Getaways: Firehole Ranch

When someone asks me what the place to go for the ultimate fly fishing vacation is, it’s hard to mention just one location. There are several areas of the country renowned for their rivers and streams, as well as their majestic scenery and untouched beauty, so you can imagine the difficulty in deciding on just one. However, the resort I usually bring up is a legendary place situated against the rugged backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, known as Firehole Ranch.

Minutes from Yellowstone National Park, Firehole Ranch was the first location to receive Orvis’ Lodge of the Year Award, and has been voted among the Top Ten Fly Fishing Lodges by Forbes magazine. The lodge is open for only 14 weeks each summer, and hosts only 20 guests at a time, so you can be assured that, should you be able to reserve a stay, you’ll be able to enjoy a quiet, relaxing experience.

Accommodations at Firehole Ranch perfectly embody the sense of pastoral simplicity, without sacrificing comfort. The main lodge is available, and comes with high-speed internet, as well as three different types of cabins: the log, deluxe, and private cabins. The Private Luxury cabins are stand-alone abodes nestled in the trees that are equipped with a covered front porch, wood stove, stocked fridge, soft bath robes, coffee and tea, and USA Today delivered daily.

Dining is truly a home-grown experience at Firehole Ranch, as each day begins with a custom-ordered Western-style breakfast, and is followed by a hearty lunch to keep guests fully energized for a long day on the river. Dinners range from original meals to the weekly barbecue dinner that can include anything from grilled salmon to steak. The barbeques also feature live music for guests to enjoy while they eat and mingle with each other in such a friendly setting.

You’ll find no shortage of rivers to fish at the Firehole Ranch, as the lodge has access to over a dozen legendary rivers, including the Snake, Yellowstone, and Firehole Rivers. The lodge offers several professional guides, all of whom are familiar with the area’s waters and fully capable and ready to ensure an exciting day on the river. Anglers staying at Firehole Ranch should be sure to bring their fly gear with them. However, should anything be forgotten at home, the ranch is also home to a world-class Orvis fly shop. The shop is home to clothing, hand-tied flies, made by the ranch’s guides themselves, and even rents equipment.

Any angler looking to truly experience fly fishing the way it is meant to be experienced will want to check out the Firehole Ranch, in West Yellowstone, Wyoming. With access to some of the sport’s most legendary waters, experienced guides, and Orvis fly shop, and home-cooked dining, the ranch is truly the ideal Getaway for any fly fisherman.

For more information on Firehole Ranch, including rates and reservations, visit www.fireholeranch.com, or contact the lodge directly at 406-646-7294.