Montana

Absaroka Beartooth Outfitters

Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

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Accommodations

Tents

Season

July-August

Species

Cutthroat Trout

Ideal For

All Anglers

Fly Fishing The Backcountry of the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness

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Located in a remote and isolated setting north of Yellowstone National Park, Absaroka Beartooth Outfitters – which operates in July and August – offers isolated wilderness fishing from well-established and comfortable backcountry camps. The camps are accessed by riding deep through some of the most beautiful and remote terrains in the northern Rockies. Once at the camps, you can fish Boulder Creek or Hellroaring Creek, high elevation lakes, and a few other small streams for native cutthroat trout. Almost all of the fish in this area are caught using dry flies, making this the ideal destination for those who love to catch fish on the surface using light rods and attractor flies. Camp accommodations consist of authentic wall tents. And each night you will enjoy a roaring campfire, hearty camp meals prepared by the camp cook, telling stories and jokes, and playing a few rounds of horseshoes. This is the perfect trip for anyone wanting to experience the real Montana backcountry.

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Lodging Details
Trips are based out of Absaroka Beartooth Outfitters’ camp located on Hellroaring Creek on the edge of Bull Moose Meadow where three different forks of Hellroaring Creek come together. This is truly some of the most beautiful trout settings that you will ever lay your eyes on. Camp accommodations consist of cozy and roomy carpeted wall tents with padded cots. The camp also features a hot shower, which is much appreciated after a day on the trail or a day’s fishing at a high altitude. Each night you will enjoy a roaring campfire and eat in a central dining tent with delicious food prepared by the camp cook.

Food and Beverages
You will eat in a central dining tent with delicious food prepared by the camp cook. Expect hearty “camp fare” with plenty of thick steaks, chops, chicken, etc.

Non-Angling Activities and Options
While the backcountry offers numerous angling opportunities, non-anglers will no doubt enjoy the trip just as much. Wildlife is abundant in the area with elk, deer, wolves, bears, eagles, and coyotes all calling this wilderness area home. Sightings of grizzly and black bears in the backcountry are a potential. Hiking, eating great food, reading, and relaxing are all important elements of this trip. The Absaroka Beartooth Outfitter wranglers are well acquainted with the area where you will be riding, fishing, hiking, and exploring. Safety is their number one priority.

Internet / Communications
There is no internet available at the camp. Cell phone coverage is very spotty at best once in the backcountry.

General Information
Each day of fishing is spent walking and wading either above or below camp on Hellroaring Creek. Every emerald-green pool or undercut bank contains smaller-sized cutthroats that will not hesitate to come up and eat dry flies. The streams, lakes, and rivers Absaroka Beartooth Outfitters target are among the most prolific and beautiful in all of Montana. The fishing locations are extremely remote and pristine, with healthy populations of native cutthroat trout. The fish do not get much angling pressure over the course of a year and are usually very cooperative, eating dry flies regularly.

Generally, basic attractor fly patterns are all that you will need. During the late summer weeks, hopper fishing can be fantastic. The high country is absolutely loaded with aggressive and willing cutthroat. One of the most effective techniques on the stream and in the lakes is to use a dry fly with a bead head nymph dropper. The weather during the summer months is usually very comfortable. Average daytime temperatures range from 60 to 80 degrees. On clear nights the temperatures can range from 20 to 40 degrees, so we suggest that you come prepared for the changing temperatures.

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Sample Trip Itinerary

Day 1
Meet in Big Timber and caravan to the Box Canyon Trailhead (2-hour drive). Ride on horseback about 6 hours (16 miles) to camp. Arrive by late afternoon and get settled into camp, fish a little on Hellroaring Creek, followed by an evening campfire evening, and dinner.

Day 2, 3, 4
Activities include – Fishing Hellroaring Creek, ride/fish a high elevation lake, etc

Day 5
After breakfast, pack up and ride about 6 hours (16 miles) back out to the Box Canyon Trailhead. Arrive late afternoon. Free to depart.

Boats and Equipment
ABO's backcountry camp is accessed by horseback, and all horses, wrangling assistance, and guiding are included in each package. The horses and mules used by ABO are well suited to the mountain terrain. They have clocked in many hours in the mountains and are as dependable as horses and mules can be. Previous riding experience is helpful but not required.

Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the outfitter.

2025 Pricing
$3,600.00 per person

2025 Dates
July 14 - 18 (4 spots)
July 21 - 25 (1 spot)
July 28 - August 1 (6 spots)
August 4 - 8 (6 spots)
August 11 - 15 (4 spots)
August 18 - 22 (4 spots)

Included

(4) nights of camping
(5) days of fishing, riding, hiking, etc
Use of horses, mules, saddles, tack, etc
Tents, cots, sleep pads, etc
All meals and non-alcoholic beverages
Lunches during the ride in and ride out

Excluded

Airfare
Lodging on frontend and backend of trip
Transportation to / from the trailhead (best to rent a car)
Fishing license(s)
Sleeping bag or pillow (BYO)
Fishing equipment, flies, or tackle (BYO)
Alcoholic beverages (BYO)
Gratuities for outfitting crew

Absaroka Beartooth Outfitters (Big Timber, Montana)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A non-refundable deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking for all trip packages and reservations, and final payment is due 90 days prior to arrival. All trip cancellations must be received in writing, sent to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, LLC. For all Absaroka Beartooth Outfitters fishing packages, both deposits and final payments are non-refundable. If a cancelled package is resold by either the lodge/operator or by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, then a full refund will be sent minus a $100.00 per person Yellow Dog cancellation fee. In the case of cancellation by the client, both deposit and final payment may be transferred to another guest or angler for those same (original) dates if facilitated and arranged by the client. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these Absaroka Beartooth Outfitters packages. Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance for this trip.

Payment Terms for All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings
Unless otherwise noted on your invoice, for all trips less than 90 days out, full payment is required after receipt of the confirmation email to secure guides and reservations. For trips outside of 90 days, a 50% deposit is required upon receipt of confirmation email to confirm your reservations.

Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a secure payment portal – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com to gain access.

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Standard Forms of Payment

Debit card (fee-free) and credit card (3% convenience fee) - to pay via card please utilize the customer payment portal. If you need assistance, reach out to 406-585-8667 ext. #3
Wires - please include name and/or invoice number for reference on your wire. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com for wiring instructions. (client is responsible for wiring fees)
Physical check - please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to 213 S. Willson Ave. Bozeman, MT, 59715

If you have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (406) 585-8667 ext. #3. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MT.