Clark Fork Trout guide shop has a new owner

Steve and Peggy Temple purchased Clark Fork Trout from Brooks Sanford about 10 years ago. They grew the business into a highly respected fishing guide service predicated on customer service with amazing fishing experiences.

They have recently passed the torch to a youngster they introduced fly fishing to when he was only 8 years old. They taught him the different casting techniques, how to read the water, what bugs were on the surface and which ones were still under the surface. They even brought fly-tying into his life and helped to develop his raft/drift boat rowing talents. 

Danner Haskins already had the passion, so this change of ownership was meant to be. 

"This is something that we've talked about for a few years, and this year I decided to go out on my own," he shares. "From beginners to experts, we're thrilled to take anyone out. Our customers can expect an awesome lunch. Awesome scenery. And an awesome day of fishing with an experienced guide full of fishing desire."

After graduating from Superior High School, Haskins attended the University of Montana-Western in Dillon and went fishing or hunting after classes every day. And then before classes. Eventually, school was in the way and Haskins began guiding. 

Fly fishing in the spring and summer with elk hunting in the fall. Even a little fishing in the fall, too. He has been guiding for the last 3 years fishing primarily in the Missoula and Superior areas, places he has known since he could walk. 

"If I can, we'll fish the Clark Fork, but we're guiding on the Missouri, Blackfoot and Bitterroot as well. We go where the fishing is the strongest and water levels and temperatures can change that overnight, so we are all flexible to do our best for the clients."

Haskins has added a few guides to the experienced team the Temples had already built. One is Shaun Hargrave who works for Boulder Boat Works in Carbondale, Colorado but moved here and quickly became proficient on new waters. Kamas Romney from Frenchtown also joins the team as he lives-and-breathes float fishing. As a child, he would walk with his brother along the riverbank in delight watching the evening pmd mayfly hatch. 

Kaleb Ververis was a huge help with the shop renovation, and he is another leading guide with Clark Fork Trout. He has 7 guides on call that he has the utmost faith in for giving clients an unforgettable fly-fishing experience. Haskins himself is known to be especially good when teaching people who are newer to this form of fishing and his rowing skills will definitely put you onto fish.

Like the guides he has working with him, they all are truly excited watching clients catch fish and having an enjoyable day on the river. Aside from fishing trips, Haskins will also be offering guided scenic floats and shuttle services.

The sale of the outfitting business included the fly shop in St. Regis. The Clark Fork Trout headquarters is directly across MT HWY 135 from the FWP St. Regis Fishing Access Site entry on the north end of town. They are an Orvis dealer with a wide range of Orvis gear and rods. But they also carry brands such as Redington, RIO, Rugged Road coolers, Echo, Montana Fly Company and Simms, with an impressive selection of nymphs, dry flies and streamers. 

The shop is open seven days a week until the end of September from 7am to 5pm but closing on Sundays at 2 p.m.

 "I want to have the store open for anyone passing through the area and any locals that need any fishing gear or just want to discuss water conditions and what people are using that's working," he explains. 

Haskins' girlfriend, Viviean Felker, has been an enormous help through the purchase and remodel process. She works for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation as one of the editors for their award-winning magazine, Bugle. She will operate at the fly shop whenever Haskins is guiding and their new black lab pup, Huck, is in training to be the 'wagging greeter' as you enter the building. 

"We got Huck three days before we closed on the sale of the business so he's going to be a big part of this adventure," he says with a grin. 

The excitement that he is filled with comes from all the family and friends who have helped come this far "My parents have been a huge help." 

And he has the optimism of taking a thriving business even
further up the ladder. Openings for fishing are available but Haskins said that they are in the peak-fishing season so they can fill up in the blink of an eye. He has this year's customers already booking return trips for next year.