Yes, you can cast from the deck to some of the most famous dry fly fishing.
Location: Darby, Bitterroot Valley, Montana, USA (29 miles south of Hamilton on Hwy 93)
Accommodations: House, 3 Bedrooms + Other (See Description), 2.5 Baths (Sleeps 8-10)
Are you going to finish your coffee on the deck while watching elk graze across the river as the sun peeks over the Sapphire Mountains, or are you going to step off the deck and catch that 18 inch Westslope Cutthroat feeding at your feet? Life is full of tough choices.
Whether your day is filled with fishing, hiking, snowshoeing, downhill skiing at Lost Trial Powder Mountain, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, browsing antique shops, exploring small town Montana, visiting the Big Hole National Battlefield, tracing Lewis & Clark’s steps without leaving the property (what a great history lesson if you have kids!), or explore the Nez Perce Trail, horseback riding, enjoying a good book, or a napping on the deck while listening to the river gurgle... you’ll love coming home to The Riverhouse and an evening that’s likely to include sites of big horn sheep, moose, deer or elk. Then smores at your campfire next to the river and the sight of more stars in one night than you’ve likely seen in a life-time. Leave your sounds of nature CD at home and crack the sliding door and nod off to the sounds of the river just a 33 feet from your King Size Select Comfort Sleep Number Bed in the master bedroom. You might even be treated Coyotes singing you to sleep from Coyote Gulth (yes, that's the real name of the gulth) across the river.
The Riverhouse is a unique experience, away-from-it-all yet, in the middle of everything the Bitterroot Valley and Mountains have to offer. So close to all of the activities you want to experience in the Bitterroot Valley and the surrounding mountains, yet once you enter the grounds, you’re away from it all - ready to enjoy the river, the mountains directly across the river, the wildlife, and the peace and serenity of The Riverhouse.
Whether you're looking for relaxation, wildlife viewing, fishing, or hiking you can do it all and more right here at The Riverhouse and still be only minutes away from everything the Bitterroot Valley, Bitterroot Mountains and Sapphire Mountains have to offer.
If you're the adventurous type you'll want to walk a couple hundreds yards upstream and follow some of the small streams coming from the west and explore the Beaver dams.
You'll love the extra touches that make The Riverhouse your home for a few days, a week, or a month. Touches like:
* King Size Sleep Comfort Sleep Number bed in the master bedroom. Ever wonder what it was like to sleep in perfect comfort? Find out while you're at the Riverhouse.
* The huge deck that starts 18 inches from the river bank.
* Fitted bottom sheets. Don't you hate it when you stay in a hotel and you're ready to jump into bed and you end up remaking it because the bottom sheet comes untucked?
* Large soft snuggly bath towels.
* Snuggly comforters
* Themed decorating that highlights local history and the great outdoors of Montana (The Lewis & Clark trail, Nez Perce Indians, Big Sky country, Montana Wildlife, and of course Fly Fishing).
* Give yourself a history lesson and study the wall maps and artwork that show that Lewis & Clark likely had lunch right on the property. The Nez Perce trial runs right through the property also.
* Cozy gas fireplace
* Outdoor fire pit
* Comfy deck chairs
* The balcony off the 2nd floor bedroom with it's wonderful view of the river and "The buffet" just across the river where deer, elk, big horn sheep and moose graze on the grasses and willows. We call the grassy area across the river the buffet because the wildlife are over there grazing so much the must think it's a "buffet".
When we started looking for a vacation house as a fly fishing base in Montana, I literally said, "O-MY-GOD Patty, You have to see this" when our realtor sent us information on The Riverhouse. It's location, right on the East Fork, with its reputation for great dry fly fishing... and its close proximity to a half dozen world class rivers and dozens of great creeks blew me away! Then we found out about Lost Trail Powder Mountain skiing 14 miles away - all of the great trails (if you're used to skiing the mega resorts with huge crowds you won't believe how much room you have to kyourself). The history, right here - the wildlife, right on the property, in the river, and across the river - a great wonderful "Real Montana" restaurant only a mile away - and all that the Bitterroot Valley and surronding mountains have to offer... The minute we drove onto the grounds of The Riverhouse, Patty and I knew this was our second home.
When we bought the Riverhouse I expected to spend a lot of time fishing those other world classes rivers and streams close by, but after fishing up and down the river right off the deck, I seldom go anywhere else. I’ve fished all of the famous rivers in Montana and scores of creeks, and it doesn’t get any better than up and down the river right here at the Riverhouse.
I was shocked at how good the fishing was and then I realized that it’s not easy to get on the river right around The Riverhouse unless you own property, or know someone who does, so it’s likely that during your stay you will not see another angler. Other than my friends, staying with us, I only saw one other angler last year.
Please remember, it is always illegal to keep any cutthroat trout on the East Fork. To keep this one of the best places to fish in the world, please practice catch and release with all fish.
Remember what Lee Wulff said in 1938, “A good game fish is too valuable to be caught only once. Releasing the fish is your gift to other anglers.”
If you need a fishing guide, just ask us.
We're sure you'll love The Riverhouse like we do.
Give us a call, see phone number below - Pacific Time.
Call between 8am and 10pm please.
Keith & Patty Lee
The Riverhouse is 76 mile south of Missoula, 30 miles south of Hamilton, and 14 miles south of Darby, Montana on Hwy 93.
No pets, please.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided: Cozy comforters and fitted sheets
- Garage
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer: Plenty of room on the property to park your RV, boat, or trailer
- Gas Fireplace
- Beds
- King Bed: King Size Select Comfort Sleep Number Bed
- Queen Bed: Queen beds in the second and third bedroom
- Twin/Single Bed: Twin inflatible bed
- Convertible Bed: Queen size futon in the great room
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV: 120 Channel Dish TV
- DVD
- VCR
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: Everything you need even a latte machine
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio: You'll spend a lot of time on the deck that is about a foot and a half from the riverbank with the mountains across the river.
- Balcony: Wonderful balcony off the second bedroom upstairs overlooks the river and the "buffet" across the river. We call it the "buffet" because you'll often see deer, elk, big horn sheep and moose grazing on the grasses and willow in the "buffet"
- View/Location
- Waterfront, not Lake/Oceanfront. Ask for details: The highlight of The Riverhouse. You would need gills to sleep closer to the river. The deck is literally 18" from the riverbank
- Mountain View: The #2 highlight of The Riverhouse, just after the river view. The Sapphire Mountains rise a few hundred feet beyond the river. You'll likely see big horn sheep, deer and elk on the mountain side.
- Communications
- Telephone: You'll need a calling card to make long distance calls. Free local calls. Most cell phones work at the house or close by. Verizon has the best reception.
- Broadband Internet: High Speed Satalite connection. It's a lot faster than dial up, but not as fast as Cable Modem or DSL.
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Snowmobiling
- Sledding/Tubing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Rock Climbing
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseshoes
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- You'll want to take incredibly scenic drives up the East Fork Road, five minutes away and explore beautiful East Fork of the Bitterroot Valley in the Sapphire Mountains, You'll also want to drive up the West Fork Road - 5 minutes away on the other side of the Bitterroot Valley and see the picturesque painted rocks and Bitterroot Mountains that surround you along the way, Be sure to visit The Big Hole National Battlefield - another wonderful drive through the Sapphire mountains to the Big Hole Valley, You'll also want to set aside a day to explore Darby, a quaint old west town 14 miles north on hwy 93, and don't miss historic downtown Hamilton. Most of all you'll want to enjoy the sounds of the river, the deck and the mountains from the deck.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Sept - June ... $200/night (2 nt min) .. $720/4 nights .. $1200/week
July - Aug ... $300/night (2 nt min)... $1080/4 nights... $1800/week
Rate for 4 people. $10 per night for extras. ADD Montana's 7% Accommodation Tax:
50% Deposit of total rent at time of reservation; balance 30 days before arrival.
Deposit is forfeited if you cancel unless we rerent your dates.
Total rent is due if cancelled within 30 days of arrival unless we re-rent.
$250.00 Security/Damage Deposit on all rentals.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Property Photos
- Yes, you can cast from the deck to some of the most famous dry fly fishing. - Bitterroot Valley, MT Vacation Lodging in Hamilton
- Living room windows looking to the river and the Sapphire mountains. - Bitterroot Valley, MT Vacation Lodging in Hamilton
- Enjoy the river and the wildlife from the deck. - Bitterroot Valley, MT Vacation Lodging in Hamilton
- The deck wraps around the house from the master bedroom to the dining room.
- Master bedroom has its own bathroom. Slider leads to wrap around deck.
- Bedroom 2 with slider to balcony that overlooks the river.
- Living room from second floor landing
- Coming home after a day exploring the Bitterroot Valley and Mountains.
- White speck between goat's head and me is a fish on! Taken from house deck
- Full kitchen with dishwasher, microwave, and all utensils.
- Full size washer and dryer.
- Bedroom 3
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #85837
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This listing was first published here in 2006.
Date last modified - October 07, 2009
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Steve and Lori Cantrell , Ravensdale, WA