Shade Tree Outfitters

Shade Tree Outfitters guides the Bighorn River tailwater from Yellowtail Dam downstream to Hardin, launching out of Fort Smith in south central Montana. River trips run in drift boats and are kept to one or two anglers per boat, and the operation leans toward getting anglers out of the boat and wading, describing the most authentic fly fishing as happening with clients’ feet in the river. River trips are offered year round, with mayfly, Trico, hopper and other terrestrial fishing through the warm months for brown and rainbow trout, and carp in the mix. A river day includes the guide, transportation, rods, flies, terminal tackle and lunch. Separate powerboat trips run on Bighorn Lake and into Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area aboard an 18-foot Smoker Craft, targeting smallmouth bass; those run from Memorial Day to Labor Day and include the guide, transportation, rods, flies and tackle, beverages and lunch.