Between Hamilton and Darby, this property borders the Bitterroot River, has spring-fed trout ponds and pastureland with stunning views of the Bitterroot Mountains to the west, and the Sapphire Mountains to the east.
We have high speed internet if you must work or do online school work while staying with us. Guests can gather on the expansive deck, on the screened porch, in the new pavilion, the five-acre pond or other picturesque spots. The deck and large yard are enclosed - a great play space for children.
The 1960s house has comfortable beds, remodeled bathrooms and all new kitchen appliances. A comfortable living room is ready to watch movies, play board games, and listen to music . The dining area/library/game room off the kitchen is a large room called the breezeway.
The owners have enjoyed 50 years of family gatherings for pig roasts, fish fries, weddings, reunions and many birthday parties. There are no formal gardens or landscapes, just tidy, native flora and fauna that supports a healthy ecosystem for abundant wildlife such as whitetail deer, moose, elk, beaver, mink, muskrat, river otter, wood ducks, Canada geese, osprey, hawks, eagles and turtles. (no hunting)
The rental affords a wrap-around deck and enclosed lawn area interspersed with fruit trees, alongside a pavilion/outdoor picnic area.
This house borders a five acre private pond plus 20 more acres of wetlands that was formed on an old oxbow of the Bitterroot, a blue ribbon fly fishing river.
The dock is a great place to practice your fly casting skills for the elusive Rainbow and Brook trout (we practice catch and release for trout, anything else you can keep). You can also walk across our island to get to the main branch of the river.
Gathering on the deck for morning coffee can be a great place to observe the pond or plan your day of fishing, hiking, or one of the many available activities in our area.
If you love nature, you will be enchanted with our property. It provides endless opportunities for photography, bird watching, fly casting, walking - plenty of ways to relax, renew and reconnect.
* There's an extensive library of books, high speed internet access with Netflix, game boards, puzzles, DVD and CD collection and vintage LP records/stereo system.
* High chair, pack' n play available.
* It's a 10-minute drive north to Hamilton restaurants, Saturday Farmers Market and Wednesday small Farmers Market; grocery stores (4), health food store or a 15-minute drive south to Darby - their rodeo grounds and shopping.
* River fishing conditions on blog/Freestone Fly Shop in Hamilton...
* Fish our pond, catch and release with barbless hooks only (not open to public)
* Smoking outside only
* No pets because we have unpredictable wildlife
* credit cards only
" We watched from the deck while a mother raccoon and her five offspring came down a tree on the far side of the pond. She encouraged two of them to stay on the shore while she took the others on a swim to the island. The two baby raccoons did not follow her instructions to stay behind and there was a lot of chattering, swimming back and forth and general confusion which created a marvelous experience for us!"
"We have seen a moose wade into the pond to eat the pond lilies and grass; and seen a lone Trumpeter Swan gracefully feeding while Canada Geese lined up to watch as though they were in loge seats at a movie theatre!"