Business
Making it in Big Sky: Gallatin River Guides


Published
4 years agoon
Posted By
Admin

By Brandon Walker EBS STAFF
BIG SKY – A staple in the Big Sky community for more than 35 years, Gallatin River Guides reopened for business on April 27, just in time for eager, springtime anglers. After assuming ownership over a year ago, Mike Donaldson and his crew were thrown a curveball, having to close for over four weeks due to COVID-19.
Adaptation was GRG’s strategy during the time that the store was closed. “In an effort to continue to serve local folks that needed flies and tackle we started a curbside pickup service,” Donaldson said. “Our manager, Drew Hay and myself, would take orders over the phone and leave them on the back porch for customers.”
Now, adhering to the travel and quarantine guidelines, GRG is once again operating at full capacity, offering their guide services and selling merchandise at their location along U.S. Highway 191.
With the ripple effects of COVID-19 still lingering, Donaldson acknowledged the toughest decision facing him currently is employment opportunities. He intends to employ the usual number of individuals that he would any other summer. Donaldson recently exchanged emails with EBS to discuss GRG’s current business happenings.


Explore Big Sky: How has your daily work routine been impacted by COVID-19?
Mike Donaldson: Our routine has stayed the same but lately the things we are working on have changed. Even when the store was closed, we were here working on projects and getting ready for summer. Recently we have started the process of figuring out how to find the balance between conducting business and following guidelines to keep our staff, guides, customers and community safe. It certainly has been interesting but we are confident we can make it happen.
EBS: How often are you cleaning the shop?
M.D.: We have been continuously cleaning the shop throughout the day, every day, in a big effort to keep our customers and staff safe. All of our guides are also following routines to keep their vehicles, boats and gear clean and sanitized. It has definitely required a different mind set but it is really important to us and is now a part of our daily operations here at Gallatin River Guides.
EBS: Shoulder season fluctuations aside, how do you believe the virus will continue to affect your businesses?
M.D.: That’s a really good question and a tough one to answer. It has literally been day to day since this whole thing started and we expect to see continued fluctuations through the remainder of this year. As with so many other businesses in Big Sky, our primary season runs from June through September and people generally plan trips during those months well in advance. The next 30 to 45 days are going to tell us a lot about how our summer business is going to look. It’s certainly going to be different than last year when a good share of our summer trips were on our calendar by the end of May.
EBS: Have you adopted any new business offerings or practices as you adapt to the ever-changing COVID-19 landscape?
M.D.: One of the things we have tried to do as a result of the current environment is create some new relationships within our community here in Big Sky. It has been an effort to do some cross advertising and help each other out in certain areas when we can. A lot of local businesses are scrambling to make the best out of this situation and it has been great to see everyone looking out for one another. Hopefully we see relationships grow as a result and last into the future.
EBS: Are you receiving an influx of guided fishing trip bookings as life solely returns to normal?
M.D.: Slowly but surely, we are beginning to come back to life. We are starting to see some interest and book trips for people that are planning summer vacations. The last couple weeks or so have been positive and we are gaining confidence we will see folks interested in getting out on the river this summer. A lot of people we are talking to are excited to spend some time outdoors and enjoy the activities Montana has to offer.
EBS: How many flies can you tie in an hour?
M.D.: Good question! It just depends on the particular fly I am tying. Easier patterns like a Zebra Midge or San Juan Worm if I am focused probably close to 30 or 40 flies an hour. Harder patterns like certain streamers or dry flies it could take over an hour to tie a single fly. When I was guiding full time, my winters were pretty much spent behind a vice tying thousands of flies for the upcoming guide season.
EBS: What is the most popular fly at the shop currently?
M.D.: We actually did a major overhaul of our fly selection for 2020 and have something like 100 new patterns in our bins this year. Over all our Czech and Euro Nymphing section is really impressive and popular right now. Over the last couple of years, we have seen the European style of nymphing really grow and have discovered it is quite productive especially on the Gallatin and Madison rivers. This spring our new selection of streamers has been a hit namely the Ménage Dungeon. We have seen it catch some monsters on the Madison River and Hebgen Lake.
EBS: How have the river conditions been of late? Are the fish biting?
M.D.: We are in our spring runoff at the moment so river conditions are changing daily. The Gallatin River has been fishing phenomenal with these slightly higher flows and off-color water. With all this warm weather in the forecast we will start to see windows where the Gallatin is just too high to fish. The Madison River this time of the year has an epic caddis hatch that has potential for a memorable day on the water. Overall fishing has been really good and we expect it to continue throughout the summer.
EBS: What is the largest trout you have ever caught?
M.D.: The largest trout I have ever caught was a 23-inch brown on the Madison River. It was a super saucy fish that ate a Copper Zonker on a hard drag just above McAtee Bridge.
EBS: What is your favorite part of every workday?
M.D.: The favorite part of my workday is when all of our customers that have been on guided trips return back to the shop. It is very rewarding hearing about the day’s adventures and seeing how much fun they had on the river. Especially when it is folks that have never fly fished before and you can tell we just introduced them to a new hobby and life long pursuit. All of our guides are amazing and it is really cool to see how much people appreciate the effort they put in when taking people fishing.
EBS: What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?
M.D.: Never stop building meaningful relationships with customers and other people in your industry. Choosing to instead view competitors as potential partners and collaborators can positively impact your business in a big way.
Upcoming Events
december, 2023
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Religious Services
Sports
Event Details
Warren Miller Performing Arts Center 45465 Gallatin Rd 7:30pm | Free Each year the Arts Council of Big Sky brings a culturally rich artist to Big Sky for a multi-day
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Event Details
45465 Gallatin Rd
Each year the Arts Council of Big Sky brings a culturally rich artist to Big Sky for a multi-day residence in collaboration with the Big Sky School District. During their time at school, the artist works with a partner teacher to deliver two days of workshops that aim to help students build a deeper, authentic understanding of diverse cultures through the arts.
The Arts Council of Big Sky is honored to announce this year’s Artist in Residence World Champion Hoop Dancer, Jasmine Pickner Bell, or Cunku Was’te Win’ meaning “Good Road Woman” in Dakota. A member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe (also known as Hunkpati Oyate), Jasmine is the first woman to hold the hoop dancing Champion title, performing in her brother’s place after his death in a tragic car accident. Originally a male-dominated dance, Jasmine restores the masculine/feminine balance within the sacred circle. While the hoop dance is traditional amongst many tribes in the US and Canada, each tribe has its own origin story. The Lakota and Dakota people’s story is about being born from the Black Hills as a sacred healing dance.
The hoop dance has been described as “the renewal of the collective human spirit.” It is a dance of healing, connectedness, and prayer. Even though Jasmine is in constant spinning motion while she dances, she never finds herself dizzy because she is aligned with a higher purpose. As she’s passing each hoop through her body, she says, “Your prayers are being connected and lifted up. You’re not only telling a story through the designs of the hoop dance, but you’re also praying and healing the people who are in need at that time.”
Each of Jasmine’s designs has special meaning and significance. Some designs she creates from a dream or vision on a long drive. Others are family heirlooms, passed down with each generation. Each dance begins with one hoop, which represents yourself. Then, the dancer connects as many hoops as they can dance with or that completes the message they are aiming to share. This performance will be made in collaboration with 9th and 10th graders in Kate Riley and Jeremy Harder’s classes.
Education is central to Jasmine’s mission. From teaching kids and ensuring native traditions are not lost in today’s society, to bringing her audience on stage with her after her performances, she loves to share the hoop dance with everyone. As Jasmine says, “When you get done hoop dancing with me, you’re going to feel better. You’re going to go home and have a story to tell. You’re going to be able to share that story with your friends and family. And that’s what it’s about for me, and why I include the audience. Let’s connect together and really have that opportunity to share our hoops and leave here with a smile on our face.”
For Jasmine, the hoop dance goes beyond performance. It’s a way of life. Her hoops act as a metaphor to keep going when life gets tough. “Sometimes a hoop might fall and a design may fall apart. But you pick up those hoops, you keep going, and you keep dancing. No matter what, as hard as life gets, you’re going to still be able to jump through that hoop.”
We are so grateful for Jasmine sharing her gift with us here in Big Sky. This is not just a showcase or performance, but a way of life that is a healing dance. When Jasmine dances, she is also praying for those in need, dancing for those who cannot dance. Her dance incorporates her story, while thinking of everyone who needs prayers. Please join us in connecting and uplifting spirits in need.
Time
(Wednesday) 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Event Details
Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
Event Details
Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
The Waypoint
50 Ousel Falls Rd
Event Details
Luck of the Draw - Auction Preview Exhibition BASE Art Gallery from 5-8 p.m. Catch this sneak preview of the most coveted art in our upcoming
Event Details
Luck of the Draw – Auction Preview Exhibition
BASE Art Gallery from 5-8 p.m.
Catch this sneak preview of the most coveted art in our upcoming Auction for the Arts fundraiser in February. Tickets for the event will on sale as well!
Time
(Friday) 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm