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Our commitment to the waters we call home.
We built Zoo Town Anglers on a simple belief: these rivers are worth more than any single fish. The Blackfoot, Bitterroot, Clark Fork, and Missouri have sustained wild trout populations for generations — and it's our job to make sure they're here for the next generation of anglers.
That means 100% catch-and-release on every trip, every day, no exceptions. It means barbless hooks, rubber nets, quick handling, and fish fully revived before they swim away. It means education — making sure every client leaves the boat understanding why these practices matter.
These aren't optional add-ons. They're non-negotiable standards on every Zoo Town Anglers guided trip.
We crimp or pinch every hook before it enters the water. Barbless hooks make catch-and-release faster, less stressful for fish, and actually easier for beginner anglers to handle. There's no tradeoff — only benefits.
We minimize air exposure on every fish. Photos are taken quickly with the fish in or just above the water. We never lay fish on rocks, dry mats, or boat surfaces. A few seconds out of the water — that's the standard.
Knotted nylon nets strip the protective slime coat from trout, increasing their risk of infection and post-release mortality. We use rubber nets exclusively — they're gentler on fish and produce better survival rates.
Every fish is held in the current, upright, until it's strong enough to swim away under its own power. We never just drop a fish in the water and consider it "released." The revival is part of the catch.
When water temperatures rise above 68°F, trout are physiologically stressed. During warm spells, we adjust our tactics (deeper water, shaded sections, morning-only fishing) to minimize pressure on vulnerable fish.
Everything that comes into the boat goes back out with us. We pack out all trash, respect private land access, and avoid sensitive spawning areas during critical periods. The bank looks the same when we leave as when we arrived.
Conservation doesn't stop when the trip ends. Jason is committed to the long-term health of Missoula's rivers and supports the organizations working to protect them.
The Blackfoot Challenge has been working for decades to protect the watershed made famous by Norman Maclean. Their collaborative model — ranchers, tribes, agencies, and anglers — is a national conservation success story.
The Clark Fork Coalition has been advocating for clean water and healthy rivers in the Clark Fork basin for over 30 years. From toxic legacy mining cleanup to protecting river access, their work directly impacts the rivers we fish every day.
TU's Montana councils work on cold, clean water and wild trout habitat. From culvert replacement projects that restore fish passage to advocacy for streamflow protection, their on-the-ground impact is real.
These rivers gave me everything. A career I love, a life I'm proud of, and more beautiful moments than I could ever count. The least I can do is give them back in the same condition I found them — or better. — Jason Brininstool, Founder & Head Guide, Zoo Town Anglers
When you book with Zoo Town Anglers, you're choosing a guide whose stewardship is as strong as his fish-finding. Come experience what that feels like on the water.
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