New for 2025: Bucktail Guide Service Hat

New for 2025 is our Bucktail Guide Service hat. This hat is made for the Maine outdoors! Constructed of durable waxed canvas, it will protect you against the rain, sleet, and snow the Maine weather throws at you. Each hat is emblazoned with a custom Bucktail Guide Service American leather patch created by Richardson Outdoor Lifestyle. One size fits all with an adjustable sizing strap. Price: $39.99 plus tax, shipping, and handling. Total price: $58.90

Four Basic Trip Options

Drift Boat Trips

Suppose fishing for brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, and salmon on some of Maine’s most majestic waterways is for you. In that case, Bucktail Guide Service offers float trips on sections of the Kennebec and Magalloway Rivers, as well as other locations. Depending on the water access, we will float in my new RO Tailwater Drift Skiff or my 16’ Drift Raft. On the water by 8:00 AM, these trips offer an 8 to 10-hour day of scenic beauty and fantastic fishing. Trips include lunch, rods, flies, and a shuttle fee. These trips are limited to two people and a guide.

Full Day (8-10 hrs.) Trout & Salmon Guided Drift Boat Trip: $.635.00 ** (1 to 2 People)

If fishing for bass on some of Maine’s best bass fisheries is for you, Bucktail Guide Service offers float trips on sections of the Kennebec and Androscoggin Rivers, as well as other locations. Depending on the water access, we will float in my new RO Tailwater Drift Skiff or my 16’ Drift Raft. On the water by 9:00 AM, these trips offer an 8 to 10-hour day of scenic beauty and fantastic fishing. Trips include lunch, rods, flies, and a shuttle fee. These trips are limited to two people and a guide.

Full Day (8-10 hrs.) Bass Guided Drift Boat Trip: $.635.00 ** (1 to 2 People)

Wade Trips

If fishing for brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, salmon, or bass on some of Maine’s wadable waterways is for you, Bucktail Guide Service offers wade trips on sections of the Kennebec, Rangeley, Rapid, and Magalloway Rivers as well as other locations as well. On the road by 5:00 AM, these trips offer a 4-hour (1/2 day) or 7 to 9-hour full day of classic Maine fly fishing with instruction. Trips include exercise, lunch, rods, and flies. Trips are limited to two people and a guide. See our special rate for 3 people.

1/2 Day (4 hrs.) Guided Wade Trip: $395.00 ( 1 to 2 People)  

Full Day (7-9 hrs.) Guided Wade Trip: $500.00 (1 to 2 People)

Full Day (7-9 hrs.) Guided Wade Trip: $625.00 (3 People)

Remote Pond Canoe Trips

If fishing for native brook trout on a remote pond is something you like to do, Bucktail Guide Service has watercraft stored on several non-stocked ponds in Western Maine. These ponds support a naturally reproducing population of native trout. Access to these ponds may involve hiking short distances after a ride with an off-road vehicle. On the water by dawn, these trips offer classic Maine fly fishing on still water. Trips include exercise, lunch, rods, and flies. Trips are offered for 1/2 day or full day. Trips are limited to one person and a guide.

1/2 Day (4 hrs.) Guided Remote Canoe Trip: $300.00 (1 Person)

Full Day (8hrs.) Guided Remote Canoe Trip: $400.00 (1 Person)

Pond/Lake Motor Boat Trips

If fishing for native or stocked brook trout on easy-access ponds is something you like to do, Bucktail Guide Service has access to several small to medium-sized ponds in Western Maine just for that. These ponds support a naturally reproducing native trout population but are part of the State of Maine stocking program. Access to these ponds may involve hiking short distances after a ride in with an off-road vehicle. On the water by dawn, these trips offer classic Maine fly fishing on still water. Trips include lunch, rods, and flies. Trips are offered for 1/2 day or full day. Trips are limited to two people and a guide.

1/2 Day (4 hrs.) Guided Motor Boat Trip: $395.00 ( 1 to 2 People)

Full Day (8 hrs.) Guided Motor Boat Trip: $500.00 (1 to 2 People)

Now Offering our Adventure Series of Trips

Remote Trout Stream Access by Mountain Bike

Bucktail Guide Service now offers a new transportation mode to access those remote fishing locations. If 2- 2-wheel transportation is something you are interested in, Bucktail Guide Service now offers trips into remote areas on state-of-the-art hybrid mountain bikes. We simply drive to an access point, unload the bikes, and off we go for the day. Each bicycle is set up to transport a limited amount of fishing gear for the day. Trips are limited to two people and a guide.

Full Day (8hrs.) Guided Remote E-Bike Trip: $500.00 (2 People)

Remote Pond Fishing for Blueback trout

If you are interested in pond fishing for (Salvelinus alpinus oquassa), better known as the Blueback Trout, in the early spring or fall, we offer a 4-day backcountry tenting adventure. All-Inclusive,

Blueback Trout Adventure in Maine: $1,400.00* Per Person/Double Occupancy.

CALL NOW TO START PLANNING & RESERVE YOUR SPOT!

Fishing trips to Yellowstone Park & Montana

Operating under and in conjunction with Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions.

Yellowstone Permit # CUA14-170 & Montana Outfitters License # 36523.

We offer customized fishing trips. If you have dreamed of a custom fishing adventure, it’s simple to start! Meet with one of our guides, outline what you would like to do, and they make it happen. Yes, that’s right, the guides you create your trip with are the guides you will fish with!

Additionally, we offer pre-designed all-inclusive fishing adventures to the rivers within the majestic Yellowstone Park in Wyoming. Depending on river conditions, we will fish the Lamar, Soda Butte, Yellowstone, and Slough Creek. Here is an outline of our Yellowstone Park Adventure Trip*.

1.       We pick you up at Bozeman International Airport in the early afternoon. Travel to Gardner to grab dinner and spend the night at the Yellowstone Big Rock Inn (https://www.yellowstonebigrockinn.com/). On the way there, we will stop at a local fly shop to get the latest fishing conditions and what fly is hot.

2.       In the morning, we travel into the park and stop and fish the Gardner River behind Mammoth Campground. At the end of the day, we head to The Rough Rider Cabins at Roosevelt Lodge at Tower Junction. We will grab a drink and a delicious meal at the restaurant at the lodge.

3.       In the morning, we will grab a quick breakfast and drive to one of the local rivers to fish for the day. River selection is based on weather, fishing pressure, and buffalo migration. At the end of the day, we head back to Roosevelt Lodge and grab a drink and dinner at the restaurant.

4.       In the morning, we will grab a quick breakfast and drive to one of the local rivers to fish for the day. River selection is based on weather, fishing pressure, and buffalo migration. At the end of the day, we head back to Roosevelt Lodge and grab a drink and dinner at the restaurant.

5. In the morning, we will grab a quick breakfast and drive to one of the local rivers to fish for the day. River selection is based on weather, fishing pressure, and buffalo migration. At the end of the day, we head back to Roosevelt Lodge and grab a drink and dinner at the restaurant.

6.       In the morning, we will grab a quick breakfast and head out of the park. This day is a flex day. We can wade fish the Yellowstone River or fish one of the local spring creeks like Armstrong’s in the valley. (https://www.armstrongspringcreek.com/ ) At the end of the day, we head to Chico Hot Springs for a soak and award winner meal. (https://www.chicohotsprings.com/).

7.       In the morning, we will grab a relaxing breakfast at the lodge and drive to Bozeman International Airport by late morning to drop you off for your flight home.

Yellowstone Park Adventure: $4,137.00* Per Person/Double Occupancy.

Additionally, we offer pre-designed all-inclusive fishing adventures to selected waters of south-central Montana. Rivers such as the Yellowstone in Paradise Valley, the Bitterroot, the Boulder, and the Stillwater. Or even better, fish for selective trophy fish on spring creeks. This trip is designed to be flexible. We will travel around south-central Montana, fishing the creeks and rivers that are producing based on local intel. Lodging and meals are governed by where we are and what we are fishing the next day. Here is an outline of our Montana Creeks & Rivers Adventure Trip*.

1.       We pick you up at Bozeman International Airport in the early afternoon. Travel to Livingston to grab dinner and spend the night locally. On the way there, we will stop at a local fly shop to get the latest fishing conditions and what fly is hot.

2.       In the morning, we travel east out of Livingston and fish the Yellowstone River around Big Timber. At the end of the day, we stay locally and enjoy the local bars, steak houses, or dine at a restored railroad hotel.

3.       In the morning, we travel south out of Big Timber and fish the Boulder River. At the end of the day, we stay locally and enjoy the local bars, steak houses, or dine at a restored railroad hotel.

4.       In the morning, we travel east out of the area and fish the Stillwater River. At the end of the day, we stay locally and enjoy the local bars, steak houses, or restaurants.

5. In the morning, we travel east out of the area and fish the east or west Rosebud Rivers. At the end of the day, we stay locally and enjoy the local bars, steak houses, or restaurants.

6.      In the morning, we travel west out of the area and head back to Livingston. This day is a flex day. We can wade fish the Yellowstone River or fish one of the local spring creeks like Armstrong’s in the valley. (https://www.armstrongspringcreek.com/ ) At the end of the day, we head to Chico Hot Springs for a soak and award winner meal. (https://www.chicohotsprings.com/).

7.       In the morning, we will grab a relaxing breakfast at the lodge and drive to Bozeman International Airport by late morning to drop you off for your flight home.

Montana Creeks & Rivers Adventure: $4,091.00* Per Person/Double Occupancy. 

NOTE: * Prices exclude airfare, taxes, alcohol, personal items, and gratuity. Prices and availability may vary at the time of booking.

If you are visiting the Montana/Wyoming area during July or August and you would like us to guide you, our daily guide rate in Montana or Yellowstone Park $650.00** for 1 to 2 anglers. 

CALL NOW TO START PLANNING & RESERVE YOUR SPOT!

Additional services

Three-Day Fly Fishing School or Skill-Building Instruction

Bucktail Guide Service offers private or group fly fishing instruction. Let’s start with the beginner or intermediate-level angler. Our 3-day schools emphasize fly casting fundamentals and will introduce students to the basics of fly fishing. Each lesson provides an information-packed session for any fly-fishing subject you may encounter. The cast, reading water, understanding flies, and aquatic life cycles are just a few subjects we will cover. Students will be provided a Learn to Fly Fish manual and Orvis’s Fly Fishing for Beginners book to take home. Days on the water will include a wade trip, a float trip, and a remote pond trip. Our schools are limited to 2 people with 1 instructor, including equipment, flies, lunch, and FUN! Does not include lodging.

3-Day School: $1,850.00 (1 to 2 People)

If you need skill-building instruction on casting or presentation, we offer 1/2-day and full-day instruction. Our skill-building sessions are limited to 2 people with 1 instructor and include equipment, flies, lunch (snack), and FUN!

1/2 Day (4 hrs.) Instruction: $395.00 (1 to 2 People)

Full Day (8 hrs.) Instruction: $500.00 (1 to 2 People)

Rental Equipment

Waders, boots or both can be rented on the day of the trip. This is a cash purchase before the trip starts.

Waders
Men’s, women's, children’s All sizes.
$25.00/ Day

Felt Souled Wading Boots
Men’s, women's, children’s All sizes.
$10.00/ Day

Combo set w/ Wading Staff
Men’s, women's, children’s All sizes.
$35.00/ Day

payment methods

Bucktail Guide Service offers three easy ways to pay for your guiding services. They are check/money orders, VENMO payments, or credit card payments. You can follow these easy instructions:

1. Choose your trip.

2. Check my calendar by clicking the “Book Your Trip” button.

3. Send me a message or call me to secure your date.

4. Choose your payment option.

   Check / Money Order: Mail to Bucktail Guide Service, 76 Hamilton St., South Portland, Maine 04106

   Cash Payments: VENMO (Scott Whitaker@Scott-Whitaker-14)

   Credit Card: There are 3 easy steps:

   1) Click on the PURCHASE bottom underneath the trip or service

   2) Enter your payment information

   3) Click on the PLACE ORDER button

   CREDIT CARD NOTE: A 3% processing fee has been added to all credit card payments.

   
   
   
   

Tips/Gratuity

If you feel the need to tip your guides as an additional “Thank you”, tips range from 10% to 30% similar to a tip on a meal.

Terms & Conditions

Guided fly fishing trips will be scheduled upon receipt of the payment in full. Mailed checks need to arrive within 5 days and need to clear before your guiding date is secured. Guided fly fishing trips and “Learn to Fly Fish” classes may be canceled 14 days in advance. All money paid will be returned at the time of cancellation. Guided fly fishing trips and “Learn to Fly Fish” classes canceled 7 to 13 days in advance of the trip will receive a 50% refund of the money paid. Guided fly fishing trips and Instruction classes canceled less than 7 days in advance of the trip will receive NO refund of money paid.

Bucktail guide service Merchandise

If you are not sure what to get that special angler, why not purchase a Bucktail Guide Service E-Gift card. Purchse a trip, lessons or even rent waders. Simply chick on the purchase button below and purchase your E-Gift card.

Conserving Maine's fisheries is the prime focus of Bucktail Guide Service.

We have a catch & release policy

Contact us

Use this form to contact us or request information.

Or call: 207-747-7104