Cast and Blast
Pre-trip Planner
Montana
If you were born after January 1, 1985, you must have completed a hunter safety course and bring your certification card with you.
Introduction:
Montana is the sportsman's dream state! This lodge is no exception with fabulous fly-fishing on the famed upper and lower Big Horn River and great wild bird hunting as well. Exceptional personal service for small groups of hunters and fisherman/women is the standard set by lodge managers John and Rebecca. You will not find a formal resort here. Instead, you will find a second home in Montana where your every need is met by a seasoned friendly and professional staff. You will also find some of the world's best fly fishing and bird hunting opportunities.
Accommodations:
Nestled amongst the cottonwoods along the lower Bighorn River, this lodge perfectly combines the rustic beauty of Montana with the comforts of the modern age. The lodge caters to small groups of anglers and hunters who will accept nothing short of the very finest service available.
The large screened porch, complete with log furniture and an old-time swing, provide a quiet evening retreat where guests can unwind and enjoy their surroundings. The great room - complete with wet bar and the warmth of a wood stove - greets you after an exciting day on the river or in the fields.
You will enjoy friendly knowledgeable staff from the moment you arrive until your departure. Eight years on staff is the norm for this lodge which is virtually unheard of in the industry.
Seven guest rooms each decorated with an artistic touch of the Montana outdoors, include two beds and a private bath.
Dining has always been a prominent element of every guest's stay and many have affirmed that it is among the chief reasons for their return. Meals feature such elements as local Angus beef, rack of lamb, upland game prepared with subtle spices and home-grown herbs, wild asparagus, pies filled with Montana berries and, of course, fresh vegetables.
Fishing:
The Bighorn River is indisputably one of the finest fisheries in the world, providing miles and miles of blue ribbon water for rainbow and brown trout. Its cool temperatures and steady flow, combined with prolific insect life, provide an ideal environment for trophy trout.
The Bighorn holds a greater number of large trout - fish in the 15-20 inch range - than any river in the United States. With around 8,000 trout per mile, it is not uncommon for an average angler to land 20 fish between 15-20 inches in a day, and most manage to hook into fish over the 20 inch mark during their stay.
Host to phenomenal fly hatches nearly year round, the Bighorn provides excellent fishing from April through November. However, June through August is considered prime season. As a tailwater fishery heavy run-off is never a problem, making it one of the few fisheries where fishing is good in the spring and fall.
This lodge is one of the few outfits to guide on both the upper and lower stretches of the Bighorn. Their experience on the lower Bighorn presents opportunities for exceptionally large trout and allows guests to fish this world famous river in near solitude. Bighorn river trips combine float fishing from McKenzie-style drift boats with traditional stalk and wade techniques.
The Fishing Guides:
The professional guides are knowledgeable, courteous and gifted with unlimited patience and enthusiasm. As qualified instructors, they can teach the fundamentals to beginners, help intermediate anglers improve their form or introduce experts to new techniques for taking trophy trout.
Fly fishing Equipment:
A first time angler can arrive almost empty handed and receive personal instruction, utilize the quality Orvis equipment and depart with the skills to begin a lifetime of flyfishing enjoyment. You can even allow the staff to assist you in purchasing your personal tools of the trade in their on site Orvis retail shop.
For the more experienced angler that wants to bring their own equipment, the equipment needed for the Big Horn can be as simple as a 5wt, 8'1/2" rod and a pair of chest waders. If you would like to bring a combination of rods, they recommend a 6wt for streamers, a 5 wt for nymphs and a 4 wt for dries. All rods for the Big Horn should be 8' or longer. A mid to tip flex rod is preferable.
Weight forward floating lines are the general rule. Full chest waders are a must. Lightweight waders are desirable in summer and fall. Polarized sunglasses are a necessity. They do a great deal of sight fishing and being able to spot the fish is a big help. Vests, gadgets and terminal tackle items are not needed as the guides provide all of these.
About Bighorn River Montana Fishing and Hunting:
"The Bighorn River is a fly-fishing experience every angler should take advantage of, and it's one that everyone from the inexperienced to the most adept can enjoy."
Leigh H. Perkins, Chairman, ORVIS
"I hunted for three days and wish I had booked a longer trip. The area is beautiful and the birds were everywhere." Jack Duley in "The Bird Hunting Report"
Bird Hunting:
South Central Montana boasts some of the best and most exciting upland bird hunting anywhere in the nation. This is the country where great buffalo herds once roamed, where pioneers struggled to carve out a new destiny and where Custer met his fate. The hillsides, valleys, creeks and fields of the Big Horn area offer a mixed bag of pheasant, Hungarian partridge and sharptail grouse. Throughout much of the season all species can be hunted and are very often encountered in the same habitat.
This lodge has secured leases on more than 40,000 acres of ranch and farmland that is rich in upland birds. Wild bird hunts are managed by taking only a limited number of hunters each year. By rotating between several different areas, the staff can insure excellent hunting throughout the entire season.
The shooting is demanding, but the birds are abundant and most shooters stand a good chance of filling their quotas each day. To help in that regard, the lodge offers a complimentary sporting clay course, complete with professional instruction to all their guests. For those wishing for a less rigorous hunt, the lodge can provide managed hunts for hard flying released birds on one of their two 1200 acres shooting preserves.
Hunting Style:
The hunts are conducted in traditional western style over pointing dogs and flushers. Knowledgeable guides and excellent dog work are the fundamentals of each and every hunt. Guests typically hunt in pairs with one guide and a team of dogs. The lodge offers an indoor championship kennel facility should you wish to bring and hunt your own dog(s). All game is cleaned, processed and packaged for your departure. Guests wishing to have their game shipped may do so for the cost of shipping. All hunts are on foot so you will want to be in good shape!
Cast and Blast Combo trips:
The "Cast and Blast" package is one of the most popular options and there are few places in the country that can offer upland hunting this good in combination with fishing a river like the Big Horn. In the fall, you can combine fly-fishing and upland bird hunting in the same package making it the ultimate "grand slam" outdoor experience!
Shotgun, Shells & Hunting Gear:
Over-unders or doubles are the recommended shotguns. A 20 gauge is great and is the choice of most of the guides but 12's and 16's also do the job. A fast shooting load in 7 ½ for the Huns and 6's for the pheasant and grouse. 6 shot is a good all-around shot if you want only one load. Ammunition for sporting clays is complimentary and field ammunition is available for sale on site at the Orvis shop.
A good pair of boots will be your prized possession and should be light, waterproof and comfortable. Insulated boots are not needed until late October and November. Brush pants and vest/jacket to carry ammunition is also recommended. Be aware that September hunts can be on the warm side, while November days can be quite cool.
All Inclusive Montana Vacation Packages:
Like most of Antlers & Anglers locations, this lodge designs lodging, fly fishing and bird hunting packages that incorporate nearly every element of your stay. One can arrive almost empty-handed and be fly fishing or hunting in style in a matter of moments, at no additional charge. Packages typically begin with arrival in the afternoon, run two to five days and conclude with the morning departure.
Other area attractions:
- Little Bighorn Battlefield - Custer's last stand - about 15 miles east of Hardin - 406-638-2621
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Montana Fishing Seasons:
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Details
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April – June
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More fish than any other months.
Dries: Blue Wing Olives, Midges
Nymphs: Midge Larva, Baetis, Sow Bugs, Scuds, AlgalWorms
May is prime time for big trout on small dries.
June is the best month for novices and offers the best nymph fishing for large trout.
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July
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Variety, good weather, great fishing
Dries: Pale Morning Duns, the PMD’s are prolific and they aren’t so small
Nymphs: Caddis Larva, Baetis, Algal Worms
A good deal of sight-fishing on the riffs and shelfs
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August - September
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A good time for dry fly enthusiasts
Dries: Caddis Flies, Hoppers, Tricos. Tiny tricos equal big trout
Nymphs: Caddis Pupa, Algal Worms, Midge larva shallow water sight fishing with nymphs and emergers
IF THE HOPPERS GO, WATCH OUT!
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October - November
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Big trout in cool weather
Dries: Midges, Caddis Flies, Blue Wing Olives. The Blue Wing hatch can offer great fall dry fly action.
Nymphs/Streamers: Algal Worms, Scuds, Woolly buggers, Steamers can produce big browns
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Bird Hunting season begins September 1 at which time Hungarian partridge and sharptail grouse can be hunted. Pheasant season opens on October 13 and runs through the end of November. September is the best month for those whose primary objective is good grouse hunting. Sharptail grouse can be found through November. The Hungarian partridge hunting in this area is truly fantastic all three months of the season. October and November present great hunting for pheasants.
2013 Pricing for Fishing:
2 Days/ 3 Nights: $1700/person
3 Days/ 4 Nights: $2200/person
4 Days/ 5 Nights: $2600/person
5 Days/ 6 Nights: $3000/person
Single supplements: $200/night
Non sporting rate: $250/night
Includes:
- Lodging and dining
- Instruction
- Casting clinics if requested ahead of time
- Guides 2x1
- All flies and terminal tackle
- Use of Orvis rod/reel, waders and boots
Not Included:
- Tips recommended ($75-125 per guide per pair) house tips $20-30 per guest per night
- Transportation to/from the lodge (About 45 minutes from Billings)
- Single rates: $300/night
- Accommodation tax
- Fishing licenses (fishing about $15-45)
- Alcoholic beverages (mixers are complimentary)
- Trave insurance
2013 Pricing for Bird Hunting:
2 Days/ 3 Nights: $2900/person
3 Days/ 4 Nights: $3800/person
4 Days/ 5 Nights: $4700/person
Single Supplements: $200/night
Non sporting rate: $250/night
Includes:
- Lodging and dining
- Guides 2x1
- Dogs
- Sporting clay shoots with targets and ammunition
- Instruction if requested ahead of time
- Game packaging but not shipping
Not Included:
- Tips recommended ($75-125 per guide per pair) House tips $20-30 per guest per night
- Transportation to/from the lodge (About 45 Minutes from Billings)
- Single occupancy rooms or guiding
- Alcoholic beverages
- Hunting license (About $120)
- Field ammunition
- Trip insurance
2013 Pricing for Fish/Hunt Combination
3 Days/4 Nights: $3200/person
4 Days/5 Nights: $4000/person
5 Days/6 Nights: $4800/person
Single Supplements: $200/night
Non sporting rate: $250/night
Included:
- Lodging and dining
- Guides 2x1
- Dogs
- Sporting clay shoots with targets and ammunition
- Instruction - casting clinics and shooting clinic if requested ahead of time
- All flies and terminal tackle
- Game packaging but not shipping
- Use of Orvis rod/reel, waders and boots
Not Included:
- Tips Recommended ($75-125 per guide per pair) House tips $20-30 per guest per night
- Transportation to/from the lodge (about 45 minutes from Billings)
- Single occupancy rooms or guiding
- Field ammunition
- Alcoholic beverages
- Hunting and fishing licenses
- Travel insurance
Travel Information:
You will fly into Billings, Montana and rent a car to drive to the lodge which is under an hour away.
After I book this trip...What's Next?
1. A&AW (Antlers & Anglers Worldwide) will invoice you for a 50% deposit and send you a release form to confirm your spot and a link to the pre-trip planner.
2. We HIGHLY recommend travel insurance which can be purchased via the link at the bottom of this page. Travel insurance is time sensitive and must be purchased within 14 days of the initial deposit to recieve the most complete coverage. It protects you from medical expenses while traveling, cancellation due to natural disaster, illness, death in the family,and lodge closings; in this day and time, anything is possible. Lodges count on you to protect your investment.
3. Make your travel arrangements and check on your passport if needed for this trip.
4. A&AW will send you a detailed clothing & equipment list. Be sure to look it over to see if you need to plan ahead for any special purchases!
5. 120 days out from your trip, you will receive a final invoice for the remainder of the balance due 90 days before the trip.
6. The final countdown information details will be sent to you which will include emergency numbers and directions.
7. Have a fantastic trip! Call us if you need anything.
8. Upon your return, we will call you to see how the trip went! We can't wait to here about your adventure!
9. It's time to plan your next trip! Thanks for your business!
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS:
If you need help with your airline travel and accommodations before or after your trip we recommend Jacky Keith, president of Esplanade Travel in Boston. Contact her at jkeith@esplanadetravel.com or 800-628-4893.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
While Antlers & Anglers does everything in our power to protect our clients from travel problems however we cannot prevent illness, deaths, or lodge closings; we live in uncertain times! The only way to guarantee your investment in your trip is through travel insurance. Most health insurance companies do not cover international medical expenses. There are many good companies available. We recommend Travelex because of their service and their company ratings. The Travelex Insurance link is available through our website at the bottom of this page.
Antlers & Anglers is similar to a travel agent in that we send your payments directly to the outfitter. Should something unforeseen happen, Antlers & Anglers will only be able to refund money that fits the lodges' refund policy! Please buy travel insurance for your protection.
Finally, travel insurance is time sensitive and must be purchased within a certain number of days of your deposit to cover preexisting conditions, lodge closings and other various issues. It is still available later but the benefits may be more limited.
GLOBAL RESCUE:
As a service to our clients, the Global Rescue link is available through our website at www.globalrescue.com . Global rescue will actually rescue you from any location, even the bottom of a cliff. They have ex special ops rescuers, jet service and Johns Hopkins doctors on call to assist you anywhere in the world.
DEPOSIT, REFUND POLICY, AND RELEASES:
- A signed liability release waiver for Antlers and Anglers Worldwide, LLC is required and must be sent with the initial deposit.
- Each lodge will have their own release for you to sign upon arrival at the lodge. If you want to participate, you will be required to sign a form.
- 50% non-refundable deposit with your signed release will be due at the time of booking to hold your spot. Your spot is not guaranteed until you deposit is received.
- The remaining balance of the trip cost will be due 90 days prior to your departure.
- Due to the financial exposure from cancelled trips, lodges are revising and tightening their policies on cancellations and refunds; in more and more instances they are not permitting refunds, re-scheduling, or substitutions. In light of these new policies and the uncertain economy, Antlers & Anglers Worldwide, LLC (AAW, LLC) strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance. Since the cost of your trip is significant and must be paid in advance and prior to your departure, you stand to lose a considerable sum of money if you must cancel your trip or if something unforeseen happens. If the lodge will allow substitutes, you may substitute one or more persons in place of yourself or others who have confirmed reservations for your trip. Payments by individuals who are substituted for one or more persons on your trip will be credited toward payments made by such person(s) to AAW, LLC. To the extent of any such payments, AAW, LLC will issue a corresponding refund. If requested, AAW, LLC will assist you in your efforts to find a suitable substitute, although no assurance is given that one will be found.
