LOCATION
Ft. Smith, Montana

SEASON
Year-Round

CAPACITY
Bighorn River Lodge can accommodate up to 16 anglers at a time. Special group rates may be available

SPECIES
Rainbow and brown trout

GENERAL INFORMATION
The lodge, under new ownership and management as of 2007, offers you the chance to fish long days for wild rainbows and browns, returning each evening to enjoy the comforts and amenities of the nicest operation in the area. Comfortable accommodations, great food, hard-working guides, and one of the most productive fisheries in the west.

LENGTH OF STAY
Trips and packages of any length can be arranged, although there is a three night, two fishing day minimum stay during the summer and fall seasons. All trips are completely customized. Call Yellow Dog for details.

THE FISHING
The most productive trout fishing waters of the Bighorn flow through the Crow Indian Reservation, an area approximately one hour south of Billings. In the 13-mile stretch below Yellowtail Dam, the river character is not unlike that of an enormous spring creek, with undulating weed beds, deep holes, undercut banks, and occasional riffles. The Bighorn is a veritable “insect producing machine,” keeping its resident browns and rainbows fat and happy twelve months a year. The primary hatches include caddis, tricos, pale morning duns, little yellow stoneflies, baetis, and midges. The hatches are not very diverse, but the ones that come off do so in impressive numbers. In fact, the midge hatches can be so prolific that fishing larger "cluster" patterns is a regular technique. Open hilly plains with scattered patches of trees make up the surroundings of this fabulous river. Gravel and grass islands are found throughout the river, and sandstone cliffs and groves of willows rise from the banks.

The river is home to large numbers of fat rainbows and brown trout. While the days of 8,000 fish per mile on the Bighorn may be gone, the size and the quality of the fish have never been better. Holding true to its reputation, the Bighorn River added two new records to its reputation in 2004. A 32 inch brown trout was caught and measured, tipping the scales at 15 pounds. Latter in the same year, a 32 inch, 15 pound rainbow was caught and released in the same section. To have two record fish caught in the same year speaks volumes for the rivers ability to produce large fish.

BOATS AND EQUIPMENT OFFERED
The guides of Bighorn River Lodge all use top-of-the line drift boats to float and fish the river. The lodge has a complete selection of rental gear, as well as a fully stocked fly shop.

THE LODGING
Bighorn River Lodge has the distinct pleasure of being recognized twice by Travel & Leisure and Departures Magazine as one of the top fishing and outdoor lodges in the west. The lodge itself is situated on the banks of the river, designed and built with the most discriminating angler in mind. The lodge is furnished with the finest and most comfortable furnishings, original pieces of wildlife art, a common area with a native stone fireplace, and expansive decks to enjoy the scenery during the summer months. On warmer days you can sit outside on the deck after a day of fishing and watch trout rising in the lodge’s private pond while you converse with friends about your day on the river. The interior of the lodge was designed for total privacy. The bedrooms are comfortably furnished, and each has its own private bathroom. There are no two rooms back to back, guaranteeing you a quite and restful sleep.

RATES & DETAILS 2009

WHAT’S INCLUDED
All meals at the lodge, lodging, all guided fishing and instruction, and flies.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Fishing license, gratuities for guides and lodge staff, equipment rental, transportation to Billings, Montana and/or Ft. Smith, and alcohol or beer.

DEPOSIT INFORMATION
A 50% deposit (per angler) of the total package cost for each trip is due to us within 10 days of booking to secure the reservation. Guides and dates cannot be held or reserved without a deposit. YDFA reserves the right to charge a handling fee of $100 per person for date changes after the initial reservation has been made. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Montana fishing licenses are available at all area fly shops and sporting goods stores, or by logging on to the following website: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

NON-ANGLING ACTIVITIES
For non-anglers, the short trip to the nearby Little Bighorn Battlefield is more than worth the effort. It’s a powerful feeling to walk along the chalky bluffs where Custer and his Seventh Cavalry engaged the Cheyenne and Sioux over one hundred years ago.

Reisen

MONTANA Absaroka Beartooth Outfitters [lesen Sie mehr...] Bighorn River Lodge [lesen Sie mehr...] Kelly Galloup's Slide Inn [lesen Sie mehr...] Linehan Outfitting Company [lesen Sie mehr...] Madison Valley Ranch [lesen Sie mehr...] Missouri River Trout Shop [lesen Sie mehr...] Smith River Wilderness Float Trips [lesen Sie mehr...] Twin Bridges [lesen Sie mehr...] Yellow Dog Montana Outfitters [lesen Sie mehr...] Gallatin River Lodge [lesen Sie mehr...] COLORADO 4UR Ranch [lesen Sie mehr...] Animas Anglers [lesen Sie mehr...] IDAHO - OREGON TroutHunter Lodge [lesen Sie mehr...] Deschutes Day Trips [lesen Sie mehr...] EASTERN UNITED STATES Central Pennsylvania Fly Fishing [lesen Sie mehr...] Coastal Fly Angler (Maine) [lesen Sie mehr...] Florida & The Florida Keys Guided Fishing [lesen Sie mehr...] Louisiana Flywater [lesen Sie mehr...] Moose Track Adventures (Minnesota) [lesen Sie mehr...]