Ruby Spring Lodge

We have so many fishing options at Ruby Springs, it's almost not fair.

Over 10 miles of the fabled Ruby River and its tributaries run through the lodge property, for world-class private water trout fishing. In addition, anglers have access to numerous spring-fed ponds within a few minutes' walk from any of the cabins.

Four more of the world's best wild trout streams are within easy striking distance: the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Jefferson, and Madison, with multiple private water leases offering even more angling options.

The lodge's full-time, on-staff guides are professional, patient, and personable, and they know these waters inside and out. Whether you're a beginner looking for instruction, or an expert in search of the next challenge, they're here to help make it happen.

If you have  View more...a passion for wild trout fishing, you know that this part of Montana is pretty hard to beat.

OUR AREA FISHERIES

RUBY: Within five minutes from the lodge, we have over ten miles of private access to the Ruby River and its tributaries. Upstream from the lodge is our Canyon property, which boasts 2,200 fish per mile—the highest population on the entire river. The section is popular with beginning and intermediate anglers. Another angling option is the “home water” of the lodge, which runs right past the cabins. Because of the smaller river channel, the fishing here can be challenging, but very satisfying for more advanced anglers. On both sections, there are good hatches of pale morning duns and yellow sallies in June and July, caddis and hopper fishing throughout the summer, and Baetis (blue-wing olive) hatches in the fall.

BIG HOLE: If you dreamed up a trout river, it might look like the Big Hole. Towering cliffs in places, quiet meadow stretches, wildlife, and lots of feisty trout. Probably the most exciting dry fly fishing for trout anywhere is found on this river in June, with the emergence of the giant stonefly (Salmonfly). This is a great time to fish this river, but the dry fly fishing continues into the summer with Caddis, Tricos, and hoppers too. Streamer and nypmh fishing in both the spring and fall can be excellent as well.

BEAVERHEAD: The stats speak for themselves: average fish, 16”; 3,800 fish per mile; one fish of 4 pounds or better every twenty feet of bank. The Beaverhead is the best trophy trout river in the region—and possibly beyond. It’s surprisingly small, but deep, fast, and full of big fish. Small nymphs always work well on this river, catching amazingly big fish for such small flies. June and July provide good dry fly fishing with caddis and pale morning duns, as well as the famous crane fly in August. Blue wing olives hatch in the fall, and the streamer fishing at this time can be good depending on water levels.

MADISON: The Madison is the most consistently productive river that we fish. There are great hatches of salmonflies, caddis, and mayflies, and you can catch fish on dries, wets, streamers—its trout are usually happily eating something. It’s a gorgeous river, with rainbows, browns, the occasional brook trout, and even the rare grayling too. Being . hour from the lodge, and in a beautiful and scenic valley, it’s one of our most popular fisheries.

JEFFERSON: During the spring and fall, this unheralded river can produce some wonderful fishing, not to mention solitude, wildlife, and beauty. The streamer fishing can be red hot, and there’s even dry fly fishing at certain times of year. It may not get much press, but we know when to fish the Jeff and we know the size of the browns that lurk beneath its surface.

PRIVATE WATERS: If you’d like to fish one of a variety of nearby private waters, such as Clear Creek or other small streams, we can arrange for trips with advance notice. There are also two spring-fed ponds on premises for casting practice or instruction.


COMMONLY USED FLIES

We supply flies as part of the standard fishing package, but if you tie your own or would like to bring some basics, here’s our list of fly patterns that produce well on area rivers:

bead-head prince nymph (size 8-16)
pheasant tail (size 12-20)
bitch creek (size 2-10)
zonker (size 2-8)
woolly bugger (size 6-10)
tan elk hair caddis (size 12-16)
stimulator (size 12-16)
grasshopper patterns (size 8-12)
parachute adams (size 14-18)
salmonfly patterns (size 4-8)

Your focus is on the Montana outdoors, but ours is ensuring your experience at the Ruby Springs Lodge is nothing short of perfect.

Our 7 tastefully-appointed guest cabins are close enough to these amenities to be convenient, but far enough to offer just the right level of privacy.

RIVERSIDE CABINS

Each of our 5 Riverside Cabins feature:

River rock fireplace
Oversized tub and shower
Heated tile floors
Screened porch
Fully-stocked refrigerator
Broadband wireless internet access
Your choice of a king or 2 twin beds
TOBACCO ROOT CABIN

For guests who prefer more room, our Tobacco Root Cabin features:

Master bedroom with your choice of king or 2 twin beds
Two full baths
Living room
Outdoor shower overlooking the Ruby
River rock fireplace
Screened porch
Wet bar and fully-stocked refrigerato View more...r
Broadband wireless Internet access
DISCOVERY CABIN

At 1500 square feet, Discovery is our largest cabin. It’s a two-bedroom, two-bath that will comfortably accommodate four guests. It features:

Living room
River rock fireplace
Plasma TV
Full wet bar and refrigerator
Broadband wireless internet access
Outdoor fireplace adjacent to the Ruby River