ABOUT LINEHAN OUTFITTING COMPANY
MONTANA
FLY FISHING AND HUNTING
EXPERIENCE THE BEST HUNTING AND FISHING IN MONTANA
Since 1992 we’ve been providing first class fly fishing and hunting adventures here in Montana. Tim and I are the sole proprietors and proud of what we’ve accomplished over the years. We are Orvis Endorsed and that gives a very specific and clear idea of the quality you can expect. We built this business the old fashioned way with lots of hard work, long hours, and by always keeping in mind that nothing is more important than determination and a positive outlook. Our success is reflected in the large number of return guests we see every season and resting on our laurels is of absolutely no interest to us.
'“It’s never been our ambition to be one of the biggest Montana fly fishing or hunting companies in the west, just one of the best."
FOUNDER’S STORY
In 1989 I decided on a wing and prayer to load up my little Toyota pick-up and move to Montana in hopes of becoming a fly fishing and hunting guide. Prior to starting the truck, I had broken up with Joanne since at the time I felt I wanted to be free from all responsibilities beyond myself and my dreams. The break up lasted until Chicago. I couldn’t find a pay phone fast enough to call Joanne and beg her to join me in Montana.
Serendipitously we ended up in the extreme northwest corner of the state in what was, and actually still remains, one of the more remote areas in the lower forty-eight states. This place called Yaak Valley is not typical big sky country. It’s a place of dense, coniferous stands of timber and a place where the Pacific rainforest ecosystem crashes into the spine of the northern Rocky Mountains.
In 1992, we sold $900 worth of AT&T stock that my grandfather had left me, borrowed $330 each from my brother and three college friends, bought a drift boat, and incorporated Linehan Outfitting. Humble beginnings.
In the early days we lived hand to mouth and immediately realized that a little ambition goes a long way in a place like northwest Montana. There was always work. I guided whenever possible, planted trees for the Forest Service, and did odd jobs whenever I found extra time. Joanne taught at the one room school house, pulled beer at the Red Dog Saloon, and even had a real estate license for a while. Life was simple and we kept our eye on the prize. It has never been our ambition to be the biggest outfitting company in the industry, just one of the best.
We’re proud to have been in business this long and to have built our business, our authentic version of the American dream, one step at a time and the old- fashioned way.
Looking back, we’d have it no other way.
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Over the years Linehan Outfitting Company has been recognized and praised for our professionalism and quality. At first, we kind of thought it would be a bit like bragging to list the awards and accomplishments we’ve received over the years. But, well, umm…Ford and Apple do it so we figured what the heck. And truth be told, it feels good to be recognized by guests and peers in the industry and we just hope you recognize that it validates our work ethic if nothing else.
MOGA OUTFITTER OF THE YEAR
2025
ORVIS OUTFITTER OF THE YEAR
2020
ORVIS GUIDE OF THE YEAR
2013
FINALIST FOR ORVIS ENDORSED
OUTFITTER OF THE YEAR
2011
ORVIS ENDORSED CONSERVATIONIST
OF THE YEAR
2006
ORVIS ENDORSED OUTFITTER
OF THE YEAR
1998
MONTANA GUIDE OF THE YEAR
1995
OUR CONSERVATION ETHIC
We believe it’s important to let you know that our strong conservation ethic is the backbone of our business plan. In this industry, you can’t have one without the other. To that end, for us it’s simple. Good conservation is good business.
