Adson Creek Ranch on Wise River

Adson Creek Ranch lies along the Wise River, the largest tributary to the Big Hole River. The ranch is accessed from the paved Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway, approximately four-and-a-half miles from the town of Wise River, which sits at the confluence of the Wise and Big Hole Rivers. This is the middle section of the Big Hole watershed, a transitional portion between the upper meadow and lower canyon. 

The Wise River traverses the ranch for approximately 1.65 miles. Public lands bound the ranch on its south and west sides for roughly three-and-a-half miles. The ranch follows the Scenic Byway for much of its north boundary, and the remainder of the north and east boundaries are privately held. Adson Creek Road enters the west end of the ranch from the Byway and continues into the adjoining National Forest.

Delta and United Airlines are the primary carriers at the Bert Mooney Airport in Butte, which is about a 45-minute drive from the ranch. Butte has a rich and fascinating history dating back to its establishment as a mining camp in 1864. Butte is Montana’s fifth-largest city, with a population of about 35,000.

The ranching and recreational town of Dillon is about a 60-minute drive to the south. Dillon has a population of approximately 4,000, is home to the University of Montana Western, and has a public-use airport for general aviation and private flights with two paved runways of 6,500 and 3,600 feet.

The Bozeman/Yellowstone International Airport provides the most extensive air service in Montana and is approximately a two-hour drive from the ranch. With a population of around 55,000 and home to Montana State University, Bozeman is the well-known transportation, economic, and cultural hub of southwest Montana.

Wise River, MT, is a small community located in the Beaverhead National Forest at the confluence of the Wise and Big Hole Rivers. Known as a premier base for blue-ribbon fly fishing, hunting, and accessing the Pioneer Mountains, it serves as a scenic gateway to the high-altitude Big Hole Valley, a ranching region famed for its historic "beaverslide" haystacks. First established around 1900, the historic Wise River Club serves as a community gathering spot in Wise River.

The Wise River and Big Hole Valley have a rich indigenous history, serving as hunting and fishing grounds for bison and Arctic grayling. The Big Hole National Battlefield near Wisdom commemorates the tragic battle between the Nez Perce and the US Army on the tribe’s 1,400-mile attempt to reach Canada to avoid being placed on a reservation.

For winter recreation, downhill ski areas near Wise River, Montana, include Maverick Mountain (30–40 miles, near Polaris), Discovery Ski Area (45–50 miles, near Anaconda), and Lost Trail Powder Mountain (60+ miles, at the Idaho/Montana border). These areas offer rustic, uncrowded, and scenic Montana skiing experiences. 

Conservation Easement

There is a Montana Land Reliance conservation easement covering the entire ranch, except a 25.6±acre parcel bordering the Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway. The easement was placed on the property in 1995 and provides considerable flexibility. Within the acreage under easement, there is one building site along the river that has not been built upon, in addition to the existing manager’s home and primary residence, which are in separate locations. Agricultural structures are not limited, and agricultural employee housing is permitted. The easement also allows the sale of the encumbered acreage in three parcels. The 25±acre unencumbered parcel has no building restrictions. The conservation easement document is available from Hall and Hall upon request.

Structural improvements on the ranch include a 1990 log owner’s residence, sited above the Wise River and offering magnificent views of the river valley. Montana Cadastral records show 7,592 square feet of living area on three levels. 

There is a central gourmet kitchen, dining, and living area, all opening onto an expansive deck overlooking the river. The main level also features a master bedroom and bath, a guest bedroom and bath, and stone fireplaces in the living area and the office/library.

Upstairs, there are two sleeping areas, one with two bedrooms and a bath, and the other with a bunk room and bath.

In the basement are a bunk room, bath, den/rec room, fly-tying room, and a 10-seat theater room. The attached garage has two roomy bays.

The three-bedroom, two-bath caretaker’s residence was built in 1991 and is located near the entrance to the ranch along Adson Creek Road. Montana Cadastral records show 1,610 square feet of living area on the first floor and a half-story upper level. There is a two-car attached garage, and a two-car detached garage at the caretaker’s home.

A search of DNRC records shows irrigation rights from the Wise River and two tributaries, Adson Creek and Deno Creek. There are also stock water rights from the Wise River. More detailed information is available from Hall & Hall upon request.

Based on past years, the annual real estate taxes are estimated at $11,504.

The Wise River is a major tributary to the Big Hole River, one of Montana’s best-known fly-fishing streams and the Lower 48’s last remaining stronghold for fluvial Arctic grayling. The Big Hole’s grayling require cold water and rear in five main tributaries, one of which is the Wise River. Fluvial Arctic grayling were candidates for listing under the Endangered Species Act, which spurred voluntary conservation efforts to improve water conditions. Those efforts to maintain in-stream flows during the low-water season continue, benefiting not only grayling, but also the native westslope cutthroat and mountain whitefish, and the non-native rainbow and brown trout that make the Big Hole famous among fly-fishers.

Adson Creek enjoys approximately 1.65 miles of ownership of both banks of the Wise River. The Wise is a classic mountain freestone ideal for wade fishing rather than floating due to its size. The river contains rainbow, brown, brook, and westslope cutthroat trout in addition to Arctic grayling and mountain whitefish. It’s a pocket water fishery, with lots of structure, boulders, undercuts, and riffles. 

The best fishing is post-runoff, around July 1st, and continues into October. Average fish size is typically 10-12 inches, with larger fish generally up to 16 inches. Dry-fly action defines the fishery throughout the summer and fall, though nymphing runs is effective. The Wise enjoys all the major hatches, but the fish are often tempted by basic attractors and hoppers. Low flows and gin-clear conditions in late summer require more technical fly choice and presentation. See Discovering Montana, Wise River, MT.

For floating, the Big Hole is just a couple of miles downstream of the ranch. The Big Hole has upper and lower sections that are quite different. Other nearby rivers include the Upper Jefferson, the Beaverhead, and the Ruby.

A variety of wildlife frequents the ranch. Elk, deer, and moose are the most common big game species. Moose inhabit the river corridor, and deer and elk frequent the meadows to graze. The aspen groves along the river are heavily rubbed, and it is apparent that the deer and elk travel from bedding areas in the forest to the lush river bottom to feed.

The Big Hole region is known for its large elk populations and vast areas of public lands. Opportunities for hunting in the adjoining and nearby National Forest are almost limitless, offering several lifetimes of exploration.

Adson Creek has been utilized as a family and recreational retreat. There has been no recent livestock use, although it would be ideal for horses and would easily accommodate summer cattle grazing.