Included / Not Included: –
Included: Accommodations, meals and guiding (two people per guide), terminal tackle.
Not Included: Transportation to and from the lodge, fishing licenses (available at lodge), alcohol (see note), gratuities, applicable state accommodations taxes.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information To get to Bighorn River Lodge you will need to make travel arrangements to Billings, Montana and then to the lodge which is located just 12 miles downstream of Fort Smith.
Getting to the Lodge: In Billings you can either rent a car and drive to the lodge or hire a shuttle. Shuttle services are available through Big Sky Sedan in Billings at 800.625.4839. Afternoon and early evening arrivals are encouraged.
Departure Information: On your departure day you will return to Billings in the morning to catch flights home.
Personal aircraft and private charter options:
Fort Smith Airport is located west of Ft. Smith and hosts a 3,827 ft. x 50 ft. airport runway. The elevation of the runway is 3,242 ft. above sea level. If you arrive by personal aircraft please forward us your flight information and we will make sure the lodge makes arrangements for your transfer.
Driving Directions from Billings:
Bighorn River Lodge is located 12 miles downstream from Fort Smith, Montana, along Highway 313, which leads from Hardin, MT to Ft. Smith.
• From Billings, follow I-90 East to Exit 456 toward Sheridan.
• Merge onto I-90 East and travel 40 miles to Hardin, MT.
• Take Exit 495 toward Hardin/City Center. Take right into Hardin. Drive south through town until the road turns into Highway 313.
• Drive 22 miles to St. Xavier on HWY 313.
• Turn left at St. Xavier (still on HWY 313) toward Yellowtail Recreation Area.
• Bighorn River Lodge is located approximately 5 miles from St. Xavier on the right hand side of HWY 313. Turn right at Bighorn Access sign and Bighorn River Lodge billboard. Follow arrows to the lodge
Travel Cash:
As a guideline we recommend that each guest travels with approximately $400 - $600 for staff and guide gratuities, gifts, etc.
Gratuities:
Gratuities are a personal preference however guidelines are always helpful. We recommend giving your gratuities to the lodge manager on the last day of your stay (gratuities average $70 - $100 /day per guide and $20 / day per guest for house staff).
Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are not included. Please be prepared to pay for these on-site with check or cash only. See itinerary for details.
Alternatively, fishing licenses may be purchased online ahead of time at: http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/license/
Climate:
Temperatures typically range from the mid 50’s to the mid 90’s. In the summer it is usually quite warm during the day and cool in the evening. However, it is important for guests to be prepared for cold rainy conditions throughout the season.
Medical Facilities:
The nearest hospital is Hardin, 35 miles (20 minutes) from the lodge in an emergency. Billings, 60 minutes, has one of the best hospitals in the US. In case of a major emergency, the Billings Clinic is about 20-30 minutes away by helicopter.
Power and Communications:
Cell phones do not work at the lodge. The closest cell signal is about 10 miles away. The lodge, has phones available for guests’ use. There is not an emergency satellite phone available. In case of an emergency, for guests on the river, there is usually a cabin within a mile or two walking distance from wherever they may be fishing.
The lodge does have wireless internet for guests who choose to bring their own laptop.
Clothing:
In the Rockies it is always possible to encounter a wide variety of weather conditions. We recommend that you always come well prepared with different layers including lightweight long sleeve and short-sleeved shirts, fleece top and bottoms, synthetic long underwear, rain jacket, sun and rain hats, fishing gloves and polarized sunglasses. Evening attire at the lodge is casual.
Laundry:
Laundry service is available. The price is approximately $10 per load washed, dried and folded.
Beverages/Alcohol:
Bighorn River Lodge is located on a dry reservation so they are not able to sell alcohol. Guests need to bring all of their alcohol. If want to purchase alcohol you will need to do this at a liquor store or bar in Billings, Montana.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rods: 9 foot rods for 4 - 6 weight lines.
Lines: Floating lines, weight forward or double tapered.
Reels: Any quality single action fly reel with 50 yards of 20 lb backing.
Leaders: 9 ft to 12 ft leaders in 4x - 6x. Bring additional tippet in the same diameters.
Flies:
Dries: Pmd's and other beatis, black caddis, and tricos are all good for dries #16-22 depending on hatches and assorted hoppers in #6.
Nymphs: Black Stone #8, Bird’s Nest #14-18, AP Black #14-18, Pheasant tails #14-18, Sow bugs, scuds, and midges #18-20, San Juan worms 4-10 in brown and red.
Streamers: brown, black, and olive weighted woolley buggers in # 4-8.
Waders & Boots: Lightweight breathable waders are recommended. Neoprene socks are recommended when wet wading. Please, no studded wading boots.
Note: The lodge has a well equipped fly shop. Rental Rods are available per day. Rental equipment runs $55/day for rod/reel and waders/boots.
