Yellowstone Fishing & Hiking Trips

When booking a trip with Greater Yellowstone Flyfishing Outfitters, you enter a professional relationship and agreement. Please read these terms and conditions carefully, as all terms are binding once a trip is booked. Receipt of deposit or final payment confirms that the client(s) has read and accepted the deposit, cancellation, refund, and responsibility clauses.  

A 50% deposit is required within 10 days of booking to confirm all reservations. Deposits are non-refundable for cancellations made less than 61 days before a scheduled trip. The final balance is due 30 days before a scheduled trip and is non-refundable. 

All trip cancellations must be made in writing to Greater Yellowstone Flyfishing Outfitters as soon as possible. Payments are non-refundable for cancellations made 60 days or less before a scheduled trip. 

For cancellations 60 days or less, refunds or credit towards a future trip may be made if we rebook the specific dates and guide(s) with another party.   

Payments may be transferred to another guest for the originally booked dates if the customer provides a suitable replacement.  

For cancellations outside 60 days from the start of a scheduled trip, payments may be refunded or credited to another date within 12 months of the originally scheduled trip. Credits for future trips must be used within one year of the originally booked date. Credits unused after one year will be forfeited.   

Cancellations by your guide, mutual guide/client decision, unsafe weather or water conditions, or state or federal closures may be refunded in full or credit applied towards a future trip.  

In no event will Greater Yellowstone Flyfishing Outfitters issue refunds or credits or be responsible for any cancellation of services due to inclement weather, events of force majeure, acts of God, airline delays or issues, flight cancellations, missed connections or transfers, or any other reason beyond or our control. In case of canceled flights, airline delays or issues, missed connections or transfers, Greater Yellowstone Flyfishing Outfitters is not responsible for alternative travel arrangements, including flights, transfers, other transportation, hotels, meals, and any other expenses incurred.

Rescheduling a trip is considered canceling and subject to the same cancellation and refund policies.

Refunds or credits are not issued for fishing time lost due to inclement weather. Our trips go out in all safe weather and water conditions. Adverse weather, smoky atmospheric conditions, varying water levels, or undesirable fishing conditions are unacceptable reasons to cancel or receive a refund or credit. Besides, some of the best fishing occurs during adverse conditions. Weather in the Rockies is variable; watch the forecast in advance for the area you plan on fishing and pack accordingly. Read our Gear Lists for recommendations on appropriate clothing and gear.    

An alternative to the originally scheduled trip may be available in extreme or unsafe weather events (heavy rains, dangerous cold/snow, high winds), unfishable or unsafe river conditions, state or federal closures, or other uncontrollable circumstances. It is impossible to predict these conditions, which are beyond our control. We will do our best to work with you on a suitable alternative.   

Hoot Owl Restrictions 
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and Yellowstone National Park occasionally impose Hoot Owl Restrictions. These restrictions may apply when a combination of low water levels, warm water temperatures, and other factors occur for a pre-determined amount of time during the summer heat. Once this threshold is met, Hoot Owl Restrictions prohibit fishing from 2 pm to midnight. Restrictions remain in place until water conditions and other variables meet acceptable requirements. Hoot Owl Restrictions may occur when drought or low water years combine with extreme summer heat. Hoot Owl Restrictions may occur from late July to early September.

We do not cancel trips or offer refunds or credit due to Hoot Owl Restrictions. Clients may meet their guide early morning to maximize their time on the water. Clients who choose not to meet earlier can expect a shorter day. You may also choose to snack, eat lunch at 2 pm, or skip lunch to maximize your available fishing hours. After 2 pm, you may float without fishing while you kick back, relax, enjoy the scenery, and may stop to cool off with a refreshing swim. Alternatives may also be available to fish other waters without Hoot Owl Restrictions.

Even without Hoot Owl Restrictions, we may suggest a self-imposed restriction when waters reach critically high afternoon temperatures. Perhaps not fishing after 3 pm is the best responsible decision for the fishery’s health. Besides, being off the water earlier on scorching summer days is often preferable.   

COVID-19 
Any client ill with COVID-19 may not participate in a guided trip with GYFO. Clients recently ill or exposed to COVID-19 (10 days or less) must meet all current CDC guidelines and test negative before participating in any trip with GYFO. COVID-19 illness, exposure, or restrictions are unacceptable reasons to cancel or receive a refund or credit.  

Should your guide(s) become ill or exposed to COVID-19 (within 10 days of the start of your trip), they must meet all current CDC requirements and must test negative before guiding any GYFO trip. If your guide(s) does not meet these requirements, we will do our best to find a healthy, alternative guide for your trip. If an alternative guide is not available, GYFO will issue a full refund or credit to be used within one year of the originally scheduled trip. Credits unused after one year of the originally scheduled trip will be forfeited.

Many of our guides are fully vaccinated. Should you require or prefer a fully vaccinated guide, please be sure to make your request upon booking your trip. Failure to request a vaccinated guide when booking a trip or giving sufficient notice requesting one is unacceptable to cancel a trip or receive a refund or credit.

GYFO guides follow current COVID-19 requirements issued by the CDC, federal, state, and local authorities. GYFO guides and clients may take precautions such as social distancing, mask-wearing, washing hands, and using hand sanitizer.

Other Contingencies 

Greater Yellowstone Flyfishing Outfitters and its guides reserve the right to change itineraries due to unfavorable conditions or other necessary reasons.  

We make no exceptions to our refund and cancellation policies due to our reliance on advanced bookings and operation in good faith. Much is invested in planning and preparing for your trip, securing permits and guides, and addressing other logistics well in advance. Guides have reserved dates well in advance and must be paid.