Meet Our Guides & Their Vessels

Outfitter/Guide Captain Chris Mischke owns and operates Big Sky Fishing Charters: home of Howes, A-Able & Mo Fisch Charters. Chris was born & raised in Montana as well as a Second-Generation Captain! His passion for fishing started far before he could even walk.

He runs the Weldcraft 220 Maverick and a Flathead Lake icon perfectly suited for large groups.

Hey there everyone. This is Captain Ross. He started fishing Flathead Lake with his dad and grandpa over 30 years ago and fell in love so bad it hurt! Ross knew from a young age that he was born to fish and he’s got the boat in the water ready to go. Ross and his family live just down the road from the lake and spend most of their time on the water or in the woods. His passion for fishing burns with the intensity of 1000 suns and we hope he can get the chance to take you out for a wonderful time on the lake. “See you on the dock”

Captain Bryan started out fishing with his father as a child to teaching his grandchildren to fish, you could say Bryan was born to fish. From Flathead Lake to Alaska, Bryan has spent 29 years fishing and boating on a variety of lakes and oceans, offering a wide range of fishing styles and techniques.

Bryan was a guide for Howe’s Fishing, created Northwest Fishing Charters, and is continuing his fishing journey with the Big Sky Fishing Charters team. We are excited to offer you Bryans laid back vibe along with some fisheye eating contests that are a huge hit!

Captain Ivan is one of the great guides that work for the Big Sky Fishing team. He grew up fishing in Washington’s Columbia River. As a kid, he spent most of his days on the water catching whatever he could get on his line. In 1996 Ivan moved to Montana and has been learning the technique of catching all types of fish in this great state ever since. After hooking his first Northern Pike Ivan spent years targeting this awesome fighting fish full of teeth. Ivan realized his dream of becoming a guide in 2017 and has been hooking clients on the pike ever since.

Ivan’s Triton 2070SC will guide anglers up the Flathead River and its sloughs in search of giant Northern Pike.  Capable of fishing four anglers, but best with 2-3, with an Evinrude outboard on the stern and Minnkota Terrova electric trolling motor with I Pilot and spot lock on the bow, this boat is a serious Pike HUNTER! Equipped with Garmin electronics including Live Scope, and even
cannon downriggers when needed.

Please be advised that unlike our lake trips where all skill levels are welcome, our pike trips are more suited to anglers with casting skills. ALL pike over 7lbs are encouraged to be released.

Captain Allen grew up open water and ice fishing with grandparents and friends in northern MN. In 2008 he moved to Kalispell to be closer to several generations of family in Libby, MT. In Montana, Allen continued fishing passionately as a hobby. In 2019 he started to share his experience with others as a guide. Allen enjoys interacting with people and their interest in fishing. Allen is an asset to our team and is enthusiastic to show you what the Flathead Valley has to offer, be it on the lake or the ice

Captain Pete has lived in the Flathead Valley for most of his life. He started fishing as a kid on Church Slough. And spent 7 1/2 years in the US Navy as a boiler operator. Pete has a passion for fishing and has been going strong for 45 years. He also owns Pete’s Tackle Shop, a small tackle manufacturing company where he makes custom handmade tackle and fishing gear for all local species and sells online. He is known for his Whitefish Slayers and Chancy’s Crappie Candy tackle. Pete got into guiding to share what God has blessed him with and to bless others by making memories

Captain Mitts is a FULL-TIME professional fishing/hunting guide. He grew up fishing the exact waters he charters today, and hunting in the most rugged mountains of Montana, where he grew up. He prides himself on being the best at what he does in the 300+ days on the water or on land, which has led to many trophy fish and animals. Captain Mitts is always aware of the current conditions and patterns of local game fish and wildlife.  With over 12 years of fishing, boating, and hunting around Montana, Captain Mitts has learned from the best, his father! When he gets some time off during the slower months, he hunts, fishes, plays golf, and travels.  Off season, he gains knowledge and learns new techniques to make him an even better guide, creating an unforgettable fishing adventure.

Captain Hatter was born and raised in North Georgia. He’s spent the last 25 years as a full-time guide all over the country. From Georgia to Alaska, West Virginia to California. And most places in between. Also, spending multiple winter seasons in Costa Rica and Ecuador. He has guided all types of adventures. From wilderness whitewater rafting trips to backcountry snowmobiling excursions. Not to mention, guiding elk hunts and now, fishing charters.

He moved to Montana in 2015 and now calls Flathead Valley home. Hatter truly believes that there is no greater joy than to spend a day on the water or the backcountry with a great group of folks looking for new adventures.

Captain Mike is a guide with Big Sky Fishing Charters. He is a Montana native and proud to call the Flathead Valley home. Mike started fishing with his dad as a small boy and never stopped. He’s been a mechanic in the valley for the past 25 years. When he is not working on cars, you can find him on the water with his family and helping others enjoy the Flathead Valley through fishing. We are excited to have Mike show you his skills and passion of fishing out on the water or the ice.

Captain Jake started fishing at a very young age with his dad, ice and open water, chasing every warm water species, from bluegills, all the way up to muskellunge.  He started charter fishing at the age of 13 as a first mate on a Great Lakes charter. At 18, he worked hard for his captain’s license and started running a boat for salmon and trout. From 18 years old, he could be found chasing the seasons to bring in anything from walleyes, to musky northern pike, chinook salmon, silver salmon, lake trout, German browns, and rainbows all across the upper Midwest. When the time came, he and his wife finally settled down in Montana, still enjoying tournament fishing and guiding every chance they get.

Captain Trenton grew up on the coast of southern California. It was there as a young boy, fishing off the jetties of the harbor, that he fell in love with fishing and the water. Ever since, he has been hooked. Trenton and his wife have called Montana home for the last 10 years. When he’s not fishing as a guide, he still loves spending time on, in, or around the water. Trenton loves teaching people how to fish and is excited to have you out on his next charter!

Captain Spencer grew up fishing with his dad all over western Montana, including Flathead Lake. He realized at a young age that it was quickly turning into a very strong obsession! Spencer loves taking family and friends out fishing in the Flathead Valley, and is looking forward to taking you out just the same. Catch you on the water!!

As soon as the ice forms on Hebgen Lake Garrett fishes every day. The only thing he loves more than
catching fish, is having guests catch fish!  Loves to hear “wow that’s my personal best!

Garrett learned to fish with his Grand Father in Yellowstone.  He was a Boy Scout leader and a fishing
merit badge counselor for 35 years. He also sponsors the “Kids-N-Snow” ice fishing camp where they
take groups of 20-30 youth out for their first ice fishing experience.  This happens 4 times a year Dec. to
Madison Hotel & Gift ShopMarch annually, sponsored by Madison Adventures and Destination Yellowstone (the Chamber of commerce), where he currently serves as the Co-Chairman of the board.

When Garrett moved permanently to Montana from Utah, he sought out an opportunity to become a guide, specifically an Ice Fishing Guide. Currently Garrett, owner and operator of Madison Adventures, is the only professional ice fishing guide in West Yellowstone. He and his wife, Jan, own and operate The Historic, Madison Hotel, Motel and Gift Shop. Click the link above and see the services they provide
throughout the year.

www.madisonhotelmotel.com to book your charter

You can book an Ice Fishing charter with Garrett on Hebgan Lake by clicking the link above and selecting Madison Adventures on his home page. He is looking forward to giving you an enjoyable time with everything Hebgan Lake has to offer.

Born and raised in Sidney Montana, Eddie has been fishing since before he could talk. Following in his father‘s footsteps, he grew up to be an avid outdoorsman, while also passing on this passion to his children and grandchildren. Eddie and his family began his lifelong dream of moving to Fort peck, Montana in 2016 when they purchased the Lakeridge the perfect place where wonderful memories have been held by the family for many years and has continued to bring that experience to all who have visited. Eddie is the type of fishing guide that will give it all he has to ensure a memorable experience on and off the water from the laid-back coffee crew in the morning, where all the fishing stories are told to accommodating all your needs and comforts out on the water, he is truly the captain that wants you to catch fish and make all the best memories possible. Raising five children and multiple grandchildren with the same love for the outdoors Eddie has the patience and experience to captain all ages. With 40 years of experience fishing multiple lakes from Montana to North Dakota. He will make it a trip you won’t soon forget

Don grew up in NW Montana and spent most of his free time fishing the many streams and lakes in the area. His work at the time took him all over Montana where he had the opportunity to fulfill his passion with fishing many of the waters Montana has to offer.

The past 12 years, Don and his wife Becky, have spent the majority of their time exploring and fishing Fort Peck reservoir, which in their opinion, is an unrivaled destination for catching multi-species on both open water and through the ic.