Montana Troutfitters Inc

What Montana Troutfitters Inc does

Montana Troutfitters Inc is a privately held fly fishing outfitter and retail shop headquartered at 1716 W. Main Street in Bozeman, Montana. Founded in 1978 by Dave Kumlien and acquired in January 1998 by current owners Justin and Lisa King, the company operates as Bozeman's oldest continuously operating fly fishing shop. Its product portfolio spans four revenue streams: (1) guided fly fishing trips on Montana's premier rivers including the Madison, Gallatin, Yellowstone, Big Hole, Missouri, and Jefferson, priced $550-$750 depending on trip type and duration; (2) Montana Troutfitters University, a structured classroom-and-on-river educational program priced $550-$695; (3) physical retail and e-commerce sales of fly fishing gear and over 1,400 hand-tied fly patterns including 12+ proprietary patterns developed by in-house guides; and (4) gear rentals (Redington waders, Winston and Sage demo rods). The business serves four customer segments: visiting fly fishing tourists, local Bozeman residents, corporate groups (past clients include RR Donnelley, KOA, Toshiba, Vann's, AT&T), and beginner anglers seeking instruction. Its go-to-market combines a physical storefront, a direct booking channel via phone and website (troutfitters.com), a separate e-commerce site (shop.troutfitters.com), and content marketing through daily fishing reports for 9+ river systems and Tyer's Corner fly-tying tutorials. The company holds Montana Outfitter licenses #55385 (Justin King) and #281 (Dave Kumlien), plus Gallatin National Forest Permitted Outfitter status, granting guided access to nearly every body of water in Montana state. The business is supported by 12 fishing guides, an 11-hotel lodging partner network in Bozeman, and a daily-updated content operation across fishing reports and Instagram.

Name

Montana Troutfitters Inc

Legal name

Montana Troutfitters Inc

Website

https://troutfitters.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Montana Troutfitters is a Bozeman, Montana fly fishing outfitter and retail shop, founded 1978, offering guided trips, retail gear sales, fly fishing education, and 1,400+ fly patterns to tourist anglers, locals, and corporate groups across Southwest Montana's rivers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fly Fishing Outfitting & Retail

NAICS

Fishing (11411)

SIC

Fishing, Hunting And Trapping (900)

akta.pro primary industry

General Fishing Tackle & Bait Retail (CRAMALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fly Fishing Specialty Retail (CRAMALAD), Fishing & Angling Charters / Guides (THAAALAD)

Keywords

• Fly fishing outfitter
• Guided fishing trips
• Fly tying patterns
• Fishing tackle retail
• Angling instruction

Headquarters

HQ city

Bozeman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Guided Fly Fishing Trips: The company offers various guided fishing trips including full day and half day float trips, walk/wade trips, spring creek fishing, lake fishing, carp fishing, and corporate/group trips. Revenue is generated per trip with pricing ranging from $550-$750 depending on trip type and duration.
2. Fishing Education Programs: Montana Troutfitters University offers full day ($695) and half day ($550) educational programs teaching fly fishing skills including casting, knot tying, bug identification, and river fishing. These programs provide instruction for beginners in a classroom and on-water format.
3. Retail Fly Fishing Gear and Flies: The company operates both a physical retail store and an e-commerce platform selling fly fishing tackle, flies, waders, boots, rods, reels, lines, and accessories. Carries premium brands including Sage, Winston, Echo rods, and Lamson, Ross reels.
4. Gear Rentals: Rental equipment available including Redington breathable waders, wading boots, rods for demo purposes from Winston and Sage brands.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Montana Troutfitters is a fly fishing outfitter and retail shop that provides guided fly fishing trips on Montana's blue-ribbon rivers and spring creeks, sells fly fishing tackle and over 1,400 custom hand-tied fly patterns, and offers fly fishing education through Troutfitters University. The company operates from a retail storefront in Bozeman, Montana, supplemented by an e-commerce shop, and serves both visiting anglers and local residents with daily fishing reports and trip booking services.

Product overview

Montana Troutfitters is a fly fishing outfitter and retail shop offering a comprehensive portfolio of guided fishing services and retail products. Core offerings include guided float trips (full-day and half-day), walk wade trips, lake fishing trips, spring creek trips, and specialty carp fishing trips. The company operates Montana Troutfitters University as an educational program teaching fly fishing skills, and provides drift boat training sessions. Retail operations include sale of fly fishing gear from brands like Sage, Winston, and Echo, along with over 1,400 custom hand-tied fly patterns. Additional resources include Tyer's Corner fly tying tutorials and detailed fishing reports for Montana's major waterways. The shop serves as Bozeman's oldest fly fishing outfitter since 1978.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Full Day Float Fly Fishing Trip Full-day guided drift boat fishing trips on major Montana rivers including the Madison, Yellowstone, Gallatin, Boulder, Upper Missouri, and Jefferson Rivers, with 6-8 hours on the water. Priced at $695 for 1-2 anglers and $750 for 3 anglers (if one under 12).
• Half Day Float Fly Fishing Trip Half-day guided drift boat experience limited to 3.5-4 hours on the water and 80 miles round trip, available on the Lower Madison and Yellowstone Rivers. Priced at $550 for 1-2 anglers and $650 for 3 anglers.
• Full Day Walk Wade Trip Full-day guided wade fishing on rivers including Upper & Lower Madison, Yellowstone, Gallatin, and Hyalite Creek, focused on learning fly fishing skills in varied water. Priced at $695 for 1-2 anglers.
• Half Day Walk Wade Trip Half-day wade fishing experience limited to 4 hours and 80 miles round trip, not available on Spring Creeks or Private Waters. Priced at $550 for 1-2 anglers and includes transportation, rentals, lunch, beverages, flies, and terminal tackle.
• Full Day Lake Fishing Trip Guided lake fishing trips on Hyalite, Hebgen, Quake, Cliff, Wade, Canyon Ferry, Ennis, and Harrison lakes, with float tube equipment included.
• Montana Spring Creek Fishing Trip Full-day technical spring creek fishing trips on DePuy's, Nelson's, or Armstrong's spring creeks for experienced anglers. Priced at $695 plus additional rod fees of $40-150 depending on season and property.
• Montana Carp Fishing Trip Full-day carp fishing trips on local lakes, reservoirs, and rivers including the Missouri and Jefferson Rivers and Canyon Ferry, with prime season July through early September. Priced at $600 for 1-2 anglers and $750 for 3 anglers.
• Montana Troutfitters University Educational fly fishing program offering classroom instruction and on-river training covering gear selection, knots, fishing techniques, bug identification, and casting. Full day at $695 (4 hours classroom + 4 hours on river); half day at $550 (2 hours classroom + 2 hours on river); extra person $150.
• Corporate & Group Fishing Trips Customized group fishing trips and corporate retreats for large groups, including trip planning, event organizing, transportation, equipment rental, lunch, beverages, and guided services. Pricing varies based on group size and needs.
• Drift Boat Training Session Four-hour on-water training session teaching drift boat navigation, safety, rowing skills, and river etiquette on the Lower Madison and Yellowstone Rivers for 1-2 people.
• Fly Fishing Gear & Equipment Retail sale of fly fishing tackle including Sage, Winston, and Echo fly rods, Lamson and Ross reels, waders, boots, lines, accessories, and over 1,400 hand-tied fly patterns sold via physical storefront and online shop.
• Gear Rental Rental equipment including Redington breathable waders, wading boots, rods, reels, and terminal tackle available for guided trip customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40 years of continuous operation since 1978
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Bozeman Montana Vacation RentalsminorOthersPreferred lodging partner offering vacation rental properties in Bozeman including 'The Cabin On Montana' - a three-bedroom two-bath rental in downtown Bozeman.
• C'mon InnminorOthersPreferred lodging partner - newest hotel in Bozeman with luxurious hunting lodge atmosphere. Offers 125 spacious rooms, 2 kitchenette suites, 10 jacuzzi suites, pool, hot tubs, and complimentary hot breakfast.
• Country Inn & SuitesminorOthersPreferred lodging partner near Montana State University, offering complimentary hot buffet breakfast, airport shuttle, heated indoor pool, and proximity to Yellowstone National Park.
• Field and Stream LodgeminorOthersPreferred lodging partner located one mile from downtown Bozeman. Features onsite Dry Fly Saloon restaurant and Honey Hole adult game room. Dog-friendly with outdoor hot tub.
• Hilton Garden InnminorOthersPreferred luxury hotel partner offering king or queen bed rooms, jacuzzi suites, business center, 4,000 sqft event space, hot cooked-to-order breakfast, and onsite restaurant serving dinner, wine and beer.
• Hilton Homewood SuitesminorOthersPreferred extended stay hotel partner. Newest hotel in Bozeman with luxury amenities, kitchenettes, complimentary hot breakfast, evening dinner and drinks Monday-Thursday, pool, fitness center, and ballroom for up to 130 guests.
• Lodge at Little BearminorOthersPreferred partner - 4,166 sqft log home in Gallatin Gateway between Bozeman and Big Sky. 5+ acre property bordering conservation land with panoramic mountain views, private hot tub, and wildlife viewing deck.
• My Place HotelminorOthersPreferred economy lodging partner with clean rooms, full kitchens, free Wi-Fi, and 37" flat-screen TVs. Single and double occupancy options with premium cable packages.
• Residence Inn By MarriottminorOthersPreferred extended stay partner offering 115 spacious suites with fully equipped kitchens, 1-2 bedroom options, indoor/outdoor pools and jacuzzi, complimentary hot breakfast, and grocery shopping service.
• The Element HotelminorOthersPreferred partner hotel one block from Main Street. Features free grab-n-go breakfast, salt water pool, fitness center, kitchenettes, bicycle rental, and proximity to Montana State University and Museum of the Rockies.
• The LarkcoreOthersHighest recommended accommodation partner - closest to shop (less than 1 mile), downtown location near restaurants and bars. Custom local artwork, pillow-top beds, complimentary Wi-Fi, MALIN+GOETZ amenities. Rooms are well-kept with fantastic staff.
• Gallatin National ForestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDave Kumlien is registered as a Gallatin National Forest Permitted Outfitter (#281), enabling guided fishing activities on National Forest lands.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Grizzly Hackle Fly Fishing: Long-standing Missoula, Montana fly shop with guided trips on the Clark Fork, Bitterroot, Blackfoot, and Missouri. Comparable fly retail + guided service model, but serves Western Montana rather than the Bozeman / Yellowstone corridor.

Direct peers

• Montana Angler: Bozeman fly fishing outfitter running guided trips on the Madison, Gallatin, Jefferson, and Missouri rivers, plus fly shop retail. Same customer segments (visiting anglers, local anglers, corporate groups) and overlapping river portfolio.
• Yellowstone Angler: Gardiner, Montana fly shop offering guided trips on the Yellowstone River and inside Yellowstone National Park, plus retail gear and flies. Direct competitor for visitor anglers in the same Southwest Montana / Yellowstone corridor.
• The River's Edge: Bozeman-based fly shop offering guided trips on local rivers, retail gear, and fly-tying resources. Operates in the same immediate Bozeman market as Montana Troutfitters, competing head-to-head for walk-in retail and walk-wade / float bookings.
• Blue Ribbon Flies: West Yellowstone fly shop known for guided trips on the Madison, Henry's Fork, and Yellowstone-area waters, plus fly tying and retail. Directly competes with Montana Troutfitters for guided-trip and gear customers traveling to Montana for fly fishing.
• Frontier Anglers: Dubois, Wyoming fly shop offering guided trips on the Wind River and surrounding waters plus retail. Comparable small-town fly shop + outfitter model serving destination anglers in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem.
• Big Sky Anglers: Montana fly shop / outfitter offering guided trips on the Big Hole, Beaverhead, and Jefferson plus gear retail. Comparable Bozeman-adjacent fly shop model targeting visiting fly anglers seeking blue-ribbon rivers.

Others

• Simms Fishing Products: Bozeman-based manufacturer of premium fly fishing waders, boots, and apparel. Comparable Bozeman location and fly fishing customer base, but operates as a wholesale apparel/equipment brand rather than a retail and guide outfitter.

Broad incumbents

• Bass Pro Shops / Cabela's: National outdoor retailer with massive fly fishing assortment (rods, reels, flies, waders) plus in-store guided trip booking in some locations. Broad incumbent competing with Montana Troutfitters primarily on retail/e-commerce price and selection rather than guided service.
• Orvis: National fly fishing and outdoor lifestyle brand operating retail stores, an e-commerce catalog, endorsed guide lodging operations, and fly schools. Comparable to Montana Troutfitters on fly retail, guided trips, and education, but at vastly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/montana-troutfitters-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Montana Troutfitters Inc