In Montana, the Trout Rise as Surely as the Sun

“There’s certainly something in angling that tends to produce a serenity of mind.”

Washington Irving may have penned those telling words back east in New York some 200 years ago, but they still very much apply today for anglers on the waters in and around The Resort at Paws Up.

In this fly-fishing mecca, you discover what moves you—what touches your soul—in a pristine natural environment. Is it the unending quest to cleverly imitate nature with man-made flies? The experience of spending time in nature, maybe glimpsing a black bear tearing into a rotting log for her own insect snack? Or maybe, just maybe, it’s simply admiring the stunning beauty of the fish you catch.

Take, for example, a fish like one of western Montana’s lone native trout, the Westslope Cutthroat. With sporting markings on the throat and gill plate like a bright-orange-red bandana, these local residents are beloved for their good looks and feisty fights. And no visitor who’s tussled with one and held it in wet hands before releasing it back into the water goes home with anything less than a story worth repeating many times.

Also lurking in the legendary Blackfoot River are an abundance of silver bullets called rainbows and cutbows, a cutthroat/rainbow hybrid. And, of course, there are their ill-tempered neighbors, the brown trout.

According to Assistant Activities Manager Ben Pepe, the leader of Paws Up’s fishing program, “the Blackfoot, of all these rivers near Missoula, offers the most beautiful setting, with shimmering water running over dappled rocks, Ponderosa pine-lined banks, bald eagles and the occasional river otter—this is River Runs Through It country. It really is the quintessential Rocky Mountain river.”

Guided half-day fly-fishing trips on the Paws Up stretch of the Blackfoot offer guests the advantage of being first on the water, thanks to two private access points. Upstream on the river lies the Box Canyon, another beautiful stretch suitable for full-day, eight-hour trips and trophy fish. Guides can also run longer trips to the brown-trout-laden Bitterroot River or the expansive Clark Fork near Missoula.

It’s not just the fish around here that are big. “The salmon flies—you just don’t see them in other local areas,” Pepe said. “That hatch creates a feeding frenzy, typically in mid- to late June. We like to fish big attractor patterns, some of which mimic stone flies or hoppers.”

Patterns like the Chubby Chernobyl, a favorite of another Paws Up fly-fishing devotee, Executive Assistant Mindy Marcum, who spends much of her off-time on the water. “As it gets later in summer, we’re trying to imitate a grasshopper that’s fallen off a stalk of grass into the water,” she said.

As summer cedes to early fall, Marcum will cohost a Paws Up event, the Wonder Women of Fly-Fishing, September 11–13, with renowned fly-fishing guide Kelly Harrison.

For Mindy Marcum, fly-fishing is all about releasing stress with every cast, as well as “the total relaxation and the togetherness with others.” As she put it most succinctly, “Fly-fishing is my yoga on the water.”

The Resort at Paws Up Takes Bitters to the Next Level

paws-up-bittersBitters are the spice rack of the cocktail world. Some bartenders will even tell you that a drink isn’t a cocktail without them. While we don’t take that notion too seriously at The Resort at Paws Up, we are excited about the possibilities of our brand-new, made-from-scratch bitters program. Our bartenders and food and beverage manager raided Chef Ben Jones’s pantry and took advantage of Montana’s natural floral bounty to produce a cache of infusions with unique flavor profiles.

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One of The Resort’s concoctions uses caraway seeds and powdered mace to enhance the characteristics of a locally made Aquavit. Another includes spruce tips that are grown here on the ranch (they pair well with gin). See our cocktail recipe for The Spruce Moose below.

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“The options are truly endless, and our infusion library is expanding right along with our imaginations. We aim to create drink experiences that are unexpected, adventurous and gratifying. It’s the Montana way,” says Paws Up bartender Derick Smith.

the-spuce-moose-cocktail-paws-up

The Spruce Moose Cocktail

1 ounce gin

1 ounce vodka

1/4 ounce spruce-infused housemade bitters

1/2 ounce bitters

1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice

1/2 ounce honey

Garnish: Maldon sea salt

1. In each of four old-fashioned glasses, combine gin, vodka, bitters, lemon juice and honey. Garnish each glass with Maldon sea salt.

10 Fun Facts about Paws Up

Paws Up horses

The Resort at Paws Up combines luxury with unforgettable adventure on a 37,000-acre ranch— that’s more than 60 square miles—featuring untamed Montana wilderness steeped in Lewis & Clark history. Situated on 10 miles of riverfront on the legendary Blackfoot River (of A River Runs Through It), The Resort at Paws Up opened in June 2005. There’s so much to learn about our incredible ranch (and many exciting new things happening in 2017, so stay tuned). Here are 10 fun facts about The Resort at Paws Up, and we hope to see you very soon!

cattle-drive at paws up

1. ADVENTURE

Paws Up boasts more than 120 miles of designated hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding trails and ATV courses. Outdoor adventures include fly- fishing, cattle driving, rock rappelling, whitewater rafting, bird and wildlife watching and sporting clays shooting.

Winter activities include sleigh rides, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, dogsledding and downhill skiing nearby.

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2. THE NAME “PAWS UP”

“Paws Up” came from a family friend who thought that when dogs are happy, they jump up and show their paws. Hence the saying “Paws Up.”

3. LOCATION

The Resort at Paws Up may feel like it’s a million miles away from the everyday, but it is easier to get to than you might think. Missoula International Airport features a number of major airlines and direct, daily flights. The Resort is located just 35 miles from the airport.

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4. MOUNTAIN RANGES

According to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, there are at least 100 named mountain ranges and sub ranges in Montana. However, mountain ranges have no official boundaries.

bull barn at paws up

5. BULL BARN

The Bull Barn is a 75-year-old building that was used to house the black angus bulls of Paws Up. In 2011, it was renovated as a world-class conference center and special events hall.

6. SADDLE CLUB

The Saddle Club is one of Montana’s premier equestrian centers. The largest privately owned in the state, the 72,000-square-foot Saddle Club boasts a 23,000-square-foot riding arena.

morris ranch house

7. THE MORRIS RANCH HOUSE

Built in 1908, this historic home sits next to Elk Creek. The home was acquired during the original homestead.

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8. WILDERNESS ESTATES

Ideal for larger families, multigenerational travelers or groups, the 10 “WEs,” as we call them, each sleep eight guests. The homes are named after the Lewis & Clark expedition.

moonlight camp

9. MOONLIGHT CAMP

Moonlight Camp is situated at the foot of Lewis & Clark’s famous Lookout Rock and just 100 yards from the mighty Blackfoot River. All tents are named after notorious outlaws. When this camp originally opened in 2005, this camp was called Tent City and featured three tents, a tented pavilion, a picnic table and a grill. The bathrooms were housed in two small trailers. The original Tent City was just a test to see if anyone would really want to camp in luxury and to see if the glamping® idea took off! The following year, three more tents were added and a proper pavilion and bathhouse were built. It was renamed Moonlight Camp.

glamping at Paws UP

bathroom glamping at Paws Up

10. CLIFFSIDE CAMP

Opened in 2013, Cliffside Camp is set atop a majestic cliff that overlooks the Blackfoot River. Each tent is decorated with a chandelier and named after famous cliffs in Montana. This camp also contains two honeymoon tents with copper claw- foot tubs.

Cliffside at Paws Up

Learn How to be a Skywalker at Paws Up

Aerial Adventure Park Spring at Paws Up

Skydiving? Yawn. Base jumping? Psychotic. Bungee jumping? Old school. Aerial adventure needed a refresh and Paws Up has delivered. Introducing our newest activity: The Sky Line Aerial Adventure Course. It’s not a ropes course. It’s not a zipline. It’s not a cheesy climbing wall. It’s a spine-tingling 10-platform tour with 22-foot drops and a heart-pounding 40- foot free fall.

Sound like something you’d enjoy? We know so. As is par for the course at our 37,000 acre ranch, we integrated the natural elements available (in this case, towering pines and a very Big Sky) to construct this unique mental and physical challenge. Expert instruction from our qualified guides coupled with state-of- the-art safety mechanisms will ensure a good time for kids ages 8 and up and adults alike. Afraid of heights? We have a course for you. Consider yourself a thrill seeker? We definitely have a course for you. There’s even a course for tweeners! The entire experience lasts two hours and includes a team-building game, orientation, ground school and a full time around the course. The best part? As our guest, we’ll let you try it for the first time free. Find out more about this amazingly fun experience here.

aerial adventure course Paws Up

3 Most Requested Activities at Paws Up

Horseback Riding The Resort at Paws Up

Take a wild guess at the three most requested activities at The Resort at Paws Up. If you picked fly-fishing, horseback riding, and ATV trail rides, then you are correct—and you should reward yourself with one of the above! These three activities in particular are extremely popular due to the multiple offerings, times, and uniqueness that come from the setting of the resort. Activities Director Mark Houseman says, “Their popularity stems from the fact that these three activities offer a great representation of the Montana way of life. From the world-class fishing to the wide-open exploration of our state, they allow our guests a way to escape busy city life and marvel at the beauty of the Montana landscape. Personally, my favorite is the three-hour ATV tour, as you get to drive deep into the back part of the property, enjoy the thrill of two hill climbs, snap a photo at the best picture spot at Lookout Rock and experience the ever-changing landscape that you experience along the route.”

atv paws up

For our ATV trail rides, guests can choose from a one and a half-, three-, or five-hour excursion. For the first two options, guests explore the woods, tackle hill climbs, take in the picturesque scenery from Lookout Rock and view the beautiful Blackfoot river. On the five-hour ride, guests will explore the woods, and then take the ATVs off-property to Elevation Peak (about 7,000 feet). Once they have completed this climb on the ATVs, guests will hop off for a hike to the top. From there, views are breathtaking, and guests will experience the grandeur that earned Montana its Big Sky State nickname. Post-hike, adventurers head to Garnet, an abandoned-but-intact ghost town where guests will travel back to the 1800s as they check out the saloon, hotel, general store and so much more. Lunch is provided before driving back to the resort.

Paws Up horseback riding

Horses are iconic to Montana, and riding is probably the first activity that crosses the mind when thinking of Montana. The Resort at Paw Up houses 40 horses on-property for all of our equestrian activities. Whether you are have never been in a saddle before or are a riding expert, Paws Up has something for every ability with one-, two- or three-hour trail rides, cattle drives, lessons and more. The Resort’s wrangler will pair guests with a four-legged friend that will be the perfect match for exploring more than 100 miles of wilderness trails. You will pass towering ponderosa pines, whose size and beauty are surpassed only by the views of the distant mountain ranges of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

horseback riding at Paws Up

This year, there are several additions to the equestrian program, including a new evening ride that takes you past our quaint line shack (where you will enjoy a glass of wine or a cold beer) to the top of Scout’s Point to take in a signature Montana sunset. Or enjoy a lunch ride to a gorgeous spot in the shade where guests indulge in a Paws Up-style picnic. Kids can participate in lessons at the Saddle Club arena, complete with games, obstacle courses and more, and adult beginners can join instructional group trail rides. For advanced riders, the all-new, three-hour trail ride allows equine enthusiasts to cover terrain that no Paws Up guests have ever traversed. For an authentic taste of Western ranch life, participate in a cattle drive where novice and advanced riders alike saddle up with seasoned ranch hands and drive a herd of cattle across the majestic rolling pastures of the Resort property.

fly fishing Resort at Paws Up

Montana is known for fly-fishing, and Paws Up hosts 10 miles of the Blackfoot River—arguably one of the most famous rivers in which to fly-fish, thanks to the movie “A River Runs Through It.” This gorgeous river flows right through our property, where all of our guided excursions are strictly for fly-fishing. Our guides have fished the surrounding rivers for years and will help you find the best trout fishing holes. At Paws Up, we offer spin rods for guests who are more comfortable with these rods, but only for independent fishing.

fly fishing Paws Up

Also near the resort is the Missouri River—one of the best hot spots for fly-fishing and a treasure trove for trout. This massive river travels approximately 700 miles along the entire state of Montana.

Other options include Bitterroot River—a dry-fly paradise that is famous for 95 percent dry flies and great hatches, which start in mid-March and extend well into October—and the Clark Fork River, the largest river by volume in the state and also one of the longest. The Clark Fork is approximately 310 miles long and is close to the resort. The best fishing on the Clark Fork is found between its origin and the confluence with the Flathead River near Paradise.