Fly Fishing

One of more popular mid-summer trips.  This trip goes into our Gates Park camp on the North Fork Sun River.  We stay 4 nights at this location, with a wide range of activities available each day.  This is a great fly fishing trip as it hits the peak hot time of year in the mountians and the fish are particularly active.  For the non fishermen, we have quite a few day rides and hikes near by including Bear Top fire lookout, Sock Lake (under the Chinese Wall), Biggs Creek Meadows, and the lower Sun River valley.

Day 1:  Pack up at the South Fork Teton trailhead.  The ride over Headquarters Pass (elevation 7,700 ft) is truly a highlight of the trip - and it's only the first 2 hours in!!  The trail from the basin below the pass begins a gradual descent along Headquarters Creek to the North Fork Sun River valley.  Along the way we have wide open vistas.  We often see wildlife along this ride as is a natural corridor for traveling elk, black bear, deer, and other critters.  Camp this evening is our semi-permanent camp ont he Sun River at Gates Park.  Riding distance 14 miles.

Day 2: No travel this day but plenty to do.  If you're up for a day ride, we often go to Biggs Creek Meadows to explore and see some incredible views of the continental divide to the west and the Sun River valley in all other directions.  Riding distance is 5 miles.  For the fishermen, you'll want to get on the water right after breakfast and start dueling with the river trout.  They get hungry around 10am and be ready for some amazing dry fly action and a LOT of fish.  Our fishermen come back telling us they catch upwards of 60 fish a day.

Day 3: No travel this day.  For day riders, we often go to Bear Top fire lookout which is the only remaining fire look out in the valley.  The view up there are incredible.  It's a good trail and we ride most of the way and hike the last 45 minutes.  We eat lunch and chat with the fire watch person, and just soak in amazing 360 views.  Total riding distance 10 miles.  The fishermen will get going again in the morning.  Often we can mix it up by taking fishermen downstream or upstream by horseback on an hour ride to get some different views of the river. It's pretty remarkable fishing no matter where you go on this river.

Day 4: No travel this day.  Our last day to explore and fish.  The ambitious horseback riders may want to go to Sock Lake today.  It's about a 14 mile round trip ride, but it's so worth it.  Sock Lake sits up in a little bowl under the Chinese Wall and is a stunning place to visit.  For the fishermen, we give them some aspirin for their aching elbows (from all the fish pulling on the rods all day) and get them to the river for the final day of fishing.  We try to hit a stretch of water they haven't seen yet just to mix things up.

Day 5: We pack up early and head out the Headquarters trail.  We get an early start to beat the heat and the dust, and are eating lunch in the basin below Headquarters Pass.  We often see mountain goats and bighorn sheep in the basins on either side of the pass.  Our day ends at the South Fork Teton trailhead.  We typically arrive in there in early afternoon.  Riding distance 14 miles.

One of more popular mid-summer trips.  This trip goes into our Gates Park camp on the North Fork Sun River.  We stay 4 nights at this location, with a wide range of activities available each day.  This is a great fly fishing trip as it hits the peak hot time of year in the mountians and the fish are particularly active.  For the non fishermen, we have quite a few day rides and hikes near by including Bear Top fire lookout, Sock Lake (under the Chinese Wall), Biggs Creek Meadows, and the lower Sun River valley.

Day 1:  Pack up at the South Fork Teton trailhead.  The ride over Headquarters Pass (elevation 7,700 ft) is truly a highlight of the trip - and it's only the first 2 hours in!!  The trail from the basin below the pass begins a gradual descent along Headquarters Creek to the North Fork Sun River valley.  Along the way we have wide open vistas.  We often see wildlife along this ride as is a natural corridor for traveling elk, black bear, deer, and other critters.  Camp this evening is our semi-permanent camp ont he Sun River at Gates Park.  Riding distance 14 miles.

Day 2: No travel this day but plenty to do.  If you're up for a day ride, we often go to Biggs Creek Meadows to explore and see some incredible views of the continental divide to the west and the Sun River valley in all other directions.  Riding distance is 5 miles.  For the fishermen, you'll want to get on the water right after breakfast and start dueling with the river trout.  They get hungry around 10am and be ready for some amazing dry fly action and a LOT of fish.  Our fishermen come back telling us they catch upwards of 60 fish a day.

Day 3: No travel this day.  For day riders, we often go to Bear Top fire lookout which is the only remaining fire look out in the valley.  The view up there are incredible.  It's a good trail and we ride most of the way and hike the last 45 minutes.  We eat lunch and chat with the fire watch person, and just soak in amazing 360 views.  Total riding distance 10 miles.  The fishermen will get going again in the morning.  Often we can mix it up by taking fishermen downstream or upstream by horseback on an hour ride to get some different views of the river. It's pretty remarkable fishing no matter where you go on this river.

Day 4: No travel this day.  Our last day to explore and fish.  The ambitious horseback riders may want to go to Sock Lake today.  It's about a 14 mile round trip ride, but it's so worth it.  Sock Lake sits up in a little bowl under the Chinese Wall and is a stunning place to visit.  For the fishermen, we give them some aspirin for their aching elbows (from all the fish pulling on the rods all day) and get them to the river for the final day of fishing.  We try to hit a stretch of water they haven't seen yet just to mix things up.

Day 5: We pack up early and head out the Headquarters trail.  We get an early start to beat the heat and the dust, and are eating lunch in the basin below Headquarters Pass.  We often see mountain goats and bighorn sheep in the basins on either side of the pass.  Our day ends at the South Fork Teton trailhead.  We typically arrive in there in early afternoon.  Riding distance 14 miles.

Pretty Prairie is a rare gem in the Bob Marshall; an area known world wide for exceptional beauty.  The Pretty Prairie meadow is over a mile long on the banks of the South Fork at the bottom of a picturesque mountain valley.  There are many activities to do from this camp, and certaily the fly fishing is at the top of the list.  The dry fly action on this river at this time of year is unmatched in North America.  Additionally, there are outstanding points of interest nearby for day rides and hikes.  These include the West Fork natural salt licks, the West Fork meadows, Prairie Creek, Sun Butte, and Bear Lake.

This is superb mid-summer trip into our beautiful Gates Park camp on the North Fork of the Sun River.  We generally stay here 4 nights and explore the many points of interest on day rides from camp.  The area around Gates Park is full of late 19th century western history, as well as earlier native Indian history.  Additionally, there are spectacular vista points from areas like Biggs Creek meadows and Bear Top Fire Lookout.  The fly fishing this time of year is exceptional as the weather is hot and stable, and the terrestrial bugs are out in force during the day.

This trip allows 3 solid days of fly fishing  on the North Fork.  We can access the upper reaches near Ray Creek, the area around camp, or go further downstream to Biggs Creek and Moose Creek.  Anywhere you go you will have amazing fishing action, we just like to give you a different view of the river and different stretches to try.

For the non-fisherman, we have a lot of different day ride options available to you including rides to Biggs Creek meadows, Bear Top Fire lookout, Sock Lake on the Chinese Wall, and many other options.  The ride to Sock Lake is a lot of fun, and there is a aggressive climb up to the lake, but the views are astounding and the fishing isn't too bad either.

While the days are long, you will find our night-time skys are spectacular with deep space views of the galaxy and beyond.  The stargazing, as with our daytime scenery, is simply unparalleled by any in the lower 48 states.  Many of our guests find themselves staying up to early morning watching the evening sky and the amazing amount of activity that goes on out there at night!

This trip may be extended to 7 days if you prefer to enjoy our hospitality for a couple more days.

Day 1:  Pack up at the South Fork Teton trailhead.  The ride over Headquarters Pass (elevation 7,700 ft) is truly a highlight of the trip - and it's only the first 2 hours in!!  The trail from the basin below the pass begins a gradual descent along Headquarters Creek to the North Fork Sun River valley.  Along the way we have wide open vistas.  We often see wildlife along this ride as is a natural corridor for traveling elk, black bear, deer, and other critters.  Camp this evening is our semi-permanent camp ont he Sun River at Gates Park.  Riding distance 14 miles.

Day 2: No travel this day but plenty to do.  If you're up for a day ride, we often go to Biggs Creek Meadows to explore and see some incredible views of the continental divide to the west and the Sun River valley in all other directions.  Riding distance is 5 miles.  For the fishermen, you'll want to get on the water right after breakfast and start dueling with the river trout.  They get hungry around 10am and be ready for some amazing dry fly action and a LOT of fish.  Our fishermen come back telling us they catch upwards of 60 fish a day.

Day 3: No travel this day.  For day riders, we often go to Bear Top fire lookout which is the only remaining fire look out in the valley.  The view up there are incredible.  It's a good trail and we ride most of the way and hike the last 45 minutes.  We eat lunch and chat with the fire watch person, and just soak in amazing 360 views.  Total riding distance 10 miles.  The fishermen will get going again in the morning.  Often we can mix it up by taking fishermen downstream or upstream by horseback on an hour ride to get some different views of the river. It's pretty remarkable fishing no matter where you go on this river.

Day 4: No travel this day.  Our last day to explore and fish.  For the fishermen, we give them some aspirin for their aching elbows (from all the fish pulling on the rods all day) and get them to the river for the final day of fishing.  We may ride up to Ray Creek to hit the upper reaches of the Sun.  The riders often go along on that day ride as it's a beautiful ride up the river along the high bluffs of the Sun.  Its often our capstone day of the trip.

Day 5: We pack up early and head out the Headquarters trail.  We get an early start to beat the heat and the dust, and are eating lunch in the basin below Headquarters Pass.  We often see mountain goats and bighorn sheep in the basins on either side of the pass.  Our day ends at the South Fork Teton trailhead.  We typically arrive in there in early afternoon.  Riding distance 14 miles.

This trip visits the spectacular but lighly visited north part of the Chinese Wall.  We start at the headwaters of the Middle Fork Teton River west of Choteau and make a big loop up to the north Wall then back to the South Fork Teton River. This trips is a fantastic combination of great fly fishing and unmatched scenery. We start near the headwaters of the Sun River and work our way up to the Chinese Wall at the head of Lick Creek, where we camp beneath the wall.  Experiencing sunrise and sunsets at the Wall is a truly remarkable event.  The adventurous can hike up on the wall via goat trails.  Others can explore the alpine meadows laden with wildflowers.  Towards the end of the trip we come back to the North Fork Sun valley and camp at the iconic Gates Park camp, one of the most unique and picturesque places in the Bob Marshall.  The riding days are modest in difficulty and generally shorter duration.

Day 1:  Pack up at the Middle Fork Teton trailhead.  The ride over Route Creek Pass (elevation 6,800 ft) is a great start of the day and only the first 2 hours.  The trail from the basin below the pass begins a gradual descent along Route Creek to the North Fork Sun River valley.  Along the way we have wide open vistas.  We often see wildlife along this ride as is a natural corridor for traveling elk, black bear, deer, and other critters.  Camp this evening is at Lick Creek just up from the Sun River..  Riding distance 14 miles.

Day 2: Non travel day.  The fishermen will want to get to the North Fork and be prepared for world class dry fly fishing.  On a good day you can catch 60+ fish on dry flies and some holes you'll get a fish on every cast.  It's unmatched almost anywhere in the world.  Riders will have option of explore the scenic upper reaches of the Sun River.

Day 3:  We pack up this day for an easy ride up Lick Creek to the Chinese Wall.  A spectacular ride with about half the day along the Wall.  A gradual grade but all uphill, we go through older burns and old growth forest before arriving at the alpine basins along the Wall.  Along the way we'll cross several low drainage divides for Lick Creek and Red Shale Creek with exceptional views at each point.  The camp area is in a small nook below Sock Lake and directly below the Wall - an unparalleled site for sure.  We'll spend 2 nights at this camp.  Riding distance is 10 miles.

Day 4:  Non travel day.  Many will chose to climb up the goat trail to Sock Lake.  The lake is a glacial cirque mid-way up the Wall.  A truly unique and highly picturesque spot.  The view of the Sun Valley in the distance is superb, and the hiking is exceptional.  For those wanting to explore the remote basins along the Wall there are lots of great hiking options. 

Day 5: We pack up and head down Red Shale Creek to the Gates Park camp.   We gradually drop from the Wall down Red Shale Creek to the broad valley of the Sun River and Gates Park, which is the last of the massive meadows along the Sun River.  This area is largely old burn and offers a lot of open viewing.  We often see game along this trail.  Riding distance 9 miles.

Day 6: Non travel day.   Great fishing abounds for the fishermen on the river next to camp.  Riding options are exceptional including day rides to Rock Creek or Biggs Creek flats, with open meadows and vast scenery on the hills.  

Day 7: We pack up for an outstanding ride up Headquarters Creek to Headquarters Pass.  This is mostly open riding with great views.  Crossing the pass (elevation 7,800 ft) is a certain capstone to a great trips.  We often see goats in the basins below Headquarters Pass.  From there we drop down to our private trailhead on the South Fork Teton River.  Riding distance 14 miles.

One of more popular mid-summer trips.  This trip goes into our Gates Park camp on the North Fork Sun River.  We stay 4 nights at this location, with a wide range of activities available each day.  This is a kick off to world class fly fishing on the Sun River.  The water is gin-clear as all the melt off has left by this time.  We start fishing really before anyone else is in this area, not that we ever really see anyone at all anyway.  The early summer colors of wildflowers, mountain peak snowpack, and lush green make for stunning photography.  For the non fishermen, we have quite a few day rides and hikes near by including Bear Top fire lookout, Sock Lake (under the Chinese Wall), Biggs Creek Meadows, and the lower Sun River valley.

Day 1:  Pack up at the South Fork Teton trailhead.  The ride over Headquarters Pass (elevation 7,700 ft) is truly a highlight of the trip - and it's only the first 2 hours in!!  The trail from the basin below the pass begins a gradual descent along Headquarters Creek to the North Fork Sun River valley.  Along the way we have wide open vistas.  We often see wildlife along this ride as is a natural corridor for traveling elk, black bear, deer, and other critters.  Camp this evening is our semi-permanent camp ont he Sun River at Gates Park.  Riding distance 14 miles.

Day 2: No travel this day but plenty to do.  If you're up for a day ride, we often go to Biggs Creek Meadows to explore and see some incredible views of the continental divide to the west and the Sun River valley in all other directions.  Riding distance is 5 miles.  For the fishermen, you'll want to get on the water right after breakfast and start dueling with the river trout.  They get hungry around 10am and be ready for some amazing dry fly action and a LOT of fish.  Our fishermen come back telling us they catch upwards of 60 fish a day.

Day 3: Non travel day.  For day riders, we often go to Bear Top fire lookout which is the only remaining fire look out in the valley.  The view up there are incredible.  It's a good trail and we ride most of the way and hike the last 45 minutes.  We eat lunch and chat with the fire watch person, and just soak in amazing 360 views.  Total riding distance 10 miles.  The fishermen will get going again in the morning.  Often we can mix it up by taking fishermen downstream or upstream by horseback on an hour ride to get some different views of the river. It's pretty remarkable fishing no matter where you go on this river.

Day 4: Non travel day.  Our last day to explore and fish.  The ambitious horseback riders may want to go to Sock Lake today.  It's about a 14 mile round trip ride, but it's so worth it.  Sock Lake sits up in a little bowl under the Chinese Wall and is a stunning place to visit.  For the fishermen, we give them some aspirin for their aching elbows (from all the fish pulling on the rods all day) and get them to the river for the final day of fishing.  We try to hit a stretch of water they haven't seen yet just to mix things up.

Day 5: We pack up early and head out the Headquarters trail.  We get an early start to beat the heat and the dust, and are eating lunch in the basin below Headquarters Pass.  We often see mountain goats and bighorn sheep in the basins on either side of the pass.  Our day ends at the South Fork Teton trailhead.  We typically arrive in there in early afternoon.  Riding distance 14 miles.

This is a late summer trip is the perfect way to end summer!  Weather is often mild, temps are moderating, and the bugs are mostly done.  We start the trip at the South Fork Teton River trailhead and traverse over Headquarters Pass as we work our way down to Headquarters Creek to Gates Park on the North Fork Sun River.  Here we spend the rest of the trip exploring the many points of interest on day rides and hikes from camp.  The area around Gates Park is full of late 19th century western history, as well as earlier native Indian history.  Additionally, there are spectacular vista points from areas like Biggs Creek meadows and Bear Top Fire Lookout.  The fishing is excellent this time of year with lots of terrestrials (grasshoppers, ants, etc) and the fish are quite aggressive with stimulators.  The days are hot and the nights cool - perfect for camping and relaxing.

We frequently see elk and deer along the river, as well as large numbers of raptors this time of year, ranging from golden eagles, owls, ospreys, hawks, falcons, and dozens of other birds of prey. 

While the daylight hours are reducing now in late summer, the nighttime is amazing.  You will find our night-time skys are spectacular with deep space views of the galaxy and beyond.  The stargazing, as with our daytime scenery, is simply unparalleled by any in the lower 48 states.  Many of our guests find themselves staying up to early morning watching the evening sky.  Evening comes late this time of year as our sun sets around 10:00pm in the evening.  It can be a challenge staying up late enough for the stars to come out after an exhilirating day, but it's absolutely worth it. There are rarely any forest fires this early in the West, so we can expect crystal clear nights for star viewing.  The is no night polution and now early summer haze as the humidity is always quite low.  The nights are cool so be prepared for that when you step away from the campfire.

Day 1: Pack up early at the South Fork Teton trailhead and prepare for the ride over Headquarters Pass (elev 8,000ft).  There is a quite a climb up the South Fork  to the basin, traversing many switchbacks in the trail as we climb around 2,500 ft.  After crossing the pass we drop into a glacial basin for lunch.  Proceeding on is a gradual ride down Headquarters Creek into the Sun River valley.  We cross the river on one of a handful of packbridges in the Bob Marshall, and then a short distance to camp. This is a beautiful day with a mix of high alpine meadow in the Headquarters basin, 40 yr old burn with wide open vists, open meadows, and some old growth timber. Riding distance 14 miles.

Day 2: Non travel this day.  For day riders, we often go to Biggs Creek flats where we have amazing vistas of the North Fork valley, the Chinese Wall, and a whole panorama of views from a high ridge on the flats.  Total riding distance 10 miles.  Hikers have many miles of trails going right past camp and the hike over to Gates Lake is popular.  There is excellent fishing as well on the Sun River.

Day 3: Non travel this day.  For day riders, we often go to Bear Top fire lookout which is the only remaining fire look out in the valley.  The view up there are incredible.  It's a good trail and we ride most of the way and hike the last 45 minutes.  We eat lunch and chat with the fire watch person, and just soak in amazing 360 views.  Total riding distance 10 miles.  Hikers have many miles of trails going right past camp and the hike over to Gates Lake is popular.  This trail continues on towards Rock Creek and offers some superb vantage points above the Sun River and the Rock Creek valley looking west to the south Chinese Wall. For fishermen we will often take you to a different stretch of river to give you a new "look" at the water.

Day 4: Non travel this day.  We often take a day to ride down river to Rock Creek and explore some immense open country.  This is an easy ride with lots of great photo ops. Usually 6-8 miles.  We often take the fishermen upriver to Ray Creek to get some colder water and tributary action.  Very remote and rugged waters up there.

Day 5: Non travel this day but plenty to do.  If you're up for a day ride, we often go to Biggs Creek Meadows to explore and see some incredible views of the continental divide to the west and the Sun River valley in all other directions.  Riding distance is 5 miles. There are some great hikes too for the adventuresome.  The ridges are mostly open in this area, so they are easy to navigate and reward you with some great vistas.  There is excellent fishing as well on the Sun River.

Day 6:  We pack up early and head out the Headquarters trail.  We get an early start to beat the heat and the dust, and are eating lunch in the basin below Headquarters Pass (elevation 8,000 ft).  This is a spectacular pass with amazing vista.  We often see mountain goats and bighorn sheep in the basins on either side of the pass.  Our day ends at the South Fork Teton trailhead.  We typically arrive in there in early afternoon.  Riding distance 14 miles.