Lucretia Sias, Boulder, CO: We had a great time fishing Land of the Giants with you. While Tim and I missed fishing with you, my parents really enjoyed the day. Father said it was the best day of fishing he has ever had in all the years he has been fishing the Missouri. And Mother thought you were the best and most professional guide she has fished with (we agree). Tim and I are particularly happy that she enjoyed herself, as her enthusiasm for fishing has begun to wane over the last few years. Thanks for taking such good care of them. Lucretia Sias, Boulder, CO

Boyce Tollison, Easley, SC: I would again like to thank you for the excellent fishing trip this fall on the Missouri. We have been fishing the west for 28 years and this was the best. Great fishing-strongest and biggest fish ever. Excellent lodging. Excellent guides and coordination.

Glenn Klocko, Southington, CT: Just a brief note to say thank you for having Josh and Jeff guide my group last week. They both worked hard to put us on fish. Everyone in the group enjoyed their personalities and guiding talents. Also, thank you for allowing us the opportunity to fish Land of the Giants! It was an experience not to be forgotten. Josh did a great job guiding on that one. By the way, your new home looks nice. Great location. We should have stopped the boats your truck was there, but the fish were grabbing hoppers, so... Oh well, until next time, (and there will be a next time). Glenn Klocko

Steve Holmstoen, Bloomington, MN: Just a quick note to thank you for a wonderful time and experience learning to fish the Missouri and Smith rivers. I understand how flyfishing can become addicting and one can spend a lifetime learning and still not know it all. I appreciate your quiet advice and observations. The scenery, the camaraderie and the fishing was outstanding.

Aub Ward, Baton Rouge, LA: As I indicate to you in my email, we fished the Yellowstone and Madison after we left you on the Missouri. The fishing was not nearly as good. The purpose of this letter is to let you know that these guides were considered very professional on the Yellowstone, yet there was no comparison between the way you and Dave handle us and these guides. The professional and congenial manner in which you dealt with us has become a standout in all my relations with guides all over the west. The four of us developed a great bond with you and Dave and look forward to fishing with you next year.

John Crowley, Visalia, CA: My day with you and Dr. George was one of the greatest fishing days I've ever enjoyed. It takes more than fish to make a great day and the added plus of Gary Fritz made this one for the memory banks.

Paul Allen, Enid, TX: What fun! Thanks for you hospitality, but more important for the friendship. We appreciated our good guide efforts and the food was fabulous! Be sure to greet Josh for me and congratulate him on his upcoming marriage to Amy.

J. Byron Davies, Westport, CT: The reality of working has set in after the best vacation of my life. Thank you so much. Joey (Byron's wife) progressed so well and it was exciting to watch. Your patience is commendable. I really improved my own fishing and learned a lot by your guidance.

Don Shaw, Denver, PA: Just wanted to wish you two Merry Christmas and an even happier New Year. Also wanted both of you to know that all of our group really enjoyed the time we spent with you two. Everyone said it was the best fishing trip we'd ever taken. Thanks again for all the fun, enjoyment and hospitality.

Richard S. Kline, Los Angeles, CA: Now that I've returned to Los Angeles and have had a day to get somewhat organized, I wanted to immediately drop you a note on behalf of every member of Axolotl Society and especially me in my role as trip organizer. Sincere thanks for the superb job you did in making this year's trip an enormous success. The food was amongst the best we ever had in the Axolotl Society's more than 30 years. The guides you organized were of a consistent high quality and the floats excellent. I can't possible express how much I appreciate having had Gary Fritz and Osprey Expeditions at my side.

Jorge Graziosi, Cholila, Argentina: Back in my valley and having good fishing and lots of work. I want to thank you and Elaine for your hospitality and the great moments while staying at your place. Please come and visit the fishing will be good and Arroyo Claro is always open for you.

Annette Meador, Knoxville, TN: Just a note to say thanks for helping us have another wonderful vacation in Montana. We all love fishing the Missouri. It was nice to see some new areas-John and the Blackfoot were a real treat.

Phil McHugh, Forrest City, PA: Thanks for the photos from our fishing trip. I still can't believe I caught that beautiful trout. Thanks for being so patient with our son, Brenton. He so enjoyed taking charge of the boat.

Ellen Mason, Winchester, VA: The Mason/Meador crew had our apple butter party last weekend and want to share a sample with you. Hope it arrives intact. We are anxiously looking forward to July.

Steve Powell, Knoxville, TN: I would like to thank you and all of your guides and associates for showing us a splendid week of fishing on the Missouri and Smith rivers. Let's not forget the special day at Hank's Ranch. The entire week was a very special experience for a novice trout fisherman, now turned avid trout fisherman. You will never know how I will cherish and remember the week we spent with everyone. Your personal attention and instruction will never be forgotten, nor will the helpfulness of your guides. I know I learned more in one week on the Missouri under your skilled instruction than I would in several years of self taught instruction.

Sis Reilly, Lookout Mountain, TN: Sending a few pictures of the great days on the Missouri with you. We will always come back to Montana to fish with you-our experience in flyfishing has been outstanding. Also think of all the fun we've had as you've guided us along. We look forward to July as the highlight of our year.

Steve Scott, Louisville, KY: I appreciate you patience with us and the awesome instruction. Fly fishing is really a different level in fishing and much purer in the game itself. What a back drop to do it! You certainly put us on the big ones.

John Brodeur, Boston, MA: Hi to all. Just wanted to let you know we are still talking about our vacation. And these are the things we remember: Good people, good food; beautiful place; wonderful accommodations; keep your rod up; mend-BIG mend; strip below the line control finger; rising fish; hopper dropper; let the fish run; don't fall out of the boat. So we have great memories.

Jerry Uchiyama: Just a note to say our fishing experience on the Missouri was great. Your guides, Mitch, Mike, and John all did an excellent job in providing helpful fishing tips and locating fish. It was fun! Thanks.

Jim and Carol Bradley, Woodbury, MN: Everyone really enjoyed the fishing and visit, and Carol and I especially enjoyed having dinner with you and Elaine at On Broadway. Now that you have started down that slippery slope towards raw fish, J.P. and I can plan a lunch or dinner when you are next in town.

Sam Dalhed, Livermore, CA: First let me thank you again for the truly great expedition that you guided for my brother in law Pat Nuss and myself last September. I cannot remember a better fishing trip ever. And thanks for your guidance on becoming a better fly fisherman. I really did enjoy my entire stay in the Montana area and look forward to seeing it again.

David Peers, Fayetteville, GA: Jacob and I want to thank you and Tom for the great time we had fishing with you guys and also sharing your evening to have dinner with our family.

Mike Stinson, Baton Rouge, LA: Thanks for the instruction, good time, etc. Hopefully I'll see you again next year, and when I do, I'll be able to hit the ground running on casting, mending, and letting line out when the fish is on.

Michael Andert, Minnetonka, MN: I'd like to thank you for the great trip we had to the Missouri River. The guides were great and the fishing was better. The Schad House was a great place to stay, expecially since we were catching trout right off the landing.

Bill Hutchinson, Portland, OR: We sure enjoyed our time with you on the mighty Mo we'll hope for a repeat. Thanks for the tips and help throughout a day we'll never forget. What a great river.

Dennis Corbitt, Westminster, MD: Thanks for a great time on the rivers. Your guiding hand taught me quite a bit in a short time. My first trip to Montana was very exciting-and I'm already planning to order ahead for "midnight chicken" at the Frenchman's.

Peter Anderson, Camarillo, CA: What a great trip, what a great state. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our fishing trip under your guidance.

Dick Matheny, Sunset Beach, NC: Thanks for the pictures, they will help restore my credibility after my fish stories. Really enjoyed fishing with you and Elaine and looking forward to more of the same.

Joey Davies, Fairfield, CT: I've had to rewrite this note since it has taken me so long to mail the "Princess" immortalized pictures to you. As usual you are totally responsible for a magnificent vacation. The problem is everytime we are in Montana I bug Byron more about moving. Elaine, thanks for the lunches, but you really need me out there all summer. Anyway, here are some pictures of some big sharks.

Vernon Osteen, Aiken, SC: Matthew and I wanted to thank you for 3 wonderful days on the Missouri River. We really enjoyed the fishing and the company. We will remember this trip for a long, long time. Thanks again for putting us on so many great fish. Thanks for loaning us the rods. It made the rest of the trip possible.

Ron Watson, Stacy, MN: I'm late getting this off, but Jim and I wanted to again thank you for guiding us back in June, and especially for the trip to the Land of the Giants. I am sending a Leatherman Squirt with scissors that should be handy in your fishing vest for trimming hackle and hair, or more heavy duty tasks, as well as one picture.

Monty Montgomery, Knoxville, TN: Just wanted to let you know what a great time we had this past weekend. Thank you for setting up everything. The fishing was fun and addictive-it was hard to leave. The lunches were outstanding both days. We are accustomed to sub sandwiches, not gourmet meals on the water. Also, Kathy and John (Mountain Meadow Inn) made our visit all the more enjoyable and couldn't have been nicer.

Walt Mizelle, Charlotte, NC: Enjoyed our time together in the Land of the Giants. Good fishing, scenery, and companionship. Look forward to fishing with you again.

John Woodling, Sacramento, CA: Thanks again for the great fishing. I've enclosed the key ingredient to the rattle bugger. If you get the urge to go shad fishing , the middle of June is probably the prime time, and you're welcome here.

Sam Dalhed, Livermore, CA: I want to let you know how much we enjoyed Jason. I have never seen anyone work so hard to make sure we enjoyed ourselves. Because of his work and choice of flies we were clearly the envy of the river. I'd be delighted to go with Jason anytime.

Ray Inglesi, Kennebunkport, ME: It sounds like your busy schedule is both a blessing and a curse. That what you get for being such a great guide and businessman. Just let me know what works for you and I will put it on the calendar. By the way when we fished with you last year on the Blackfoot River we had a great day and I in particular was lucky to have caught some nice fish. You let me use the black, two piece wooly bugger that one of your clients had given you-any chance of acquiring a few of those buggers?

Tom Saphner, Green Bay, WI: Thanks for the great trip I had with my 3 kids. Mark and Josh did a great job. I recommend you to everyone.

Phil Brown, Garland, TX: As we told you before we leaving Montana the Bairds and the Browns had a great trip and the arrangements that you made for us were just great. I am a subscriber to the Angling Report out of Florida and wanted to send a report on my summer fishing and how much we enjoyed our first Montana trip.

Jim Backus, Eau Claire, WI: Thanks for the great fishing and learning trip.

Alan Finesilver, DePere, WI: Cindy and I had a great time fishing the Missouri with you and Dave last summer, and we're looking forward to another trip out west.

Tom Petty: I just wanted to thank you again for a great fishing trip. Your expertise and knowledge of the rivers enhanced the gift my wife gave me of flyfishing Montana. I am privileged to have fished with you and that you were a part of my dream to fish the rivers of Montana. I reflect back th that week we fished together often and have many fond memories to hold onto. You taught me a great deal in the art of flyfishing and I will always remember it.

Mike Helbach, Seattle, WA: I had a great time last year and the only requirement for next year is more fishing time with you. The Trout Shop is a good place to stay; the food was very good last year.

Yolanda Shelp, Northridge, CA: We wanted to thank you again for a memorable adventure. We learned so much and enjoyed the change of weather which I'm sure you are used to. You were very patient and reassuring regarding our unique flyfishing techniques and we felt very fortunate you were stuck with us.

Bob Koehler, Louisville, KY: Again, another great western trip with a great trip on the Missouri River with you and Bruce. Many thanks.

Jill Nippoldt, Woodbridge, MN: Thank you so much for the lovely framed pictures. What a lovely memento of a wonderful vacation adventure. We have lots of fun talking about the fun we had in Montana.

Lee Madetzke, Woodbury, MN: I had a great time and Dave was a good guide, and very helpful in showing me some techniques in fly fishing. I definitely will be back and hopefully it will be this fall.

Stacy Theel, Seattle, WA: My dad and I want to thank you for a memorable fly fishing experience which surpassed all our expectations ten fold! What a beautiful day to be floating on the river. I look forward to fishing in the fall and learning more about this sport. [after the fall trip] I want to thank you for the full day of fly fishing on the Missouri River. I truly love being out on the river , rain or shine. Each time I go out fly fishing I learn a little bit more about this incredible sport. I really appreciate all your time, instruction and suggestions made during the last two outings. You have definitely opened my eyes and sparked my interest in fly fishing. Your are a great mentor. I enjoyed watching an expert fly fisherman. Pretty incredible!

Phil Powell, Knoxville, TN: I wanted to let you know what a great time Bryan and I had this spring. I saw him last weekend and he is still talking about it. You really taught him a lot in a short period of time and I know I always learn a lot when I fish with you.

Don Shaw, Denver, PA: Roy Crawford, Ed Blechschmidt and Bill Mann, along with their wives, spent New Years Eve at my house. We ate too much, drank too much and reminisced about fishing. Your name came up and everyone talked about the great trip we had with you and Tom.

Bract Terry, Morristown, TN: I did not get a chance to see you before we finished up our fishing trip. I just wanted to personally thank you for the experience and the hard work you put into lining up our trip. We are looking forward to our trip with you next year.

Jeff Coleman, Minneapolis, MN: Just a quick note to say thanks for everything-the group had a great trip. We really enjoyed the variety. Keep us posted on the Smith River trip and others. Let me know also if you make it to any local sport shows.

Sam Smith, Williamstown, MA: Thanks for the long day on the Dearborn and Missouri. Sam and I went on to another great day on the Dearborn thanks to your instruction.

Skip Willard, Baton Rouge, LA: Again, I wish to express what a pleasure it was to fish with you on the wonderful Missouri River. The fishing was superb and your experience, skill and thoughtfulness greatly added to our overall experience.