Big Sky Anglers

With great expanses of wilderness, a historic town center and seemingly endless opportunities to fish for trout, West Yellowstone, Montana is one of the west’s greatest outdoor hubs. Our friends at Big Sky Anglers, recently expanded their outfitting offering by building Golden Stone Inn, a complex of cabins and triplexes that cater to all those keen on exploring the greater Yellowstone region.

The Inn works more like a hotel in that meals are not included, and guests may choose to fish with guides or simply enjoy the accommodations while fishing and exploring on their own. For guests interested in fully guided days on the water, scheduling with Big Sky Anglers is easy and package rates are available. Additionally the folks at the inn can assist guests in scheduling other activities, meal reservations, and offering recommendations in the area. Located only a few blocks from the main street of West Yellowstone, the lodge allows guests to easily explore the restaurants, shops and activities in town and is 30-minutes from a wide variety of creeks, rivers and lakes teeming with trout. This location is well suited for those looking to stop in for a few days as part of a longer journey, and also for those wanting a home-base while exploring the innumerable fishing opportunities of the greater Yellowstone region. 

Big Sky Anglers has taken full advantage of their location with an array of special use permits allowing anglers to access rivers across Montana, Idaho and Wyoming including in Gallatin National Forest, Yellowstone National Park and the Henry’s Fork of the Snake. The array of guide waters this area and outfitter has to offer would take years to become familiar with. Guides from Big Sky Anglers are knowledgeable, patient, and passionate about fly fishing in this region, and enjoy taking an educational approach with clients who are interested in finetuning their skillset. Anglers will fish two per guide and have the option to fish any method they choose, be it nymphing for large elusive brown trout, swinging streamers with a two handed rod, or casting dry flies to rising fish. The variety of fishable water is vast and anglers will have options of many miles of backcountry streams, lakes, or wide tailwater. Drifting opportunities take place on the Madison, Henry’s Fork of the Snake, and Yellowstone Rivers, as well as nearby Hebgen and Henry’s Lakes. Walk and wade opportunities are many and generally take place in Yellowstone National Park. Given its location, anglers staying at Golden Stone Inn are often first on the water and spend less time in the car to arrive at the fishing spot. Brown and rainbow trout are common with opportunities at native Yellowstone cutthroat trout as well.

Golden Stone Inn is not your typical lodge but rather a more hotel-like experience that offers guest lots of freedom and autonomy. The Inn is a complex of single and triplex units is thoughtfully designed with the fly angler in mind and has a variety of room types to fit any group dynamic. Standalone mini- cabins offer king or double queen rooms with private porch, while triplex units come with either king or double queen rooms and share a porch. All options have ensuite bathrooms and face the courtyard where guests can relax around firepits. Inside the main building there is a lounge where guests may purchase beer and wine and have breakfast each morning. Breakfasts are buffet style offering many hot and cold options, often including quiches, sausage, and fresh fruit. Guides will serve anglers a riverside lunch, and guests are encouraged to dine at one of the many restaurants in town for dinner. For a quieter venue, guests may order in dinner and eat in the lounge.

West Yellowstone, MT is a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast with options for white water rafting, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, bird watching, and hiking. The neighboring zip line park and mountain bike trails behind the lodge are excellent options as well, and multiple guided tours are available to explore and learn about Yellowstone National Park. The staff at Golden Stone Inn will be happy to assist in making reservations for bike rentals, park tours, river rafting and more.

Day 1: Arrive West Yellowstone, MT

Day 2 -5: Full days of fly fishing or other activities

Day 6: Depart the lodge for the next location

2025 Rates: Per person based on double occupancy

• 6 night/5 day package: $3,874.50
• 5 night/4 day package: $3,174.50
• 4 night/3 day package: $2,449.50
• 3 night/2 day package: $1,724.50

Included: Accommodations, breakfast, lunch on guided days, guided fly fishing, rods and reels, boots and waders, flies

Not Included: Dinner, gratuities, lodging tax, fishing licenses, national park licenses and entrance fees, additional activities

Species: Brown trout, rainbow trout, Yellowstone cutthroat trout, whitefish

Season: April - October

Capacity: 30 Anglers

Who is best suited to this destination? This destination is best suited for no frills and DIY anglers and families. There are many fishing destinations that Big Sky Anglers has access to, and guests may travel anywhere from fifteen minutes to two hours each way to the fishing location based on their preferences and the season. The Golden Stone Inn is a hotel and guests will be on their own for meals and creating their itinerary. Meals in town are mostly standard American fare, with two higher end options.

Where is the lodge? The lodge is in West Yellowstone, about two blocks away from the main street.

How do I get there? Guests will either fly directly into West Yellowstone, or may fly into Bozeman, MT and rent a car. If guests fly into West Yellowstone, they can easily get a ride to Golden Stone Inn and walk to restaurants in town. However, if guests have any interest in going to Yellowstone National Park or to explore the surrounding area, a rental car is encouraged.

When should I go? The season is open April through October. Guests who visit the lodge before June and after September will experience far smaller crowds and fishing will be primarily on streamers and nymphs. From early July to early September anglers will have better fishing with dry flies like large mayflies and hoppers, and should expect large crowds in town and on the rivers.

How will I fish? Anglers fish two per guide and have options to walk and wade or to float in a drift boat. In the shoulder seasons, guests will have the most productive fishing on nymphs with some streamer options. In the summer months guests will fish dry flies or dry/dropper rigs.

Guests with a preference to fish in the national park on dry flies should visit in July or August and expect longer drive times to each fishing destination.

Is there wade fishing? There is wade fishing both in and out of the park.

Where will I fish? Big Sky Anglers have access to hundreds of miles of fishable water. In the park anglers could fish the Madison, Yellowstone, Gallatin, Firehole, Gardner Rivers as well as Soda Butte, Slough, and Lamar Creeks and many more backcountry options for the intrepid angler. Outside of the park, anglers will have options to fish the Madison and Henry’s Fork Rivers and have options to fish a number of lakes including Quake Lake.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? Most fishing grounds will take about an hour to reach, although some lakes and walk/wade options can take as little as fifteen minutes to reach and other backcountry options will take closer to two hours.

What type(s) of fish will I catch? Anglers on the Madison and Henry’s Fork River will primarily catch rainbow and brown trout. In the park guests will catch Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout.

How many fish will I catch? Anglers should expect 5-10 fish per angler per day, although this will vary greatly depending on fishing method and time of year.

Will I see other anglers? Yes, there will be other anglers present. Those who visit in the summer months should expect to see many other anglers.

What are the guides like? Big Sky Angler guides are experienced, well trained and good natured. Guests should let us know what their fishing preferences are when booking so that they can be paired with the guide that will be most knowledgeable for their fishing goals.

What are the physical demands? This trip can be as easy or as physically demanding and guests like.

Are there any special skills required? There are no special skills required. Big Sky Anglers specializes in trout Spey, and anglers interested in learning more, doing a clinic, or spending a day swinging flies should contact us to put together a trout Spey package!

Does the lodge provide equipment? Big Sky Anglers provides rods, reels, terminal tackle, flies, boots and waders for anglers. In the summer, the fly shop is open until 9:00 PM and guests are encouraged to stop in to get fitted for boots and waders before their first day of fishing. The shop also has a large variety of clothing and gear for sale.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? For dry flies a 4-weight 9-foot rod with weight-forward floating line. For nymphing a 5-weight with weight-forward line and for streamers a 7-weight 9-foot rod with intermediate sinking line. For trout Spey, a 3-weight, 9 foot rod with sink tip.

• Sage Trout LL 5-weight rod
• Sage Trout Reel 4/5/6
• Rio Gold 5-weight weight-forward floating line

What are the top flies? Throughout the season the flies change often, guests should call before their trip for the best patterns.

What are the options if water conditions become challenging? There are a number of different fishing locations, meaning guides have options if one particular river is experiencing poor fishing conditions. Guests should be prepared to fish in sun, rain, wind or snow.

What is a typical day like? A continental breakfast is served at 7:00 AM in the lounge, and guides will pick guests up at 8:00 AM in the lobby. Guests can expect to get on the river around 9:00 or 9:30 AM and will get off the river between 4:00 and 5:00 PM. Generally guests will get back to the Golden Stone Inn between 5:00 and 6:00 PM and have the rest of the evening to themselves.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere and style of the lodge? The Inn is laid back, in the evening guests will be relaxing around the fire pits. The Inn is located in a quiet neighborhood of West Yellowstone and caters more to anglers but may have non-angling guests as well.

Is there an on-site owner, manager or other point-person at the lodge? There will be someone at the front desk from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day to assist guests with any needs they may have.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? There is a continental breakfast served at the Inn that consists of one or two warm options such as quiche or breakfast sandwiches as well as fruit, bagels, breakfast bars and yogurt. Anglers will order from a menu before their day of fishing for lunch and will have the option of a sandwich or salad with chips and something sweet. Guests are on their own for dinner. The town of West Yellowstone has many dining options, most are family friendly. The town is very busy and guests are strongly encouraged

What is the alcohol policy? Alcohol is not provided by the lodge or guides. Golden Stone Inn has a small selection of beer and wine by the bottle that guests may purchase, or may purchase alcohol in town.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? Guests will stay at the Golden Stone Inn in either a double queen or king room. Rooms come in a triplex option, or standalone building option. All rooms form the outside of the courtyard which has outdoor seating and fire pits.

Is there internet and/or cell service? There is good cell service in West Yellowstone but it drops quickly outside of town. The lodge has Wifi throughout available to guests.

Are there other activities? There are many other activities such as hiking, river rafting, bird watching, tours through Yellowstone National Park, mountain biking, shopping and horseback riding.

Are there any other expenses? Guests should plan on rental car costs, dinners, beverages, gratuities and costs for any other guided adventures.

Do I need a visa? You do not need a visa.

Are there any health concerns, dangers or annoyances? Weather in the Rockies can be unpredictable and guests are encouraged to bring layers for cool mornings and evenings with an option for lighter clothes during the heat of the day. Rain and snow are a possibility in most months of the year. Wind can be an issue around fall, and in early summer there may be some mosquitos at boat ramps.