Bighorn River Lodge, Montana
August 23rd - 30th, 2025
HOSTED BY: BARRY BECK
FROM YOUR HOST
Nothing says "Montana" like antlers, stone fireplaces, overstuffed leather chairs, and big fish. And these are only a few of the reasons we're excited to be at the Bighorn River Lodge in August and early September. It's been many years since we had our first look at the river and I've seen all possible fishing conditions on the years since, but I can honestly say there is no finer fishing anywhere in the west than there is right now on the Bighorn.
The river has matured thanks to the cooperation of the folks up at the dam, the anglers, ranchers, and boaters: and as long as Mother Nature doesn't throw any curve balls, it looks good for current conditions to continue. Gone are the 50-fish days with many fish in the 10-13 inch class. A good day now is half as many fish, or less, but they will all be heavy, big, and beautiful fish. There was a time when a 20" was a big fish on the 'Horn—today we see many fish over 20"—and we see our backing almost everyday. We plan this departure around the late summer hatches of caddis, tricos, and of course, grasshoppers.
ABOUT Your Host
Longtime Frontiers trip host and photographer, Barry Beck, travels far and wide to follow his love for fly fishing, nature photography and adventure travel. Based in Pennsylvania, Barry is a professional photographer, writer, fly-fishing travel and African photo safaris host while also operating his own stock photography business. Barry is well-known in the fly-fishing, photography, and travel industries, and possesses a stellar reputation for his skill, knowledge, and expertise born from a lifetime of related experiences.
Barry’s wife and soulmate Cathy passed away recently, however Barry is continuing to share his and Cathy's love for fly-fishing, photography, travel, nature and the outdoors.
Rick and Cheryl Gehweiler are the long-time managers at the lodge, and you can't meet nicer folks than these two. Talk about salt-ofthe-earth and just plain Montana-friendly people, and you've perfectly described Rick and Cheryl. They are avid fly fishermen having spent lots of time in the Bahamas and the Yucatan, and have been on the 'Horn for 20 years. They know the river and the lodge business like very few do, and you can be sure that their priority is to their guests and staff, many of which have been with them for a very long time.
Sincerely,
What to expect
The Bighorn River Lodge is ideally located about 13 miles downstream of the Afterbay. The lodge’s private takeout will spoil anglers since a cool drink and lounge chair can be had on the deck within minutes of getting out of the boat at the end of the day. And if you want to wet a line after dinner, walk about a minute from the lodge you’ll be at one of the best pools in the river – you may want to forget your waders and just take your rod for a walk. Or you may be tempted to wet a line in the private bass pond literally three feet from the lower deck or engage in a friendly game of poker at their custom made poker table.
Swarms of tiny tricos will darken the sky on the still calm late summer mornings when there is no breeze and the patient angler who waits for the insects to come to the water will be richly rewarded with some of the best dry fly fishing of the year.
Being located a couple hundred yards from the 3-mile access, means you can be two minutes away from your put-in at the beginning of the day.
There are big fish that the late summer hopper fishing can produce and the quiet summer evenings with swarms of black caddis on the water, fish rising, and no one in sight.
ITINERARY
AUG 23, Travel to lodge
Arrive at the Billings Logan Airport.
Uppon your arrival at the Billings Airport, please claim your bags and proceed to the waiting area by the Visitor's Information Booth. Barry will meet and transfer you to the lodge (approximately a 90-minute drive). You will depart the airport no later than 2:30 p.m.
Note: Please plan on stopping along the way for any libations (beer/wine/hard alcohol) you may wish to have during your stay, as the lodge does not provide any alcoholic beverages.
At the lodge, you will be shown to your accommodations and given a brief orientation. After dinner, enjoy your first night at Bighorn River Lodge.
Cell Phone & Internet Service: There is some cell phone service at the lodge. Bighorn River Lodge has a computer and printer in their business center for guest use during your stay, and WiFi is available throughout the lodge.
AUG 24-29, six full days of fishing
Enjoy six full days of fly fishing on the Bighorn River. Breakfast is provided each morning with lunch served streamside daily. Upon completion of fishing each day, dinner will be served. Enjoy continued overnight accommodations at Bighorn River Lodge.
AUG 30, Depart Bighorn River Lodge
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the Billings Logan Airport to check in for your return flight.
Fishing Package
RATES : Bighorn River Lodge Fishing Package (7 night/6 day) $5,250.00 per person. (Double Occupancy/Shared Guide)
INCLUSIONS : Your hosted stay at Bighorn River Lodge includes round trip transportation from Billings to Bighorn River Lodge*, accommodations, all meals, Montana fishing license, guided fishing, flies, Montana bed tax.
EXCLUSIONS : Gratuities to lodge staff and guides, alcoholic beverages**, personal items
*Transfers are provided for guests departing Billings airport at 2:30pm on Saturday, and will return guests to Billings airport by 9:30 AM the following Saturday. Please be sure to book your flights accordingly, as separate transfers will be an additional cost (approx. $300).
**Barry will be providing a limited selection of beer and wine, but guests are encouraged to bring along any favorites with them. The transfer bus will stopping at the bottle shop in Harden on the way to lodge.
DEPOSIT REFUND POLICY : A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the land cost is due at time of reservation. Balance payable at time of final land package invoicing. Final / full payment is also non-refundable unless client replacement is provided.
Our team of expert agents coordinate every last detail of your trip. Our full-service Airline Department can coordinate all of your travel logistics to/from Bighorn River Lodge. For this hosted departure, please contact:
Joe Koziara, Senior Program Manager
