New Fishing Outfitter opens in St. Regis

MINERAL COUNTY – The county has a new Fishing Outfitter. At the June Board of Outfitters meeting in Helena, Steve Temple of Superior was granted a Fishing Outfitters license.

Steve and Peggy Temple purchased Clark Fork Trout and Tackle of St. Regis a year ago.  Steve has been serving a required one-year supervision period, running Clark Fork Trout under the training direction of past owner Brooks Sanford.

The Montana Outfitter program requires passing the outfitters exam, training classes, one hundred days of documented guiding on Montana rivers and the supervision plan.

Clark Fork Trout guides fly fishing customers in drift boats on the Clark Fork out of St. Regis. You can find Steve and three of their guides on the river all summer long guiding fly fishing visitors to our area.  

During the winter months the Temples attend trade shows and Fly Fishing Clubs in Washington, Idaho, and Montana promoting Clark Fork Trout and the healthy fishery of the Clark Fork.

Most of their customers come from out of state so marketing our Montana fishing is really also arranging travel plans into the area.

Our customers seem to be an even mix of RVers and those seeking lodging like Quinn’s or even rental homes along the river.

Some of Clark Fork Trouts more interesting customers have been a tight end for the Chicago Bears, airline pilots on a layover in Missoula and even a Microsoft vice president out of Seattle. Part of the magic of guiding is meeting a rich mix of people on vacation here in Montana and their amazing backgrounds.  

Peggy Temple teaches beginning fly-fishing for women with a class coming up on Saturday, June 21.

You can reach the Temples at 822-0922 and get all the latest information on the Clark Fork River conditions on their website at www.clarkforktrout.com.