Montana Fly Fishing Lodge — Hotel in Columbus

A World-Class Experience in Every Way

Exceptional food, expert guides, and genuine Montana hospitality Montana Fly Fishing Lodge.

I generally don’t write reviews, but I felt compelled to make an exception after my six-day, five-night stay at Montana Fly Fishing Lodge — it was truly one of the best experiences of my life.

From the moment we arrived at the Billings airport, where a friendly lodge driver picked us up and shared stories about Montana and Absarokee, everything was handled with warmth and professionalism. When we arrived, smiling staff greeted us, including owners Lincoln and Judi and their GM, Dani, who gave us a tour and showed us to our rooms which were spacious, spotless, and thoughtfully prepared.

The lodge itself is beautiful, rustic yet elegant with a cozy sitting area, a long dining table, a well-stocked bar, fruit, snacks, and a refrigerator that is filled with drinks.

Dinner each night was a highlight. Every meal was beautifully presented — appetizer, salad, main course, and dessert all made with love and care by Judi who always came out of the kitchen to explain how the meal was prepared. After each bite, I found myself closing my eyes, savoring the incredible flavors. Breakfasts were equally delicious, and every morning we gathered at the community table before heading out to fish. The staff was attentive without ever being intrusive. If you are leaving early to fish, Judy will prepare the best pesto, egg and sausage breakfast sandwich to eat on the go. All you have to do is ask.

Our waders and boots were always ready outside in open lockers with heaters, and the staff (including Lincoln and Dani) always there to made sure that everything fit perfectly and see us off with our guides. We were even given personalized water bottles that were never empty; staff constantly refilled them with fresh water without us ever asking. That attention to detail was typical of the lodge.

Our fishing guides, Chase and Alex, were outstanding — friendly, funny, and incredibly skilled. They knew the rivers inside and out and guided us with expertise, changing flies when needed and sharing tips from years of experience. In my 40 years of fly fishing, they rank among the very best. We concluded our day with an amazing massage from masseuse, Maddie.

Lunch on the river was another treat. Each day we were handed insulated boxes filled with gourmet food. My first day’s lunch included a hot soup of kale, potato and Italian sausage, a brownie, mixed nuts, and a fig bar — all delicious and filling. Every day’s lunch was just as wonderful, again prepared by Judi.

Another thoughtful touch was Judi’s daily newsletter, which included local history about Absarokee or Montana, the weather forecast, and that evening’s dinner menu. It was personal, informative, and something I looked forward to reading each day.

One evening, we enjoyed an unforgettable tomahawk steak dinner. Dani brought out a beautiful selection of Patagonia steak knives, each with a unique handle, while Lincoln carved the steaks right in front of us — a perfect blend of presentation, flavor, and camaraderie. We picked out which steak knife we wanted to use while Lincoln explained what the handle represented.

As the week went on, I got to know Lincoln, Judi, and Dani, three of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Judi’s warmth and sincerity, Lincoln’s infectious laugh, and Dani’s constant attentiveness made the experience feel like staying with family. One chilly day, I mentioned being cold, and Lincoln literally brought me his own winter clothes to wear.

Every moment at Montana Fly Fishing Lodge was handled with care, precision, and genuine kindness. I don’t have a single complaint or even one suggestion for improvement. From the food to the fishing to the people, everything was perfect.

If you’re looking for a world-class fly fishing experience with incredible food, breathtaking scenery, and hosts who treat you like family, this is the place. I will never forget my time here…. I can’t...

A World-Class Experience in Every Way|Exceptional food, expert guides, and genuine Montana hospitality|Montana Fly Fishing Lodge.|I generally don’t write reviews, but I felt compelled to make an exception after my six-day, five-night stay at Montana Fly Fishing Lodge — it was truly one of the best experiences of my life.|From the moment we arrived at the Billings airport, where a friendly lodge driver picked us up and shared stories about Montana and Absarokee, everything was handled with warmth and professionalism. When we arrived, smiling staff greeted us, including owners Lincoln and Judi and their GM, Dani, who gave us a tour and showed us to our rooms which were spacious, spotless, and thoughtfully prepared.|The lodge itself is beautiful, rustic yet elegant with a cozy sitting area, a long dining table, a well-stocked bar, fruit, snacks, and a refrigerator that is filled with drinks.|Dinner each night was a highlight. Every meal was beautifully presented — appetizer, salad, main course, and dessert all made with love and care by Judi who always came out of the kitchen to explain how the meal was prepared. After each bite, I found myself closing my eyes, savoring the incredible flavors. Breakfasts were equally delicious, and every morning we gathered at the community table before heading out to fish. The staff was attentive without ever being intrusive. If you are leaving early to fish, Judy will prepare the best pesto, egg and sausage breakfast sandwich to eat on the go. All you have to do is ask.|Our waders and boots were always ready outside in open lockers with heaters, and the staff (including Lincoln and Dani) always there to made sure that everything fit perfectly and see us off with our guides. We were even given personalized water bottles that were never empty; staff constantly refilled them with fresh water without us ever asking. That attention to detail was typical of the lodge.|Our fishing guides, Chase and Alex, were outstanding — friendly, funny, and incredibly skilled. They knew the rivers inside and out and guided us with expertise, changing flies when needed and sharing tips from years of experience. In my 40 years of fly fishing, they rank among the very best. We concluded our day with an amazing massage from masseuse, Maddie.|Lunch on the river was another treat. Each day we were handed insulated boxes filled with gourmet food. My first day’s lunch included a hot soup of kale, potato and Italian sausage, a brownie, mixed nuts, and a fig bar — all delicious and filling. Every day’s lunch was just as wonderful, again prepared by Judi.|Another thoughtful touch was Judi’s daily newsletter, which included local history about Absarokee or Montana, the weather forecast, and that evening’s dinner menu. It was personal, informative, and something I looked forward to reading each day.|One evening, we enjoyed an unforgettable tomahawk steak dinner. Dani brought out a beautiful selection of Patagonia steak knives, each with a unique handle, while Lincoln carved the steaks right in front of us — a perfect blend of presentation, flavor, and camaraderie. We picked out which steak knife we wanted to use while Lincoln explained what the handle represented.|As the week went on, I got to know Lincoln, Judi, and Dani, three of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Judi’s warmth and sincerity, Lincoln’s infectious laugh, and Dani’s constant attentiveness made the experience feel like staying with family. One chilly day, I mentioned being cold, and Lincoln literally brought me his own winter clothes to wear.|Every moment at Montana Fly Fishing Lodge was handled with care, precision, and genuine kindness. I don’t have a single complaint or even one suggestion for improvement. From the food to the fishing to the people, everything was perfect.|If you’re looking for a world-class fly fishing experience with incredible food, breathtaking scenery, and hosts who treat you like family, this is the place. I will never forget my time here…. I can’t...

The phrase my wife and I used repeatedly during our stay was: “this is not real life.” Everything about the experience at the Montana Fly Fishing Lodge was first-class and exceeded expectations. We will absolutely be back and will be bringing friends.

As hosts, Lincoln and Judy were exceptional. Their attention to detail was incredible, they ensured we were taken care of at every turn, and they were genuinely good people who are passionate and care deeply about what they do and the enjoyment of their guests.

The property is gorgeous with multiple ponds, a river that runs through it, all kinds of wildlife, and views of the mountains. There were deer and turkeys roaming around, bald eagles flying over, and excellent fishing on the property. Grabbing a cup of coffee in the morning and casting into the trout pond as the sun came up was a real highlight. We also took golf carts around the property to explore the upper ponds and additional views. Fishing the East Rosebud creek that flows through the property was another highlight. All the facilities are beautiful, with great local touches. The massage with Maddie was fantastic, and incredibly relaxing after a day of fishing. Dani made us feel like family and anticipated our ever need – also a talented bartender!

The canvas cabins were comfy and luxurious – AC, heaters, Pendleton blankets, heated toilet seats with a bidet, and more. We loved having our own isolated spot on the river. The canvas cabins really enhanced our experience.

And then there is the fishing, which was world class. We fished with Alex, who was an exceptional, fishy guide that had us on fish for three days non-stop. We fished the Yellowstone, Stillwater, and Shoshone Rivers. We caught so many browns and rainbows we lost track of the count. Alex catered to our every need, went out of this way to get us on fish, and was an excellent teacher. As a guide, Alex is highly recommended.

The only thing that would have made our trip better was adding a fourth day of fishing so we could have also done the horseback/fly fishing trip too. But, that gives us something new to...