United States

The Meadows on Rock Creek

Montana
Species
Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Cutthroat Trout
Destination Type
Lodge
Fishing Style
Drift Boat, Dry Fly, Sightfishing, and Wading
Season
June - October
Fishing Days
2 - 6
Rate
$$
Why We Go

  • Visit an all-inclusive ranch/resort with activities for all ages and interests
  • Wade fish on the prolific upper Rock Creek and Flint Creek with miles of private stream access
  • Experience world-class accommodations and fine dining
  • Enjoy an array of non-angling activities like yoga, wellness, mountain biking, and more
  • Buy the operation’s 32 beds out for special events, reunions and weddings

Overview

The Meadows on Rock Creek is a tasteful newly constructed ten-cabin lodge/resort on the banks of Montana’s famous Rock Creek. In many ways, this lodge is more than a fishing lodge, with a stunning 1,875-acre property and a wide range of included activities for guests of all interests and inclinations.

Anglers have access to more than a mile of private walk and wade water on Rock Creek and an additional two miles of intimate walk and wade water on Flint Creek. For the angling guests, the main draw is high quality, small water, walk and wade wild trout fishing but there are also numerous blue-ribbon fisheries within a 1- to 2-hour drive including the Clark Fork, Blackfoot, Big Hole, and Bitterroot Rivers. These more distant rivers are all floated, and not included in the base rate.

The Meadows on Rock Creek can take a maximum of 32 guests and is a highly desirable venue for private party buy outs including family reunions and weddings. Included activities include massage, yoga, horseback riding, archery, mountain biking and more.

Fishing Program

The core of the Meadow’s fishing program is walk and wade wild trout fishing on Rock Creek, Flint Creek and Trout Creek. The lodge has private access to these systems enabling their guests to have an intimate and uncrowded experience. All and all the lodge have roughly four miles of private access, and they are happy to provide all the needed gear and to work with anglers of all skill levels. Guests can also float Rock Creek in the early season as well as other regional rivers, but these trips are in addition to the package price and based on what the regional their regional outfitting partners are charging.

Accommodations

The property is situated on 1,600 acres of land in the upper Rock Creek valley and shares use with a working cattle ranch, offering a true Montana experience. The atmosphere of the facilities is tasteful modern-rustic with luxurious amenities and thoughtfully designed infrastructure newly constructed in 2023. The lodge staff is friendly and accommodating. When you stay at The Meadows, you are treated like family and top-notch service is standard. At max capacity the lodge can take 32 people, but they typically cater to about 20 guests per week. The lodge has ten cabins. There are 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom cabin options available. The 2-bedroom cabins have three different bed configurations for the primary and secondary bedrooms: queen/queen, queen/2 twins, and queen/bunk bed. All cabins feature modern amenities such as a full kitchen, spacious bathroom, high-speed satellite internet, covered front porch, washer and dryer, smart TV, and a comfortable living room.


Meals are served in the central lodge dining room or, if preferred, guests are welcome to take their food and morning coffee into the courtyard to enjoy the crisp Montana morning and views of Rock Creek. Breakfasts consist of a grab-and-go style smorgasbord of yogurts, fruit, eggs, savory delights, and a mix of other seasonal treats. Lunches are a typical sack lunch featuring a sandwich, chips, cookies, and other daily lunch specials. After your day on the water, the chef will prepare a world-class meal featuring a rotating menu with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.

Additional Experiences

The Meadows on Rock Creek offers a wide variety of additional experiences with the majority included in the package rate.


Other activities include:


• Yoga classes
• Massage
• Mountain biking
• Horseback riding
• Side-by-side ranch tours and picnics
• Archery course
• Hatchet throwing
• Bocce
• Billiards, poker, and board games
• Golf (extra fee)
• Hiking
• Sapphire mining
• Ghost town tours
• Ziplining (extra fee)

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive Missoula, Montana - Rent a car and drive to The Meadows on Rock Creek

• Days 2-6: Full days of guided fishing

• Day 7: Depart lodge

Rates & Details

2024 Rates: Per person based on double occupancy

Two Bedroom Cabin:

  • 5 night/4 day package: $5,437.50
  • 4 night/3 day package: $4,350
  • 3 night/2 day package: $3,262.50

One Bedroom Cabin:

  • 5 night/4 day package: $4,750
  • 4 night/3 day package: $3,800
  • 3 night/2 day package: $2,850

Included: Lodging, guided fishing and additional activities (choose two per day), all meals (packed lunches & beverages while fishing), beer & wine at the lodge, guide pick up & drop off on each day of fishing, rods/reels, flies, and tackle provided by the guide, waders and wading boots (if needed), river shuttle fees for guide’s vehicle (if applicable)


Not Included: Airfare, airport transportation (renting a car is suggested but a shuttle can be arranged for an extra fee), gratuities for lodge staff and guides, fishing licenses, additional activities (additional charges apply for more than two activities per day), taxes


Species: cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, whitefish


Season: May – October


Capacity: 32 guests

Fly Water Q&A

What are the top reasons to go?

  • Visit an all-inclusive ranch/resort with activities for all ages and interests
  • Wade fish on the prolific upper Rock Creek and Flint Creek with miles of private stream access
  • Experience world-class accommodations and fine dining
  • Enjoy an array of non-angling activities like yoga, wellness, mountain biking, and more
  • Buy the operation’s 32 beds out for special events, reunions and weddings


Who is best suited to this destination? This is a great destination for mixed groups with a diverse range of outdoor interests as well as serious anglers who like great walk and wade wild trout fishing on small to mid-sized systems. It is also a great location for weddings, corporate getaways, and family reunions.


Where is the lodge? The lodge is located approximately 85 miles road miles south of Missoula, Montana and 11 miles southwest of the town of Philipsburg, Montana.


How do I get there? To get to The Meadows on Rock Creek, guests will fly into Missoula airport (MSO), Bozeman airport (BZN), or Butte airport (BTM), then rent a car and drive to the lodge. A shuttle can be arranged for an extra fee.


When should I go? The season lasts from June through October with the best wade fishing opportunities available post-runoff starting mid-to late June depending on snowpack.


How will I fish? Rock Creek is a phenomenal dry fly fishery but other methods such as streamer fishing and nymphing are also effective. This is an operation that specialized in walk and wade guided fishing on their local waters. Boat based guided fly fishing trips are available on a number of regional systems for a significant additional fee.


Is there wade fishing? Yes. Ample wade fishing opportunities are available from the front porch of your private cabin on Rock Creek. With a short drive, private access on Flint Creek is available.


Where will I fish? Guests will have 1.5-miles of private access to upper Rock Creek and roughly two miles of private access between Flint Creek and Trout Creek. There are also numerous blue-ribbon fisheries within a 1- to 2-hour drive including the Clark Fork, Blackfoot, Big Hole, and Bitterroot Rivers. Float trips on these more distant fisheries are not included in the standard rate.


How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? The home water is a 5-minute walk to Rock Creek, Flint Creek is only 20 minutes away but it can take up to 2-hours to reach the most distant float trip fisheries.


What type(s) of fish will I catch?
Primarily brown trout, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and Rocky Mountain whitefish with a potential for the odd brook trout.


How many fish will I catch? There are opportunities for high catch rate days, but they should not be the expectation. Most days 10 fish is a good day. Anglers should expect to have ample opportunities at aggressive trout. The lodge is perfect for anglers of all skill levels.


Will I see other anglers? During the Rock Creek float season (June 1st through 31st), only a few boats float past the ranch. While wading from the private stream access points post-float season, it is unlikely that you will see other anglers as the next public access is several miles away.


What are the guides like? All guides are well-versed in the local fisheries and are great teachers who can accommodate anglers of all skill levels and ages.


What are the physical demands? None really. Anglers should have the ability to wade through variable terrain from dry, grassy banks to slippery river bottoms.


Are there any special skills required? No. Anglers with the ability to cast a single hand fly rod approximately 20-feet or more will do well on the fisheries.


Does the lodge provide equipment? Yes. The Meadows can provide all necessary fly fishing equipment including waders, boots, fly rods, lines, leader, tippet, flies, etc. Guests are welcome to bring their own equipment if they prefer.


What is your favorite setup for the trip?
4- to 6-weight medium to fast-action fly rods are best for these fisheries.

What are the top flies? Most classic western trout flies will perform well at The Meadows on Rock Creek.


Dry Flies: Chubby Chernobyl, High Vis Flying Ant, Rio’s Juicy Hopper, Golden Stone Barred Leg, Parachute Adams, Sparkle Dun, Rusty Spinner, Elk Hair Caddis, Simulator, Madam X.


Nymphs: Pat’s Rubber Legs, TJ Hooker, Rio’s French Dip TB, Rio’s Rain Drop TB, Squirmy Wormy TB, Pheasant Tail, Hare’s Ear, Copper John


Streamers: Thin Mint Bugger, Woolly Bugger, Skiddish Smolt, Rio’s Soccer Mom, Rio’s Sir Sticks a Lot, Peanut Envy, Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow


What are the options if water conditions become challenging? It’s not often that the guides cannot find fishable water within a short drive but if water conditions become too challenging on the local rivers, there are a few stillwater options nearby such as the East Fork Reservoir and Georgetown Lake. For guests willing to travel a bit farther, the Missouri River fishes well in a variety of river conditions.


What is a typical day like? Guests will start their day with a comprehensive breakfast prepared by their private chef in the central lodge. After you have had your fill, head back to your cabin to wader up and prepare for a day on the water.


Depending on your desired experience and/or river, you will either hit the road for a destination off-property with your guide or you will take a short walk down to Rock Creek within sight of your cabin’s front porch. Fish your way up or downriver from your entrance point and hit the best holes for unpressured wild trout. Your guide will bring a thoughtfully prepared lunch and beverages. Evenings at The Meadows on Rock Creek are spent around a crackling campfire with the occasional guest musician and live performances (musician schedule available).


What is the general vibe, atmosphere and style of the lodge?
The property is situated on 1,875 acres of land in the upper Rock Creek valley and shares use with a working cattle ranch, offering a true Montana experience. The atmosphere of the facilities is tasteful modern-rustic with luxurious amenities and thoughtfully designed infrastructure newly constructed in 2023. The lodge staff is friendly and accommodating. When you stay at The Meadows, you are treated like family and top-notch service is standard. At max capacity the lodge can take 32 people, but they typically cater to about 20 guests per week.


Is there an on-site owner, manager or other point-person at the lodge? The General Manager of The Meadows on Rock Creek is Will Hensley, and he will be the main point of contact during your stay.


Where do we eat, and what are the meals like?
Meals are served in the central lodge dining room or, if preferred, guests are welcome to take their food and morning coffee into the courtyard to enjoy the crisp Montana morning and views of Rock Creek. Breakfasts consist of a grab-and-go style smorgasbord of yogurts, fruit, eggs, savory delights, and a mix of other seasonal treats. Lunches are a typical sack lunch featuring a sandwich, chips, cookies, and other daily lunch specials. After your day on the water, the chef will prepare a world-class meal featuring a rotating menu with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.


What is the alcohol policy? House beer and wine are included in the package. The lodge does not have a liquor license but guest can bring their own hard alcohol and enjoy it in their rooms.


Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? The lodge has ten cabins. There are 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom cabin options available. The 2-bedroom cabins have three different bed configurations for the primary and secondary bedrooms: queen/queen, queen/2 twins, and queen/bunk bed. All cabins feature modern amenities such as a full kitchen, spacious bathroom, high-speed satellite internet, covered front porch, washer and dryer, smart TV, and a comfortable living room.

Is there internet and/or cell service? There is high-speed satellite internet available, but cell phone service can be spotty or unavailable on and near the property.

Are there other activities? Yes. Lots and the majority are included in your package price.

Other activities include:

• Yoga classes

• Massage

• Mountain biking

• Horseback riding

• Side-by-side ranch tours and picnics

• Archery course

• Hatchet throwing

• Bocce

• Billiards, poker, and board games

• Golf (extra fee)

• Hiking

• Sapphire mining

• Ghost town tours

• Ziplining (extra fee)

Are there any other expenses? Transfers to/from the airport can be arranged for an extra fee depending on which airport. Float fishing with a guide requires an extra fee of $675/day, and ziplining and golf are not included. Gratuities are in addition to then package pricing.


Do I need a visa? No


Are there any health concerns, dangers or annoyances? No, but we recommend that guests always consult with the U.S. Department of State and the Center For Disease Control websites for general travel information and guidelines.

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