Missouri River Ranch

Lodging Details
Missouri River Ranch offers all the comfortable amenities that you’d expect to find at the premier lodge on the Missouri. New additions include spacious rooms that step out onto decks overlooking the river valley. The guest rooms have various bed configurations to best accommodate couples, fishing buddies, friends, and families. The common Great Room is a relaxing loft made for guests to unwind after a day of fishing and outdoor activities. The room—formerly a hayloft for the dairy ranch—provides guests a space for relaxing on the dining deck or an opportunity to chat with the chef about that evening’s gourmet meal. For guests looking to stay connected to the outside world, the great room offers both Wi-Fi and television with over 300 channels.

Food and Beverages
Each meal is prepared by an in-house chef using fresh, hearty ingredients. The menu focuses on elegantly-prepared traditional Montana meals, which leave you feeling beyond satiated! Breakfasts can be made-to-order while watching the sunrise over the Missouri River, or the chef can prepare a breakfast sandwich to-go so you can hit the road and begin that day’s adventure. For non-anglers preferring to stay at the Ranch during lunchtime, the chef is happy to prepare an appetizing meal. While on the river fishing, your guide will have a riverside lunch prepared with an assortment of drinks. Different entrees are offered every night, including filet mignon, Italian night, fried chicken, pork loin, fresh Alaskan salmon, Mexican night, or even Shrimp Fra Diavolo.

Non-Angling Activities and Options
Non-angling guests may choose from countless exciting activities during their visit. On the ranch property, hikers can explore two miles of trails, taking in the views along the Missouri River and viewing the local wildlife and birds that call the Ranch property home. Cooking classes with the Ranch chef can be arranged for either individuals or groups. Within a short driving distance of the Ranch are some great sights, tours, museums, trails, and parks that should be on every visitor’s list. Only 20 minutes from the Ranch is the Gates of the Mountains Tour, consisting of a 120-minute cruise through the scenic canyon walls of Holter Lake. The Montana Historical Society in Helena and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Great Falls is rich in history and a great way to learn about this historic region of Montana. Other non-angling activities include a visit to First Peoples Buffalo Jump, the Charles Russell Museum, and Glacier National Park, to name a few.

Internet / Communications
Wi-Fi access is available at the Ranch, and most cell phones work in the vicinity. Contact your service provider for specific details on
cell reception in the area.

How To Get There
The nearest commercial airport just 45 minutes south of the Ranch in Helena (HLN), an airport that is serviced by Delta, Horizon, and United. Great Falls Airport (GTF) is 55 miles to the north and serviced by Allegiant Delta, Horizon, and United. Rental services are available at both airports.

Arrival and Departure Details / Times
Guests must arrive on either a Monday or Thursday.

Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes. 

Travel Tools
– Airline Ticketing
– Moon Phases
– Rent This Rod
– Trip Insurance and Emergency Evacuation
– Global Rescue Membership

General Information
The Missouri River (the longest river in North America) begins where the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin Rivers meet near Three Forks, Montana. Below Three Forks, the Missouri passes through three reservoirs, making this tailwater a unique and one-of-a-kind fishery. The Missouri River near Craig, MT is reputed for great dry fly fishing and high numbers of fish per mile. In a recent study by Montana Fish, Parks, and Wildlife, biologists found that the Craig section of the Missouri River held over 8,000 trout per mile!

This section of the Missouri is sometimes referred to as a giant spring creek due to the consistent water temperature and the steady flows from Holter Dam, which give life to great hatches year-round. Rising trout and consistent hatches are the claims to fame for the Upper Missouri. Any time of year will offer the opportunity to cast to rising fish and give the dry fly angler countless opportunities to drift their fly to fish looking upward. Missouri River Ranch and Yellow Dog have close relationships with experienced and professional local guides and fly shops in the Craig area. An added bonus to staying at the Missouri River Ranch is the convenience of access to wading over a mile of river frontage on the Ranch property.

Boats and Equipment 
Float fishing on the Missouri River is done via McKenzie-style drift boats designed for fly fishing. There are several fly shops in the Craig area and all stock great selections of flies, terminal tackle, and all of the major lines of rods, reels, waders, and more.

Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or the outfitter.

2023 Pricing (based on double occupancy)
April 10 – 30
3 nights / 2 days = $1,800.00 per person
4 nights / 3 days = $2,500.00 per person
5 nights / 4 days = $3,200.00 per person
6 nights / 5 days = $3,900.00 per person

May 1 – 25
3 nights / 2 days = $2,400.00 per person
4 nights / 3 days = $3,300.00 per person
5 nights / 4 days = $4,200.00 per person
6 nights / 5 days = $5,100.00 per person

May 25 – July 20
3 nights / 2 days = $2,700.00 per person
4 nights / 3 days = $3,700.00 per person
5 nights / 4 days = $4,700.00 per person
6 nights / 5 days = $5,700.00 per person

July 20 – Aug 31
3 nights / 2 days = $2,250.00 per person
4 nights / 3 days = $3,100.00 per person
5 nights / 4 days = $3,950.00 per person
6 nights / 5 days = $4,800.00 per person

Aug 31 – Oct 1
3 nights / 2 days = $2,400.00 per person
4 nights / 3 days = $3,300.00 per person
5 nights / 4 days = $4,200.00 per person
6 nights / 5 days = $5,100.00 per person

Oct 1 – 29
3 nights / 2 days = $1,800.00 per person
4 nights / 3 days = $2,500.00 per person
5 nights / 4 days = $3,200.00 per person
6 nights / 5 days = $3,900.00 per person

*Guests must arrive on either a Monday or Thursday

What’s Included:

• Lodging
• Guided fishing
• All meals
• All house beer, wine, spirits & non-alcoholic beverages at the lodge
• Cooler lunch and non-alcoholic beverages on guide trips
• Rods/reels, flies, and tackle provided by the guide
• Guide pick up & drop off on each day of fishing
• River shuttle fees for guide’s vehicle
  
  

What’s Not Included:

• Airfare
• Airport transportation (can be arranged at an additional cost)
• Waders and wading boots (available for rental at a local shop)
• Fishing licenses
• Gratuities for guides
• Surcharge for fishing Land of the Giants (if applicable)
• Gratuities for lodge staff (will be included upon invoicing)
• Lodging taxes (will be included upon invoicing)

Missouri River Ranch (Craig, Montana)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking for all trip packages and reservations, and final payment if due 90 days prior to arrival. All trip cancellations must be received in writing, sent to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, LLC. For all cancellations outside of 90 days of scheduled arrival date, a full refund or a trip credit (minus a $100.00 per person Yellow Dog cancellation fee) will be issued. For cancellations inside of 90 days, deposits and final payments will be forfeited, and no refund or credit will be issued unless the cancelled package is resold by either the lodge or by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures. If the package (for the same dates) is resold, then a full refund will be sent minus a $100.00 per person Yellow Dog cancellation fee. In the case of cancellation by the client, both deposit and final payment may be transferred to another guest or angler for those same (original) dates if facilitated and arranged by the client. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these packages. Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance for this trip.

Payment Terms for All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings  
Unless otherwise noted on your invoice, for all trips less than 90 days out, full payment is required after receipt of the confirmation email to secure guides and reservations. For trips outside of 90 days, a 50% deposit is required upon receipt of confirmation email to confirm your reservations.   

Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a secure payment portal – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com to gain access. 

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Standard Forms of Payment 

• Debit card (fee-free) and credit card (3% convenience fee) - to pay via card please utilize the customer payment portal. If you need assistance, reach out to 406-585-8667 ext. #3 
• Wires - please include name and/or invoice number for reference on your wire. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com for wiring instructions. (client is responsible for wiring fees) 
• Physical check - please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to 213 S. Willson Ave. Bozeman, MT, 59715

If you have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (406) 585-8667 ext. #3. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MT.