Accommodations & Meals

Located on the shores of Merrill Lake and surrounded by majestic mountains, the lodge consists of four buildings, all with their own character and charm. The main lodge is a stunning log building with six guest rooms. It also contains complete dining facilities and a bar perfect for resting after a great day of fishing or simply enjoying the serene environment only Montana can provide. Three additional guest rooms are in the nearby Tom Miner Lodge with views of the lake and the meandering Yellowstone River. Angler’s Arms has two rooms on the lake and two overlooking Paradise Valley. And they recently completed six rooms with their own great room overlooking the horse pastures and the Yellowstone River.

The guest rooms are all single or double occupancy, with one or two queen beds in each room, and a private bath. They have a total of 29 queen beds with some rooms having two beds and some having one bed.  Although most folks spend little time in their rooms, you will find the rooms ideal to take a nap after a hard day on the river or to read that novel that you never have time for.

Without a doubt, the beds at this lodge are an unexpected pleasure.  Enjoy log beds with Sealy mattresses, high thread count sheets, Pendleton blankets, down comforters and custom tile bathrooms in every room.

Dining:

Chefs from around the country will be preparing client favorites, such as steak cookout night and the French influenced gourmet cuisine. The walleye is something you will have to experience to believe. Entrees are accompanied by soup, salad, and a special dessert. Appetizers precede the main meal in the bar area.  Meals are served on McKenzie Childs Dishes!

Fishing

The Waters: mid-June thru September

Variety!  Few places in Montana offer the variety of fishing found near this lodge.  Their private 90 acre lake full of trophy brown trout and rainbow trout is the private playground of all their guests. In addition, explore the numerous other fishing destinations within a short drive of the lodge.

The lodge offers fly fishing trips on the Yellowstone River, the many waters of Yellowstone National Park, the world famous Spring Creeks (DePuy’s, O’Hair’s, Nelson’s, Benhardt’s, and Thompson spring creeks), small creek fishing on Tom Miner Creek, and horseback trips to Ram’s Horn Lake. Besides these well-known fishing spots, there are dozens of other rivers, streams, and lakes in the area.

Yellowstone National Park:
Yellowstone is more than just a fly fishing mecca, it is 3+million acres of spectacular scenery and wildlife. But fishing is the highlight. And they fish it a lot!   Special permits allow amazing access to the waters of Yellowstone.

In the early season, they will fish the Firehole, Madison, and Gibbon. The Firehole and the Madison are world famous, but the Gibbon routinely provides the best fishing. A meandering meadow stream that pauses to snake through the trees in long riffle/pool combos, the Gibbon holds rainbow, grayling, and some incredible browns. With its varying personalities, anglers can fish technical meadow pools just a few yards from the angler fishing the riffles and pools in the trees.

When the Lamar Valley waters start to clear after the spring thaw, usually in the second week of July, hang on to your hats. You will experience the finest cutthroat fishery in the world. Soda Butte Creek is in the Northeast corner of the Park, and usually clears first. It is hard to believe that there could be so many eager cutts in so little water. Slough Creek clears next, and usually provides the largest fish. They pulled more 20+ inch cutts from Slough than all other water combined last year. The Lamar River clears last, and combines the quantity of Soda Butte with the quality of Slough.

They also fish the Upper Yellowstone some, although the drive is a bit long. And they fish the Upper Gardiner for brookies and bows, and the Lower Gardiner for bows and browns. Lava Creek is the ultimate small stream fishing for little brookies, and there are several lakes that require a short hike before reaching incredible fishing. The guides all have a few secrets spots in the Park as well.

Yellowstone River:
The US Fish and Wildlife ranks the Yellowstone River as the best trout water in the country. And we believe them! They do float trips on the Yellowstone from Gardiner to Livingston. You can do half day floats or full day floats.

The fishing is varied, starting with the wild Salmon Fly hatch in June and running to streamer fishing for big browns in late September. Browns, bows, cutts, and the occasional brookie are taken on this river.

The floats are in mild water with no heavy rapids, and the scenery is spectacular. Full day floats will have a lunch break on a beach or gravel bar. Wildlife is abundant, especially the waterfowl.

Fishing is done both from the boat and while wading. The wading is easy, and often done without waders when it is warm. The fishing is caddis and Pale Morning Duns early in the season, changing to grasshoppers and other terrestrials with a nymph dropper later in the season. This river contains both quantity and quality, so be prepared for a great day of fishing.

The guides at the lodge have years of guiding and fishing experience that are invaluable for any fly fishing trip. The men and women that will take you fishing know the intricacies of all the waters in the area and the unique history of the region. Guides can assist novice anglers as well as seasoned veterans. Their courteous manner, knowledge, and fun-filled attitudes will put you at ease and provide the best environment for a great fishing trip.

The Yellowstone rivers are wade fishing only.

Activities

Horseback Riding:

Because this a working cattle ranch, they have a good string of horses. Guests are encouraged to go horseback riding whenever they like. They do trail rides, free riding that gives you a chance to run your horse a bit, and you can help them move cattle. They have over 20 square miles and endless Forest Service land, and it is beautiful country.  This is not a trail ride on an old trail horse.  You need to have some degree of ability for these rides. MINIMUM AGE: 12

Guided guests can ride at no extra charge. Take a break from fishing for a day, or just half a day, and get out there and ride.  Non-guided guests will have to pay a small fee to keep the wrangler in good boots.

Other Activities:

• Hiking trails with abundant wildlife
• Yellowstone National Park – the lodge is there to help arrange trips into the park
• White water rafting at Yellowstone
• In town shopping and historical sites
• Golf
• Trap Shoot all summer
• Clay Shooting throughout the fishing season
• Wingshooting for pheasants and/or huns available September 1-30
• Massage

Please contact us for more information on additional activities. These extras can be the difference between a great trip and one that is truly special.

Changing Generations

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR FAMILY OR COUPLE ON THIS TRIP:  IT’S SIMPLE

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could add more meaning and improve your relationships on every vacation with your family or spouse? Below are two easy steps to becoming intentional as you travel:

TWO EASY STEPS:
1.  Watch this video:

Make a difference video     

2.  Click on the link below for step by step ideas of how to add more meaning to your family/couple travel:

HOW TO: “MAKE A DIFFERENCE”

Rates

2024 Prices:  Call for Updated Pricing

Guided Fishing Packages:

3 Nights / 2 guided days: $2600 per person
4 Nights / 3 guided days: $3500 per person
5 Nights / 4 guided days: $4400 per person
6 Nights / 5 guided days: $5200 per person

Non-Guided Fishing Packages:

3 Nights / 2 Days Lodging & Meals: $1800 per person
4 Nights / 3 Days Lodging & Meals: $2400 per person
5 Nights / 4 Days Lodging & Meals: $3000 per person
6 Nights / 5 days Lodging & Meals: $3600 per person

Call for more details

Trip Insurance & Cancellation Info

Trip insurance is highly recommended to protect your investment on this trip. We will assist you with trip insurance upon booking. See links at the bottom of this page for the two providers we suggest for our clients.

Family Expeditions, LLC confirmation and refund policy:

If your trip is more than 90 days out from date of departure, a 50% non-refundable deposit confirms your reservation and must be received within 10 days of booking to confirm your dates. All trips must be paid in full at least 90 days prior to the departure date. If your trip date is within 90 days, FULL payment for the trip is required. All payments to Family Expeditions are non-refundable. Should you need to reschedule or cancel your trip, we will do everything in our power to assist you in finding a suitable substitute or transferring your dates per the lodge/providers/government requirements. Trip insurance protects your investment!