Great Waters Inn

Lodging Details
Located just 5 miles south of the Sunrise Fly Shop is the Great Waters Inn. Built in the grand tradition of the early hunting and fishing lodges, this lodge exudes a rich ambiance complimenting the area’s outstanding rivers and streams. With an eighteen guest capacity, Great Waters Inn can accommodate corporate gatherings as well as smaller groups of visiting anglers. The lodge has comfortable, clean, and well-appointed rooms complete with private baths. Eight rooms are located in two 4-plex units across from the main lodge.

Food and Beverages
Great Waters Inn is proud to present Sarah Caldwell as its executive chef. Sarah’s culinary talents are complimented by her friendly and engaging personality. After an exciting day on the water, you can look forward to perfectly paired entrees including robust salads, hearty soups, and delectable desserts.  Her culinary delicacies are endless. Enjoy pork crown roast with an apple, cranberry, and pecan stuffing, or the finest Montana steaks grilled to perfection and topped with Bearnaise and served over garlic mashed potatoes. Her roasted chicken and asparagus smothered in a delicious piccata sauce and served over pasta is another guest favorite. After your day of fishing, belly up to the bar in the classic riverside lounge, the perfect setting for sharing the day’s stories and is stocked with top-shelf beer, wine, and spirits.

Non-Angling Activities and Options
At Sunrise Fly Shop we also offer backcountry horseback riding. You are welcome to bring a fly rod and fish high mountain lakes or leave the rod back at the lodge and enjoy a day on horseback.

Internet / Communications
Wi-Fi is available free of charge for lodge guests. Please bring your own Laptop, Tablet, or Smartphone to access the Internet.

How To Get There
Whenever we are on the road, one of the most common questions we are asked is “Where is Melrose?” In our minds, it’s in the center of the universe, but we understand that others may need a little more direction. Melrose is located on the banks of the Big Hole River in Southwest Montana. We are about 30 miles south of Butte and 30 miles north of Dillon. Butte and Bozeman are the two closest airports to our fly shop. If you are driving, take exit 93 off of Interstate 15, and you too can enjoy the wonders of this beautiful town of 60 people. For those of you that are more technical about location and directions, we are at 45.63°N 112.64°W, at an elevation of 5576 ft. However you look at it, or however you find us, just make sure you come and visit one of the greatest little fly fishing towns in the country.

Arrival and Departure Details / Times
Check-in time is after 12 PM on your arrival date, and check-out time is 11 AM on your departure date.

Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes. 

Travel Tools
– Airline Ticketing
– Moon Phases
– Rent This Rod
– Trip Insurance and Emergency Evacuation
– Global Rescue Membership

General Information
There is little debate that Southwest Montana fly fishing is the best the country has to offer. With several of the best fly fishing rivers in close proximity, the Sunrise Fly Shop is the perfect location for your next Montana fly fishing vacation. We are fortunate to be located in the middle of 3 of the best fly fishing rivers Montana has to offer. Together, each of these unique rivers can provide everything you seek in a fly fishing vacation. Explore the pristine and dynamic nature of the Big Hole River, experience the abundant insect life of the Beaverhead River, or enjoy the huge fish and low angler pressure of the Jefferson River.

+ Listen to this WAYPOINTS Podcast: JAKE WELLS – Planning the Perfect Trip to Montana

Big Hole
The Big Hole River, located right outside the front door of the Sunrise Fly Shop, is the very definition of a trout stream. Combining unparalleled vistas with more than 2,500 trout per mile and hundreds of imagination-defying hatches, it is no wonder the Big Hole River is nicknamed Montana’s Last Best River. If you dreamed up a perfect trout stream, the Big Hole River is exactly what you would create. The Big Hole River is one of the few remaining undammed trout fisheries that also has a tremendous population of wild fish. Whether you are looking to fish the famed salmon fly hatch, Mother’s Day caddis hatch, tricos, or terrestrials, the Big Hole has everything a fly fisherman could ever want.

Beaverhead
The Beaverhead River is a small, intimate river producing some of the most prolific hatches an angler could ever hope to see. With thousands of trout per mile and rarely more than 70 feet from bank to bank, the Beaverhead River is literally stacked with big trout. From blanketing caddis hatches to the blizzard-like PMD hatch to the tantalizing and technical trico spinner fall, the constant water temperature and consistent summer flows make this one of the best fly fishing rivers in Montana. Whether nymphing the Axel Hole or casting PMD patterns to sipping browns in the Slick, this Blue-Ribbon gem should be on every angler’s bucket list.

Jefferson
The Jefferson River originates at the junction of the Big Hole River and Beaverhead River and runs northeasterly 77 miles to Three Forks, where it joins the Madison River and Gallatin rivers to form the Missouri River. The Jefferson River meanders widely through a grassy valley between the Continental Divide on the west, and the Tobacco Root Mountains on the east. This amazing river provides wonderful views and vistas as you hunt for the trout of a lifetime. The Jefferson is known for its trophy-sized trout whose elusive nature makes them even more rewarding when caught.

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 lodge or outfitter.

2025 Pricing (based on double occupancy)
3 nights / 2 days = $1,560.00 per person
4 nights / 3 days = $2,215.00 per person
5 nights / 4 days = $2,870.00 per person
6 nights / 5 days = $3,525.00 per person

Included

• Lodging
• Guided fishing
• All meals (sack lunch while fishing)
• Beer, dinner wine, and non-alcoholic beverages at the lodge
• Rods/reels, flies, and tackle provided by the guide
• Waders and wading boots (available at the fly shop if needed)
• Guide pick up & drop off on each day of fishing
• River shuttle fees for guide’s vehicle
• Lodging taxes
  
  

Excluded

• Airfare
• Airport transportation
• Fishing licenses
• Spirits (will be put on the final bill at the lodge)
• Gratuities for guides and lodge staff

Great Waters Inn (Melrose, Montana)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking for all trip packages and reservations, and final payment if due 90 days prior to arrival. All trip cancellations must be received in writing, sent to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, LLC. For all cancellations outside of 60 days of scheduled arrival at the lodge, a full refund or a trip credit (minus a $100.00 per person Yellow Dog cancellation fee) will be issued. For cancellations inside of 60 days, deposits and final payments will not be refunded, although a credit for a future trip within one year may be issued, minus a 10% per person lodge re-booking fee and a $100.00 per person Yellow Dog cancellation fee. If a cancelled package is resold by either the lodge 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 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.