Big Sky Expeditions specializes in Montana flyfishing float trips on the Missouri, Smith, Dearborn, and Madison rivers. We are one of the limited number of outfitters permitted by both the US Forest Service and the Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to offer float trips on the Smith river. We also run a full-service flyshop, Montana Fly Goods.
Ryan Barba has a BA from the University of Montana and is co-owner of Sunrise Fly Shop in Melrose. Ryan has been outfitting in the Big Hole and Beaverhead region for over 20 years and has vast knowledge of these fisheries and resources throughout the state of Montana. He is a member of the Clackacraft and Winston Fly Rods Pro Staff teams. He has been an active member of FOAM for 20 years and is thrilled represent the Big Hole and Beaverhead. Passion for these rivers is what drives him to operate a sustainable business in Southwest Montana.
Outside of the work environment you will find him spending time with his wife and two boys. He enjoys coaching his son’s hockey team and chasing rising trout on our public lands with his family.
This FOAM Director Position is currently vacant.
But first a little about myself: I grew up in Montana, Cardwell/Whitehall area on a ranch. I graduated from Whitehall High School and attended Montana State University and received a degree in History. When I graduated, I had a job offer in Washington DC for then Congressman Rick Hill and also a job offer from Mike Michalak at The Fly Shop in Redding California. I choose fly fishing. I went back to Grad school in 2001 and earned a Master’s degree in American West History. I am now in my 27th years in the industry. I started guiding in 1999 in Alaska, then back in Montana and would travel back to Northern California in the late fall to guide. I have dedicated myself to the fly-fishing industry for my career in about every aspect.
I currently have my own sales rep agency carrying brands like Hardy/Greys, Marsh Wear, Pacific Fly Group and others. I also guide between 60-70 days a year on the Yellowstone, Gallatin, Jefferson, and very little anymore on the Madison. I will bring a unique perspective to the board, both from the Manufacturer/industry side and from a long-time guide side. I am also connected with political figures within the state and nationally through fishing. I consider them friends, and friends of fly fishing, our rivers, and our stream access.
Originally from Missoula, MT, Shaun has been an outfitter and guide for over 30 years in Southwest Montana. Shaun became the new Owner of Frontier Anglers in January of 2019. “Twenty years ago I would have called you crazy if you told me I was going to own Frontier Anglers, but here I am. I have really enjoyed continuing the Frontier Anglers tradition of providing service to everyone from just learning how to fish to even the most experienced angler.” – Shaun Jeszenka
Travis started Thunder Hammer Fly Fishing to share his love of fishing Montana’s rivers. He has been a fishing and whitewater guide for over 20 years in the American West. A true Missoula local, Travis knows the surrounding rivers and where those elusive trout hide. He has a passion for streamer fishing, but a keen sense of what flies fish will strike on. Like the name, Thunder Hammer, Travis truly likes to take people fishing and have a good time while doing it. If you ask his clients, they will tell you that he is a top-notch professional guide who delivers on their 5-star experience. You may have seen him on the water with his impressive mustache rowing one of his two bright orange boats, his AIRE raft or his beloved RO Tailwater Skiff. All flair aside, let’s not forget about the hogs his clients always seem to catch. In addition to fishing, he loves hunting, skiing and sharing those adventures with his wife, Reilly, son, Thorin and daughter, Lucy.
Beau grew up in Billings Montana, 90 miles from the Big Horn River. Luckily, his father was one of many great Montana fly fishing guides, which gave me the opportunity to learn from one of the best.
Around the age of seven, he learned how to manage and control a fly rod in the front yard of his parents’ home. Once he conquered casting, he graduated to rowing a drift boat, tying flies, studying hatches, and the most important, learning how to read water. At eleven, he started traveling with his father to all of his hot spots around Montana, further expanding his fly-fishing knowledge. This is when he decided he wanted to become a guide and follow in his father’s footsteps.
His business goal is to give his clientele opportunities to fish in a diverse number of places. Many years of experience has taught him that no matter how good the fishing is in one location people will always want a new experience.