Brendan Friel has been a guide in the fly fishing industry for nearly 20 years, dividing his time between Montana and Alaska.  Brendan spent the first half of his guide career managing and guiding at the world famous Crystal Creek Lodge, an Orvis endorsed fishing lodge near King Salmon, Alaska.  It was in Alaska that Brendan learned many tricks of the guiding trade. Managing and guiding in Alaska is a 7 day a week job, which starts well before sunrise and ends after the last guest has gone to bed.  Brendan’s efforts on the water and his management skills helped elevate Crystal Creek Lodge to the elite status they are now proud to hold amongst fly fishing lodges around the world. Brendan brought his skills back to the Lower 48, where he is often requested by guests at Spotted Bear Ranch, another Orvis endorsed operation in Northwest Montana. He now guides primarily in Montana and is an expert on many Montana rivers.  Ask around the boat ramp and you will find that Brendan is respected amongst all his peers.  Brendan is professional, courteous, and dedicated to his trade. The transition from Alaska to Montana has been made easy by Montana trout’s willingness to eat dry flies.  Although Brendan loved the big fish in Alaska, few things in the fly fishing world excite him like a trout engulfing a dry fly on the surface.  Fortunately, in Northwest Montana, we have many Westslope cutthroat eager to do just that! If this sounds like something you’d like to see and experience, Brendan says, “Let’s go out fishing together!”