Tim sits down with John Cochran, the man behind Trout Snipers, to talk about fly fishing, guiding in Montana, and why sometimes the biggest catch has nothing to do with fish. John shares how his one-on-one teaching style helps people learn faster, fish better, and even discover a little patience along the way.
From Colorado to Montana Waters
John spent three decades fishing and guiding in Colorado before making his way to Montana. With five major rivers—the Jefferson, Missouri, Madison, Yellowstone, and Gallatin—Montana offers a wider variety of conditions and opportunities. But more rivers also mean more complexity. “To me it’s like a complex math problem,” John explains. “All the variables strung together equals fish.”
A One-on-One Approach
Unlike large fly fishing schools, Trout Snipers focuses on custom instruction. John works with anglers individually, tailoring everything from knots and casting to advanced spay fishing and streamers. He designs itineraries around each client’s goals—whether they want to refine their casting in a park or spend full days floating rivers.
“I thought it would be interesting to offer the one-on-one instruction,” John says. “Meet people where they are, not just give a generic lesson.”
Patience, Process, and People
Guiding, for John, isn’t only about the fish. “People always ask me why I started guiding again,” he says. “It’s to build the sustainability of my tolerance of humans.” He laughs, but the truth runs deeper. Time on the river reminds him to trust the process—something he passes along to clients.
“Trust the process and the prize will show up,” John tells his guests. “As soon as they calm down and actually start doing it right, everything changes.”
Fishing with a Guide
For those considering a trip to Montana, John offers simple advice: hire a guide, and trust them. “Guides want to catch fish worse than you,” he says. “They fish through you.” That trust—paired with Montana’s wild rivers—can turn a day on the water into a lifelong memory.
Learn More
To book a trip or find out more about Trout Snipers, go to: https://troutsnipers.com/
For more on Freestone Fly Fishing Outfitters, visit: https://freestoneoutfitting.com/
Mountain Mule Media is a production of Mountain Mule Transportation. We share the stories of Montana’s businesses and the people behind them.
