About Your Trip/Fishing License Info

  Rates 

What to Bring  

Boat Rentals/Shuttle Service

 

      Guided Float Trips on
        the Bighorn River

 

Our guided trips   include: 

  • Guide & Boat

  • Instruction in Bighorn techniques

  • River Lunch/ Beverages

  • Flies

A 50% deposit is required to reserve dates.

Our guides are:

Highly skilled

Professional

Knowledgeable

Experienced 

and most importantly

PATIENT

 

 

 

 

"I am now 61, fishing since a kid and the best day fishing I have ever had was on the Bighorn. " John Z, Colorado

 

 

 

 

 

"Michael's insight, passion and coaching certainly made it the most rewarding trip!  It was a remarkable experience I will always remember… I'll keep practicing until next year! "

Bill, New York

 

 

 

 

"We enjoyed our Bighorn experience with both of you.  Ellyn, the meals were delicious and the conversations fun.  We loved being awakened by birds each morning. Great alarm clocks.

Michael, what a teacher you are!  Your love of the river and what you do each day was inspiring.  I understand why Tony needs his Bighorn "fix" each year.  We'll return together to do more eating, "mending" and visiting."

Meg and Tony, Wyoming

The Fort Smith Fly Shop and Cabins---the only thing we overlook is the river.

 

 

 

   

      The world famous "drive -in", the scene from the Simms/Gortex  magazine ad.  Located about 5 miles downstream from the Afterbay.

 

                                                                          

 

 

CREATE SPECIAL MEMORIES

Floating down the Bighorn River in a McKenzie style drift boat is one of the most pleasurable and relaxing experiences you will ever have.  Enjoying the sounds of the river and its' surroundings, the views and vistas, and the learning process about the river all combine into one thoroughly fabulous adventure.  We haven't even gotten to the fishing yet!

Our season generally begins in March and runs through November.  However, fishing is good year round on the Bighorn.  The typical day starts off with a great breakfast and a brief discussion of your goals and expectations.  We want to give you the best possible experience.  Our goals are safety, fun, catching fish, and trying to help people become better anglers by the end of their trip.

The drift boat is used to transport you down the river and fish prime locations.  Depending on conditions, we do fish from the drift boat at times.  Mostly we are wade fishing -- riffles, runs, tail outs and slicks.

Guide trips are geared to the beginner, intermediate or advanced angler, dependant on your level of fly fishing experience.  Instruction is provided on where the fish are holding and why, as well as techniques, tactics and the correct presentation to catch them.  At lunch time we relax and take a break to eat and enjoy the beauty of the river, swap a few stories, and strategize about the rest of the day.

We then continue downstream to pursue the fish.

All the fish are wild, fast and extremely strong.

We offer our anglers the finest guided fishing experience in Fort Smith.

 Float Trip Rates

1  Angler   $400.00

2 Anglers   $450.00

3 Anglers   $695.00

A typical guide day is 10 hours in length.

Guide gratuity is not included
in the above rates.

A boat for three anglers may not be available at all times, it will depend upon fishing conditions. 

Guests occasionally ask for guidance on a reasonable tip for their guide. As with any service, the gratuity should be dependent on the quality of the experience of your day on the water and the guide’s effort. Generally, guide gratuities range upward from 20%.

 

Cabin Rates

$60.00 per person per night

$100.00 minimum for cabin 1

$150.00 minimum for cabin 2

$150.00 minimum for cabin 3

Guiding, Lodging and meal rates subject to change.

Click here to see our Accommodations

Rental Boats Available

Free River Map with each stay

                                                  Michael Mastrangelo, Outfitter # 7896

 

Meal Rates

Breakfast    $15.00

Dinner     $30.00

Boat lunches    $12.00

Gratuity not included

For groups of 6 or more,  a  20% gratuity will be added to the guiding and meal total.

 

Refund Policy
All deposits will be non-refundable unless written notice of cancellation is received not less than thirty (30) days prior to fishing/lodging dates. All deposits will be refunded promptly when adequate written notice of cancellation has been provided.  Any cancellation within 30 days will result in a 100% charge unless the guide or room can be rebooked.  There is a $25.00 administrative fee which is non-refundable.  We will, however, treat cases fairly based on individual circumstances. During the months of May, July AND August no cancellations will be allowed.  There will be a 100% cancellation fee unless the guide or room can be rebooked.   If any rental equipment is lost or damaged, it is your responsibility to pay the full charges. 
We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.

 

 

 

 

                                 flyfishing Montana's Bighorn River for trophy rainbow and brown trout

"You run a wonderful operation,  I had a great time.  I have recommended you to and given your number to several friends and people from work.  Michael, thank you for your day of guiding.  You gave me some good pointers." Larry, PA

 

"Good Friends

Good Fishing

Good Food"      Charlie, Chicago, IL

Hold your next business meeting or party at the Fort Smith Fly Shop and Cabins


Ellyn and Michael,

I wanted to thank you for your attention to detail, hard work at accommodating our group, and the wonderful time we all had.  I know everyone was very pleased with the service and the hospitality you had given us.  I look forward to booking another trip with you in the near future, and keeping in touch, as I now consider you both good friends.  

Once again thank you for the great time.

"Set the hook when a bird flies over"


Bob Potts
District Manager
Nalco Co.
OFC Rocky Mountains

                                                      

                                                                         

photo from www.mortenharangen.no

 

"Your charming villa on the bluff overlooking God's paradise for tight liners is seared in my consciousness forever. 

I truly enjoyed your charming and delightful company.  Thank you for making dreams come true."

Steve, PA

 

     

 To Make Your Trip a Success,
Here is a List of What You Need to Bring
  

Weather can be variable depending on the season. You need everything from shorts and t-shirts to fleece wear and
heavy winter clothing. Bring plenty of changes of socks.

Don’t worry if you forget something, you can stop in at the Fort Smith Fly Shop and pick up supplies.  Just a few steps from your cabin.

Alcoholic beverages are not sold on the Reservation. Purchase your beverages before you arrive in Fort Smith.

Fishing Gear
Rods – 4 to 6 weight, 8 1/2 to 9 ft. Please bring 2 if possible.
Reel with a smooth drag
Weight forward floating line
Wading Gear
Clothing for variable conditions
Sunscreen
Polarized Sunglasses
Hat
Rain Gear
Insect Repellent
Camera and Film
Wool or wool blend socks

"This was easily the best fishing trip of my life!  I caught more fish in the first morning than I expected to both days!  I had not had a fly rod in my hand in over 30 years and I was not expecting to catch many fish, but the guides’ patience and knowledge made fly fishing pretty easy.  Not only did we catch fish, but they were trophy browns and rainbows.

Thank you for the best fishing trip ever."

Marc, Mandan, ND

 

 

                                                                                                               The Bighorn River

The Bighorn River is arguably the finest trout stream for flyfishing in Montana if not the world.  Big Sky Country, long summer days, cool, clear starry nights and plenty of big trout.  There are many great fishing lodges throughout Montana , but the Fort Smith Fly Shop and Cabins has the finest accommodations on the fabulous Bighorn River .  If you are looking to catch big, wild, powerful trout that will take you into your backing, the Bighorn is the place for you.

For the time of your life, come float the beautiful Bighorn River with us.

It will provide memories of a lifetime.

 

                                                                                      

 

"Thank you both for sharing your paradise with us. Your gracious hospitality and friendship is what makes this trip so special to us all.
I especially want to thank Michael for the time and effort he spent with me on the river. He taught me a lot and I will always be in his debt. You are an incomparable guide and friend and I only wish we had more hours in the day because they floated away so quickly.
Ellyn your meals were delicious. I thank you for taking into consideration Ken's dietary needs and still serving up scrumptious food. Things like that are what make youse guys 'da best.
Hope all is well with you both and business is booming because you deserve it.  You are very special and dear to me and the boys. They both had dreamy looks on their faces the whole flight home due to you.
Thanks again and hope to see you soon."  Tony, Chicago

 

 

"I felt like I was leaving part of my family, (I’m sure Michael would say that’s not always a bad thing, especially if you know my family!)  But seriously we had the time of our lives.  I’m sure it will be a Father’s Day that Jeff will never forget!  I had never been fly fishing in my life, I had watched Jeff when we would go to New Mexico but never attempted it myself out of fear I would spend more time in the trees than in the water, but Michael made it soooo enjoyable that I want to keep practicing everything he showed us so I don’t forget it, even if it’s just in the pond with the catfish.  You know I wasn’t even planning on doing the fly fishing trip until Ben & Bonnie told Donna and I how much fun they had and how wonderful the two of you were.  Ellyn’s cooking was the icing on the cake and your hospitality puts some of our so called “Southern charm” to shame! "  Debbie, Oklahoma City, OK

 

 

Refund Policy
All deposits will be non-refundable unless written notice of cancellation is received not less than thirty (30) days prior to fishing/lodging dates. All deposits will be refunded promptly when adequate written notice of cancellation has been provided.  Any cancellation within 30 days will result in a 100% charge unless the guide or room can be rebooked.  There is a $25.00 administrative fee which is non-refundable.  We will, however, treat cases fairly based on individual circumstances. During the months of May, July AND August no cancellations will be allowed.  There will be a 100% cancellation fee unless the guide or room can be rebooked.   If any rental equipment is lost or damaged, it is your responsibility to pay the full charges. 
We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.

 

You can get your fishing license online at www.discoveringmontana.com

You do not need a tribal license.

 

                                                                                                                                                                          TRANSPORTATION

Transportation to and from the Fort Smith Airstrip 

Call 406-666-2550

 

If you need a rental car from the Billings Airport, we have a special promotion rate with Enterprise.  They are located right at the airport making it very convenient.   The phone number is 1-800-736-8222 or 406-294-2930, tell them Ft Smith Fly Shop code #63A2947.   You must mention the code to get the preferred rate.  Our clients get unlimited mileage.  Manager is Ryan.

 

 



 Fort Smith Fly Shop & Cabins offers boat rentals

$135.00 per day and includes shuttle

Discounts on rental vehicles available 


Also, please read about regulations when visiting or fishing
, as well as river etiquette.

 click here for details

 



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Fort Smith Fly Shop & Cabins
 
PO Box 7872  Fort Smith, MT  59035  Ph 406-666-2550     E-mail: 2flyfish@nemont.net

Copyright  1998/2013          Fort Smith Fly Shop & Cabins, Fort Smith MT 59035