Brandon Hopper’s Lifelong Connection to Glacier National Park

Opportunities for water recreation in northwest Montana are practically endless. From calm waters to whitewater, wild fisheries to stocked lakes, there's something for every angler. And few know the range of possibilities better than Brandon Hopper. As one of Glacier Anglers & Outfitters' most experienced guides, Brandon brings decades of insight, calm confidence, and a lifelong connection to the Flathead River.

Fishing and Floating from a Young Age

Brandon moved to Montana with his family at age nine, though their ties to the area run much deeper. His grandparents lived on Lake Five, and from early on, Brandon was casting into West Glacier's best-loved fishing holes. As the family settled into the Flathead Valley, they filled their summers with float trips and added plenty of boats to the family fleet.

It wasn't long before Brandon found his way to Glacier Raft Co. In elementary school, he became close friends with the Stoneman family - and was a natural recruit for Darwon, one of the company's original owners. "I started at the raft company like most kids do, as a barn boy doing all the behind-the-scenes tasks," Brandon says. But he had his sights set on guiding. In 2011, he officially joined the team of guides and began specializing in fly-fishing trips for Glacier Anglers & Outfitters.

Brandon's outdoor knowledge doesn't end at the riverbank. His dad - also a former Glacier Raft Co. guide - worked in outdoor retail, and Brandon often joined him at trade shows across the country. His early exposure to the broader recreation industry laid the groundwork for a career that blends experience, adaptability, and purpose.

A Steward's Perspective on the River

Now more than a decade into guiding, Brandon sees the Flathead through both a scientific and emotional lens. "Most of the Middle Fork flows through solid bedrock, so it doesn't shift much year to year," he explains. "But the Nyack Flats? That section moves. I've watched the channels change depending on runoff."

When conditions are high and murky, Brandon takes to nearby lakes to fish for bass, a refreshing change of pace that sharpens his range as an angler. "It's a good reset. Switching species and techniques keeps it fun. It gives me a fresh perspective when I return to the river," he says.

He's equally passionate about conservation and the systems that make the Flathead fishery thrive. "The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act laid the foundation for all of this," Brandon explains. "It created a framework for shared stewardship. Our team, from the General Manager Mike Cooney and Glacier Raft Co. and Glacier Anglers & Outfitters' Outfitter of Record, Hilary Hutcheson, to every guide here, is committed to balancing fun with education." As the longest-serving guide on staff after Hilary, Brandon's steady mentorship and deep local knowledge are a critical part of the team's legacy.

He credits the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 as a monumental piece of legislation which established a shared sense of stewardship. "Everything we do is part of the collective effort to protect and celebrate our wild, free-flowing river system. Of course our trips are focused on guest enjoyment, but behind the scenes, Hilary makes sure that we're involved in trainings, clinics and symposiums that bring guides together. It takes all of us to keep this fishery healthy and intact," he says.

Guiding On and Off the River

In the off-season, Brandon puts his craftsmanship to work as a finish carpenter. His detailed woodwork can be found across the Glacier Park Collection - from the Glacier Outdoor Center to Paddle Ridge cabins. Whether guiding guests or restoring spaces, Brandon is known for his thoughtfulness and follow-through.

Those lucky enough to join him on the water appreciate his patient instruction and quiet humor. Fellow guides look to him for support and perspective. And the Flathead River - home to wild westslope cutthroat trout - benefits from his dedication year after year.

Because for Brandon Hopper, stewardship isn't a seasonal job. It's a lifelong calling.