Meet The Staff

The Guides and Gearboaters at Lewis and Clark Expeditions are hand-picked and in class all their own. They are valiant, generous, well-bred, courteous, liberal, polite, bold, gentle and patient. They are all enchanted by the Smith River as well as the Missouri, Blackfoot, Upper Clark Fork and a host of smaller streams. The entire staff goes 24/7 on behalf of our clients.

John Howard – Could be the most consummate angler I know. He fishes all over the West but part of John's strength as a guide is the pure joy of having him in a boat all day. He has all the skill of both a great guide and angler and none of the conceit that can filter into guiding. John believes fly fishing is for everyone at every level.

Garrett Thompson – Garrett has the champion gene in him. He was a Defensive End for Carroll Colleges National Championship season. He brings discipline, a great work ethic and a high IQ to both gearboating and guiding on the Smith River. Gearboating requires loading one ton of camping equipment and food for a week on to a boat. Garrett races 12 miles downstream in a fully loaded 16 foot raft to unload it. He then assembles an entire camp: tents, cots and complete kitchen with panache and verve. Garrett does is time after time with absolute aplomb.

Vince Van Meter: Vince has a surplus of guiding experience. I believe Vince has fished every river, stream and creek in Montana in the last 30 years. He is a deft in handling a drift boat or a raft putting the angler in the right position at the right time. Vince is a tireless instructor and it is all done with warmth and good humor. Vince also understands the essence of guiding is instilling the joy of angling to the client.

Derick Hurt – I met Derick on the first Project Healing Waters trip we did down the Smith River eight years ago. Derick never touched a fly rod until he showed up on the Smith River by the end of the week he was double hauling. Derick lost his leg in Iraq and six years later had the other one removed. Derick has never missed a beat, complained or had any bitterness. Once he told me, "if if had to have an amputation I feel I am lucky it was below the knee." Derick gearboats for us and he excels at his job. He leads trips, inspires people and we are just lucky to have him.

Dan McGoldrick – Dan lives down the street from me in Clancy, Montana. We met Dan on a Project Healing Waters down the Smith River a few years ago. A graduate of Citadel, a Veteran from the Iraq War as well as an accomplished writer Dan's character and work ethic are virtues that we want at Lewis and Clark Expeditions. Dan started as a gearboater and is now guiding for us. We benefit from everything Dan brings to the party which is energy, intellect and integrity. (Dan is one rowing the boat)

Hailey "Roscoe Pants" Demarois – Hailey handles a gearboat with same ease Luke Skywalker used a light saber which is to say with grace, ease and effectiveness. She also runs her own company www.roscoeoutdoor.com creating outdoor clothing that is peerless in style, comfort and practicality. Hailey goes 24 hours a day on behalf of our clients doing it all with panache and verve.

Dave Corcoran - I have been an admirer of Dave's for many years. Dave owned one the best fly shops and guiding services in Montana. Dave is naturally garrulous, affable with a lifetime of fishing experience in Montana. We are so extremely fortunate to have Dave guiding for us on the Smith River that I am personally complimented by his presence. Dave is the person with a net.

Chandler Buck - Chandler teaches school and coaches football in Powell, Wyoming. A graduate of Carroll College and a member of their National Football Championship season Chandler made Lewis and Clark Expeditions better the day he got behind the oars. An accomplished guide and terrific instructor, Chandler is a guide that you enjoy spending a day with.

Bill Denryuter - It was another lucky day for Lewis and Clark Expeditions when Bill walked through the door. Bill is a consummate outdoorsmen fishing and hunting throughout the year. Bill is kind, considerate and works as hard as anyone on the planet on behalf of our clients. He is always knowledgeable and extremely competent without any arrogance or conceit that filters into lesser guides. Bill made my life better the moment he said, "Hello."

Jenson Howard – Jenson has the distinction of being the son of John Howard where the apple has not fallen from the tree. Jensen will begin his fourth year of gearboating. Jensen is still in high school and has assumed an enormous amount or responsibility as a young man on the river. Gearboaters in my mind are the unsung heroes of our river trips. Regardless of the weather and water conditions they have to get downstream and unload literally a ton of gear. They are putting up tents, showers, chopping wood, chilling wine, putting together a kitchen and doing every small task imaginable to bring comfort and customer service to our clients. Jensen does all this with enthusiasm and a smile.

Brian Scott - I believe Brian came out the womb with a set of oars and a fly rod. Brian is fiercely proud of his Montana heritage and is a font of information on everything that swims, bears fur or feathers. I don't know who in the state has been down the Smith as many times as Brian. He might be close to 200 trips. Brian also guides on the Missouri with the same expertise that he brings to the Smith River. (Brian is the one holding the trout)

 

Trout fishing is a wonderful way of making life more abundant so grab a rod, hop a plane and let's wet a line.

MICHAEL GEARY, Owner Lewis and Clark Expeditions

Lewis and Clark Expeditions

P.O.Box 970
Helena, MT 59624
Phone: (406) 449-4632
Cell: (406) 459-2030
Email: LCexpe@aol.com