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Why rent a spot in the bunk house ... when you can have the Whole Ranch? Some Buckaroo Background Music The Big Hat (no cattle) Ranch is available for vacation rental on a weekly basis.
Our Whereabouts
Harrison
The old “borrow pit” has been reconstructed to provide deep holes, bars and a connecting stream, to create a quality trout habitat, as well as easy access for the fly fisherman. We also added a re-circulating stream, which gives it definite spawning potential ..although that’s still to be proven.
The rainbows and browns (planted in the fall of 2005) are doing nicely a year later with some over 12” and about a pound. Next year should be interesting.
A little rearranging of the old borrow pit ……
The neighboring ranch horses occasionally use our pasture and add a lot to the scenery.
Located in the Willow Creek Valley, the Tobacco Root Mountains rise over 10,000 ft, to provide a year round backdrop… that is snow capped most of the year. The ranch property not only includes the 2 acre pond, stocked with rainbow and browns, but has ¼ mile frontage on North Willow Creek. The trout are yearlings in 2006, so have some growing do, before reaching an interesting size. Originally a horse ranch, we have removed the livestock and urged it back to nature. This habitat not only attracts white tail deer, pheasants and partridge ..but has become home to an occasional moose over the two years of ownership and enhancement.
The occasional moose hangs out at the ranch, too.
Spring Canada Geese seeing if this might work ... A family of bobcats has also adopted our efforts as home.
Canadian Honkers nested this spring along with various ducks. The Sandhill Cranes above are doing their thing in the surrounding habitat making April and May a pretty special time to visit.
But, probably the biggest draw to fly fishermen is the fact you are within ½ hour of launching your float boat or waders … into the Madison, Gallatin, Jefferson and just a bit further to the Missouri confluence.
However, “the Big Hat” is not a place for the “fly fishing and martini set” who want to be guided to success. This is more for the “do your own thing” folks , and those who want their families to have a great time too.
Accommodations & Around The Ranch The main house is both new … and totally updated, even from its 2000 roots.
Great room and panoramic view of the mountains, pond, and “back 40” make it a day long adventure just sitting at the dining room table.
All of the beds at the “Big Hat” are equipped with down pillows as my wife is an interior designer and pretty particular about both how it looks…. and how it functions.
We designed and added a small log cabin last year which sits on the Peninsula and admires the pond in back, and the Tobacco Roots off the front porch. There are two single beds in the loft as well as a hide-a-bed sofa. The upper bedrooms are not for the geriatric set, as it is accessed by ladder.
The cabin may be available to rent separately (while we are occupying the main house during times the owners have blocked) so you might keep that in mind. That also opens the possibilities of the one and two man float boats (that I have in the overstuffed barn) as I don’t mind sharing the rowing ( and, fishing) duties.
A large fire pit behind the cabin next to the pond provides a fun family hot dog and marshmallow roast adventure … provided the fire danger is low. The pond has a mowed walking path surrounding, making it a great place for an early morning stroll with a cup of coffee
The “back 40” has several hundred yards of pathways (if Bob has been there recently to mow) so you can get a closer look at the wildlife. Please stay on the paths as we are trying to encourage pheasant and partridge nesting. There is a feeder in the middle which we fill periodically, depending on the weather and if the wildlife might need an extra boost over the winter.
Ranch Manager Boyd Gun with the “Hatmobile” and the Observation Tent We have placed an observation tent in the back, which is a great way to introduce the family to the wildlife up close and personal. However, we do not allow hunting or discharge of firearms (including fireworks) on the ranch, as we are trying our best to encourage as much wildlife as possible.
Another interesting sidelight: You may get “stuck” for a half hour or so…when the ranchers moved their herds up Pony Rd to the Mountain pastures in the spring…and down again in the fall. It is well worth the inconvenience.
We are feeding various wildlife…from whitetail deer to pheasants and partridge, with a special emphasis on song birds. If you don’t want droppings on the porch.. this is not the place for you.
There’s no “shooting” on Big Hat except with a camera. Here’s a sample of some of our favorite “shots” in and around the property.
A Herd of Mule Deer near Ennis The surrounding valley is full of game…from the local whitetail deer…to herds of antelope and mule deer within a mile or so. As the terrain various so does the wildlife…
For the serious fisherman we can provide contact for various guides who live and work in the area. I have not yet researched the availability of drift and float boats to rent but I will look into that this fall.
Artwork on the Hill above Pony Lots of interesting side trips are a short distance. The closest would be the historic mining town of Pony…just 3 miles up the road. You can continue from there up to Catarac Lake (a pretty fair brook trout fishery ) just a couple of miles further…and then on into the wilderness area, and a number high mountain lakes for backpacking and camping, etc..
The town of Ennis has an Old West feel and a very upscale shopping presence along with one of the finest restaurants (the Continental Divide) in Montana… which can provide a diversion for the non-fishermen… while you float the Madison.
Speaking of upscale, you can take the “River Road” out of Norris and then south at four corners to “Big Sky” a beautiful piece of high mountain country and a premiere ski area. That is about 70 miles from the ranch. Or you can continue on to Yellowstone park (another 20 miles ) or so with its wildlife and some pretty fair country trout fishing.
Whatever the season ...
… there is something interesting to see and do ....
... and you never quite know who’s observing who.
I can be reached as follows… if you have specific questions. Sincerely, Bob and Judy Locker
“Happy Trails!” |
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