The Season Begins!
We welcomed our first guests to the Lodge this past weekend for one of our early-season fishing schools. These students are coming to learn fly fishing as beginners or to enhance their existing skill set; and, of course, to catch trout!
The Gang is All Here
We are very fortunate to have nearly our entire team back this year, including the entire leadership team. This includes the key members of our hospitality team, culinary team, and our outstanding team of guides.
Sara Cheuvront continues to lead our hospitality team as our Director of Lodging Operations and is supported by our Maitre d’ Amanda Morley and Concierge Blaine Johansen. Jayson Reynolds is returning as our Executive Chef and is again joined by our talented Chef/Sommelier Natasha Nepvue and Chef Aaron Davis. In addition, Tim Flynn is returning as our Director of Fishing Operations and our team of guides you all know and love are ready and waiting to put you on the trout that swim in our legendary waters.
We here at HWL play a team sport, where everyone makes a significant contribution to achieving our goal of Exceeding your Expectations. I look forward to welcoming you this season to HWL and allowing our team to do just that! So, join us for the best all-inclusive fly-fishing experience in Montana; come “Experience the Exceptional.”
We Still Have Snow
As of this writing, our snowpack in the mountains continues to hold between 88% and 111%, with most above 100%. This is good news for our rivers and fisheries. In Twin Bridges, March was cool and moist, and April started with five consecutive days of snow. We have had some real spring like weather this last week with a couple of days in the low 70’s but still getting cold at night up high.
Hot off the Press
Speaking of water, it was reported in the press on April 10th that two conservation groups filed a petition with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to have the Big Hole River listed as “impaired by nutrient pollution.” Such a designation would require the State to develop an action plan to put the Big Hole on a “pollution diet” that would restrict the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous making its way into the river. The groups have over five years of data supporting their 32-page petition.
The Montana DEQ is the state agency that has delegated authority to implement the requirements of the Federal Clean Waters Act. DEQ by statute has 60 days to respond to the petition that was filed on February 13th, but there has been legislation introduced to extend the timeline to 180 days.
In our view, any action that would improve water quality in the Big Hole River would be a clear win for the fishery and the broader ecosystem of this treasured river. We will be watching this closely and keep you abreast of the latest developments in future newsletters.
If you would like a copy of the article or petition, and can’t find it online, email us and we will send you a copy or a link.
New Offerings
As we previously announced, we are offering special pricing for April and May at the Lodge for this year and for 2026. We are extending our “shoulder season” pricing to the month of October for this year and 2026. Fall is a magical time in Montana, and in October, there is the opportunity to mix fly fishing with upland or big game hunting.
In addition, we have limited openings for groups to join one of our Smith River Expeditions in 2025. We are also opening some of our launches up to single anglers at a rate of $7,500 for the 5-day/4-night float trip. This rate includes both a single occupancy tent and fishing 1-1 with a guide. This is a limited opportunity for launches that are nearly full and these spots will be made available no more than 60-90 days in advance of the launch date. If you are interested in floating the Smith, but haven’t been able to put together a group, this may be for you!
Until The Next Rise
2025 Availability & Upcoming Events
We currently have Lodge availability in June and July, but it won't last long! We also have Smith River Expedition dates available in May and early July.
Hot off the press! - Due to a cancellation, we have a prime Smith River Expedition date open, June 11-15
-
April 13-19,
April 27-May 3,
September 28-October 4
-
August 1 - 5
-
May 16-20
August 10-14
-
Date TBD
