dude ranch family vacation

[MTN5]

anyone out there have any recommendations on dude ranches out west for a family vacation with the ability to sneak some quality fishing in? There are so many in business I could use some direction. Open to anywhere out west that has horseback riding, stuff for kids and good fishing (not just stocked ponds)
thanks

[dcs2]

Take a look at Cheff Guest Ranch http://www.cheffguestranch.com/
I am going on one of their pack trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness in August to fish on the South Fork of the Flathead. I haven't been in with them but I took a pack trip in once before and had fabulous fishing for cutthroats. But they have a dude ranch too and seem to offer a variety of fishing/riding alternatives, including stay on the ranch with some fishing trips. I can't vouch for Cheffs personally, but it looks promising.

[PW]

I got on somebody's mailing list this winter If you want to do a "plan it yourself" trip. I thought the rental was pretty cheap. I was thinking of going this summer and emailed the owners. He did say there were stables nearby with horesback riding. He dosn't have horses on site. If I could attach the brochure (word doc) I would. It looks NICE!!!!

Paul-


----- Original Message -----
From: "Cindy Osborne" <cozzy57@suscom.net>
To: "Bill Osborne" <wozzy53@suscom.net>
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2005 5:08 PM
Subject: MONTANA CABIN FOR RENT


Montana Cabin for Rent

Located in Montana's Bitterroot River valley about one hour south of Missoula, Montana, the cabin was built in 2001 and is situated on 15 acres nestled against the Bitterroot mountain range providing beautiful vistas in all directions. It comes with a fully equipped modern kitchen, full bath, new furnishings and two bedrooms, which sleep 5-6 people.

The cabin is a great base from which to enjoy the local fishing, rafting, horseback riding, hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. The Bitterroot River is only 1½ miles away and many smaller streams are close by. Other nearby rivers suitable for day trips include Rock Creek, East and West Forks of the Bitterroot River, Clark Fork River, Bighole River, and Selway River in Idaho.These rivers all offer good access for wading fisherman and most of them are floatable.

Terrific dry fly fishing starts in late March and early April with the skwala stonefly hatch and the march brown and baetis mayfly hatches and continues into September and October. Very few people are on the rivers during this beautiful time of year.

The Bitterroot Valley is also known for great elk hunting. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks states that there are three times the amount of elk in the south end of the Bitterroots as there were in 1980! In late September, over 50 elk stopped for several days to graze in the fields surrounding the cabin on their journey to warmer winter grounds.

Rates are $90/night in July and $80/night all other months. A four-night minimum reservation is required.

If you would like a color brochure, please reply to this email with your interest. Include your name and U.S. postal address if you would like a brochure through the U.S. mail or I can also email you the brochure. We would prefer to email you a brochure if your email provider can accept it. The brochure attachment is a large file with color photos and may be too large for some email providers so please state your preference. You can also call me at 717-757-3825 if you have questions.

Bill Osborne

P.S. If the lessee documents his/her membership in Trout Unlimited, I will donate 3% of the rental fee to TU.

[SaltH2oFly]

Hey PW - that's sounds like a very interesting place...do they have a website?

[petegas]

I'd check out Mountain Sky Guest Ranch (http://www.mtnsky.com/), they do a ton of riding with kids, and its also located in the Paradise Valley so its near the spring creeks, the yellowstone, and yellowstone park. i would have suggestedthe lodge i guide out of which is right down the road from mountain sky, but they dont do as much riding compared to fly fishing, and its a place where the kids may get a bit bored.