When planning a guided fishing vacation, location is important, but so is the charter you choose. It doesn't matter if you're fishing in Alaska, Wyoming, or Montana—you could be in the most fish-rich area of the country and still come up empty-handed if you don't have the proper fishing gear, knowledge, or location. The right outfitter will set you up with all the local intel you need to succeed, no matter the place or species. And the people with the most local knowledge are often the ones who have been here the longest: Native Americans.
Native Americans have been fishing in the present-day United States for over 10,000 years; the first chum salmon was caught in Alaska over 11,500 years ago. Since then, countless generations of indigenous peoples have relied on their ability to fish for subsistence, and they have perfected their technique over the years. Combined with a strong oral tradition and an intimate understanding of the land, this generational knowledge makes for some of the best fishing guides around. Not only do they know the best places to target your preferred species, but they're passionate about sharing their culture and preserving their fishing grounds for the future.
We've rounded up four Native American-owned fishing charters to hire for your next big fishing trip.
1. Indigenous Adventures, Alaska
Instagram, Indigenous Adventures
An Alaskan fishing trip is at the top of many an angler's bucket list, and with good reason. There are plenty of monstrous fish to be had, from king salmon to halibut to rockfish; and you can do it all in some of the most beautiful, remote landscapes this country has to offer.
Indigenous Adventures, an Alaska Native-owned outfitter, operates out of Petersburg in southeast Alaska. Brandon Ware, the captain at Indigenous Adventures, is of the Tlingit people, who have been calling the Petersburg area home for thousands of years. He caught his first salmon in elementary school and is passionate about helping others hook their dream fish and sharing his Tlingit traditional values along the way. His outfitter offers full- and half-day charters that can target whatever species you want.
2. Blackfeet Outfitters, Montana
Instagram, Blackfeet Outfitters
With over 25 years of guiding experience, Blackfeet Outfitters is the go-to charter for fishing in north-central Montana. They specialize in fly fishing trips on the legendary Missouri River in Montana—home to a massive trout population—as well as hunting trips and Blackfeet cultural experiences. Their fly fishing trips can be built to accommodate any preference, from rivers to lakes, and from wading to drift boats to rafts.
Owner and operator Alger Swingley is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe with over 40 years of hunting and fishing experience, much of it within the boundaries of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and the Badger Two Medicine National Forest. As well as providing epic fishing and hunting trips, Swingley is passionate about preserving Blackfeet traditions and sharing his cultural heritage with guests.
3. Tomahawk Charters, Martha's Vineyard
Instagram, Tomahawk Charters
Martha's Vineyard, an island just off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is known for its beautiful beaches and vast array of sport fish to target. If you're looking for a fishing vacation on one of America's most exclusive islands, Tomahawk Charters is the outfitter for you.
This Native American-owned fishing charter outfitter is run by Capt. Buddy Vanderhoop of the local Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah. He comes from a long line of Wampanoag fishermen dating back to the whaling days, and has himself been fishing around Martha's Vineyard for 45 years. He's known for catching the biggest fish around and is ready to help you catch some, too. He offers full- and half-day charters to target just about every species in the area, such as striped bass, bluefish, sea bass, fluke, marlin, wahoo, mahi mahi, bluefin tuna, and even shark.
4. Wind River Canyon Whitewater and Fly Fishing, Wyoming
Instagram, Wind Canyon Fly Fishing
Known for its beautiful rivers and ample trout, Wyoming is the destination for fly fishing. The Wind River Indian Reservation, encompassing more than 2.2 million acres, is one of the best places to target trout—and, luckily, Wind River Canyon Whitewater and Fly Fishing is there to help you out. With intimate knowledge of the streams flowing off the Wind River Mountain Range, their guides will take you on one of the best trout trips you can imagine.
Wind River Canyon is a Native American-owned fishing charter company with over 20 years of guiding experience. This outfitter upholds the conservation traditions of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Indian Tribes and are "on the side of the fish." That means that while they help you catch the biggest trout, they also show you how to minimize your environmental impact while doing so. They practice catch-and-release fishing with artificial tackle and barb-free hooks. They also limit their guided trips to no more than two fishing boats on any section of the river per day, giving you a remote fishing experience while preserving the health of the rivers.
READ MORE: 3 Ways to Mix Fishing into Your Summer Family Vacation
