New for 2025: Bucktail Guide Service Hat
New for 2025 is our Bucktail Guide Service hat. This hat is made for the Maine outdoors! Constructed of durable waxed canvas, it will protect you against the rain, sleet, and snow the Maine weather throws at you. Each hat is emblazoned with a custom Bucktail Guide Service American leather patch created by Richardson Outdoor Lifestyle. One size fits all with an adjustable sizing strap. Price: $39.99 plus tax, shipping and handling. Total price: $58.90
Four Basic Trip Options
Drift Boat Trips
If fishing for brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, salmon, or bass on some of Maine’s most majestic waterways is for you, Bucktail Guide Service offers float trips on sections of the Kennebec, Androscoggin, and Magalloway Rivers as well as other locations as well. Depending on the water access, we will float in my new RO Tailwater Drift Skiff or my 16’ Drift Raft. On the water by 9:00 AM, these trips offer an 8 to 10-hour day of scenic beauty and fantastic fishing. Trips include lunch, rods, and flies. These trips are limited to two people and a guide.
Full Day (10 hrs.) Guided Drift Boat Trip: $575.00 ** (1 to 2 People) ** Includes a shuttle service fee.
Wade Trips
If fishing for brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, salmon, or bass on some of Maine’s wadable waterways is for you, Bucktail Guide Service offers wade trips on sections of the Kennebec, Rangeley, Rapid, and Magalloway Rivers as well as other locations as well. On the road by 4:00 AM, these trips offer an 8 to 10-hour day of classic Maine fly fishing. Trips include exercise, lunch, rods, and flies. Trips are offered for 1/2 day or full day. Trips are limited to two people and a guide. See our special rate for 3 people.
Full Day (8 hrs.) Guided Wade Trip: $450.00 (1 to 2 People)
Full Day (8 hrs.) Guided Wade Trip: $600.00 (3 People)
Remote Pond Canoe Trips
If fishing for native brook trout on a remote pond is something you like to do, Bucktail Guide Service has watercraft stored on several non-stocked ponds in Western Maine. These ponds support a naturally reproducing population of native trout. Access to these ponds may involve hiking short distances after a ride with an off-road vehicle. On the water by dawn, these trips offer classic Maine fly fishing on still water. Trips include exercise, lunch, rods, and flies. Trips are offered for 1/2 day or full day. Trips are limited to one person and a guide.
1/2 Day (4 hrs.) Guided Remote Canoe Trip: $350.00 (1 Person)
Full Day (8hrs.) Guided Remote Canoe Trip: $450.00 (1 Person)
Pond/Lake Motor Boat Trips
If fishing for native or stocked brook trout on easy-access ponds is something you like to do, Bucktail Guide Service has access to several small to medium size ponds in Western Maine just for that. These ponds support a naturally reproducing population of native trout but are part of the State of Maine stocking program. Access to these ponds may involve hiking short distances after a ride in with an off-road vehicle. On the water by dawn, these trips offer classic Maine fly fishing on still water. Trips include lunch, rods, and flies. Trips are offered for 1/2 day or full day. Trips are limited to two people and a guide.
1/2 Day (4 hrs.) Guided Motor Boat Trip: $375.00 ( 1 to 2 People)
Full Day Guided Motor Boat Trip: $460.00 (1 to 2 People)
Now Offering our Adventure Series of Trips
Remote Trout Stream Access by Mountain Bike
Bucktail Guide Service now offers a new transportation mode to access those remote fishing locations. If 2- wheel transportation is something you are interested in, Bucktail Guide Service now offers trips into remote areas on state-of-the-art mountain bikes. We simply drive to an access point, unload the bikes, and off we go for the day. Each bicycle is set up to transport a limited amount of fishing gear for the day. Trips are limited to two people and a guide.
Call or Email for trip details.
Fishing trips in Montana & Yellowstone Park
We offer customized fishing trips to the rivers within the majestic Yellowstone Park in Wyoming. Rivers such as the Lamar, Soda Butte, Yellowstone, and Slough Creek to name a few. Additionally, we offer customized fishing trips to selected waters of south-central Montana. Wade or drift the Yellowstone in Paradise Valley, or even better, fish for selective trophy fish on spring creeks. We can make it happen for you!
If you have dreamed of fishing out west, it’s simple to start! Meet with one of our guides, outline what you would like to do, and they make it happen. Yes, that’s right, the guides you create your trip with, are the guides you will fish with!
Call or Email to schedule a trip-planning session.
tRIP dETAILS
What Our trips Include
ORVIS Rods & Reels
Noon Meal*
Snacks
Laughs, Humor, and Fun
* Meals Adjusted for Food Allergies
What to Bring
Valid Maine Fishing License
Polarized Sunglasses
Brimmed Hat
Rain Gear
Water Bottle
Additional services
Three-Day Fly Fishing School or Skill-Building Instruction
Bucktail Guide Service offers private or group fly fishing instruction. Let’s start with the beginner or intermediate-level angler. Our 3-day schools emphasize fly casting fundamentals and will introduce students to the basics of fly fishing. Each lesson provides you with an information-packed session for just about any fly-fishing subject you will encounter. The cast, reading water, understanding flies, and aquatic life cycles, are just a few subjects we will cover. Days on the water will include a wade trip, a float trip, and a remote pond trip. Our schools are limited to 2 people with 1 instructor and include equipment, flies, lunch, and FUN!
3-Day School: $1,675.00 (1 to 2 People)
If you need skill-building instruction, on casting or presentation, we offer 1/2-day and full-day instruction. Our skill-building sessions are limited to 2 people with 1 instructor and include equipment, flies, lunch (snack), and FUN!
1/2 Day (4 hrs.) Instruction: $350.00 (1 to 2 People)
Full Day (8 hrs.) Instruction: $450.00 (1 to 2 People)
Rental Equipment
Waders, boots or both can be rented on the day of the trip. This is a cash purchase before the trip starts.
Waders
Men’s, women's, children’s All sizes.
$25.00/ Day
Felt Souled Wading Boots
Men’s, women's, children’s All sizes.
$10.00/ Day
Combo set w/ Wading Staff
Men’s, women's, children’s All sizes.
$35.00/ Day
payment methods
Bucktail Guide Service offers three easy ways to pay for your guiding services. They are check/money orders, VENMO payments, or credit card payments. You can follow these easy instructions:
Choose your trip.
Check my calendar by clicking the “Book Your Trip” button.
Send me a message or call me to secure your date.
Choose your payment option.
Check / Money Order: Mail to Bucktail Guide Service, 76 Hamilton St., South Portland, Maine 04106
Cash Payments: VENMO (Scott Whitaker@Scott-Whitaker-14)
Credit Card: There are 3 easy steps:
1) Click on the PURCHASE bottom underneath the trip or service
2) Enter your payment information
3) Click on the PLACE ORDER button
CREDIT CARD NOTE: A 3% processing fee is added to all credit card payments.
Tips/Gratuity
If you feel the need to tip your guides as an additional “Thank you”, tips range from 10% to 20% similar to a tip on a meal.
Terms & Conditions
Guided fly fishing trips will be scheduled upon receipt of the payment in full. Mailed checks need to arrive within 5 days and need to clear before your guiding date is secured. Guided fly fishing trips and “Learn to Fly Fish” classes may be canceled 14 days in advance. All money paid will be returned at the time of cancellation. Guided fly fishing trips and “Learn to Fly Fish” classes canceled 7 to 13 days in advance of the trip will receive a 50% refund of the money paid. Guided fly fishing trips and Instruction classes canceled less than 7 days in advance of the trip will receive NO refund of money paid.
Bucktail guide service Merchandise
If you are not sure what to get that special angler, why not purchase a Bucktail Guide Service E-Gift card. Purchse a trip, lessons or even rent waders. Simply chick on the purchase button below and purchase your E-Gift card.
Conserving Maine's fisheries is the prime focus of Bucktail Guide Service.
We have a catch & release policy
Contact us
Use this form to contact us or request information.
Or call: 207-747-7104