Mike grew up in Bozeman, MT. After several stops, he followed his Father to the Bighorn in 1987. He started guiding on the river in 1989. He spent his summers on the river and his winters in school and later in the ski industry.  He spent 6 years away from the river working full time in the ski industry. He returned to the river in 2010, where he has lived and guided full time ever since. He lives with his 3 labs in Fort Smith.