Our Instructors
Grace Slater
Women’s Program Director: Montana Women’s Fly Fishing School and Gallatin River Guides
Born and raised in Bellingham, Washington, I spent my childhood exploring the saltwater and beaches of the northern San Juan Islands, particularly around Lummi Island. Growing up, my family’s time was filled with fishing, crabbing, and clam digging—instilling a deep love for the outdoors.
My passion for adventure and the outdoors eventually led me to Montana, where I attended Montana State University and quickly embraced the state’s strong fly fishing culture. Between fly fishing and snowboarding, I found my rhythm in the mountains and rivers of the West.
I earned a degree in horticulture and design, working with a local florist and running a floral business with my older sister. During college, I began tying my own flies, inspired to do so by losing many flies on the river. I spent most weekends on the river - learning and growing as an angler. Eventually I turned this passion into my career and began guiding. I have personally found so much joy in the sport and being able to help others find that spark is my favorite part of guiding. To me, fly fishing is so much more than catching fish - it's all about finding your own rhythm , gaining the confidence to go on your own, and to find the peace within it all.
Carlye Luft
Women’s Instructor: Montana Women’s Fly Fishing School and Gallatin River Guides
Born and raised in Wisconsin, my love for fishing started at a noticeably young age and I have spent many days fishing the rivers and lakes of Wisconsin. My skills were self-nurtured and self-taught through trial and error while putting to practice tips from local fishing heroes at the bait shop. Obsessed with fishing, I grabbed a hold of everything and anything that could improve my knowledge and skills as an angler.
I am a Veteran of the US Military and spent many years as a licensed Naturopathic Physician focusing on physical health and mental wellbeing. It was through these two endeavors that I discovered and pursued the art of fly fishing and chose to become a Fly Fishing Educator and Guide. Although exciting, to me fly fishing is about more than just catching the fish. It is a quick and gentle way to reconnect with yourself, get present, and put life into a healthy perspective.
I am a proficient angler, natural leader, and skilled educator with a passion to help women become confident and skilled fly fishing anglers while encouraging them to let go a little of the daily things we women stress about, and to just focus on ourselves, the rhythm of the cast, and the drift. The fish comes as a result!New Paragraph
About Our Guides & Instructors
For over thirty years, Gallatin River Guides—the creators of the Montana Women’s Fly Fishing School—has been a leader in creating opportunities for women anglers. From the early days in the 1980s when Gallatin River Guides founder Betsey French taught local ladies, to present day and beyond, we are working towards 50-50 on the water. Our guides and instructors are a team of dedicated professionals who strive to educate, enlighten, and inspire women fly fishers in a supportive, noncompetitive environment.
Male or female, the Montana Women’s Fly Fishing School guides and instructors are all exceptional teachers, they all like to fish and have fun, they all are professional fly fishing guides and stewards of the resources we all enjoy. They all will ensure your safety and comfort are enjoyed throughout the day. After spending one of our three day schools with them, they will probably also become your new fishing friends.
To view our team of professional guides and instructors, visit their profiles on the Gallatin River Guides website.
All of our guides are licensed with the state of Montana and trained in First Aid and CPR.