Guide recommendation

[Sadie2]

I am coming up to the Island Park this summer. I have never been fly fishing. I am looking for recommendations on the best way to start and best places to go. I assume I will need a guide and am looking for suggestions. Is it possible to fish from the bank of the Island Park reservoir? I will need to get equipment too.
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[Belasko]

not sure if there is a guide service on Island park reservoir but there are many for the streams around there. You can also just walk the banks, wade and do it yourself for much of the area around there on the streams. I always suggest the buffalo river, especially just upstream of the confluence with the Henrys Fork of the Snake below Island park dam. Also that entire area from the dam down to Last Chance and then through Hagerman state park is good, but I think the Hagerman area the fish are overly educated. Also from Warm river area east of Ashton all the way to hwy 20 is good, but several areas more than a mile or two upstream from the bridge is private or hard to access unless you're in a boat floating it. But the float is really beautiful if you can do that. Also upstream of Island park reservoir can be good in areas I'm told but coffee pot canyon area is the only place I've fished there for may years and it was decent, but again beautiful. There is also the Madison river area in Montana not too far away and the Henry's Lake outlet area just past Island Park Resort. There are so many fishing options in that area it can be overwhelming.
When are you planning to be in the area and for how long? May be able to focus your efforts a little more that way.
As for getting started I'd recommend a simple $100 or so fly kit that has reel, rod (4 or 5wt) and line. Cabelas often has some of their entry level sets for about that price last I checked and they aren't too bad. On the other hand I have often done as well or better using a light or medium light action spinning rod with small holographic panther martins. []
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[Sadie2]

Very helpful. Timeframe is late May to early June.

Any recs on a guide service in the area to hire to help me get started? Can be anywhere in the area-doesn't have to be Island Park.
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[curt69]

There are 3 guide services in Last Chance . I found them on the Web. That is a very bad week , because it is opening weekend . I might be hard to find one that is not booked up .
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[wiperhunter2]

Not sure if this will help but here is a link to the guides listed on this site, that might be able to help:
http://www.bigfishtackle.com/guides/Idah...index.html

By the way, welcome to the site.
WH2
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[ironrod]

You're better off on your own during your time frame, take Balasko's advise/info
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[Tarponjim]

I've been fishing Last Chance in late May and much of June since 1982. Call Henry's Fork Anglers or Trouthunter RIGHT NOW, and you can probably get a guide. Tell them you're a first-timer wanting to learn so that you get paired correctly and put on the best water for your needs. Ask about casting instruction before the trip. The lower Henry's Fork would be a great choice, Warm River and below. They might suggest a wade fishing trip for your first time as well, I know I would. There are good stillwater options too. (Secret killer lake) As another option, contact one of the many fly shops just up the road in West Yellowstone. All of these places will welcome people just getting into flyfising. Not only is it great for the guide, but the shop stands to make some money on the new stuff you will buy, or come back and buy later! Seasoned veterans are not so lucrative. Its a business. They will welcome you. Talk to them, on the phone, not just emails. Tell them what you want to learn, and be open to suggestions. It's what they do.
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[Sadie2]

Perfect. Thanks. I will call right away.
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