9 Dude Ranches for Your Next Fly-Fishing Adventure

Fly-Fishing Vacation

Do you dream of casting your line into the Rocky Mountain waters to see if the fish are as big and beautiful as people say? Then we have the perfect places for you! Whether you’re a beginner or a self-proclaimed professional, these 9 dude ranches will be the ultimate location for your next fly-fishing adventure:

Photo: @DTowsley

Paradise Guest Ranch | Buffalo, Wyoming

Grab your fishing rod and head to Paradise Guest Ranch, where three blue- and five red-ribbon streams are waiting for you! Some of these streams have 300-600 pounds of trout per mile just waiting to be caught. Stop by the fly shop to get your fishing license, gear, or to sign up for a guided fishing trip. Don’t forget to ask about Paradise’s scheduled clinics and classes to learn different tips and tricks for Wyoming fly-fishing–anglers of all ages will surely come away having learned some helpful techniques.

Hawley Mountain Guest Ranch | McLeod, Montana

Find your peace and solitude just 24 miles north of Yellowstone National Park at Hawley Mountain Guest Ranch in Montana. This ranch has private access to the Boulder River which has a healthy wild trout population as well as rainbows and brook trout. Fishermen can enjoy walking or wading in as the river has a relatively low gradient. The river is catch and release, but for the authentic Western experience, you can catch fish in the pond to eat!

Blacktail Ranch | Wolf Creek, Montana

Blacktail Ranch in Montana offers a memorable fly-fishing experience with half and full-day trips to multiple rivers in the region. The south fork of the Dearborn River flows right through the ranch and is perfect for small water fishing. Two larger blue-ribbon rivers are located close by: the Dearborn River in the northwest and the Missouri River in the southeast. Whether you enjoy fishing in small mountain streams or casting your line across a wide river, the Blacktail Ranch will be gratifying for any fisherman!

Vee Bar Guest Ranch | Laramie, Wyoming

Located about an hour west of Cheyenne, Wyoming, the Vee Bar Guest Ranch keeps the fishing enthusiasts coming back! If you’re a beginner fly-fisher and looking for lessons, the ranch has a trained and certified guide available to help teach you the ins and ou’s on your guided excursion. One mile of the Little Laramie River flows through the property and is exclusive for the dude ranch guests. Due to snow melt, the best time to fish here in mid-March and early fall. Plan your trip accordingly to have the best chance at a successful and envious fishing trip!

4UR Ranch | Creede, Colorado

The 4UR Ranch is said to have some of the best fly-fishing in Colorado. The ranch features six and a half miles of private tailwater creating a truly exceptional private fly-fishing experience. You won’t have to worry about other fishermen impeding on your area here! The ranch’s creative stream management and catch and release practices ensure that the streams and ponds at the ranch remain some of the best fly-fishing in not only Colorado but the West. No matter what your skill level, 4UR is an ideal ranch to spend your fly-fishing vacation!

Rawah Ranch | Glendevey, Colorado

Rawah Ranch is nestled in one of the most scenic, unspoiled areas of the U.S. and is a bucket list destination for fly-fishing. Anglers ages twelve and up are invited to experience the spectacular stretch of private waters of the Big Laramie River that meanders through the ranch as well as the Poudre River and multiple creeks and lakes in the Rawah Wilderness. Don’t forget to ask about Rawah Ranch’s fly-fishing vacation packages that include flies, terminal gear, and your own professional guide and personal instruction!

A Bar A Ranch | Encampment, Wyoming

A Bar A Ranch in southern Wyoming is one of the oldest ranches in the country and has some of the best fly-fishing opportunities. With over 32 MILES of world-class private water fishing on the Big Creek, North Platte River, and other waterways, you will truly have an unforgettable trout fishing experience! The ranch provides lessons for novice anglers as well as equipment and expert fly-fishing guides. Veteran anglers will also enjoy diverse and challenging fishing environments. A Bar A Ranch’s fly-fishing is an experience you won’t want to pass up!

Nine Quarter Circle Ranch | Gallatin Gateway, Montana

Relax and cast out your line at Nine Quarter Circle Ranch in Montana; where anglers have complete access to the beautiful waters of the Taylor Fork! The guides here stay up to date on water conditions and current hatches so you’re always in the know of where the fish are at. Nine Quarter Circle offers limited fishing float trips, so be sure to reserve your spot ahead of time! Fishing licenses, equipment, and flies are available right at the ranch, so there’s no reason not to go!

Contact Us for Help

Do you find yourself wanting to visit all of these ranches and fish in their waters? We can’t blame you. That’s why we’re here to help! Contact a DRA ranch pro today to help you narrow down your destination options, so you can book your next dude ranch fly-fishing adventure! 307-587-2339 | info@duderanch.org