing regulations
· Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Statutes
· Statutes and rules relating to outfitters and guides issued by the Montana Board of Outfitters
· International Federation of Fly Fishers CCI Study pack.
· Orvis Vest Pocket Guide to Leaders, Knots & Tippets
· Pocket Guide to Western Hatches by Dave Hughes
· The Orvis Streamside Guide to Trout Foods and Their Imitations by Tom Rosenbauer
· Orvis Fly-Tying Guide by Tom Rosenbauer
· Guide's Guide Augmented Book (The A to Z on Becoming and Perfecting the Art of Professional River Running. Includes information on trip tips, company policies, first aid kits, and food planning guides.) by William McGinnis