What Should Customers Bring?

Clothing:

• Socks (2 polypro/wool/cotton)
• Light weight shirts (2 long sleeved/1 short sleeved)
• Fleece pullover or sweater
• Warm jacket (mornings can be below 40 degrees)
• One pair thermal wear (2 pair if no fleece pants) – early/late season
• Pants: one pair quick dry; one pair casual (jeans/chinos); one pair fleece for underneath waders – (early/late season)
• T-shirts and shorts (quick dry)
• Gloves or convertible mittens (fleece) – (early/late season)

Footwear:

• Slip-ons for bathroom visits
• Wading boots or river sandals
• Camp shoes or Hiking shoes

Fishing Gear:

• Hat (wide brimmed)
• Sunglasses (polarized are best)
• Rain jacket
• Rain pants if not using waders – (early/late season)
• We provide any/all fishing equipment, as needed. Or you are welcome to bring your own. Guests usually fish 8 or 9 foot; 4-6 weights.

Montana Fishing License:
MT fishing licenses can be purchased in advance. Go to the Montana FWP Online Licensing. You can also visit The Blackfoot Angler in Ovando at 406-793-FISH; or go to any Montana sporting goods store.

Miscellaneous:

• Camera/film
• Book or journal
• Sunscreen & lip protectant

Beverages:
North Fork Crossing provides beverages, including beer and wine. We are unable to provide hard liquor. Please bring your own if you prefer cocktails. Airport shuttle services will make a stop locally for liquor, upon request.

Sample of Typical Itinerary

Most of our guests stay 3-5 days/4-6 nights. Guests fly in and out of Missoula; which is serviced by all major airlines. They arrive at our lodge late afternoon; in time for dinner. They will fish 3-5 days; and fish a variety of water – depending on their interest and ability. Guests will usually depart on their last day after breakfast.

Species You Fish for by Season

On the Blackfoot, throughout our season, we fish for rainbow, brown, cut-bow, and our native westslope cutthroat trout. Occasionally, you will catch a brook or bull trout.

Region/Terrain Where You Fish

From our lodge: PRO Outfitters fishes a variety of waters including rivers, streams, tributaries and spring creeks; including the Blackfoot; Clark Fork; Missouri; Dearborn; & Bitterroot. PRO has long time, solid relationships with local landowners resulting in private access to impressive stretches of water inaccessible to others. We also have our own "secret" haunts from Missoula to Lewistown - which we prefer not to mention by name. Call us up for your own tour.

Typical Weather by Season

Anyone who knows anything about Montana knows how difficult it is to predict the weather here. At PRO Outfitters, our favorite saying is, "If you do not like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it will change!" This applies to all seasons and makes the "dress in layers" philosophy really practical. You can't go wrong if in March - June & September - November: you prepare for anything. And July & August: you be prepared for most things!

Date Range

We book trips in our lodge May - mid-October.

Orvis Week:

Dates: September 8-15, 2024
Length of Trip: 6 nights, 5 days of guided fishing
Pricing: $5,000 per guest (shared tent, shared guide)

What is Provided to Customer

PRO Outfitters provide all fishing equipment as needed including rods & waders. Guests receive guided fly-fishing instruction if desired, overnight accommodations, gourmet meals, beer and wine. PRO provides personal toiletries such as hair dryers, towels, lotions, soap, shampoo and bathrobes.

Q. When is the best time to fish the Blackfoot?

A. There is never a bad time to fish the Blackfoot, but here are some ideas about what is fishing when:

• July: The second most predictable time of the year in this drainage. Aquatic hatches are dominated by the mid-sized tan caddis and PMDs size #14 to #18, terrestrials are often a dominant food source for trout.
• August: Morning and evening hatches. During mid-day large terrestrials or attractor patterns often work well. Caddis and PMDs are still dominant aquatic hatches.
• September: The most predictable time of the year, dominated by dry weather, comfortable temperatures during the day, cool nights, cool, clear water and consistent hatches. Aquatic insects begin to get smaller but the big, old hoppers still work.
• October: Baetis and October Caddis dominant. Larger brown trout very active and more accessible, weather cooler with more moisture. A beautiful time of year.

Q. How do I get to the lodge?

A. Guests typically fly in and out of Missoula; MT. Missoula is serviced by all major airlines and car rental companies. Guests either rent a car or use a shuttle service. Our lodge is located about an hour east of Missoula. The shuttle service is $300 round trip (which includes gratuity) & is payable to the driver.

Q. How are gratuities handled?

A. Because we are a lodge experience, our guests usually tip 15-20% of the cost of their trip to the lodge at the end of their trip; either in the form of cash or a check made out to "Cash". This is then split between our guides, head chef, and staff.

Q. What are directions to the lodge?

From Helena:

• Take Highway 12 west out of town. Travel approximately 30 miles to the junction of Hwy. 12 and Hwy. 141 in the town of Avon.
• Turn right on Hwy. 141. Travel 33 miles until Hwy 141 ends at a "T" with Hwy 200.
• Turn left on to Hwy 200. Proceed west to the town of Ovando, approximately 12 miles. Ovando lies on the south (lest-hand) side of Hwy. 200, and a good landmark is Trixie’s Restaurant and Bar on the left.
• Turn left immediately past Trixie's and stay on the Ovando–Helmville Road (OH-RD). (If you miss the turn at Trixie's you can turn left at the sign that says 'to Ovando'. You will then need to bear right through town to proceed on OH-RD).
• The OH-RD is the only paved road that continues south from the highway. You may see signs to Brown's Lake, Helmville, or Harry Morgan Fishing Access.
• The road will turn from paved to chip sealed after approximately 2 miles.
• Continue for about another mile, until you cross the North Fork of the Blackfoot River. The North Fork Crossing is immediately on the left, just after you cross the bridge.

From Missoula:

• Take Interstate 90 east out of town to Highway 200 east, exiting at Bonner/Milltown (approximately 10 miles).
• Proceed east on Hwy. 200 approximately 60 miles to the town of Ovando. Ovando lies on the south-side (your right) of Hwy. 200
• Turn right at the sign for the town of Ovando.
• You will then need to bear right through town to proceed on the Ovando - Helmville Road (OH-RD). (If you miss this turn you may also turn right immediately before Trixie’s Restaurant and Bar, and then keep to the left to proceed on the OH-RD.
• The OH-RD is the only paved road that continues south from the highway. You may see signs to Brown’s Lake, Helmville, or Harry Morgan Fishing Access.
• The road will turn from paved to chip seal after approximately 2 miles.
• Continue on the chip sealed road for about another 2 miles, until you cross the North Fork of the Blackfoot River. The North Fork Crossing is immediately on the left, just after you cross the bridge.

From Bozeman:

• Take Interstate 90 west to Garrison Junction (approximately 130 miles).
• Exit onto Highway 12 east.
• Proceed approximately 15 miles on Hwy. 12 to the town of Avon and the junction of Hwy. 12 and Hwy. 141.
• In Avon, turn left onto Hwy. 141. Travel 33 miles until Hwy 141 ends at a "T" with Hwy 200.
• Turn left on to Hwy 200. Proceed west to the town of Ovando, approximately 12 miles. Ovando lies on the south (lest-hand) side of Hwy. 200, and a good landmark is Trixie’s Restaurant and Bar on the left.
• Turn left immediately past Trixie’s and stay on the Ovando–Helmville Road (OH-RD). (If you miss the turn at Trixie’s you can turn left at the sign that says ‘to Ovando’. You will then need to bear right through town to proceed on OH-RD).
• The OH-RD is the only paved road that continues south from the highway. You may see signs to Brown’s Lake, Helmville, or Harry Morgan Fishing Access.
• The road will turn from paved to chip sealed after approximately 2 miles.
• Continue for another 2 miles, until you cross the North Fork of the Blackfoot River. The North Fork Crossing is immediately on the left, just after you cross the bridge.

328 North Fork Hill Road
Ovando, MT 59854

If you get lost, or need any help – please call!

On-site Activities

Our philosophy is that these days - we, as a society, are barraged with too many options – from advertisements to media to 10 page menus. At PRO Outfitters - we do two things & do them really well. We fly fish & hunt wild birds in some of the most beautiful places on earth, with the best guides around. Don’t get us wrong - we enjoy all that goes along with that - including wildlife viewing; star gazing; marshmallow roasting; bird watching & reconnecting with yourself and the family and friends you brought along. If you are looking to be entertained by 10-20 other options – we probably aren’t the right place for you. If you want to relax & fly fish; or hunt wild game birds & be well taken care of by a very special place and group of people – give us a try.