When you’re here, we expect you’re here to fish and enjoy Montana. We strive to make sure that you get just that. Whether you’re an expert, or have never fished, we plan to give you a “no bull” treat on the river.  If you’re new to fly fishing, we will do our best to make sure you get a great experience and feel like you’ve learned something in the process. If you’re an experienced angler, we think that we can show you a trick or two. Hopefully we’ll learn a new trick or two from you as well.

We see fly-fishing as a body of knowledge that no person can assimilate in one lifetime. Learning more about or perfecting your knowledge of this wonderful sport can be a very rewarding journey. Some of us have devoted our lives to this pursuit. We invite you to accompany us on this journey. We want you to have such a great time that you will want to plan your next trip with us. We want your experience to be one that requires you to tell all of your friends what a great time you had in Montana.

We do not expect that each fisherman will immediately become a master, and we understand about “those off days”. Our business is fishing, and that is what we will do. Bring your rod, your rain coat, an open mind, and we will take care of achieving the best trip possible.

The Missouri River, “The Mighty Mo” is a big western tailwater that looks, feels and fishes like a giant spring creek. It flows and meanders through some of the most beautiful scenery in the west. You can cast a fly on the original “ interstate,” where Lewis and Clark first entered the Rocky Mountains. You might have trouble concentrating on your fly, as you float through a magnificent canyon where time and weather have left their mark. The next day, you may find yourself floating through the opening expanses of the Great American Plains, fishing water that has been described as some of the best dry fly water on the planet, as you and the river journey eastward. No matter what venue we float, the fishing, scenery and experiences will be memorable.

The 42 miles of river we will cover is widely known as the “best run of water” on the Missouri. While no one can “guarantee” fish, we will do our best to afford you the opportunity to catch and release wild Rainbow and Brown Trout. Having grown up and literally been raised on this water, we are most prepared and willing to provide you the fishing experience of a lifetime. The Missouri River is a great fishery and, it is our home water.

QUICK FACTS:

• 42 Miles of Blue Ribbon Tailwater; Holter Dam to Cascade, Montana
• 4000 trout per mile
• Average 17” – but grows much larger

All presentations are effective; you can catch fish on many different presentations. Nymphs, wets, streamers or dry flies, we will use all presentations in conjunction with your abilities and the conditions of the day. When you have only one cast to hook that uncatchable “Fish of a Lifetime” there is nothing more gratifying than that; we will do our best to get you in that position and that fish on your line.

Dave was born and raised in Great Falls and has spent his life fishing the waters of southwest Montana. He began his guiding career in 1985 on the Henry’s Fork, the South Fork of the Snake and the Teton in Idaho. In 1995, he moved closer to home when he guided on the famous Montana rivers around Yellowstone Park. In 2001 Dave returned to his home waters of the Missouri, which had been the river that captured his imagination since he first fished it as a youngster in 1971.

Up until the late 80’s, the Missouri River had yet to be discovered by the fishing magazines and the few outfitters that guided there held it as closely guarded secret. Dave has studied and fished it intently his entire angling life. Since this homecoming, he has been guiding on the Missouri in the summer and on the rivers of southern Chile and Argentina in the winter. He has developed tactics from these diverse rivers and the cast of characters that plied these waters with him.

Dave is also a nationally recognized fly-tier and his patterns are produced and sold by Idylwilde Flies. Go to the Idylwilde Flies web site for more info on Dave and his patterns. Renowned in the angling community, Dave can find fish anywhere they reside, and he’ll provide you with an angling experience you will never forget.

Guaranteed, if you can’t catch fish fly fishing with David, you’re not going to catch ‘em.Dave Bloom is the best of the best. I thought I knew something about fly fishing until I met David. He’s an expert instructor, guide, and just plain fun to be around. Guaranteed, if you can’t catch fish fly fishing with David, you’re not going to catch ‘em. I’ve seen him take clients that have never fly fished in their life and has them catching fish on a dry fly in thirty minutes. Here’s how good David is – his fellow guides ask him, “how’s fishing”, not the other way around. Want to catch 2lb rainbows on a fly rod ‘til your arm is tired? Want to learn how to spey cast and catch steelhead? Dave can do it all, and better yet you can do it with him, I know I’ve done it, a hundred times!
Jim Burrington
March 29, 2008

I have known Dave for some time now, and wanted to take some time and reduce to writing some of my thoughts regarding Dave. Without question he is a professional of the highest order, and draws on a vast reservoir of knowledge that could only be acquired by a lifetime of close attention to aquatic life and fish feeding habits on the Missouri River. Dave Bloom is a man of impeccable character and in my judgment stands alone in the world of professional fishing guides. His work ethic is like no other, I’ve recently returned from an October trip with Dave, where we were 8:00 P.M. dragging his boat out at Prewett access. While I am relatively sure, most guides were belly up to a bar at that hour on that October night, Dave and I were fishing, and fishing hard. I’ve seen him many times row up river to take his client back through a productive run, 2, 3, or 4 times. Over the years I’ve fished with Dave I continue to be inspired by his knowledge and willingness to share it. To be absolutely sure, one can do no better than Dave Bloom, and it all starts with the fact that he’s a dammed good man that knows a ton about catching fish with a fly rod. If you’re considering a trip to the MO, there’s nothing better you could do, to stack the odds in
your favor, than to hook up with my friend Dave Bloom.Submitted WithDeepest Regard,
Lee Lowery
Parkton, MD
Oct 7th, 2009

My husband and I went out with Dave this June and had two great days on the river. My husband has been fly fishing for several decades, while I am a true rookie, Dave was able to meet both of our needs and created a great trip with many fish!
Carol Kaune
Lakewood, CO
June 9th, 2009

I have fished and tied with Dave Bloom both in Chile, Montana and Dayton, OH where Dave spoke to our FFF Club – the Miami Valley Fly Fishers. Dave is a true professional and has exquisite knowledge of every detail of this sport. He is a “guide’s guide” and teaches effectively to any level of fly fisherman – from the novice to the expert. He has a kind disposition to both his fellow sportsman and the environment he works in. A day spent fly fishing with Dave is a day you’ll always remember.
Tom Perry
Dayton, OH
My friend Bud and I met Dave Bloom in southern Chile and he guided us for 6 straight days. We had the trip of a lifetime! Dave invited us to fish the Missouri River in Montana that has been home to him his entire life. We have since fished the “Missouri” twice a year and the experience has been an incredible one. Dave possesses unparalleled knowledge and skill as a fly-fishing guide. His ability to make each float a memorable experience is his passion. On the “MO” nobody commands more respect as a guide, fly-tier and host as David Bloom.
Lanny Mitchell
Yorba Linda,California
Bud Farquhar
Hemet, California