This past summer was a busy one for Journeys Unparalleled. With so many people itching to get away after a year of Covid seclusion, we found ourselves – as well as many domestic travel destinations – busier than ever. And one of the trips that had us scratching our heads in the beginning was a father/son fly-fishing trip in August. We called all along the West Coast and found that most places were completely booked – and had been for months. But as per usual, Margot was able to work her magic and found our clients a fantastic little gem in southwestern Montana called Shields River Lodge, a perfect destination for this father-son bar mitzvah getaway!
The lodge, which consists of nine guest rooms with en-suite baths, sits on 283 acres along the Shields River in Montana and offers an intimate experience of rustic luxury among the natural beauty for which Montana is renowned. Owner Chris Whitley and his partners bought the property six years ago and initially opened Shields River Lodge as a brain performance retreat. But when Covid hit, they quickly realized they could not continue that business because much of the work required close personal contact with guests. So in June of 2020, they took advantage of their natural surroundings and of Chris’ passion for fly-fishing and pivoted to re-brand as a fly-fishing lodge.
Lori Nuss, the lodge’s Chief Brand Officer who also has a background in the fly-fishing and outdoor industries, says that the lodge has something to offer all level of anglers. “We get people who spend $50,000 on angling trips a year or they just want to come to Montana and stay at a lodge and fish a couple days or go sightsee a couple of days, so skill level doesn’t matter. We’re primarily a fly-fishing lodge, but we take non-anglers as well.”
Though a mile of the Shields River runs through the property, most of the fly-fishing is done on the Yellowstone River, where almost all species of trout can be found. As with any fly-fishing lodge in Montana, Shields River Lodge operates through a licensed fly-fishing outfitter. They work with about 20-30 different fly-fishing guides who pick up and return the guests to the lodge each day of fishing. Most of the angling is out of a drift boat, with one or two people to a boat with a guide. But they also do a lot of what is called ‘walking and wading’ which is what it sounds like and typically involves two people to one guide.
Our client enjoyed fishing with the local guides, reporting back to us that “they were very knowledgeable and friendly and we caught lots of fish.”
Originally owned by two large families from the Southeast who liked to vacation together a couple of times a year, the lodge is spacious but intimate at the same time. There is a big commercial kitchen that splits one part of the lodge from the other and the layout allows for co-mingling in a large communal eating area, while still providing enough private spaces so that you can enjoy the property without feeling like you’re on top of other guests.
Our client appreciated the welcoming atmosphere of the lodge and of the people who work there. “The property has a great common room with a large fireplace, a large outdoor deck, dining room, outdoor horseshoe game area and cube game area. Chris also drove us around the entire property in a four wheel drive golf cart [and my son] really enjoyed that. Chris was there for our entire stay and took great care of us. He was extremely friendly and gave us some great ideas for activities for the one day that we did not fish.”
Included in the room rate are Continental-style breakfasts and gourmet dinners created by their classically trained Executive Chef, Donald MacArthur. Fly-fishing is an extra cost and you can choose a fly-fishing package or opt to fish as many or as few days as you would like. For non-anglers and those who don’t wish to fish every day, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. The lodge is located about 1-1.5 hours from Yellowstone National Park and an hour away from Bozeman, so you can make day trips to either location. There are also hiking/biking trails nearby and the lodge can help arrange for bike rentals, horseback riding or white water rafting in the area.
Fly-fishing season in Montana runs from April to October, but the peak is in the summer from late June through September. Shields River Lodge remains open year-round and if you’re looking for ski lodging in the winter months, they are located 16 miles from Bridger Bowl ski area and Crosscut Mountain Sports Center. Buyouts are available during the holiday season (and throughout the year, depending on the dates) if you’re looking for a getaway with extended family and friends or a small corporate retreat.
We felt fortunate to have come across this property and were thrilled when our client returned with great feedback. “We had such a great time. The lodge is beautiful with gorgeous views of the surrounding valley and mountains. We saw a ton of wildlife, including a bear on the property, moose, bald eagles, golden eagles, bison and elk (in Yellowstone) and more. We had an awesome time and we would definitely recommend it to others.” – Dr. C.S. and son.
To find out more about Shields River Lodge or to book your next fly-fishing or adventure getaway, contact us at info@journeysunparalleled.com.