Conveniently located 25 minutes from the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport and 5 minutes from the amenities of Three Forks, lies the Rey Spring Creek Ranch. The ranch offers gorgeous scenery along the east side of the lower Madison Valley and consists of 474± acres to include 2± miles of Rey Spring Creek, of which over 1 mile of creek has been professionally restored to an outstanding fishery. In addition to world-class fly fishing, the ranch offers fabulous waterfowl, upland bird, and whitetail deer hunting. The Ranch currently runs a small cattle and horse operation which is primarily for habitat management.
Abundant water resources include approximately one mile of restored Spring Creek and wetlands, ideal for waterfowl. This healthy water system, combined with good cover, creates habitat for the wildlife found throughout the property. The fishery section of the creek has been fully restored into an outstanding fishery with exceptional trophy size trout. The current owner runs a small cattle and horse operation, but the main priority of the ranch is the wildlife, including pheasants, Huns, deer, and waterfowl.
Rey Spring Creek Ranch is a unique offering ideally located outside Bozeman, MT that provides an owner with a well-balanced sportsman’s getaway and a private spring creek fishery with quality riparian resources within easy reach of the charm and amenities of southwest Montana’s best community.
Rey Spring Creek Ranch lies in the least developed river valley within 30± miles of Bozeman. Without the impact of state highways, large roads, or railways, the privacy of the Lower Madison River is a rarity among other river valleys in Montana. The views are dramatic and diverse with the Spanish Peaks and the Tobacco Root Mountains to the south, the cliffs along the Madison River to the west, and the hills and bluffs that include Madison Buffalo Jump State Park to the east.
Just outside the friendly farming and ranching community of Three Forks, MT and just off I-90, Rey Spring Creek Ranch offers many outdoor recreation opportunities. Nearby is the Missouri Headwaters State Park, the historic place where Lewis and Clark discovered the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers. This confluence creates the headwaters of the 2,300± mile Missouri River, the longest single river in North America. Campgrounds, hiking trails, fishing, and floating are many of the recreational opportunities in the area. Exploration of the Madison Buffalo Jump and the Lewis and Clark Caverns can also be enjoyed.
Just 20 minutes east lies Bozeman, a vibrant town and home to Montana State University (pop. 48,000± plus 16,700± students). In recent years, Bozeman has received national accolades for its scenic location, limitless outdoor activitie,s and historic downtown area. The cafes, restaurants, and boutiques have become favorite places for individuals who love the fishing, hunting, skiing, mountain biking, and hiking available in the surrounding area. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport serves Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Sun Country and United airlines.
Rey Spring Creek Ranch is in an area with annual average rainfall estimated in the 11 to 13-inch range. The ranch elevation is 4,100± feet.
Approximately two miles of Rey Creek traverses the ranch. Rey Creek is a classic small, riffle-run, and pool spring creek that holds healthy populations of brown trout with some fish reaching over 20 inches. The average fish is around 12-14 inches. Restoration of one mile of the lower stream has produced casting lanes, deep holding holes, and spawning beds, as well as shallow backwater refuges for invertebrates, young fish, and waterfowl. The upper reaches provide classic water conditions for waterfowl and diversified habitat for upland birds and deer.
Approximately one mile of fully restored creek with trout exceeding 25 inches pushing through its depths and feeding off its fertile waters. One may spend their entire life searching for the private and challenging experience that only a spring creek such as this can offer. The angler becomes the hunter as he stalks the sipping giant residents seeking refuge in the cool spring creek. Armed with 11’ leaders and size 22 patterns, the hunter has to make a perfect presentation. Only when cast placement is precise and the drift is true will the lunker test his fate and reward the angler. It is this experience that every die-hard angler desires that makes Rey Spring Creek Ranch such a rewarding opportunity. There are many different hatches throughout the year including BWO’s PMD’s and caddis. The endless hatch of hoppers and terrestrials during the summer is sure to keep the angler entertained. In the spring and fall, the Streamer can be very rewarded with giant browns attacking with reckless abandonment.
Rey Spring Creek Ranch is ideally located just minutes from the Missouri River, which is formed by the confluence of the Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson Rivers, all of which are world-famous trout fisheries. The famous Holter Dam tailwaters stretch of the Missouri River is an easy 1.5 hours away and the Yellowstone is 45 minutes to the east.
Because of all the fabulous water amenities and lack of development, wildlife thrives in the lower Madison Valley. For the waterfowl hunter, there is an abundance of opportunities, as northern migratory birds arrive, and the Madison River freezes in late fall, ducks and geese search for open water that concentrates the flock on Rey Spring Creek and other open spring water in the valley. Whitetail deer tend to congregate along the cottonwood-lined river bottoms during the day and head into the valley in the afternoons to feed on the native grasses. Upland birds are present but could be dramatically increased with some additional food and cover implementation.
The lower Madison Valley’s mild climate is well suited for raising livestock. This area is great horse or cattle country where minimal snow cover means reduced winter feeding. The ranch is well fenced and has historically been grazed for both horses and cattle.
