2008 Opening

Yellowstone Valley Ranch is opening it's doors to our first fishing guests on April 23rd.  We are excited for those of you who took advantage of our spring sampler rates.  Our guide staff from Montana Fly Fishing Guides has already been hitting the water with great success, especially on calm cloudy days.  The midge fishing and baetis fishing has been fantastic.  We are already getting excited for the fabled Mother's Day Caddis hatch, which occurs each year here on the Yellowstone River.

We are also encouraged by the continued cool weather and precipitation this spring has continued to produce.  Eric Adams said it best, "spring is officially cancelled", winter just won't give up it's grasp this season and we couldn't be happier.  Our snow pack still hovers around 100% of normal or better than 150% from last year.  This promises to be one of those epic hopper years come later this summer.  We still have some spaces available from mid-July until late August, but our phones have been ringing off the hook, so we encourage you to make your booking in the near future to ensure your space with us this summer.

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2007 Season Complete

We'd like to thank every one who made our 2007 season a success!  This was one of our best seasons in recent memory and, as you would expect, we're already working towards 2008.  Our return guests from 2007 will see nearly the same staff in 2008; that includes, the Head Chef, Head Guide, Manager, and others.  

As always, Eric Adams, and our other guides, are scouting for new waters that you can enjoy for '08.

We already have a number of bookings for next season, and some weeks of the summer season are already completely booked (this is indeed unusual, but true - the word about YVR is out). To guarantee your preferred dates and guide of choice please contact the YVR Office as soon as possible to arrange your visit.

Spring Creek Restoration Projects

The world famous spring creeks of Armstrong's and DePuy's underwent some stream restorations this spring.  Both creeks are vital habitat for spawning trout from the Yellowstone River as well as world class fisheries.  The local Joe Brooks chapter of Trout Unlimited sponsered the project.  As a member of T.U. Yellowstone Valley Ranch has long been a supporter of the various spring creeks in our area and we are pleased to see this restoration project take place.  To read more about the restoration at Armstong's read this article published in the Livingston Enterprise.  To learn more about fishing these exceptional spring creeks with Yellowstone Valley Ranch visit this link.

Big Sky Journal Reviews small fly fishing lodges - featuring YVR
The Big Sky Journal - Fly Fishing Issue 2007 reviewed a number of small fly fishing lodges in the western U.S. and Yellowstone Valley Ranch was the feature of these unique accommodations that are "under the radar of fishing lodge hype".  To view this article follow this link.  To learn more about Big Sky Journal visit them online.

YVR review from The Angling Report
Yellowstone Valley Ranch and Eric Adams, our outfitter from Montana Fly Fishing Guides, received a great review from The Angling Report.  Noteable highlights included good fishing, great food and fantastic company.  Full article

YVR Manager Testifies to Montana State Senate

February 6th -   Helena, Montana - State Capitol

On February 6th, Paul Robertson testified to the Local Government Committee of the Montana State Senate in support of Senate Bill 345:  The Montana Stream Legacy Act.  His testimony is as follows:

"Madame Chair and members of the committee, for the record my name is Paul Robertson.  I manage Yellowstone Valley Ranch, a fly-fishing lodge south of Livingston in Paradise Valley.  I also work as a real estate agent and I'm member in good standing with the Park County Board of Realtors.  Thank you for the opportunity to express my complete support for SB #345.

I've worked in the guest business for the last 17 years and prior to working in Park County, I managed a fly-fishing lodge in Madison County.  As you all know, the quality of our natural environment draws interest from the world-over.  By my experience I understand the value visitors place on our region.  As long as we are careful with this resource our state's tourism industry will keep its' vital role in our economy now and in the future.  As a business manager in Park County, I'm depending on it.

This photograph was submitted to the committee.   Photo by Scott Bosse

As a real estate professional I'd also like to comment that I believe we have an obligation to do a better job with development on our waterways.  Three weeks ago, our neighbors two miles downstream of Yellowstone Valley Ranch, Gary and Nancy Olson, faced the threat of losing their home to flood caused by an ice jam in the Yellowstone River.  When I read of their plight in the Livingston Enterprise I was struck by the fear they felt at the prospect of losing their dream home.  I couldn't help but think that they wished they built farther off the riverbank.

It is my view view we should seize the opportunity to strike a balance between safeguarding our natural resources and encouraging responsible development on our rivers and streams."

To learn more about this hearing for SB 345:  The Montana Stream Legacy Act see the article in New West (www.newwest.net) or visit our friends at the Greater Yellowtone Coaltion - www.greateryellowstone.org