Healing Waters Lodge is in many ways the classic Montana fly fishing lodge. Located 1.5 hours from Bozeman and in the heart of the Ruby River Valley, the lodge overlooks its own private pond where guests can enjoy a cocktail while watching trout rise peacefully to an evening hatch. Owner Mike Geary is a gregarious and engaging host, and he presides over the lodge’s diverse fishing program. Guests here likely have more angling choices within easy driving distance than at any other operation in Montana. Anglers can choose to float the larger rivers like the Beaverhead, Big Hole, Jefferson, and Madison or walk smaller, meadow streams like the Ruby, the Upper Clark Fork, South Boulder or Flint Creek. Healing Waters Lodge also offers access to private, spring-fed creeks and select ponds with advance notice. The lodge itself is exceedingly comfortable with spacious, double-occupancy rooms, a large outdoor hot tub, pool table, exercise room, and of course that beautiful trout pond where guests are always welcome to practice their technique or sneak in one last cast to a rising fish.

Healing Waters Lodge’s fishing program is based on fishing the great public waters that have made southwest Montana famous. In drift boats, guests float many of the larger regional rivers including the Beaverhead, Big Hole, Jefferson, and Madison. Guests can also walk-and-wade smaller meadow streams like the Ruby, the Upper Clark Fork, the South Boulder, and Flint Creek. Additionally, Healing Waters Lodge has exclusive access to private spring-fed creeks and ponds in the valley. These venues are best reserved in advance and guests should expect to pay special access fees (that average $125 per person per day) for these systems.

Each morning, guests are picked up in front of their rooms by their guide. After discussing the day’s game plan, they head out by vehicle to their elected fishing venue. Guides provide refreshments, bottled water, a hearty lunch, and snacks. Guests typically return to the lodge in time to enjoy a soak in the outdoor hot tub, shower, and relax on their private porch. Appetizers and refreshments are served on the sun porch overlooking the pond followed by dinner.

Guests at Healing Waters Lodge enjoy clean, comfortable, spacious rooms with two queen sized beds, private bathroom, and porches with views. All rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi and cellphone coverage. Complimentary laundry service, a large outdoor hot tub, and an exercise room are also available. The original main lodge houses the kitchen, a pool table, Direct TV, and sitting areas as well as the telephone, fax and computer/printer for guest use.

Meals are very thoughtfully prepared, fresh, and well-balanced. They often feature herbs and produce from the lodge’s garden as well as from other growers in the Ruby Valley. The lodge serves complimentary beer and wine, and guests are welcome to bring their own spirits.

2024 Rates: Per person based on double occupancy

• 7 night/6 day package: $6,550
• 6 night/5 day package: $5,800
• 5 night/4 day package: $5,100
• 4 night/3 day package: $4,300
• 3 night/2 day package: $3,200

Included: Lodging, meals, guided fishing, and beer, and wine, fly fishing equipment, all terminal tackle, and hospitality staff gratuities.

Not Included: Airfare, transportation to/from the lodge, fishing licenses, private water rod fees, hard alcohol, and guide gratuities.

Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout

Season: May to October

Capacity: 18 anglers

Who is best suited to this destination? This destination is well suited for most anglers. The options for drifting and for walk and wade fishing are easy to access and anglers can fish a variety of techniques. The meals are warm and plentiful, and the accommodations are cozy and simple. There are not many activities for those who are not fishing, so this is truly an angling-centric lodge.

Where is the lodge? The lodge is in the heart of Ruby Valley ranch land, about ten minutes away from Twin Bridges, MT.

How do I get there? Guests fly into Bozeman, MT and either rent a car or pay for a shuttle from the lodge. Guests with private planes can fly into Twin Bridges or Dillon.

When should I go? The best insect variety is usually July through August, however this is also the busiest time on the water with other anglers. Guests looking for dry fly fishing should consider pre-runoff in May, or late June through early August. The hopper fishing is usually steady through early September, although hot temperatures can greatly affect the fishing in August. Mid-September through early October is a very beautiful time to go, with nymph and streamer fishing picking up as the water cools down.

How will I fish? Anglers will float or wade two per guide. There are hundreds of miles of fishable water within an hour’s drive of the lodge and anglers will have access to a variety of rivers throughout the season. Rivers that can be fished include the Jefferson, Beaverhead, Big Hole, and Ruby, as well as Mill Creek and Clear Creek.

Is there wade fishing? There is wade fishing on private property, and there are rivers that are best accessed by boat with channels and islands to walk up.

Where will I fish? There are hundreds of miles of fishable water between the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Jefferson, and Ruby Rivers, as well as Clear Creek and Mill Creek. Note that the guides will take anglers to the places where the conditions are best for fishing, these rivers will fish well in certain months, and should be avoided in other months.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? It can take anywhere between ten minutes to an hour to reach the fishing grounds, although most locations can be reached in thirty minutes.

What type(s) of fish will I catch? There are mostly brown and rainbow trout, although there are some cutthroat and “cuttbows”, as well as whitefish.

How many fish will I catch? Ten fish per angler each day is a good expectation to have, this will vary based on the conditions, time of year and fishing method.

Will I see other anglers? Guests should plan to see other anglers. Guests visiting before June 20th or after September 10th will see fewer other anglers. There are opportunities to fish private water as well where guests may be the only anglers on the river or will be fishing a beat system.

What are the guides like? The guides are easy going, range in age and are knowledgeable of the area. Most guides will use a dry/dropper set up or nymph rig, be sure to discuss your fishing goals with us when booking so we can get you set up with the right guide.

What are the physical demands? There are no physical demands for this trip. Some of the rooms are accessed by stairs, if you need a room without stairs please let us know when booking.

Are there any special skills required? There are no special skills required.

Does the lodge provide equipment? The lodge provides all the equipment one may need, they even have jackets and hats for guests to borrow, as well as a selection of clothing to purchase.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? A 5-weight 9-foot rod is a great tool for this trip with any 4/5/6 reel.

What are the top flies? Throughout the season the flies change often, guests should call before their trip for the best patterns.

What are the options if water conditions become challenging? There are several different fishing locations, meaning guides have options if one river is experiencing poor fishing conditions. Guests should be prepared to fish in sun, rain, wind, even snow.

What is a typical day like? Guests will have breakfast at 7:00AM in the dining room. Guides will meet guests in front of the fly shop at 8:00AM and depart for their fishing destination. Guests will arrive back at the lodge around 5:00PM. Wine and beer will be set out at 6:00 PM, and appetizers will be served at 6:30PM. At this time, the owner of the lodge, Mike Geary, will discuss each guests’ fishing location with them for the next day. Dinner is served at 7:00PM and guests are free to mingle in the lodge afterward or retire to their room.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere, and style of the lodge? The lodge is very laid back. Cocktail hour and dinner are a social affair and guests are encouraged to mingle. The lodge style is simple, cozy, and quiet.

Is there an on-site owner, manager, or other point-person at the lodge? The lodge owners, Mike, and Laura Geary, are always either onsite or only moments away.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Guests dine in the main lodge at a large dining table. There are separated group seating options available if desired, please let us know in advance so the lodge can prepare. Meals are generally a warm dish starting with a salad, followed by a meat or fish option with a vegetable and grain side. The evening will end with dessert and coffee.

What is the alcohol policy? Beer and wine is provided by the lodge. Guests who would like cocktails may bring their own liquor to keep in the lodge for cocktail hour and dinner.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? There are eight rooms, each one with a unique layout and décor. Three of the rooms are accessed by a flight of stairs, the others are ground level. Seven of the rooms have two queen sized beds, and one room has one king sized bed. Each room has a bathroom, desk, and outdoor sitting area. Single occupancy is accepted with an extra $100 per night.

Is there internet and/or cell service? The cell signal is not always strong in the area. The rooms have Wi-Fi, the signal at the main lodge is not great.

Are there other activities? This is a lodge suited best for anglers, there are not many other activities for guests who rather not fish.

Are there any other expenses? Some of the fishing locations will have a rod fee associated which is payable on site. Other expenses to consider are rental car costs to travel to/from the airport, any liquor guests may choose to bring, and guide gratuities.

Do I need a visa? A visa is not needed for this location.

Are there any health concerns, dangers, or annoyances? Weather in the Rockies can be unpredictable, and guests are encouraged to bring layers for cool mornings and evenings with an option for lighter clothes during the heat of the day. Rain and snow are a possibility in most months of the year. Wind can be an issue around fall, and in early summer there may be some mosquitos at boat ramps.