Trip Planner Information

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Welcome to Healing Waters Lodge!

We are looking forward to meeting you, as well as providing you with the best Montana Fly-Fishing experience possible. There are a few things to know before you visit and if you have any additional questions, please email us.

 


Getting Here

If you are flying in, Bozeman International Airport is the closest large airport.  We also have a shuttle service partnership who only comes out of Bozeman.  If you fly into Missoula, Helena or any other airport that is not local, you will need to rent a vehicle to get to the lodge.

Airport Shuttle Service: Healing Waters Lodge has partnered up with ShuttletoBigSky.com who offers shuttle service from Bozeman International Airports. On Step 3 of setting a reservation on their site, ensure you put Healing Waters Lodge in the comments, as you will receive a 10% discount.

The vehicles they use are 4WD Suburbans and Transit vans providing you comfort and safety while you make your way to and from the lodge. 

Private Jet or Personal Aircraft:

Pilots should contact:

 

The Lodge: Healing Waters Lodge is designed with the comfort of our guests in mind.  Clean, comfortable and spacious rooms most with two queen sized beds, private bathroom, and a porch with a view.  All rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi and cellphone coverage.  We also offer door-to-door guide service, personalized laundry service, a large outdoor hot tub, and a remodeled exercise room.  Our guests are encouraged to enjoy practicing their casting skills in the pond.

 

Cuisine: Our Chefs create gourmet menus that offer a variety of fresh, balanced and delicious meals.  Begin each day with a hardy breakfast and then enjoy a satisfying lunch on the water with your guide.

When you return from your day, guests typically return to the lodge in time to enjoy a soak in the outdoor hot tub, enjoy the views or get cleaned up before dinner is served. Refreshing drinks and appetizers are served in the sun porch followed by a gourmet dinner in the dining room.  

The Lodge offers a hand selected choice of wines and beers; guests may bring their own liquor. In addition to this we do have an assortment of non-alcoholic drinks.

Dietary/Special Health Requirements: Please indicate any health restrictions on the questionnaire within the Guest Reservation Center, found on your Lodge Stay Reservation.

 

Gratuities:  Our guides pride themselves on hard work and professionalism; simply, they diligently strive to provide service beyond your expectations.  You will never be made to feel that any service is provided on the basis of gratuity, but tips do comprise a significant portion of their seasonal income and therefore are greatly appreciated.  Tipping your guide is customary in this profession.  Our guides generally receive an a gratuity of $150+ per day per boat, typically split between two anglers.  You can tip your guide individually at the end of each day if you like or if you prefer, we will gladly add your guide’s tip to your final invoice at check-out and make ensure your guide receives the tip. Please inform us on this invoice change before you depart the lodge.

**Hospitality staff gratuity is included with the price of your lodge package.**

Advanced Shipments: Many of our guests ship their fishing gear, luggage, or preferred wines and spirits in advance.  Please let us know by email when to expect your shipment and we will respond when it arrives, let you know that it is safe, and have it in your room when you arrive to the lodge.

Check In and Check Out Policy:  Check in is typically around 4:00 pm and check out is 10:00 am.  

Cell Phones:  Cell phone coverage in southwest Montana continues to improve but is still sporadic. At the lodge, you will have decent coverage depending on your cell phone provider. 

 

 

Fly Fishing Guides: Healing Waters Lodge is privileged to have easily, the most experienced, knowledgeable, and personable group of guides in Montana.  Their primary goal is to provide you with the best opportunities, advice, and share techniques to help you catch and land the fish of your dreams. Our guides can cover the spectrum from the novice to the hardcore angler. 

Fishing: At Healing Waters Lodge, we strive to make your adventure on the water a true Montana Fly-Fishing experience. You can float the larger rivers in southwest Montana such as the Beaverhead, Big Hole, Jefferson, and Madison or if you prefer, you can walk wade on smaller meadow streams like the Ruby and South Boulder. We have exclusive access to private spring fed creeks and ponds and it is highly recommended that you reserve as far in advance as possible.

Fishing License:  Montana has a number of different fishing license options from very short term to medium term to season.  You can go on-line at www.fwp.mt.gov and buy your license, stop at a retail outlet when you arrive in the area or we can help you at the lodge.

Gear Suggestions: Please let us know in advance if there is anything that you are going to need to borrow.  If you have a lightweight rod such as a 4 or 5, and a medium weight outfit such as a 6 and a heavier outfit such as a 7 or 8 weight, bring all three. You will probably only need the 7 or 8 if you are traveling to Montana in the fall when streamer fishing is a more regular part of our fishing experience.

Flies/Leaders: Flies are provided by Healing Waters Lodge as part of your package.  However if you have some favorite patterns that you like to fish please feel free to bring them. We will fish a variety of leader lengths and weights. The guides will provide all the leaders and tippets you need as part of your Healing Waters Lodge fishing package.

Clothing:  Weather in Montana is changeable in the early, middle and late seasons.  You can start the day in long underwear and end it in short sleeves.  Come prepared for any type of weather.  We suggest that you layer your clothing.  A good set of top and bottom long underwear is advisable in the early and latter part of the season.  You may want fleece pants under your waders.  A turtleneck with a heavier shirt and then topped off with a fleece pullover works well.  A good water/wind proof jacket is recommended both for rain and wind protection. 

Wet wading is usually possible from about mid June to Mid September but have your waders along just in case. Again, if you need to borrow waders and boots please notify us of the shoe size and your height, we will set aside a pair that will closely fit you.  Some folks like fingerless gloves and some like to have a good set of full-fingered gloves just to put their hands in to warm on colder days.  A warm hat plus your normal fishing cap or hat is recommended.  Polarized sunglasses are highly recommended.

 

Non-Angling Activities

Believe it or not, southwest Montana is not only about fishing, as this area provides a wide variety of activities for those not inclined to fish.  The following is a sampling of what this area has to offer. 

 Please note that some of these activities may have additional costs.

 

Terms and Conditions – Important Information – Please Read Carefully

  1. Included in your Healing Waters Lodge stay:  Lodging, meals, guided fishing, beer, wine, loaner fly fishing equipment, all terminal tackle such as flies, leaders and indicators and hospitality staff tips.
  2. Not included in your Healing Waters Lodge stay:  Montana fishing licenses, guide gratuities, private water fishing fees, airfare, airport shuttles.  Airport shuttles can be arranged with the Lodge for an extra charge.  Cost of non-fishing activities.
  3. Reservations, Deposits and Payments:  You will be emailed an estimate of your booking, once you have agreed on the terms of the reservation, you will be emailed an invoice for 50% deposit due within 1 days.  Final payment is due upon check-out. We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance:  http://www.orvis.com/s/global-rescue-travel-services/4763
  4. Cancellation Policy:  If you must cancel your reservation, a full refund will be issued if notice of the cancellation is provided in writing at least 120 days prior to your lodging and fishing dates.
  5. Refunds:  No refunds will be made for unused portions of your stay, including late arrival or early departure.  Guide fees and lodging costs are not refundable if unused.  We reserve the right to modify an itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control.  In the unlikely event that we must cancel a portion or all of your reservation, all payments received to date will be refunded, which constitutes a full payment.
  6. Occupancy Policies:  Lodging fees are based upon double occupancy.  Single occupancy is charged $50 per day extra.  The Lodge has 8 rooms each with two queen sized beds and one room with a king bed.  All with private bathrooms and wi-fi, and cellphone service.
  7. Arrival and Departures:  Typically, check-in is 4:00 p.m. and check-out is 10:00 a.m.  We have partners with Shuttle to Big Sky, who offers a 10% discount to our guests.
  8. Airports:  The majority of guests use the airport in Bozeman, which is 90 miles from the Lodge.  The Butte airport is 50+ miles from the Lodge, but does not offer as many flight options.  Guests using private air transportation can use the airport in Dillon or Twin Bridges.
  9. Healing Waters Lodge Disclaimer:  The owners, employees, associates and agents give notice that they act only as the agent for the owners, contractors, and suppliers providing means of transportation and/or other services and assume no responsibility howsoever caused for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service resulting directly from: acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays, expenses arising from failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or regulations.  Baggage and personal effects, including items purchased, guns, fishing equipment or sporting goods are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times and no employee/agent of Healing Waters Lodge.