Ok, so you've decided where you want to fish and what time of the year you want to come out. You've put your group together and have a pretty good idea of how many there are in the group and what their expectations are. It's time to start putting it all together and because you've started early, you have options. Probably the most important thing here is that you started early! Often times, the best fishing may also mean the most competition for lodging, just because either the surrounding community is remote and hasn't caught up to the times or that there's just not the infrastructure to support the hundreds of fishermen and women making the trek to fish during the most optimal times. Again, starting early is important because lodging goes quick but like I've said in previous posts, if you roll the dice a little on the weather during the fringe times of the season, you may have even more options.
The Missouri River is a good example of a place with a lot of variety and yet, limited resources when things really get hopping. Let's say everything is open because you've beat the crowds. A group can literally choose to either go all inclusive where everything such as lodging, food, shuttles to and from the airport, and guide services are provided or piece-meal everything together and look for the best deals to try to save a buck or two. I guess the question becomes, what is having it all handed to you worth? And, if you do try to put all that together for a group, is that going to take away from your experience through the stress of it all or will it take away from the experience of the rest of the group by maybe not having everything go seamless. AND, there are options for lodging where you can really get the Montana feel that you might not get by staying in a hotel.
I'm kind of the guy that would want to save a buck. There are a few ways you can do that. Staying at a hotel in Helena can save a little on lodging and food but then you have to consider driving 80 to 100 miles a day with gas and car rental. Eventually, that all adds up. If you want to stay closer to Craig or Wolf Creek, you still have options. There are a few hotels and bed and breakfasts that are reasonable and you can eat in Wolf Creek at the local taverns. You're going to get local, Montana made food but it is decent. Talk to your outfitter as they probably have a good idea of the options.
One option that's becoming pretty popular, (that subsequently is adding to the issue of finding long-term housing in the canyon,) is to rent a house for a flat rate by the night. When split between the entire group, each individual cost can be significantly less, plus you have some freedom to hang out in the privacy of the group. As for food, I've seen groups rotate cooking duties, which can be a great way of developing a bit of community within the group and some people really like to show off there skills or share recipes. And if you don't trust your group members to step up to the plate, there's always hiring a catering service. Many of such services have developed in the canyon and your outfitter can help steer you in the right direction.
If you're the type that just wants to kick up the heels and let someone else take care of all the responsibilities, there are certainly those options as well. We do have a few all inclusive lodges on the Missouri that offer their own flavor or style. The best thing would be to research each lodge and then actually talk to them to get a feel for what they prioritize in offering an experience. You might be looking for a family-type experience where kids are welcome and you don't have to worry about the party getting out of hand or maybe not? Your group might be more into the fishing and less into paying for a "real" chef. Some lodges farm out their guide service and may develop a strong understanding of client's needs for a comfortable lodging experience but don't really have an understanding of what they want to get out of their day on the water.
All of these things should be taken into consideration when booking lodging for you and your group. Building a relationship with the right outfitter can definitely help ease the anxiety of planning your logistics and there are some pretty created solutions I've seen. I worked a couple years ago for a group Dan Troupe put together where the lodging was dispersed around Craig in the various cabins managed by multiple shops and then wall tents were brought in for breakfasts and dinners with catering and even music. There wasn't really an option at that time for such a huge group staying and eating in one place and with the late September weather being the typically, unpredictable weather you can count on in Montana, Dan and his wife and their connections really pulled it off providing good food and making everyone feel comfortable.
I'd say the bottom line with many of the issues of putting a fishing trip together is to build that relationship with an outfitter or a lodge owner that you trust. Don't be afraid to ask questions and don't feel like spending a few minutes on the phone getting to know them obligates you to using their services and start that process early. And when you do decide to go with a lodge or an outfitter, be honest and frank with what your group needs. It is your money and fishing should be fun. Don't let the logistics take away from the experience.
Keep 'em where they live...
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