Flyway Ranch

Listing Price: $2,595,000

The Flyway Ranch is one of the finest trout fishing, upland bird and waterfowl hunting properties on the market today. A new owner will have limitless outdoor recreational opportunities, as well as close and easy access to two of Montana’s larger cities.The Flyway Ranch is located in the western, central part of the state and lies one mile upstream from the trout fishing center of Craig, Montana, and seven miles downstream from Holter Dam. Craig is situated in Lewis and Clark County, just off Interstate 15 and is 45 miles north of Helena and 45 miles southwest of Great Falls, Montana. Prickly Pear Creek is also a fine fishery located in the small town of Wolf Creek found a few miles upstream from the property.

The Flyway Ranch sits as a wide oxbow, or peninsula jutting out into the river. This unique shape allows for far more privacy and exclusivity than other properties located along this stretch of the Missouri. 

The Ranch consists of 159.43 acres. Seventy acres have a modern center pivot irrigation system and approximately 60 acres are comprised of dry land hay that generates a few thousand dollars annually from a sharecropping arrangement. This land was historically used for dairy farming and ranching. Since its purchase in 1993, the owners transformed the property from its agricultural use to a recreational playground while enhancing its trout and wildlife habitat. The current emphasis is not on agricultural production, instead on trout in the river, pheasants, ducks and other animals found on the ranch. The property is assessed as primarily agricultural land, keeping property taxes consistent with this use. The ranch is ready for immediate enjoyment.

The main residence for the Flyway Ranch is an original 4 bedroom, 3 bath farmhouse that was extensively remodeled and upgraded in 1994. It boasts a gourmet kitchen, large living room with stone fireplace, dining and sitting room and large walk-out basement that offers extensive storage including a built-in gun safe. This structure has the charm of an old historic farmhouse while maintaining all the modern comforts one desires.  A comfortable 4-bedroom guest lodge was built in 1996 and has been open to the public for 14 years. The lodge offers a bathroom in each of the bedrooms, a common-use kitchen, dining area, mudroom, office, and laundry area. An attached, old barn has been converted into a great room and boasts a soaring fireplace, a restored 1800’s Brunswick pool table, and a large mural of the property. Its charm and atmosphere must be experienced to be appreciated.  

There are three additional outbuildings and an historic grain silo. The barns provide ample storage for boats, equipment, campers, ATVs and anything else that an incoming owner may need. One of the barns is heated, with a concrete floor, while the other two are open air with ample corrals.

A new owner will have unlimited access to over one mile of one of the best trout fisheries in the world. Arguably the best fly fishing in Montana is found on this stretch of the Missouri River downstream from Holter Dam. This part of the river is a “tailwater” and fishes like a giant spring creek. It is famed for the large numbers and great size of its resident trout in addition to its prolific hatches. For those who love dry fly fishing, the Missouri is not to be missed. The river is a true 12-month fishery. Anglers will find baetis and caddis during the spring, PMDs, tricos and hoppers in the summer, blue-winged olives and streamers during the fall and midges in the winter, as well as consistent nymphing all year long.