Linehan Outfitting
Since 1992 Linehan Outfitting has been offering lodge based fly fishing, wing shooting and big game hunting adventures in far northwest Montana. Linehan Outfitting is owned and operated by Tim and Joanne Linehan who still run day to day operations. Tim guides full time while Joanne runs the office, reservations and is the lodge chef.
How did you find yourself working in the fishing industry?
Tim grew up fly fishing and hunting in New Hampshire. After college he started working at fly shop in the White Mountains in northern NH and the rest is history.
What is the history behind Linehan Outfitting Company?
In 1988 he sent a few resumes to outfitters in Montana and got a call from a company in Twin Bridges. In January of 1989 Tim drove to northwest Montana having a place to stay for the winter via a friend of friend and thinking he would head down to Twin Bridges in the spring to start work. That was 35 years ago. Tim and Joanne never went to Twin Bridges. Tim sold $600 worth of AT&T stock, borrowed $300 from his brother and three college buddies, bought his first drift boat, and incorporated Linehan Outfitting.
How long have you been guiding?
Tim has been guiding for over thirty-five years.
How have you seen Montana change in that time?
Montana has changed in many ways since we arrived in 1989. Obviously, the state population has grown. Fortunately since we are located at the end of the road here in the far northwest corner, a place that’s far less traveled to begin with, we haven’t really seen the changes that other more famous parts of the state have experienced.
What makes Linehan Outfitting unique?
Linehan Outfitting is unique in that Tim and Joanne still run every facet of day-to-day operations. They have never wanted to be one of the biggest companies in the industry, just one of the best. And with that philosophy comes a specific measure of care, attention to detail, and personalized guest experience. Most importantly, Tim and Joanne have always had a sincere and authentic conservation ethic. They believe that good conservation is good business and that means giving back.
What projects or initiatives are you currently working on and excited about?
At the moment we’re working on a conservation project under the Trout Unlimited umbrella. A few years ago, Tim initiated a Montana Trout Unlimited fundraising campaign called ‘Montana TU Tip of the Hat Day’. TOTH Day encourages guides across the state to donate their tip from one day during the season to Montana TU. Each year the number of participating guides and outfitters has been wonderful. But there is always room for improvement.
Any conservation issues that you think our members should be aware of?
The conservation issues we face these days are too many and too vast to catalog here. I think it’s more important for industry and sportsmen and women to simply get involved. I could mention Climate Change, water shortages across the west, the Everglades, decreasing ungulate herds in the west, loss of native species in the trout world, ocean depletion of baitfish, but each of those issues is just as serious as the others. What we need to focus on is building community across user groups and consolidate ideas on how to better manage, enhance, and restore across the spectrum. Pick an issue. Any issue. And get involved.
To book a hunting or fishing trip with Linehan Outfitting, check out their website at www.fishmontana.com