Rocky Mountain Trout Roundup - Yellowstone

Fly Fish and explore one of America’s iconic landscapes with a small group from Orvis on our Montana fly fishing trip. Hubbard’s Yellowstone Lodge is a working cattle ranch located just a few miles from the northern boundary of Yellowstone National Park, overlooking Montana’s Paradise Valley and its Yellowstone River. The lodge has been hosting anglers for years and has twice been recognized as the Orvis Endorsed Lodge of the Year. Their expert fly fishing guides are delighted to share some of the best trout streams in the Rockies with our group, and July is a perfect time to visit the area for some Montana fly fishing.

There’s also horseback riding and other activities for those who don’t fly fish, so it’s a well rounded western ranch experience at this Montana fly fishing lodge.

Jeremy Kehrein leads this trip, and it’s a landscape he knows well. He lived and guided in Montana for years before moving to Vermont to become Orvis’s Sporting Travel Planner. He’ll work with the friendly lodge staff and expert local guides to make sure everyone has a great experience. Browse our Montana fly fishing reviews to read more about Hubbard’s Yellowstone Lodge.

Your Trip Leader

Jeremy Kehrein, Sporting Planner, Orvis Travel

Jeremy was raised in rural Wisconsin where he grew up fishing the spring creeks of the Driftless Area. Following years of teaching school, managing fly shops and guiding in the Midwest, he decided to move to Argentina for work and to fish Patagonia. After getting to know most of the famous rivers of Argentine and Chilean Patagonia, Jeremy moved back to the US and became an Outfitter based in the Missoula, Montana area. There he guided on fabled Blackfoot, Clark Fork and Bitterroot rivers; as well as outfitting and leading seven day float, fly fishing trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness on the South Fork of the Flathead River. He has learned the finer points of saltwater fly fishing some of the finest bonefish and tarpon destinations in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. When not in the office providing friendly advice to customers, he’s in the field hosting trips. He has fished extensively throughout the US, as well as the Bahamas, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Europe, British Columbia and other destinations around the world.

The Location

Paradise Valley, Montana, is right in the heart of some of the best fly fishing in the Rocky Mountains. We will be staying at Hubbard’s Yellowstone Lodge, near Emigrant, Montana. Conveniently located for guests traveling from the East and West Coasts, guests arrive by flying to Bozeman, Montana where they can rent a car and drive to the lodge, or have Orvis Travel arrange a private transfer. The drive is approximately 1 hour, through the scenic Paradise Valley of the Yellowstone River. The trip is a perfect start to a Rocky Mountain experience. With daily flights on several carriers, Bozeman is very easy to get to. Most flights will arrive mid-afternoon so most guests will arrive in time for the welcome reception and dinner at the Ranch.

Hubbard’s Yellowstone Lodge has twice been recognized as the Orvis Endorsed Lodge of the Year, most recently in 2008. The lodge’s central location allows guests and their fly fishing guides to access a wide variety of waters within an hour and half drive, including the well-known Yellowstone River, Gardiner River, Slough Creek and Soda Butte Creek. Whether western style float trips are your preference, or you would rather wade a small mountain stream, this area has it all. Non-anglers will appreciate the lodge’s proximity to Yellowstone National Park, only 30 minutes away. A variety of guided outdoor activities are available for non-anglers to choose from, all of which can be set up directly with the lodge upon arrival.

Montana Fly Fishing Trip Itinerary

The Fly Fishing

Hubbard's Yellowstone Lodge was selected for this trip because of the area's natural beauty, the lodge's personalized service and its location in the middle of Southwest Montana's best Blue Ribbon trout streams. The lodge is just a few miles from the Yellowstone River, and a short drive from the fabled trout streams of Yellowstone Park's northeastern corner. In addition to these well-known trout fishing gems, the lodge’s guides have access to some of the lesser known and more hidden away streams and mountain lakes. The lodge even has its own trophy trout lake, Merrell Lake, located right next to the lodge.

Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park, Spring Creeks

There are so many trout streams and lakes in the region that we can't possibly list them all here, but you can be sure the guides will take you to the best of them, based on the fishing conditions and your individual angling preferences. You’ll have opportunities to float some of the famous rivers, fish a technical spring creek, or visit a mountain lake. It's hard to imagine a better location in the Rocky Mountains for fly fishing, and you’ll have access to it with an expert fly fishing guide who calls these his home waters.

Nowhere in Montana are the fly fishing opportunities as great as you will find near Hubbard's Yellowstone Lodge. Merrell Lake is a 90-acre lake on the property with trophy rainbow and brown trout, and there are many other fishing destinations within a short drive of the lodge. The lodge offers fly fishing trips on the Yellowstone River, the many waters of Yellowstone National Park, the world famous Spring Creeks, small creek fishing on Tom Miner Creek, and horseback trips to Ram's Horn Lake. Besides these well-known fishing spots, there are dozens of other rivers, streams, and lakes in the area.

The guides at the lodge have years of guiding and fishing experience that are invaluable for any fly fishing trip. The men and women that will take you fishing know the intricacies of all the waters in the area and the unique history of the region. The guides can assist novice anglers as well as seasoned veterans. Their courteous manner, knowledge, and fun-filled attitudes will put you at ease and provide the best environment for a great fishing trip.

Fly Fishing Equipment

Each trip member will receive a detailed equipment list, but here’s a brief overview of what works best in this region.

A nine foot five weight rod is the best all around rod for this part of Montana. Standard floating line will cover 95% of your fishing - a sinking line can be nice on Merrell Lake at times, or for streamers on the Yellowstone River. Leaders are generally around 3 or 4 X, with tippet down to 6x occasionally. Fly selection is typical Western patterns. The lodge carries a good selection of flies in their shop, and Hubbard’s guides will have the appropriate patterns.

Because the fishing possibilities include small spring creeks, lakes, and float trips, you may want to bring several rods, ranging from a 4 weight to a 7 weight. We’ll provide more details when you’re booked on the trip.

Non-Angling Activities

There is more than fly fishing and horseback riding.

There are hiking trails all over the ranch, and Hubbard’s guides are always happy to get out and stretch their legs with you and show you around. Wildlife is abundant, with elk, deer, birds of all shapes and sizes, bears, and more.

Yellowstone National Park is just down the road, and offers several days worth of sightseeing. The lodge can arrange all types of trips into the Park.

White water rafting is nearby on the Yellowstone River. And the nearby towns all have great shops and historical sites for you to see.

There’s lots of horseback riding at Hubbard’s, and the ranch can accommodate beginning and expert riders. There are trail rides as well as "free" riding, which allows advanced riders a chance to let their horse run, and you can even participate in helping move cattle if you’re inclined. The ranch has over 20 square miles of land and is steeped in horse culture, so it’s an exceptional place to ride.

The Montana Fly Fishing Lodge

Located on a mountain lake about an hour’s drive south of Bozeman, this Montana fly fishing lodge fits its western landscape perfectly. Lodging, food and service are all equal to the scenery and what you’d expect from an Orvis Endorsed Lodge. It’s a sophisticated western environment where the day starts with strong coffee, fresh baked pastries, omelets cooked to order and fresh fruit. Lunch is typically taken on the river or trail, where you’ll have sandwiches, salads and beverages. The bar is a relaxing place to congregate before dinner and carries some interesting local microbrews and California wines. Dinners are a mixture of western – expect a traditional steak barbecue – and French inspired Rocky Mountain cuisine with gourmet flair. Rooms are large and comfortable with one or two queen sized beds covered in traditional western Pendleton wool blankets. Each room has a large, private bathroom.

Pricing & Dates for Rocky Mountain Trout Roundup - Yellowstone

July 20 - 27, 2013
7 nights, 6 days of guided fishing

$3745 per angler, double occupancy (shared room and guide)

A $300 deposit will hold your space.

Other fly fishing trip options:
$4795 per angler, private room and private guide
$4096 per angler, private room, shared guide
$4345 per angler, shared room, private guide
$2195 per non-angler, sharing a room with an angler

• Fishing is based on 2 anglers per guide for a shared guide package, or 1 angler per guide for a private guide package.
• Anglers traveling alone pay for a private room package.
• Anglers traveling alone, or with a non-angling companion, who are willing to share a guide with another single angler pay the shared guide rate.

Each Angler Package Includes:

• 7 nights accommodations and 3 meals daily at Hubbard’s Yellowstone Lodge
• 6 full days of guided fly fishing for anglers on a variety of area waters, including float trips, wade trips and stillwater fishing
• Access to the lodge’s private waters (Merrell Lake)
• Fly Fishing equipment (rods, reels, line and waders)
• Guided horseback riding on the ranch (available al a carte for non-anglers)

Not Included in Your Package:

• Airfare to Bozeman, Montana
• Rental car
• Private transfers to the lodge on arrival and departure days ($200/car, roundtrip)
• Meals before checking in or after checking out of Hubbard's
• Flies (available for purchase on-site)
• $5 per person, per night, accommodations tax (payable at check-out)
• Gratuities
• Alcoholic beverages
• Items of a personal nature, phone calls, park entry fees and fishing licenses
• Guided non-angling activities, which can be arranged on-site
• Trip Cancellation insurance