Fly-fishing for Women
Come join us for our fourth year of Fly-Fishing School for Women. Last year's schools were remarkably successful. By the end of the school, beginners were self-reliant and intermediates became advanced. Everyone had caught large trout on dry flies, enjoyed gourmet meals in our dining room, and sipped wine while eating appetizers on the front porch overlooking the Vermillion Ranch.Of course, the fly fishing school was not all about fishing. Several women took a break from fishing and went for a hike on the myriad of trails nearby our ranch. In addition to the hiking, we can arrange horseback riding, mountain biking, as well as visits to art galleries in Livingston and Big Timber.
Women in fly fishing often have a different approach to the outdoors. Learning the skills or building on your current knowledge to enjoy fishing at your own pace is key to the overall fishing experience. The school is designed specifically for women that allows for a relaxing, educational and fun atmosphere! Each woman's day is planned according to her interest. Fishing of course is available for 8 hours a day with a local guide.
Dan Vermillion, the lodge director will host each group. Dan has a deep love for fishing and the outdoors and has been teaching men and women to fly-fish since he was eighteen. He has a balanced approach to the sport is wonderful with people. Dan has made a point of trying to get women involved with fishing in a non-competitive and fun fashion.
In addition to Dan Vermillion, Dan will be joined by Charlie Conn and other Sweetwater Travel guides during the women fly fishing school. Charlie has been involved in all of our prior schools and is a delightful guide. Your time spent with the guides will be very informative and instructional. They are very patient, fun fishermen who enjoy sharing Montana’s rivers and trout with their students. We look forward to fishing and time with you.
Our Fly-Fishing Schools for Women enjoy a high rate of return, and we look forward to seeing the familiar faces year after year. Please call early on the Fly-Fishing School for Women, as it is one of our smallest and most popular programs. The openings and dates are limited and fill quickly. We will look forward to fishing with you. We have the following dates available for this year:
- July 26 to July 30: $1,600 – Four Nights/Three Days
- July 26 to July 31: $1,900 – Five Nights/Four Days
- July 26 to August 1: $2,200 – Six Nights/Five Days
- August 2 to August 6: $1,600 – Four Nights/Three Days
- August 2 to August 7: $1,900 – Five Nights/Four Days
- August 2 to August 8: $2,200 – Six Nights/Five Days
The Lodge at the Harrison House
We have designed our Fly-Fishing School for Women around a magnificently restored farmhouse, the Harrison Homestead. As the name indicates, the Homestead enjoys a rich history which has prompted it's placement on the National Register of Historic Places. The Harrison house was built in 1883 just across the Yellowstone River from the Crow Reservation. Homesteaders' journals talk of the original settlers exchanging shots with Crow Indians riding on the other side of the river.
A short time later, a teacher at the local school teacher, Sara Thatcher, was shot in the Homestead by a disgruntled suitor from a nearby ranch. The heartbroken cowboy was then chased down by a posse and hung three miles up the Sweetgrass Creek in a gulch that is now named Hangman's gulch.We have designed our Fly-Fishing School for Women around a magnificently restored farmhouse, the Harrison Homestead. As the name indicates, the Homestead enjoys a rich history which has prompted is placement on the National Register of Historic Places. The Harrison house was built in 1883 just across the Yellowstone River from the Crow Reservation. Homesteaders' journals talk of the original settlers exchanging shots with Crow Indians riding on the other side of the river. A short time later, a teacher at the local school teacher, Sara Thatcher, was shot in the Homestead by a disgruntled suitor from a nearby ranch. The heartbroken cowboy was then chased down by a posse and hung three miles up the Sweetgrass Creek in a gulch that is now named Hangman's gulch.
Despite its colorful past, the Homestead is a peaceful, relaxing and enjoyable home located in the middle of a very pastoral setting. In 2001 Dale and Margaret Vermillion renovated house with the help of Kirk Michaels, a well known architect from Livingston Montana. The home is perfectly suited for a lodge. The rooms are large, charming and authentically re-furbished. Each room comfortably accommodates two anglers. The dining room and living room are both comfortable and well furnished with pieces from the era.
The Fishing
For many, Montana is synonymous with fly-fishing. Blessed with miles of rivers, streams and lakes, Montana offers the angler unrivaled fly-fishing opportunities for wild rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. Whether you are floating down a river in a drift boat, enjoying one of the many spring fed lakes, or simply wading your way up a small creek. Montana offers an outstanding variety of fishing water, which provide rewarding fishing experience for all skill levels.We run our women in fly fishing retreat in August. This is probably the most popular time to fly fish Montana. Terrestrials, grasshoppers, ants, and beetles are out in force. Expect good afternoon fishing on hoppers. These patterns are a blast to fish. They require very little effort on the part of the angler. Cast them close to the bank from a drift boat and let them float along with boat speed. The trout will hit these patterns viciously.
This season offers some of Montana's finest. Our fly fishing guides will help you improve your nymph and dry fly fishing as well as your casting. We guarantee that a day spent with our guides will be a productive, fun-filled day of fishing.