10 important questions to ask before you choose your Bighorn fishing lodge.

Every lodge on the Bighorn is different. And, only two carry the Orvis endorsement. Before you commit to a lodge, make sure you pick the one that best fits your needs and is best equipped to provide the experience of a lifetime. You owe it to yourself, or your group, to ask each lodge these 10 important questions.

Q: How far is your lodge from Billings International Airport?

Our Answer:
We’re about a 90-minute drive from the airport and directly on the prime fishing waters of the Bighorn River. Other lodges may be closer to the airport, but we’ve found that guests put more value on being closer to the fishing.

Q: How far is your lodge from prime fishing on the Bighorn?

Our Answer:
Forrester’s is the only lodge with on-property access to the Bighorn’s prime fishing waters. Here, instead of driving 55 minutes or more to and from the fish, our guests can step out of their private cabins, walk to the river and spend their time doing more of what they’ve come here to do, catching big fish.

Q: How far is your lodge from Afterbay Dam, where float trips begin?

Our Answer:
Forrester’s is just ¼ mile from the dam, 3-minutes for front door to put-in. Other lodges are a 55-minute, or longer, drive to the dam and put-in.

Q: Will your owners be there every day to make sure guests have a great stay?

Our Answer:
We’re the only Orvis-endorsed lodge with owners that are active, involved and on-property every day. Our owners are Nick Forrester, a wildlife biologist, and Francine Forrester, an executive chef. Both are here, working hard every day to make sure you have the experience of a lifetime.

Q: What Orvis endorsements does your lodge have?

Our Answer:
Forrester’s Bighorn River Resort is the only lodge in the country, let alone on the Bighorn, to be awarded all four Orvis endorsements: Fishing Lodge, Outfitter, Expedition and Wingshooting. We also have Orvis-endorsed guides.

Q: Do you offer private cabin accommodations?

Our Answer:
Yes. Forrester’s is the only Orvis-endorsed resort to offer our guests private, fully appointed log cabins with private, in-room telephones and complimentary wireless Internet service, just in case you want to connect with the “real” world.

Q: What’s the view like from your private cabins?

Our Answer:
Like no other in the Bighorn area. From your private Forrester’s cabin, you’ll look out onto the beautiful Bighorn River framed by our majestic Montana mountain ranges.

Q: What kind of cuisine should I expect? And, what kind of training and experience do your chefs have?

Our Answer:
Again, Forrester’s is unique. We are the only Bighorn resort to offer a four-star dining experience at every meal. Our chefs have been trained in Europe, the Caribbean and North America. They have more than 60 years combined experience in creating, preparing and serving four-star gourmet feasts.

Q: How large an area do you offer for upland bird hunting?

Our Answer:
Our upland bird hunting property covers a sweeping 150,000 acres that are spread over four distinct regions that hold huge numbers of pheasant, partridge and grouse. Our exclusive Cast & Blast event, offered each September through December, features a fly-fishing and upland bird hunt experience in the same day.

Q: How can I be sure Forrester’s is my best choice?

Our Answer:
Compare our answers with those you get from other lodges. When you do, you’ll understand why more guests prefer to visit Forrester’s Bighorn River Resort, where Montana keeps her promises.

View our location on the Bighorn River and access points for the upper 13 miles.