Chris Kaufmann
Chris grew up fishing with his dad throughout Montana – mostly in a leaky tent – and, when his parents could afford them, in sweaty, leaky, cutting-edge-technology neoprene waders. After spending most of his high school career on the river and in the woods, he graduated from Bozeman High School. That summer he took a job guiding at Crystal Creek Lodge in Alaska. This was a great adventure, but after 4 years it was time to see a Montana summer and he came back to Bozeman.
Chris started guiding for the River’s Edge the following year which is the shop he frequented on his bike long before he could drive. While guiding at the Rivers Edge, R.L. Winston Rod Company & the Ross Reel Company gave him the opportunity to represent them on their Pro-Staff team which he is still honored to do today. After graduating from Montana State University with a degree in Construction Engineering, he decided not to follow a traditional path in engineering but to stay on the water guiding, which is what he truly loves to do.
Chris started a construction company for the off-season that challenges him and fills his passion for woodworking.
Rollie Rieger
Native Montanan, Rollie Rieger, grew up on a ranch in the eastern part of the state. While growing up he experienced many of the good things that the Montana outdoors has to offer. Some of his earliest memories include fishing with his dad in a bass pond over the hill from the ranch. Rollie moved to the western part of the state in 1977 and has been an avid fly fisherman ever since. He is now a retired educator who worked as a basketball coach, track coach, biology and chemistry teacher, athletic director, and assistant Principal at Belgrade schools, while guiding in the summers. He retired from education in 2009. Rollie is married with three children who are all now living and working on their own. He is an avid fly tier and enjoys big game and bird hunting. Rollie is high on the Montana lifestyle and truly enjoys the many outdoor activities that make this state a great place to live and visit.
Jim Eberhard
Jim was born in Sangabriel, CA and was raised on the North Shore off Chicago. His interest in fly fishing was started by his grandfather's love of trout fishing and his parent's love of the Rockies. As a family they made time every year to vacation in Montana. Fly fishing and horseback riding were his favorite activities. While studying wildlife Biology at Humboldt State he found Steelhead fishing a great reminder that his childhood dream was to live in Montana. Shortly there after he applied at The Rivers Edge for a guide position and the rest is history. While Jim took a break from Montana for a couple of years to guide in Alaska, he soon realized that his true passion is trout fishing in Montana where he spends his summers now.
Randy Nall
Randy Nall moved to Bozeman from Great Falls, Montana in 1980. He spent the earlier years of his life growing up on the gulf coast of Florida salt water fishing and catching bass, catfish and bream. His childhood fishing is what lead to his love of floating and fishing for trout here in Montana. During the off season, Randy spends his time surfing and fishing in Baja, Mexico or skiing nearly every day at Bridger Bowl near Bozeman.
Zach Neville
Native of Denver, Zach grew up fishing the rivers and lakes of Colorado with his Dad and brother. During this time he fostered a true love for fishing and the great outdoors. After graduating from high school, Zach moved to Montana and has called this his home ever since. During the winter, you can find Zach working or skiing most days at Moonlight Basin Resort near Bozeman. Between seasons, Zach enjoys camping and exploring the lesser known waters of Montana. In his spare time, Zach also ties flies to be sold at The River’s Edge.
Chester Floyd
Chester grew up fishing the small spring creeks of Wisconsin. As a child, his earliest memories were of sleepless nights while anxiously awaiting an early morning hunting or fishing trip with his dad, which he continues to show in his passion for guiding fly fisherman. For years he visited Montana to fish, and soon fell in love with the abundance of blue ribbon trout water that the state has to offer. With his dream was to move to Big Sky Country, three days after graduating from high school, he packed up his fishing gear, bought a drift boat, and move to Montana to chase trout! Lots of fish, callused hands, and a pretty good sunglass tan in the summer time, that’s his game…. Livin the life! In his spare time, Chester enjoys trapping, hunting, woodworking and of course ... trout fishing.