When you sign up for a Ketchum on the Fly adventure, you're entering a unique community of women adventurers who share the passion for authentic and unparalleled fly fishing and wingshooting travel. You'll become part of our exciting community just as you'll become a part of each extraordinary culture you journey to. You'll take a piece of each remarkable experience with you and you'll also discover that the planning, gearing up, and sharing you're adventure with others is half the fun!
CAST – MONTANA
Harrison Homestead
Fall 2008
Inquire for dates
On the banks of the Yellowstone River! Catch incredible trout and relax in the luxury and comfort of Harrison Homestead. You deserve this!
Our Fall Montana CAST offers the pleasure fly fishing a variety of water while enjoying the comforts of Harrison Homestead. Located on the banks of the Yellowstone River, the ranch rests within a half hour from the Boulder River, the Stillwater River, and an endless collection of small streams and lakes. In addition to catching gorgeous trout, the lodge offers the opportunity to upland hunt beautiful Montana fields, so you can have a Blast in the morning and Cast to large hungry browns in the afternoon. There’s also plenty of hiking so you can take in the unbroken Big Sky landscape made famous by renowned Livingston, Montana artist Russell Chatham. Our Montana CAST adventure is designed to meet your individual wishes and desires each day.
This trip is designed as a CAST adventure, but we can arrange any accommodations to make your adventure as inspiring as you wish. Hunt the fields and cover of Montana for upland birds. Hike the sagebrush trails. Any skill level is invited to join this recommended Ketchum on the Fly adventure. Signature Ketchum on the Fly gifts included for all of our guests.
ITINERARY
DAY 1– Arrive in Bozeman or Billings. You will be met at the airport by one of our Montana fly fishing guides. Your Guide will then transfer you the Harrison Homestead to unpack, and if time allows, for some fishing or hiking on the Yellowstone River banks. At the end of the day, you return to Harrison Homestead for drinks and dinner.
DAY 2 THROUGH DAY 6 – after a cowgirl breakfast, you will either depart to the river which you will fish for the day or you will hunt and then fish the afternoon. You will have a gourmet lunch on the river and get back to the ranch at roughly 6 p.m. Depending on fishing conditions you may cast to different water each day. Most days will be spent floating the rivers from a Mackenzie River Drift Boat and will feature different stretches of water each day.
DAY 7 – After breakfast, you will be escorted to the airport for your trip home.
COST
FISHING PACKAGE RATE: $2,500* per person
*Package Rate Includes: Airport transfers, lodging at the Harrison Homestead, all meals, and guide services based upon two anglers per guide.
Not Included: Fishing and/or hunting licenses, fishing and hunting equipment, alternative sightseeing or horseback riding excursions, liquor, telephone calls, and gratuities.
NOTE: This is a Ketchum on the Fly recommended adventure. Recommended adventures are often attended and escorted by us, but not always. The Harrison Homestead offers the quality customer attention and provides some of the best fishing and hunting available in Montana.
Based upon double occupancy. Single supplements available.
WHAT TO BRING
The weather in Montana is mostly beautiful and sunny, but it can cloud up and be very windy. Bring appropriate dress to be comfortable. Harrison Homestead is a sophisticated western-style ranch so casual, comfortable dress is welcome.
For CAST adventures we recommend:
• Orvis 5wt. rod and reel with floating line – we recommend the Orvis Zero Gravity Rod!
• Orvis Bootfoot waders or stockingfoot waders and wading boots – NO STUDS! Please visit our SHOPPING LIST to see what we recommend and pick out the best choices for you!
• 12, 20, or 28 gauge shotgun
• Shooting vest and/ hat – for all Blast Adventures, we recommend at least 40% blaze orange on your hat and vest.
• Protective, polarized eyewear. This is required for both shooting sports and fly fishing. Polarized lenses not only cut harmful UV rays, but allow you to look into the water to see the fish you’re casting to. Glasses also protect your eyes.
• Comfortable boots with a small heal for shooting and hunting
• Sunscreen and lip balm.
• Hat for fishing
• Fleece Zip-up or Pull-over for late afternoons on the river.
• Wind-Stopper Jacket or Gortex Rain Jacket
• Any equipment or clothing suitable for other activities you’d like to engage in
A detailed packing list will be provided in your travel packet.
Let us know and we can provide any fishing and hunting gear for rental.
We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. For more information, go to
ABOUT HARRISON HOMESTEAD
We have designed our Montana adventure package around a magnificently restored farmhouse, the Harrison Homestead. As the name indicates, the Homestead enjoys a rich history which has prompted is placement on the National Register of Historic Places. The Harrison house was built in 1883 just across the Yellowstone River from the Crow Reservation. Homesteaders' journals talk of the original settlers exchanging shots with Crow Indians riding on the other side of the river. A short time later, a teacher at the local school teacher, Sara Thatcher, was shot in the Homestead by a disgruntled suitor from a nearby ranch. The heartbroken cowboy was then chased down by a posse and hung three miles up the Sweetgrass Creek in a gulch that is now named Hangman's gulch.
Despite its colorful past, the Homestead is a peaceful, relaxing and enjoyable Montana lodge located in the middle of a very pastoral setting. In 2001 Dale and Margaret Vermillion renovated house with the help of Kirk Michaels, a well known architect from Livingston Montana.
The home is perfectly suited for a Montana lodge. The rooms are large, charming and authentically re-furbished. Each room comfortably accommodates two anglers. The dining room and living room are both comfortable and well furnished with pieces from the era.
The Montana lodge capacity is six guests. Our private chef is able to deliver professional meals to suit fishermen's tastes. Our cuisine will leave nothing to be desired. Fresh baked bread, pastries and rolls compliment meals that highlight creatively prepared local beef, seafood, and garden fresh vegetables. The high repeat rate among our clients has made this a wonderful place to guide. We look forward to seeing the familiar faces year after year. Please book early on the Harrison Homestead, as it is one of our smallest and most popular programs. The openings and dates are limited and fill quickly. We will look forward to having you.
OUR BOTTOM LINE
If you haven't figured this out about us by now, we're women who are passionate about engaging, inspiring, and encouraging others to experience our world of fly fishing and wingshooting adventure travel. To us, there is no better way to share life or learn about yourself than to journey to other places. We know our stuff and we want to share it with you and women of all ages. We hope to inspire you to get out there with us, and together celebrate this one wild and precious life. More background on the Ketchum on the Fly and its founders.