This is the signature lodge for Wildcat Creek Travel. Most of our staff has traveled to Five Rivers multiple times and believe it to be one of the top fly fishing lodges in the world just not the states. If you read our criteria for lodges that we represent you will see that we judge them very strictly and think that for the kind of money you give to go to these wonderful lodges you should get your money’s worth. You definitely get your money’s worth at Five Rivers Lodge.

Five Rivers meets everything we believe is important for a lodge.

The food is not just good — it is outstanding! Jay Burgin and Mary Jaques go to great trouble and great expense to ship in the finest food they can get their hands on. If you go just make sure you ask Jay to prepare his seared duck with raspberry sauce. I am telling you now it will make you weak in the knees. It is so good I could rub it all over my face, no kiddin’. The food is as good at Five Rivers as lodge food is anywhere not to mention they have a tremendous wine cellar. All drinks and food are included in this package which makes this a killer deal. By the way the hors d’oeuvres are out of this world.

Be careful not to fill up on those before dinner!

The lodge is located near Dillon Montana and sits in the ideal place to easily reach the Big Hole, our personal favorite, the Beaverhead, the Jefferson and the Ruby Rivers. This grouping of Rivers we believe represent the finest trout fishing in the lower 48. Freestoners, big water, spring creeks, tailwaters and stillwater are all represented in these fisheries. We love the Big Hole and believe it to possibly be the best all around freestone stream in the west. If you haven’t fished big 5 to 7 inch streamers on the Big Hole than man you haven’t lived. This is our favorite streamer water and it ain’t a bad dry fly river either. In fact about every major hatch that occurs in the west occurs prolifically on the Big Hole River.

The Beaverhead is a fish factory with incredible numbers of 18 to 22 inch Browns and Rainbows. Dry flies, nymphs and streamers can and will be used on this water depending on the season and water conditions. Mostly a nymph river the Beaverhead has hatches that vary in size from large drakes down to little tiny midges. Also the lower river is just full of stuff to throw streamers at. The Ruby is one of the finest terrestrial rivers and is small enough to cover efficiently by wading. This is a neat little river and about as pretty as a tailwater in the west could be. The Jefferson is big water and is underrated. The Jeff is somewhat reminiscent of parts of the Big Hole or even the Missouri; big water big fish! Last year my good guide buddy Jeff Lyon told me the Jefferson fished out of its mind last year.
The guides are about as good a group as you will find anywhere. They show up on time, are courteous and kind and a joy to fish with. They are our kind of guides and Jay and Mary make sure things run smoothly. The last thing our clients need to worry about is the guide’s performance. Great food, great fishing and fantastic guides, how much more could you ask!

1. Season at Five Rivers Lodge

   The lodge opens the first of May and closes at the end of September. There really is no time better than any other at the lodge, we have had good fishing in all months. The late spring early summer, June and July, time period is pretty popular because of the chance of a prolific hatch so plan accordingly.

2. Species

   Browns, Rainbows, some Brook Trout and even some Graying in the Big Hole River

3. Lodge Capacity

   The lodge can handle as much as 24 anglers per week with no problem. They have even had larger groups but would prefer it be 24 max per week.

4. Flights to Five Rivers Lodge

   It is a pretty easy flight from just about anywhere to Bozeman or Butte. If you go to Butte it will probably be through American if you go through Bozeman it will probably be Northwest; though sometimes you can get a flight from Denver on Frontiers Airlines. Most major airlines go into one or the other. Regardless the lodge needs their guests to go to either location for pick up by the Five Rivers Lodge staff. They need to be there at least by 5:00 pm ideally so the ride back to the lodge won’t be in the dark. The ride back to the lodge from either Bozeman or Butte is about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The transfer is included in the price of the trip.

5. Transportation to and from the lodge

   A member of the staff will pick you up promptly at the airport in Bozeman or Butte. If you have trouble finding them we will provide you with a number to contact the lodge or Jay Burgin.

6. Deposit and Cancellation Policy

   - A 50% deposit is due to confirm your reservation.
   - Full payment is due 90 days before departure
   - Deposits refundable (minus a 100.00 handling fee per package up to 60 days before the trip.
   - Within 60 days of your trip your deposit is non refundable unless your spot is rebooked.
   - No funds are available for unused portion of your trip

7. Rates at Five Rivers Lodge

   -3 days guided fishing, 4 nights lodging = $2,095 pp
   -4 days guided fishing, 5 nights lodging = $2,650 pp
   -5 days guided fishing, 6 nights lodging = $3,175 pp
   -6 days guided fishing, 7 nights lodging = $3,625 pp
   -Rates are based on double occupancy, two
   anglers per guide.
   *Single angler options:
   -Single room supplement @ $110 per night.
   -Supplement for one angler with a guide @ $200
   per day.
   -Rod fees on the private waters are $100 a day,
   per person.
   -A basic 5 days, 6 nights package for a
   non-guided guest, double occupancy is $2,175

   Not included in the price
   Airfare, tips and gratuities, flies and fly fishing gear.

   Included in the price
   What is included is food, guides, lodging and all wine, liquor and soft drinks. Also included are typical transfers to and from the lodge. Any unusual transfers that need special planning will incur a small fee for the transfer.

8. Duration of stay

   The really cool thing about this lodge is that you can pick anytime for arrival and anytime for departure. You can stay one day or 15 it doesn’t matter. Check with us for the time period that works for you and we can probably get it done.

9. Travel Insurance

   We are a Sportsman Travel Insurance agent and highly recommend travel insurance. Most lodge policies are written to encourage a traveler to buy insurance. If you have an issue shortly before your trip you will be very thankful you purchased it.

10. Equipment Check List

    Rods
    -8’6” to 9’0” for 4, 5 or 6 weight for dry fly fishing.
    -9’0” for a 7 weight for streamer fishing.
    Note: We used a 4 or 5 weight while dry fly fishing the water around the lodge and if there is no wind then a 4 weight will do. If you are going to take one rod then it would be a 9’0” 6 weight.

    Lines
    -Take a weight forward floating lines for most fishing. Make sure though you have a type 4 or 6 15 ft. sink tip for streamer fishing. The 200 grain shooting head S/A express line is a fantastic line for streamer fishing the Big Hole.

    Reels
    Don’t think because you are trout fishing that reels aren’t that important. For big water you really need a good reel with a smooth drag. If you hook a big Brown on 4x tippet it may be tough not to break it off. Make sure you have a working smooth drag on your reels.
    We really like the Hatch 3, Nautilus Featherweight, Sage 4500 series and the Redington Rise reel as a less expensive option.

    Leaders
    9’0” 4x will be the primary leader
    9’0” 5x is a good idea for small flies in clear smaller water.
    5’0” 1x and 2x pound for streamers and sink tips
    9’0” 1x and 2x for floating line streamer fishing
    Take appropriate matching spool of tippet as well

    Clothing and other Gear
    -Waders
    -Wading Boots
    -Wet wading shoes in July and August
    -Capilene 1 top and bottom
    -Capilene 3 bottoms
    -Windproof jacket, we like the Patagonia R4 or Lightweight R4
    -Fleece Pants
    -Baseball Cap
    -Beenie for cold mornings
    -Fingerless Gloves for early in the season
    -Fishing Shirts, we like the Redington fishing shirts and the Patagonia Sol Patrol
    -Fishing Vest or Pack
    -Boat Bag, something to take with you in the boat that can handle all the stuff for the day you want to keep dry, like camera equipment or additional clothing.

11. Sample Menus

    

    Five Rivers Sample Menu Page 1

    

    Five Rivers Sample Menu Page 2

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