The Fishing

Fly Fishing in Big Sky, Montana
for Hooked on a Cure

Lone Mountain Ranch was selected for the 2010 Hooked on a Cure Fly Fishing Classic 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 4 miles from the Gallatin River, and a mere river valley away from the Yellowstone and Madison Rivers. In addition to these well-known trout fishing gems, the lodge’s guides have access to some of the lesser know, and more hidden away streams and mountain lakes.

Gallatin River and its tributaries
The Gallatin River, located only 4 miles from the lodge, begins its journey in the grassy meadows of Yellowstone National Park and winds its way through the deep Gallatin Canyon before converging with the Madison and Jefferson Rivers to form the Mighty Missouri. Throughout its course, the river provides a wide variety of water, much of it with easy access. In the upper reaches, from its headwaters in Yellowstone Park down to Big Sky, it is a small meadow stream. Easy wading, beautiful scenery and uncomplicated fishing makes it a good choice for beginning anglers or those that enjoy a less strenuous outing. As the Gallatin River begins is descent through the canyon it increases in volume and speed, changing to pocket water with a few larger pools. Wading is a little more difficult in this area, but the efforts can be rewarded with some very nice fish. As the river leaves the canyon and flows across the plains west of Bozeman it offers determined anglers the opportunity to target larger fish on streamers and even hopper patterns. Virtually all fishing on the Gallatin River is accessed by wading, and only occasionally will anglers float the lower river with rafts.

The East Gallatin River flows right past the airport in Bozeman before joining the main branch of the river, and is a favorite among many local anglers. Numerous small streams flow into the Gallatin River, increasing the options for anglers that enjoy small stream fishing.

Madison River
The Madison River also starts its journey in the meadows of Yellowstone Park before dumping into Hebgen Lake almost immediately after crossing the park boundary. Inside the park the river is heavily influenced by thermal springs, which add both rich nutrients and warm water. The nutrients encourage rich biodiversity and insect activity, but the warm water can often impact the quality of the fishing during mid summer. In the fall large brown trout migrate up the river from Hebgen Lake, giving lucky anglers a chance at some truly big fish. The Madison flows out of Hebgen Lake through a dam, which helps moderate the warm summer water temperatures common to the upper river. The stretch immediately below Hebgen is referred to as “between the lakes” because it flows only a few miles before entering Quake Lake. Quake Lake was formed by a massive earthquake that struck the area during the summer of 1959. The quake caused a massive landslide that killed 28 people and dammed the river creating the lake. Below Quake Lake the Madison flows through a wide valley for almost 50 miles before entering Ennis Lake. This stretch is basically one long riffle and usually fished from a drift boat. The “hopper & dropper” is an effective technique for catching trout on this section of the river in late summer. The fishing below Ennis Lake can be good as well, but you have to drive past a lot of good trout fishing between Lone Mountain Ranch and Ennis Lake, so guests of the Ranch seldom fish what is referred to as the Lower Madison River. The river joins the lower Gallatin and Jefferson Rivers near Three Forks Montana to form the Missouri River. The average Madison River trout is 12-14 inches, with many specimens measuring in at 20 inches.

The Yellowstone River
The fabled Yellowstone River flows north, leaving the Park near the gateway community of Gardiner, Montana. Although the river offers good fishing inside the park, it becomes possible to access by drift boat downstream of Gardiner. With nearly 100 miles of floatable trout water downstream of the Park boundary, it is possible to float the every day for a week or two without fishing the same water twice. Most of the river consists of riffles, runs, and large pools and boasts some of the best hopper fishing in the world for cutthroats, rainbows and browns. In late summer anglers often have the pleasure of watching cutthroats emerge from deep runs to delicately nip at their feather and foam offerings. With plenty of riffles, pockets and bends, the river offers ample opportunities to get out and wade fish the more productive stretches. Fish average 12-14 inches, but it is not uncommon to catch a 20 inch trout on the Yellowstone River.

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