View here the profiles of our Montana River Guides:
Adventure Missoula has some of the most knowledgeable Montana river guides in the area. Our staff come back every year for fishing and raft trips with our customers and we are a small family of outdoor enthusiasts that enjoy what we do working hard full time each season along with a lot of other things too that make us perfect and unique.
Jared Forsythe, Fishing Guide, Biology Teacher, Rafting Lead
Jared grew up in West Yellowstone Montana, exploring the many fishing holes, mountains, and rivers in his backyard. Attending the University of Montana provided him with yet another great backyard–Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains and the rivers of Northern Idaho. Jared graduated from the University of Montana in Environmental Science and currently teaches high school Biology, Wildlife, and Forestry at Frenchtown School. Jared trains our guides and teaches fly fishing classes.
Evan Gray, Raft Guide
Evan grew up in a small town outside Duluth, Minnesota, and made his way to Missoula in 2017 chasing better snowboarding, mountain biking, and, if my mom asks, a college degree. Eight years later, the river, the people, and some of the best outdoor access in the country have made it pretty clear I’m not leaving anytime soon.
My guiding career started the summer of my freshman year in Glacier National Park, and I haven’t stopped since, spending the past six years guiding the White Salmon and Missoula’s surrounding rivers. When the snow starts flying, you’ll find me in the backcountry on a splitboard or traveling across Western North America doing production and media for freeride ski and snowboard competitions with the IFSA.
Owen Maser, Fishing and Raft Guide
Hello, my name is Owen Maser. I grew up in western Colorado, where I developed my passion for the outdoors. My time outside of work is spent fishing, hunting, backpacking, and skiing. I’m a current graduate of Colorado State University where I studied Natural Resource Tourism. I have been a guide for Adventure Missoula for multiple years.
Tucker Smith, Fishing and Rafting Guide
Hey, my name is Tucker Smith and I was lucky enough to be born and raised in Montana. Since I was a kid I’ve always loved being outside whether it was riding my dirt bike or swimming in the river. Not much has changed so when I’m not guiding I’m usually hunting, fishing, or doing something else outdoors like snowmobiling. I still live in Superior, Montana with my dog skip!
Sara Forsythe, Web/Media, Operations, Staff, Customer Management
If you call us or email us, you’ll most likely speak with Sara. She grew up in South Dakota and originally fished with a pole, bobber, and worm and sometimes still does. She is a member of United Women on the Fly in the Pacific NW. She is the Founder of the Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC) in Missoula and now works as a high school art teacher in Superior with her husband in the off season while running River City Brews Rafting Tours and Adventure Missoula and general mom duties.
Lisa Venkus, Raft Guide
My name is Lisa. I am originally from Indiana, but came out to Montana to get closer to the mountains. I just graduated from the University of Montana studying sociology, secondary education, and history. I have been telling people that my post-grad plan is to spend my time “romping around in the woods.” I love being outside – running, hiking, and camping. This is my second year raft guiding, it’s the perfect way to make the most of a Montana summer, be outside, and connect with new people!
Jake McElroy Fishing and Rafting Guide
Jake McElroy grew up in Missoula his entire life and lives in Superior, where he is a teacher and coach. McElroy attended Montana Western and played football there while working on a teaching degree. In his free time he loves to be around his wife, daughter, and their two Golden retrievers Ruth and Maggie. Jake loves sports and has a blog called “Good Morning Montana” where he predicts Montana high school football games every Friday morning! He is a huge fan of the Oregon Ducks, Minnesota Vikings and Twins along with Missoula’s in-state rival the Bozeman Bobcats where Jake’s brother plays football. When he is not watching sports, Jake is fishing and hunting as much as possible.
Hi, my name is Bradley and I am a proud 3rd generation Montanan. I’ve always loved sports and adventure so I’ve spent most of my time exploring the mountains and streams of Montana and Maui. When I’m not outdoors you can catch me teaching elementary age students in my hometown of Superior. As an avid outdoorsman and traveler I’ve gained a great respect for our resources and wildlife and I look forward to passing it on.
Andrew Forsythe, Saturday Cyr Recreation Area Lemonade Stand Owner, Fisherman, Kayaker
Andrew is seven and is the youngest of our crew. Seen around the shop on the weekends, he drives his truck down to the Clark Fork River put in to man his Saturday lemonade stand business among the weekend river rat Missoula and tourist traffic. Andrew collects rocks, loves math, skiis, and kayaks with his dad. He may be your first greeter upon your arrival at the river shop of our Montana River Guides.
Nick Zanetos, Carpenter, Raft Guide
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Nick has lived in Missoula for the last two years and this will be his third season guiding with Western Waters. When not on the river, Nick enjoys cruising on his mountain bike, skiing Snowbowl, and exploring the great state of Montana. In the off-season Nick works carpentry and is starting graduate school at the University of Montana in the Fall. Fair warning, if you bring up college football he won’t stop talking.
Chris Clairmont, Fishing and Raft Guide
My name is Chris Clairmont and I was born and raised in and around Ronan, MT, where I spent a great amount of time outdoors hunting and fishing on Flathead Lake and on mountain lakes in the Mission Mountain Wilderness Area. After graduating from high school, I was fortunate to attend college in Dillon, MT, where I began fly fishing (probably too much) after a couple friends of mine took me out, and I was hooked. After college, I began teaching at schools in western Montana, became a certified youth fly-fishing instructor and had opportunities to take kids fishing, personally spending a great deal of time fishing the Jocko and the Clark Fork Rivers. Education brought myself and my family, including our boat, to Superior where I’m excited to share our outdoor opportunities with the folks from Adventure Missoula!
Tyler Riccomini, Fishing and Rafting Guide
Tyler was born and raised in Pennsylvania and has been skiing, fishing and spending time in the outdoors for as long as he can remember. While studying remotely at Penn State, he has worked in ski shops and other seasonal roles in Colorado, Utah and now Montana since graduating from high school. He calls Salt Lake City his home during the winters, and spends most his time skiing, fishing, and mountain biking in the Wasatch mountains.
