In 1973 Bob graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Fisheries biology. Upon graduation, Bob left Michigan for Alaska in 1974 where he went to work for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Following a 22 year career with the state of Alaska… where he worked with the salmon and herring programs establishing seasons based upon the best evidence possible (so we won't blame Bob for any apparent decrease in salmon in Southeast Alaska)… Bob retired from the state and moved to Victor, Montana in 1996.

Having a hard time trying to decide if he wanted to spend the rest of his life raising hunting dogs, or fishing, Bob made the only choice possible. He decided to do both. This was a very fortunate decision for us at Backdoor Outfitters. With a naturally gentle disposition, the people who've fished with Bob find that he is able to assist them in a manner that is both professional and relaxing. A pleasant combination for those learning how to fly fish, as well as those experienced in the sport!

With a reservoir of knowledge about the habits of fish, entomology, and fishing in general, as well as being one of the better oarsmen in the Valley, one could not find a better person to go down the river with than Bob De Jong. We at Backdoor Outfitters are very happy to have him as one of our guides, and are sure that you will feel the same way after spending a day or two with him.

Kurt has fished western Montana rivers for more than 30 years, and gladly shares this knowledge with the people who float with him. Our nickname at Backdoor Outfitters for Kurt is 'versatile'... since he caught his first Steelhead on a fly at age 14, was run up a tree by a Montana moose at 16, and graduated with honors from the University of Montana at the youthful age of 39.Though Kurt has fly fished the waters from Costa Rica to the Northwest Territories, he still believes the best all-around fly-fishing lies right here, in western Montana!

With his journalism degree on the wall, and a fly rod in the gun rack, Kurt now "guides by day and writes by night." He recently completed an internship with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation's Bugle Magazine, where he spent six months writing and editing articles. Still, Kurt's first love is to be on the water - rain, sleet or shine. If you're looking for a guided fly-fishing experience on western Montana rivers, we think Kurt will more than fulfill every expectation you might have!

At twenty-three years of age, Cody, is the youngest guide at Backdoor Outfitters. But don’t let his age fool you.

Cody began fishing at the ripe old age of 2; caught his first silver salmon… completely on his own… at the age of 4; won a fishing derby in Kodiak, Alaska, at the age of 5; landed his first 18 inch brown… on a fly he tied… at the age of 11; and started rowing his father and friends down Montana rivers at the age of 13.

Cody left Montana at the age of 18, to get a degree in computer networking and try a stint at working with the corporate world, but returned in 06… deciding the rivers meant more to him than office buildings.

Though Cody would be the first to admit he’s probably not quite as experienced as some of our guides, what he lacks in experience, he more than makes up for with enthusiasm. I know when I want someone to go fishing with, I can’t think of anyone I’d rather spend a day on the river with than my son, Cody Cook.

Owner... right after his wife, son, and chocolate lab...of Backdoor Outfitters. John has turned an ongoing love affair with the outdoors into his business. A graduate of Wildlife Biology from Central Washington University, John spent ten years working for the Washington Dept. of Fisheries before moving to Alaska and serving a stint with the National Marine Fisheries Service. While in Alaska, John found time to write as a field editor for ALASKA OUTDOORS MAGAZINE. A desire to return to the family business called him back to Montana in 1994 when he opened BACKDOOR OUTFITTERS!

Under the tutelage of his father, John started flyfishing at the age of eight. John has melded his educational background in aquatic biology with forty years of fishing experiences into a unique learning opportunity for his guests.

If you're looking to enjoy a day on the river while learning something about the finer points of flyfishing, you couldn't find a better companion than John. He'll go out of his way to make sure you have the best trip possible.