Paradise Valley Guide Chester Marion Dies

Long-time Livingston-based guide Chester Marion died Thursday in a rafting accident while fishing the Boulder River with clients.  One of Marion’s clients also died.  Marion was 73.

Marion—who earned a reputation as one of the most talented fly-tiers, casters and guides  in south-central Montana—was one of Dan Bailey’s first employees and was known for his highly creative Marion Marabou and Marion Spruce Fly patterns, as well as for his fantastic midge-fishing skills.  Long-time Wyoming guide Paul Bruun told us this morning that Marion, who always wore a pigskin glove on his casting hand, was well-known for his ability to cast a shooting head across the Yellowstone river.