Fly Fishing

Lone Mountain Ranch’s ideal location in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which has the largest concentration of blue-ribbon trout fisheries on the planet, provides for exceptional fly fishing experiences.

Whether you are inspired to cast a line for the first time after seeing A River Runs Through It and want to stand in the same stretch of the Gallatin River or you are an avid fly fisherman, the ORVIS® award-winning guides at Lone Mountain Ranch will deliver a memorable fly fishing vacation.

The Ranch’s location and permits allow our guides to provide a very diverse fishing experience in terms of locations, types, time on the water and ability levels. Whether you are looking to fish a high alpine lake or stream that sees few anglers, Slough Creek or the Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park, one of four blue-ribbon rivers in the Gallatin, Madison, Yellowstone and Missouri, Hebgan Lake or private spring creeks, our guides can take you there.

The means of traveling to and fishing the rivers is also varied. Guests can travel with a guide by car 5 minutes to wade fish the Gallatin or they may want to try saddling a horse and heading up to a high alpine lake or floating by drift boat down the Yellowstone River or the 50-mile riffle of the Madison River.

Many families like to split their days and try their hand at fly fishing in the morning and horseback riding in the afternoon. If a hatch is happening, guests can stay out until the sun goes down to try and catch their fish of a lifetime.

The Lone Mountain Ranch fly fishing program is designed to not only provide personalized Fly Fishing instruction, but also to educate guests about the science of fly fishing and the ecosystem the fish live in. Your fly fishing trip will be planned specifically for you based on your interests and skill level and anglers of all levels are welcome. Guides Gary Lewis and Brian Kimmel have both won the prestigious ORVIS® Endorsed Guide of the Year award. Ennion Williams, John Hall, Rick Reed, Mike Mansfield, Kurt Dehmer and a select few additional ORVIS® Endorsed guides round out a strong staff dedicated to teach all aspects of fishing to both beginners and experienced fly fishers.

After a day of fishing, guests will have a better understanding of casting techniques, wading skills, basic knots and fly presentation as well as fish habitat, entomology and the history of the area.

While on the Ranch, guests can head down to the Outdoor Shop to arrange their fly fishing trip, schedule time to practice casting techniques or take a rod out on the North Fork Creek behind the Shop. Kids will also have fly fishing 101 as part of the Outdoor Youth Adventures Program.

Explore our World Class Waters

• Yellowstone National Park waters
• Gallatin River
• Madison River
• Yellowstone River
• Missouri River
• Hebgen Lake
• Private Spring Creeks
• High Alpine Lakes and Streams

Walk/Wade

A walk wade trip is a great way to teach the many aspects of fly fishing. Beginners learn the basics of casting, fly presentation, knots and entomology, while the intermediate fisher may work on perfecting skills such as line mending and more advanced casting. More experienced fishermen enjoy learning new techniques as well as practicing the basics to find the fish.

Lone Mountain Ranch is located next to some fantastic small streams accessed only by foot. These waters are small feeder streams to the Gallatin and the many streams both large and small in Yellowstone National Park, as well as small private spring creeks.. Cutthroat, Rainbow and Brown trout live in these areas and a walk wade trip can make for a very rewarding day with both great fishing and beautiful scenery.
 

Drift Boat

Fishing a river from a boat allows the angler to see ten to twelve miles of river in a day. The Madison and Yellowstone Rivers, as well as Hebgen Lake, are our primary destinations for float trips and these waters offer anglers the chance to drift their fly literally over thousands of fish, with many opportunities to hook up with a trophy. Our guides are experienced boat operators who are able to teach very effective drift boat fishing techniques.

Float trips are full day only and entail an hour to an hour and half drive. The Missouri River is another destination, which is a bit further drive from Lone Mountain Ranch, but is a consistently rewarding trip.
 

RATES:

Walk/Wade Half Day

• 1 angler $250/trip
• 2 anglers $275/trip
• 3 anglers $325/trip

Walk/Wade Full Day

• 1 angler $375/trip
• 2 anglers $425/trip
• 3 anglers $475/trip

Drift Boat Full Day

• 1 or 2 anglers $450

High Alpine Lake Trips by horseback and Two-Day Overnight High Alpine Lake Trip by horseback

• Please call for rates

Your trip cost includes your guide, who provides professional and personalized instruction, transportation, shuttle service, lunch (full-day trips only), snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and flies. Rental gear, licenses, Park entrance fees, taxes and gratuities are additional (rental gear is included for overnight Ranch guests). Additional rod fee of $50 - $100 per angler applies to all Private Spring Creek Fishing.

ORVIS® product Equipment Rentals

• $40/Day
• $50/Day Premium Rod and Reel
• $25/Half Day

Rentals include rod, reel, waders and boots. Rentals are included in the trip price for Lone Mountain Ranch overnight guests when fly fishing with a guide. For day guests, gear is available in the shop to rent.

Deposit and Cancellation Policy: A 50% deposit is required to secure your reservation. This deposit is fully refundable with at least 14 days-notice prior to your reserved date. 50% of the deposit is refundable if changes or cancellations are made with at least 3 days-notice. The deposit will be retained for changes or cancellations made less than 3 days from your scheduled trip date.

Fishing Licenses

Montana fishing licenses can be purchased in the Outdoor Shop. Anglers will need to purchase a 2-day, 10-day or season-long fishing and a conservation licenses. The total cost for licenses range from $0 for children ages 1-14 and up to $70 for season-long licenses. Special rates are available for guests 1-14 and over 62 years of age.

If your trip includes an adventure into Yellowstone National Park, anglers 16 years of age and older are required to purchase either a $15 three-day permit, a $20 seven-day permit or a $35 season permit. Anglers 15 and younger have two options: 1. Children 15 and younger may fish without a permit if they are fishing under the direct supervision of an adult who has a valid park fishing permit, or 2. Children 15 and younger may obtain a free permit that must be signed by a responsible adult; with this permit, a child can fish without direct adult supervision.

Please call for details on our Specialty Trips and Fly Fishing Packages.

Rates subject to change.

Operated under Ennion Williams, Outfitter #7043.