Chasing Trout: A Guide’s Life on the Water

With : colt_astherockies

We caught up with a Montana-based fly fishing guide, Colton Mirabal, to dive into his journey from growing up outdoors to guiding on the legendary waters of the Bighorn River. In this interview, he shares how he got into fly fishing, his favorite, some solid advice for aspiring guides, and what keeps him coming back to the river every day.

How did you first get into fly fishing? Was there a particular moment or experience that hooked you?

I was exposed to the outdoors basically at birth thanks to my parents and grandparents. Between my Father and Grand Father, If it can be hunted, fished for, climbed or skied down. They’d probably done it before I was even a concept . So naturally I’ve been an avid outdoorsman all my life ( I even sold a PlayStation I got for Christmas once  cause I wanted a bow instead). 

As far as  my fly fishing journey specifically goes , It all started on the South Fork of the snake in Idaho . I was 7 and was fortunate enough to tag along on a trip with my grandfather and older cousins to float fish the south fork. 

We spent 10 days there and I can only imagine how frustrated some of the guides had been with a 7 year old spazz on their boat. Most of them were great regardless and one of them specifically spent the one on one time with me the 5th day to get me to land a 20 plus inch brown on a hopper.  Which of course had me hooked instantly from then on. 

Whats your go to fly for targeting big trout ? And why do you trust it so much ? 

In my opinion targeting truly large trout is dependent mostly on location, location, location. I think that’s more important than fly selection right off the get go. But let’s say you’re already in a place you know has large trout and you’ve located where those trout probably are in that system. I’d say my confidence patterns are any proteins really, worms, leech’s, eggs and bait fish or larger nymphs and terrestrials. Trout eventually go through a transformation after becoming a certain size, and of course there’s no never and always in fishing. But most the time those larger caliber trout will be on the proteins game.

Can you share a memorable moment from your early days of guiding that still makes you smile?

I’ve had lots of great moments with clients over my 8 seasons as a guide.  Too many to choose one in particular .  I think the ones that stick out the most for me though are the kids trips , and Father son trips . Because it resonates so deeply with me and my experiences as a kid fly fishing. I feel maybe I have some obligation but more so a passion to give back to the youth now.  Making sure they’re having good experiences and exposure to the outdoors.  I feel in this day and age it’s crucial to get our youth interested in the outdoors earlier than ever.

Montana is known for its legendary waters—do you have a favorite spot that you just can’t get enough of?

Right now I’m still obsessing over my home waters , The Bighorn River, Fort Smith MT . It’s right out my back door , I work on it everyday and it’s continued to teach me something new everyday I spend on it .  I did go explore some spring creeks this fall , but after finding those I’ll never utter the names to anyone again haha .

How has your move from Colorado to Montana changed your approach to guiding, if at all? 

I’d say it has changed a bit, but just because it’s a different fishery than the Colorado and North Platte.  EVERYTHING is with a hard boat now at least for the most part. The wade fishing is better accessed by boat with our great water laws in MT. There’s spring creeks and stuff, but right now I’d like to focus on the Horn . It’s got everything a trout angler could want and even some extras, and if you’ve been here and disagree with me then you’re flat out wrong. 

What’s the most rewarding part of guiding for you—seeing clients catch fish, teaching, or something else?

Catching fish lots of fish and big fish with clients is the bonus.  We’re all educators at the end of the day. I tell my clients now-adays that catching fish is great and I’m excited that’s happening. Obviously cause we are fishing after all haha, but if they don’t leave my boat having learned something, I feel as though I’ve failed as a guide.  

If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about becoming a guide, what would it be ?

We don’t do it for the money I’ll tell ya that . While it can make for a very prosperous life.  You have to be financially frugal and spend-conscious if you want to make it as a full time guide. Probably be ready to have a side hustle or two if not 4-5.  But more than the financial side of things, it’s not a career that is as glamorous as it’s been made out to be by magazines and social media posts. It’s a different lifestyle for sure. I’ll say this, If you think a guides job ends when you hand them the tip and say goodbye for the day then you’re mistaken. The after trip clean up and prep work for the next day goes on continuously in a grueling cycle of rinse repeat, rinse, repeat. To add to that if your one of the guides that’s making sure they’re successful in staying busy all season. This part can become a nearly killer grind. Filled with long drives, early mornings and long nights away from most the comforts a 9-5 offers.  Curbing guide burnout is a real thing, and while I’m the first one to put myself through something crazy like 50-80 days straight. Most guides do 12-14 days straight once established. I’m learning that you can only keep that up for so long.  Finding time for your family and your mental stability away from fishing takes commitment. 

All that said though. It’s the best job I’ve ever had and I’ve done a wide variety of careers!