Linehan Outfitting named Montana's top outfitter

When Tim and Joanne Linehan left New Hampshire and headed to Montana to operate a fishing and hunting business nearly 40 years ago, they never dreamed it would become their forever home.

“I had a job lined up in Twin Bridges, Montana in June of 1989, but I knew a guy who knew a guy that had made it to the Yaak, so we were curious,” Tim said in an interview with The Western News. “We drove up and it never let me go.”

“It felt like home. It was New Hampshire on steroids,” Tim said. “A guy we knew told us about a guy he knew who was caretaking a property in the Yaak. He was leaving and we ended getting the work.

“At the time, I had student loan payments of $36 per month and a truck payment for a few years, so we were living pretty cheap,” Linehan said. “We came here to operate a guiding business and that’s exactly what we did.”

Recently, Joanne and Tim, the owners of Linehan Outfitting were recognized by the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association as the annual Outfitter of the Year at the association’s 50th anniversary convention.

This award recognizes outstanding dedication, leadership and significant contributions to the Montana outfitting industry, exemplifying the highest standards of the association.

“We could not be more proud or grateful for the recognition,” the Linehans said. “This one is special since it encompasses leadership and contributions to the industry and not just excellence in day to day operations.”

For 33 years, Linehan Outfitting has been providing top quality fly fishing and hunting adventures on the Kootenai National Forest and across the state as well.

The Montana Outfitters and Guides Association is a professional organization who’s mission is to protect, enhance and effectively represent the Montana Outfitting industry in all its forms.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been 33 years operating our own business and we are grateful we and our team have been recognized,” Tim said. “We’re active in legislative matters and it shows we’ve left a mark in the industry.”

Their latest honor includes being named Montana Guide of the Year in 1995, the Orvis Guide of the Year in 2013 and the Orvis Outfitter of the Year in 2020.

After working at the Yaak River Lodge, the duo started their outfitting and guiding business.

“We sure love what we do and helping some other young families make a living is very gratifying,” Tim said. “Joanne and I couldn’t be more appreciative and proud for the professionalism our crew devotes to the Linehan Outfitting guests. We’re fortunate to have one of the finest crews in Montana and they are celebrating this award as much as we are.”

The team guides hunters for all Montana big game species, including elk, white-tailed and mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, black bear and mountain lions and wolves. They also lead trips for upland birds such as ruffed, blue and spruce grouse.

When it’s time to hit the open water for fishing, they offer trips on the Kootenai, Clark Fork, Missouri and Bitterroot rivers as well as alpine lakes and smaller streams closer to home.

Their outfitting team includes Yaak local Sean McAfee, Steve Shaw, Jeff Pavlovich, Sam Stevenson, Monti Moniz, Troy native Lucas Jones, Lincoln County native Jonny Cielak, Seth Moore, Luke Lambert, longtime Libby resident Nate Peltier, Billy Fielding, Kenlynn Rijken, Tom Ukena and Gerry Bertero.

“Joanne still chefs and I’m still guiding and we’re very thankful we’re still physically able to do it,” Tim said.

For more information about their operation, go to https://www.fishmontana.com/?utm_source=GMB&utm_medium=organic, email info@fishmontana.com or call 1-800-596-0034.