Our Story
Meet Us
Aaron and Rachel’s love of fly fishing and the beauty of the outdoors was engrained in them as children. Aaron’s outdoor adventures began in childhood and continued as he pursued guiding Colorado rivers at age eighteen. Rachel learned to tie flies on her father’s lap before kindergarten and started managing his fly-fishing business before she graduated college.
Aaron and Rachel spent their honeymoon floating and fishing the Flaming Gorge of the Green River, then they settled into a mountaintop fire lookout cabin for their first “home.” They made Sandpoint, Idaho, home fifteen years ago and have fallen in love with the mountains and rivers of this beautiful region. Aaron has extensive experience guiding on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River and the Main Salmon, as well as the Lochsa and Coeur d’Alene Rivers. Much of his free time is spent floating and fishing rivers closer to home, such as the Clark Fork and the Kootenai.
Aaron and Rachel have more recently focused on leading their own daughters, Addy and Emi, to love the outdoors as well. They take joy in skiing, hiking, fishing, and biking as a family. In 2017 Aaron and Rachel stumbled upon a McKenzie River wooden drift boat in need of major repair. They knew it would be the perfect boat to get their young family fishing together on the river. After restoring this boat and experiencing its beautiful craftsmanship and smoothness on the water, they dreamed of sharing the adventure beyond their family, and that dream blossomed into Long Drift Outfitters. The beauty and elegance of a classic wooden drift boat is the perfect match for fly fishing on the Kootenai River.
Meet Our Guides
Noah McComis
Noah grew up in the mountains of Colorado. He received his very first fly rod at the age of 13 and his passion for fishing has grown ever since. He always knew he wanted to be a guide. Noah’s experience working in local fly shops and fishing the local rivers adds to his experience and passion. Noah loves taking part in the memorable moments of catching fish with guests of all ages and abilities which is why he is on the river almost every day. A day with Noah is sure to bring hoots and hollers with each catch, his excitement is contagious and its worth catching.
Mike Lorden
Mike Lorden is the guide you want if you’re ready to experience North Idaho and everything it has to offer. A Sandpoint local since 2004, Mike has spent years fishing, hunting, and exploring the rivers, mountains, and backcountry that make this area special.
Mike learned to fish from his grandfather, who taught him more than just how to catch fish. He learned patience, how to slow down, and how to truly enjoy the entire experience — from reading the water to the excitement of the catch and the beauty of the river itself.
For the past 15 years, Mike has dedicated countless days on the waters in and around the Kootenai, building the kind of local knowledge that only comes from time on the river. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or brand new to fly fishing, Mike brings a relaxed, fun approach that makes every trip memorable.
When he’s not on the water, Mike is a devoted husband and father who loves sharing his passion for the outdoors with others.
Skyler Everhart
Skyler has been fly fishing for over 15 years. From the start, he skipped conventional gear and went straight to the fly rod—and he’s never looked back. What initially drew him into fly fishing was the connection to the water, the outdoors, and the endless learning that comes with it. From understanding insect life to reading ever-changing water conditions, every day on the river brings a new challenge.
What Skyler loves most about guiding is sharing that experience with others. As he says, “There’s nothing better than watching a client hook into a great fish or seeing someone truly fall in love with the sport.”
Skyler’s guiding style is highly adaptable. Whether you want to throw big streamers, fish dries, drift nymphs, or swing soft hackles, he is focused on creating the best possible day on the water for his clients.
His favorite time to fish is spring, when runoff begins to drop, insects return, and fish become aggressive after winter. The area can produce incredible days with nonstop action, although fall is hard to beat when big trout start crushing streamers.
At the end of the day, Skyler specializes in catching fish and having fun doing it. He enjoys every style of fly fishing, but if you make him choose his favorite, it’s without question—Streamers.
CR Christians
CR grew up in Utah and developed a love for fishing when he was 9 years old. A fly shop opened in his neighborhood, and he spent enough time there that the owner taught him everything from how to cast to tying flies. In 2002 his family relocated to North Idaho where he emersed himself in fishing, hunting, and skiing. You will be hard pressed to find a young man how knows the land as well as CR. His love for the outdoors has turned into a career as a State Forester. When he is not out in the woods you can find him on the rivers chasing beautiful trout. You won’t find a more patient guide who want you to show the beauty of our rivers than CR. Want a day to remember? Book CR for a day of fishing!
Heath Gunns
Heath and his Wife moved to Coeur D Alene Idaho in 2017. Since that time, he has been exploring much of the regions rivers fishing and rowing a variety of boats. His favorite being his wooden drift boat. Heath also serves as the Executive Director of a small first responder/veteran-centric nonprofit, providing outdoor recreation opportunities for disabled/injured veterans and first responders. For nearly two decades Heath has been hosting backcountry hunts and river trips for folks and will tell you that “I have been blessed with a lifetime of exceptional friends, wonderful stories, and memories”. Heat loves sharing the rivers with you, the bend of your rod, and ultimately create lifelong memories with new friends. Never forget, “Fishing is supposed to be fun”.
Don Collier
Don might have a fishing problem — but that’s exactly what makes him the perfect guide for your day on the water. A true fishy guy at heart, he brings years of experience fishing a wide variety of waters across the West. His passion for the outdoors, paired with his easygoing and welcoming nature, makes him the ideal guide to show you the beautiful rivers of North Idaho.
Brian Kerins
Brian moved to Bonners Ferry in 2009 and though he might not readily confess it, he is undeniably a true “trout bum”, and belongs to a distinct breed of individuals who find solace and joy on the river. Despite maintaining a responsible adult occupation, Brian’s heart lies with the waters he has frequented since his arrival in Idaho. As a local, Bran dedicates most of his leisure time to exploring and fishing the very waters he now guides others through. His intimate familiarity with the area and its aquatic inhabitants is unmatched, making him a trusted companion for any angler seeking a memorable experience. Spending a day with Brian is an immersion into the rhythm of the river, leaving you yearning to return to what may soon become your newfound favorite spot in the Northwest.
Connor Seymour
Connor started fly fishing at the age of five and claims he did not have much of a choice since his father is a guide. All kidding aside Connor counts himself extremely fortunate to be raised on rivers in and around Idaho. He has been guiding since he was 18 and has a wealth of knowledge to share with his guests. Spending a day on the water with Connor feels like spending a day with your best friend. He treats each trip as an opportunity to pass on as much knowledge as he can. Connor loves teaching his guests of all abilities about river dynamics, entomology, the local flora and fauna, and the area’s history.
Aaron Gordon
Aaron started Long Drift Outfitters in 2019 with his wife Rachel and their two beautiful daughters, Addy and Emi. Aaron started his guiding career in Colorado in 2000. Aaron moved to Idaho in 2006, and spent 13 summers guiding full-time on the Selway, Lochsa, Coeur d’Alene, and the Main and Middle Fork of the Salmon River. He now spends most of his summer days guiding on the Kootenai River in Idaho, with an occasional guest-appearance on one of the aforementioned rivers. Aaron loves sharing his passion for the outdoors with his guests. In the off-season Aaron is the band director at Sandpoint High School.
