Fishing
Breakfast and the lodge's
wonderful amenities become a faint memory as the driftbat pulls free
of the shore and your first cast unrolls above the chilly water. Your
guide has you out on the Big Hole today, throwing caddis at the shaded
banks that slide by. Without this incredible scenery and silence, fishing
just wouldn't be as enthralling as it is—but then again, really
good wild trout fishing is a vital part of the mix too. You release
another wide-bodied brown, taking a moment to relish the blue sky against
the canyon walls. Days like this are meant to pass as slowly as possible...
5 miles of the fabled Ruby River run through lodge property, as well
as 3 miles of Clear Creek and two private spring-fed ponds
4 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
Area Fisheries
Ruby Springs Lodge is uniquely positioned near several of the world's best wild trout fisheries. During your stay at the lodge, and depending on current conditions, you may have the opportunity to fish any of the following:
Ruby: We have over 10 miles of private water on this river, said by many to be the finest small-water trout fishery in the state. Downstream from the lodge is the private Anderson Ranch, which boasts 2,200 fish per mile—the highest population on the entire river. The section is popular with beginning and intermediate anglers. Upstream you’ll find 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 in June and July, terrific caddis hatches and hopper fishing throughout the summer, and 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 can continue into the summer with caddis, tricos, and hoppers too. Streamer 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 food. June and July can provide good dry fly fishing with caddis, yellow sallies, and pale morning duns, as well as the famous crane fly during early August mornings. The streamer fishing in the fall can be superb.
Madison: The Madison is the most consistently productive river that we fish. There are great hatches of salmonflies, caddis, and mayflies, and it’s not uncommon to catch fish on dries, wets, and streamers all in the same day—the trout are usually happily eating something. It's a gorgeous river, with rainbows, browns, and the occasional brook trout, cutthroat or rare grayling. Being just 30 minutes from the lodge, 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 ease. There are also two spring-fed ponds on premises for casting practice or instruction.
