Get Ready For Your Montana Adventure
What to Expect
Let us help you prepare for your Bighorn River trip
Gear Up for Success
At River Rock Outfitters, we want to ensure you have the best possible experience on your Bighorn River trip. Whether you’re duck hunting or fly fishing, being properly prepared with the right gear and knowledge is key to a successful outing. This guide covers everything you need to know, from clothing and equipment recommendations to general trip information. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll be all set for an unforgettable adventure in Montana’s great outdoors.
Duck Hunting
Clothing
- Waders: Mandatory, breathable with boots attached, one size larger than normal shoe size.
- Warm Winter Parka: Recommended brands: Sitka Hudson, Boreal, or similar.
- Warm Winter Hat & Gloves: Oversized mittens and thin liner gloves preferred.
- Heat Packets: Bring 2-4 per day. Toe warmers are also helpful.
- Layered Clothing: Loose-fitting layers are best due to varying temperatures.
Equipment
- Provided by River Rock Outfitters: Decoys, blinds, and equipment
General Trip Details
- Hunt Departure: Duck hunting is done early in the morning, and we often leave before sunrise.
- Hunt Times: Daily hunts end by 2 PM to allow birds to comfortably roost undisturbed in the afternoon.
- Hunts Per Day: One hunt per day. No afternoon hunting options.
Guns, Ammo, & Gear
- Shotgun: 12 gauge preferred, but 20 or 28 gauge acceptable.
- Shotgun Rental Available: Franchi Affinity 3" 12 gauge
- Ammunition: 3" #2 steel shot recommended, but other options allowed.
- Shotgun Type: Autoloaders are most common, but double guns or over-unders welcome. 3 ½" guns are unnecessary.
- Chokes: IC and M chokes preferred. Long-range chokes not required. I personally shoot IC.
- Spent Hulls: We will pick up every single spent hull every day!
- Eye & Ear Protection: Essential. Foam plugs are NOT recommended as they can be dangerous in live hunting scenarios. Please only bring ear protection that allows you to hear clearly.
Fly Fishing
Clothing
- Waders: Highly recommended, even in the summer. The Bighorn water will be cold.
- Wading Sandals & Shorts: Suitable from July to September.
- Long-Sleeved Shirt: Recommended for sun and bug protection.
- Other Essentials: Bug spray, hat, and sunglasses.
Fishing Equipment
- Rods: 5 or 6 weight fly rod ideal, but two rods (a #4 and #6) are perfect for the Bighorn.
- Flies: One set up for dry flies and one set up for nymphs or streamers.
- Provided: Your guide will provide all the appropriate flies (and rods and reels if needed) out of their own personal collection, so keep that in mind when leaving a gratuity.
General Trip Details
- Trip Length: Your day will last from 8am-4pm most days although our schedule changes regularly. We will stay later or depart earlier if there is a particular hatch of interest, but an 8 hour day is the norm.
General Information
- Licensing: Purchase licenses through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks by visiting their website.
- Gratuities: Not expected but appreciated. Suggested amount is $100 per gun/rod/day. Your guides provide all essential gear, flies, tackle, dogs, fuel, lunch, drinks and EVERYTHING related to your day out of their own personal inventory.
- Billing: 50% deposit is required to reserve your dates. Until the deposit is received, those dates are available to anyone. We prefer to have 1 person take care of the entire bill. Managing 6-8 different portions can be cumbersome in the middle of a busy season. We offer discounts to group leaders for their efforts putting a group together and managing the billing process.
- Airport: Logan International Airport in Billings, MT (BIL) is one hour away. Hardin has a smaller airport for private planes or smaller jets. Logan International Airport, in Billings, has a runway to accommodate larger jets.
- Transportation: Drive or rent a car.
- Game Processing: We will help you clean birds everyday and try to send you with frozen or whole birds when you leave. We do not “have a place” for the birds you harvest. We believe if you harvest a wild animal, you have an obligation to utilize that wild game - it’s the right thing to do!
- Dogs: Only well-trained dogs are welcome. Generally, we expect Master level dogs, which means hand signals and remote sit at a minimum. They will be expected to be quiet and polite in the blind, get along with other dogs and honor the retrieves of your guide's dog. We hunt for our dogs just like you!
