Parks' Fly Shop Testimonials Reviews and Recommendations

Posted by Benny J on our google place page

I fished with Wilson back in July in Yellowstone Park. This was my first trip ever fly fishing, outside of one casting lesson back home. Wilson was a terrific teacher and awesome guide. He took me to see some great parts of the park, was an excellent instructor, and taught me a ton about the gear, reading the water and the hatch, and how to start thinking like a trout. I won't give away his spots, but he put me on a lot of fish. I only wish I was more experienced and could have digged deeper into his understanding of fly fishing. I have no doubt he would be an excellent guide for someone way more advanced than I was. I will definitely go back next time I'm near Gardiner. Thanks Parks Fly Shop!

Posted by Traveler From Flag on our google place page

Ingrid/Chas June 24 2011 I am a real fly fishing rookie and my husband is quite experienced. Walter helped make it a great day of fishing for both of us. He is knowledgeable, personable, and patient. We went on Merrill Lake in early June since the rivers/streams were really flowing high. His goals were that each of us caught fish, we all have fun, and that no get hurt. He succeeded. I was really concerned, this being my first boat fly fishing trip, that I would blow it and fall out of the boat or look too ridiculous. If I did look doofy, no one said anything. But I came away real happy that this was not a foo-foo joint or adventure. All I wanted was a day on the water, fun, and fish. We hope to return! Thx Walter!

Posted by Matthew E. on YelP

I've been fly fishing for over 30 years, so I've been in a lot of fly shops. This place is a bit of a throw back and I really like it. It's one part outdoor/hardware store and one part fly shop. You probably won't find those fancy $700 waders or racks of expensive tech clothing here. What will will find is a basic selection of quality gear, sage advise and truly great flies. You can probably also pick up a garden hose or Buck knife while you're at it. Their flies are truly second to none. Worth the trip every time. I also understand the guide service to be very good here.

Posted by Peter K. on our Google Place Page

I have used Park's Fly Shop for guides on two occasions. In 2007 my wife and I were in Gardiner for a week to fish the north end of Yellowstone. I was looking forward to floating the Yellowstone, but when we arrived all of the reports were of low water and not good floating. Our guide from Park's went out of his way to offer a hike into Black Canyon. He promised that we wouldn't see another angler all day. We did the hike and not only was he right, we had one of the best days of fly fishing ever. The trout turned on to hoppers around 11 a.m. and it was non-stop action all afternoon. I still love looking at the pictures of all of the beautiful cutthroat trout we caught. We also had a very productive day on Slough Creek.

This past summer, 2010, we were back in Gardiner for the second week of a two-week trip. We scheduled two floats. We timed the salmon fly hatch perfectly, and got to Gardiner just when the Yellowstone was floatable after runoff. The head guide from Park's guided us two days on the Yellowstone. The first day I landed a twenty-inch brown trout just off the bank on a small, olive hare's ear nymph. We fished big salmon fly patterns on the surface, nymphs below and had a great day. The second day we floated, the wind picked up and made fishing difficult. In the afternoon their was an option to call it an early day due to the wind, but my wife and I wanted to keep fishing, and our guide pushed on into the wind. Our guide literally went the extra mile and the reward was a huge rainbow trout just before we got to the take out.

I have always found the guides very professional at Park's, and I have learned a lot fishing with them. I still use a spinner pattern that one of the guides introduced me to in 2007. It has become my go to spinner pattern wherever I am fishing. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Park's and I will use them again when I am back in Yellowstone.

Posted by Gary H. on our Google Place Page

My wife and I have been fishing with Walter Wiese, the head guide at Parks' Fly Shop, for the past two years. We've done both walk/wade and float trips, and have always had a great time. These are the guys who have 'written the book' on fishing the Yellowstone River and the Park. We've found the staff in the shop both friendly and knowledgeable. We receive e-mails from Walter in the off-season on water levels etc. in order to better plan our next trips. We wouldn't fish with any other outfit when we're in the area.

Posted by Josh G. on our Google Place Page

I have been frequenting Park's Fly Shop for the last 8 years. On my yearly trip I make it a point to stop in and see these guys. They really have their thumb on the pulse of what is going on in Yellowstone Country. Richard, Wally, Ben, and Wilson have always been super friendly and willingly to help with what ever I needed. The flies are top notch and original. I have done numerous float trips with them and everyone the fishing has been top notch. I would highly recommend anyone visiting the area to stop by this fly shop to at least pick up some flies and tap their keg of knowledge.

Sent via E-mail by Monte S.

I just wanted to drop a note to tell you thanks for the nice tying videos on Youtube; I have found them very useful and they are very well done and thus easy to watch.

I also wanted to thank whoever was working at the shop the Friday morning of July 16 - I dropped because I was interested in information about fishing Black canyon - it was quite busy when I was there but the two guys that I saw working were very nice; offered good help and they were efficient.

Sent via E-mail by Don and Martha H.

I can't tell you what a great day My granddaughter and her friend had fishing with Ben. These two young ladies had completed the "land portion," of learning to fly fish, but had no actual experience. Ben was kind enough to invite my wife and me to join the fishing party. Ben's selection of water was right on. The only other living animals we saw all afternoon was a pair of bison. The girls caught more than their share of beautiful trout, learned a lot, and will never forget the experience. Ben is a true asset to your operation, and we are grateful for the opportunity to meet and fish with him. Please give him our best. We look forward to our next trip to your beautiful part of the world.

Sent via E-mail by Todd S.

I had the opportunity to fish with Ben on a guide trip in Yellowstone Park last Wednesday. I wanted to let you know that I was extremely happy with Ben's work as a guide and that he guided me to by best day of fishing for the week. Ben is knowledgeable, enthusiastic and highly skilled. His energy level was extreme, and in a good way. I would, without hesitation, recommend his services to my friends or to anyone who asked. My two friends spent the day with Walter floating the Yellowstone and also had an outstanding day. Thanks for your help in setting the day up, and thanks for running a top-notch fly shop and outfitter business such that these fine young guides were available for us to hire.

Online Report/Review from Flyanglersonline

Best just to post the link to the thread. Review in the last few posts.

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