We’ve fished here ourselves at this Orvis endorsed lodge and some highlights of this adventure include:

• World Class float-fishing trips on blue ribbon rivers such as the Smith River, Big Hole, Beaverhead, Madison and Jefferson. Or wade fishing on spring creeks and small meadow streams that meander through some of the most beautiful private ranches in the Rocky Mountains.
• Veteran fly fishing guides with the knowledge and experience to put you on to the best fishing opportunities available.
• Lodging that surrounds you in the comfort and charm that is southwest Montana hospitality. Clean and comfortable rooms each unique in character: The Rookery, Chief Joseph, Heritage, Lilly, Granny Yates, Pott, Plummer, Grayling and Bitterroot. Your guide will pick you up and deliver you to your doorstep each day.
• Cuisine wholesome, flavorful and prepared fresh daily includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The owners of this Lodge are committed to providing the best service possible to our clients. The success of the Lodge is built upon the foundation of personal attention and service that establishes a lasting relationship. Clients return year after year because of the relationships with their fly fishing guides and of course, the lodge staff who definitely know the meaning of hospitality. Their goal is to provide everything necessary to make your angling vacation fun and relaxing as possible.

THE LODGE TRIP

The Lodge is beautifully designed with clean, comfortable and spacious rooms most with two queen sized beds, private bathroom, and a porch with a view.  All rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi and cellphone coverage.  They offer door-to-door guide service, personalized laundry service, a large outdoor hot tub, and an exercise room.  The original main lodge has a kitchen, Streaming TV and sitting areas; telephone and computer/printer for guest use. We enjoyed casting to rising trout at the porch side pond at cocktail hour!!

            

Cuisine: The Lodges chefs proudly create gourmet menus that offer a variety of fresh, balanced and delicious meals.  Begin each day with a hardy breakfast and then enjoy a healthy and satisfying lunch on the water with your guide. Refreshing drinks and appetizers are served in the sun porch followed by a gourmet dinner in the dining room overlooking the pond.

Fresh herbs and produce from the lodge garden as well as from Ruby valley growers compliment their delicious food.  The Lodge offers a select choice of wines and beers; guests may bring their own liquor.

Fly Fishing Guides: We can comfortably say that this lodge offers some of the most experienced, knowledgeable and personable group of guides in Montana.  Their primary goal is to provide you with the best opportunities, advice, and share techniques to help you catch and land the fish of your dreams. Their guides cover the spectrum from the novice to the hardcore angler. Inevitably, their love and enthusiasm for Montana and the waters they fish will also rub off on you.

Fishing: This lodge offers more angling choices within easy driving distance than anyone else in Montana.  You can float the larger rivers in southwest Montana such as the Beaverhead, Big Hole, Jefferson, and Madison.  You can walk/wade on smaller meadow streams like the Ruby and South Boulder. They have exclusive access to private spring fed creeks and ponds where you can explore fishing opportunities while enjoying the pristine scenery.  Your guide will have refreshments, bottled water, a hearty lunch, and snacks available to you throughout the day.

Guests typically return to the lodge in time to enjoy a soak in the outdoor hot tub, shower, and relax on their private porch or perhaps, take a nap. Appetizers and refreshing drinks are followed by a lovely dinner.

Fishing License:  Montana has a number of different fishing license options from very short term to medium term to season.  You can go on-line at www.fwp.mt.gov and buy your license or you can stop at a retail outlet when you arrive in the area or they can help you at the lodge.

Gear Suggestions: If you have a lightweight rod such as a 4 or 5, and a medium weight outfit such as a 6 and a heavier outfit such as a 7 or 8 weight, bring all three. You will probably only need the 7 or 8 if you are traveling to Montana in the fall when streamer fishing is a more regular part of our fishing experience.

Flies/Leaders: Flies are provided by the Lodge as part of your package.  However, if you have some favorite patterns that you like to fish please feel free to bring them. You will fish a variety of leader lengths and weights. The guides will provide all the leaders and tippets you need as part of your fishing package.

Clothing:  Weather in Montana is changeable in the early, middle and late seasons.  You can start the day in long underwear and end it in short sleeves.  Come prepared for any type of weather.  We suggest that you layer your clothing.  A good set of top and bottom long underwear is advisable in the early and latter part of the season.  You may want fleece pants under your waders.  A turtleneck with a heavier shirt and then topped off with a fleece pullover works well.  A good water/wind proof jacket is recommended both for rain and wind protection. Wet wading is usually possible from about mid-June to Mid-September but have your waders along just in case.

Of course, you should have good waders with rubber or felt soled wading shoes or boot foot waders with rubber or felt soles.  Again, if you need to borrow waders and boots, you can notify the lodge of the shoe size and your height, and they will set aside a pair that will closely fit you.  Some folks like fingerless gloves and some like to have a good set of full-fingered gloves just to put their hands in to warm on colder days.  A warm hat plus your normal fishing cap or hat is recommended.  Polarized sunglasses are highly recommended.

Guide Gratuity:  The guides pride themselves on hard work and professionalism; simply, they diligently strive to provide service beyond your expectations.  You will never be made to feel that any service is provided on the basis of gratuity, but tips do comprise a significant portion of their seasonal income and therefore are greatly appreciated.  Tipping your guide is customary in this profession.  Guides generally receive an average gratuity of $125-$150 per day per boat, typically split between two anglers.  You can tip your guide individually at the end of each day if you like or if you prefer, the lodge will gladly add your guide’s tip to your final invoice at check-out and make ensure your guide receives the tip.

Hospitality staff gratuity is included with the price of your lodge package.  Lodge Hospitality staff gratuities are distributed equally among non-managerial hospitality staff (including culinary staff, servers, dishwashers, and housekeepers.)

Advanced Shipments: Many clients prefer to ship their fishing gear, luggage, or preferred wines and spirits in advance.  You can notify the lodge by email when to expect your shipment and they will respond once your things arrive, and have it in your room when you arrive to the lodge.

Check In and Check Out Policy:  Check in is typically around 4:00 pm and check out is 9:00 am.  If you require an earlier check-in time please notify them in advance.

WHEN TO FLY FISH SOUTHWEST MONTANA

Montana has so much of every kind of water you could possibly want to fish, deciding when to fish is your biggest dilemma. That said, you’ll find different seasons on various rivers that specifically appeal to you. You are encouraged to call the lodge to talk about your experience, what types of fishing you enjoy the most, do you prefer to wade, boat the big rivers, or float tube in solitary waters.  They will match your skills and desires to particular hatches and watersheds and specifically design a trip for you.

April and May, prior to run-off, finds Montana’s rivers low with warming water temperatures. With growing activity and no pressure on the rivers, nymph and streamer fishing excels, with occasional dry fly action on the top.

June brings out the heavy Stone Flies on the Big Hole and the Madison. Big flies appear after the waters clear in early June, and on the Madison, a huge Salmon Fly hatch usually pops during the last five days of the month.

July means consistent dry fly fishing. You’ll experience caddis, mayflies, and small stone flies in great numbers. With incredible fishing, you’ll experience more pressure on the rivers.

August means hoppers, beetles, ants and crane flies are fished on the surface for some aggressive large trout. If the surface becomes inactive, you can still fish small nymphs fished off attractor dry flies.

September begins like August and transitions into fall like fishing toward the latter part of the month. You’ll spend most of the days fishing nymphs and streamers.

October and early November bring incredible vistas and beauty, along with very little pressure to go after large (and careless this time of the year) brown trout.

Getting There:  We recommend using the Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport.  The airport is convenient and only 90 interstate and highway miles from the Lodge.

SMITH RIVER FLOAT TRIP

Your guides will cover 8-12 miles of fishing per day, while Gear-boat staff advance downstream to set up camp and prepare your tent, sleeping cot, and your dry bag are waiting for your arrival into camp each evening.

As you journey along the Smith River Corridor, the canyon walls grow tall, cell service becomes non-existent, there is no electricity, so bring extra batteries for cameras and flashlights, and headlamps.

       

Fishing the Smith River

Is there a more scenic enticing place in the state of Montana to cast a fly line?  No.  Now, how to fish the Smith.  Your experienced guides are the short cut to success.  They know the Smith and the techniques you need to catch fish.

Do what the water dictates. This means several things but listen and watch the river.  If you don’t see insects on the water; nor, do you see any feeding fish the odds are that dry fly fishing is not going to be productive.  This doesn’t mean a large attractor or some sort of terrestrial like a grasshopper, ant or beetle imitation will not work but it hints at that possibility of another approach.  Be open to nymph fishing and casting streamers.  The river is saying, “The trout are underneath the surface.”

Spring on the Smith is the combination of high, discolored water along with periods of clearing waters. The high water comes from runoff that occurs at different elevations.  You can be fishing the Smith in 70 degree weather in May using dry flies and 24 hours later the river is high and discolored.  Discolored water leads to San Juan Worms (although a San Juan Worm is good anytime and anyplace) it also leads to fishing with solid dark patterns for nymphs and streamers as trout will distinguish a solid shape quicker.

All trout rivers fish better as they are clearing and the water starts to recede than when rivers rise quickly. This is an absolute.

The Smith River is a free stone stream with a very healthy stonefly population. Salmon flies emerge around Memorial Day with Golden Stoneflies more prolific emerging June 15 through the first week of July.  There is also a healthy caddis hatch on Mother’s Day, followed by PMD’s in late June and a hit and miss Green Drake Hatch.  We also have years where Cicadas really take over the river.

The best and most productive dry fly fishing days have clouds associated with them. Trout are nervous and wary with direct sunlight but give them a few clouds and the advantage can again move in favor of the angler.

Fishing the Smith is for anyone that wants to have fun. The better the angler the more productive they are going to be.  There is direct correlation between how well someone can manage their fly line and how many fish they can catch.  Managing fly line means using the right amount of fly line to cast, normally, less is best.

Anglers need to be able to either mend the line in the air or on the water to set up drag free drifts.  When the moment of truth arrives (when the fish hits the fly) a better managed fly line results with more trout.

Equipment. Entry-level fly rods and reels these days are excellent.  High-end rods and reels are really excellent.  We favor an Orvis Helios 2, nine foot in either five or six weight.

Fishing License:  Montana has a number of different fishing license options from very short term to medium term to season.  At your convenience, please go online to: www.fwp.mt.gov to purchase your Montana State Fishing license for the days that you will be fishing on the Smith River.  Print and bring your license with you and have it with you at all times during your float trip.

Gear Suggestions: Let the lodge know in advance if there is anything that you are going to need to borrow (such as waders, boots, rods, reels, etc.)  If you have a lightweight rod such as a 4 or 5, and a median weight outfit such as a 6.

Flies/Leaders: Flies are provided by guides as part of your package.  However, if you have some favorite patterns that you like to fish please feel free to bring them. You will fish a variety of leader lengths and weights. The guides will also provide all the leaders and tippets you need as part of your fishing package.

The following are items you should bring to Montana regardless of the season:

Polar Fleece hat, wool cap and a wide-brimmed hat.
Polarized sunglasses.
Gloves or mittens.
Good rain gear.
A warm jacket even in July.
A pair of long underwear. These are essential in spring and fall
My feet are always cold. Polar fleece socks, wool socks, silk socks whatever it takes for warm feet.
Shorts or a swim suit.

Fly Fishing Gear*
Fishing rod and reel
Flies
Extra line
Wading boots
Chest waders. Chest waders with a raincoat will keep you completely dry.
Bring a camera, binoculars, sun screen and insect repellent.

SMITH RIVER: If you plan on fishing Smith River, add the following items:

Two long and two short sleeved shirts.
One pair of dry shoes for around the camp.
Warm sleeping bag.
Bring a small pillow and towels.
A soft bag or duffel bag up to 12″ around or loosely packed so that it can be stuffed into our dry bags.
Day pack for gear you might need on the river.
Fishing gear. The most versatile rod you can in Montana is a 9ft. six weight fast action rod. If you’d like to bring more rods no problem.
Small flashlight.
2 heavy trash bags for wet clothes.
Polar fleece sweatshirt or wool sweater.

Guide and Gear Boat Staff Gratuity:  Guides and gear-boaters pride themselves on hard work and professionalism; simply, they diligently strive to provide service beyond your expectations.  You will never be made to feel that any service is provided on the basis of gratuity, but tips do comprise a significant portion of their seasonal income and therefore are greatly appreciated. Guides and gear-boaters generally receive an average gratuity of 15% of the cost of the trip. The tip pool is divided among each staff member taking care of you on the trip.

Cuisine: Smith River staff prepare fresh, balanced, and delicious meals for you each day. Beginning with a hardy breakfast, then pack a stream-side lunch for you and your guide to enjoy. Refreshing drinks and appetizers await your arrival into camp each evening, followed by a gourmet dinner and delicious dessert, served in style and panache.

Non-Angling Activities

This area provides a wide variety of activities for those inclined and not so inclined to fish.  The following is a sampling of what this area has to offer.  Please note that some of these activities may have additional costs.

Bannack State Park:  http://stateparks.mt.gov/bannack/

Beaverhead County Historical Museum: http://beaverheadcountymuseum.org/

Beaverhead Golf Course:  www.beaverheadgolf.com

Big Hole Battlefield National Park:  http://www.nps.gov/biho/index.htm

Bird-watching:  http://mtaudubon.org

Hiking:  http://southwestmt.com/thegreatoutdoors/hikingandbackpacking/

Horse-back Riding:  Upper Canyon Ranch Outfitters Horse-back Riding Packages

Lewis and Clark Caverns:  http://stateparks.mt.gov/lewis-and-clark-caverns/

Massage:  http://www.bodyandsoulmassage.abmp.com/

Shopping:  http://southwestmt.com/fooddrinkandshopping/shopping/

Sweetgrass Rod Company:   http://www.sweetgrassrods.com/

The Old Hotel:  http://www.theoldhotel.com/

Twin Spirits Yoga:  http://www.yogamontana.com/

Montana Trout Unlimited:  http://montanatu.org/

Winston Rod Company:  http://www.winstonrods.com/

Yellowstone National Park:  http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm

Getting Here:  Helena Regional Airport is the most convenient airport for clients to use.  You should plan to arrive in Helena at least one day prior to your launch date and preferably stay the night of take-out.  We highly recommend the Sander’s House Bed & Breakfast or the Great Northern Best Western Hotel, both are located within walking distance to downtown Helena restaurants and shops.

They can provide clients with a large-sized dry-bag to use for your personal belongings (ie. clothes, sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, etc.) during the float trip; and, door-to-door float trip shuttle service, meaning they will pick you up the morning of your launch date and take you to the put-in and on the last day of the float trip they will return you to your accommodations in Helena.  Clients typically return to Helena, shower, repack for their trip home, have dinner in downtown Helena, and fly home the following day.

Helena Regional Airport: http://helenaairport.com/

Sander’s House Bed & Breakfast: http://sandersbb.com/

Great Northern Best Western: https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-helena/best-western-premier-helena-great-northern-hotel/propertyCode.27075.html

Downtown Helena: https://downtownhelena.com/

“LODGE TRIP”- PRICING AND TERMS:

Included in your Lodge stay:  Lodging, meals, guided fishing, beer, wine, loaner fly fishing equipment, all terminal tackle such as flies, leaders and indicators and hospitality staff tips.

Not included in your Lodge stay:  Montana fishing licenses, guide gratuities, private water fishing fees, airfare, airport shuttles.  Airport shuttles can be arranged with the Lodge for an extra charge.  Cost of non-fishing activities.

Three Nights Lodging/Two Days Guided Fishing:

$3200 Per Person/double occupancy
A Single Angler pays an additional $200 per night

Four Nights Lodging/Three Days Guided Fishing:

$4300 Per Person/double occupancy
A Single Angler pays an additional $200 per night

Five Nights Lodging/Four Days Guided Fishing:

$5100 Per Person/double occupancy
A Single Angler pays an additional $200 per night

Six Nights Lodging/Five Days Guided Fishing:

$5800 Per Person/double occupancy
A Single Angler pays an additional $200 per night

Seven Nights Lodging/Six Days Guided Fishing:

$6550 Per Person/double occupancy
A Single Angler pays an additional $200 per night

Non-Fishing Guest Rates:  $550 per night

 

“SMITH RIVER FLOAT TRIP”- PRICING AND TERMS:

Included in your Smith River float trip: Tents, cots, thermal-rest pads, guided fishing, food, water, beer, wine, loaner fly fishing equipment, all terminal tackle such as flies, leaders and indicators.

Not included in your Smith River float trip: Montana fishing licenses, guide and gear-boater staff gratuities, airfare, airport shuttle, lodging pre-post Smith River float trip. Costs included for non-fishing activities.

Four Nights/ Five Days Guided Fishing Down the Smith River

$5350 per person

Limited to 8 anglers per trip-   Currently offering 26 trips per season.

 

We highly recommend that guests purchase travel insurance.   Visit https://globalrescue.com/huntnation/index.html

 

 

FISH-NATION – WE ARE YOUR FISHING ADVENTURE SPECIALISTS!

 PHONE:  307-637-5495    email:    [email protected]

Website:  www.fish-nation.com