Big Hole River Escape

Melrose, Beaverhead County, Montana

$550,000

1.38± Acres

INTRODUCTION

Nestled amidst the serene beauty of the Big Hole River, this enchanting retreat property, located mere steps away from the riverbanks, presents an unparalleled opportunity for the avid angler seeking a sanctuary of tranquility and world-class fly fishing. Those desiring to enjoy time in the great outdoors will appreciate this location for the abundant recreational opportunities right from the front door. From hunting big game such as elk and deer to hiking in the surrounding National Forest Lands, camping at one of many area mountain lakes, snowmobiling in the winter months, and, of course, casting along the serene waters of the Big Hole River, this location is prime for an outdoor recreationist looking to enjoy the beauty of western Montana.

This special retreat property features a well-maintained yet modest home, serving as a cozy retreat for the current owners for many years. While providing a comfortable accommodation immediately for a new owner to enjoy the property and area, the property invites the possibility of crafting your own dream cabin on the additional parcel of land adjacent to the existing home and included in this offering. Alternatively, a new owner may wish to utilize the vacant parcel to construct a garage or shop with living quarters to store drift boats and fishing gear, serve as a guest residence for visiting family and friends, and complement the existing structure. The options are limited only by the imagination, and this riverside haven is waiting for a new owner to make cherished memories alongside a beautiful stretch of the Big Hole River, a short drive to the quaint cowboy town of Melrose and on to Butte or Dillon for shopping and all major services.

1 Big Hole River Escape | Melrose, Montana

QUICK FACTS

• Mere steps away from the famed Big Hole River

• Level parcel serves as a canvas for construction of a cabin or shop while featuring a comfortable existing accommodation to allow for immediate enjoyment

• Beautiful and scenic location with easy access to boat launch to float the river

• Abundant wildlife, including elk, deer, moose, and birds of prey, live in the region around the property

• Excellent big game hunting on nearby public land including BLM, State of Montana and National Forest Lands

• Four-wheeling and snowmobiling on nearby trails through the Pioneer Mountains and connecting to the Wise River Valley

• 3 Rivers Fiberoptics high-speed internet undergound line to property

• Turn-key with furnishings for new owner to enjoy property immediately

• A short drive to the small Western town of Melrose for a quick lunch or dinner

• 45 minutes to the quaint cowboy town of Dillon for shopping, dining and medical services

• 45 Minutes to Butte for dining, shopping, and major services including medical and commercial air

Launch your drift boat a few hundred yards from the property

Big Hole River Escape | Melrose, Montana

ACREAGE

• 1.38± deeded acres

The property is comprised of two separate parcels. One parcel houses a modest yet well-maintained three-bedroom/two-bath home, while the second provides a clean canvas and an opportunity for a new owner to construct additional structures as desired.

Big Hole River Escape | Melrose, Montana

IMPROVEMENTS

A modest and comfortable three-bed and twobath home sits adjacent to a vacant parcel that could be developed to feature a dream home or vacation cabin or a garage or shop to complement the existing structure. The existing home is well insulated for efficiency and immaculately maintained by the current owners. The home has served as a base camp for the current owners to enjoy fishing and hunting right from the front door for many years. The floorplan and layout allow for easy living while at the getaway retreat, and though remote, the property features underground high-fiber internet to support remote work if desired.

• 3 bed/2 full bath

• Living room with river views

• Kitchen with dining

• Propane forced air

• Owned propane tank

• Electric hot water

• Storage shed for four-wheeler parking, ample room for hunting and fishing gear storage

• Level lot with some mature trees

• Second lot vacant and ready for vision of a new owner

• Well-maintained by current owner

Big Hole River Escape | Melrose, Montana

RECREATION

With thousands of acres of State of Montana, BLM, and National Forest Lands within close reach, the area supports a variety of outdoor activities, including hunting, horseback riding, hiking, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, and hiking and camping at a variety of mountain lakes located within the Pioneer Mountains.

HUNTING | WILDLIFE

The region around the Big Hole River Escape supports abundant wildlife populations and big game species, including elk, whitetail and mule deer, moose, and a nice variety of birds of prey that enjoy roosting in the trees along the riverbanks in front of the property. This corridor is ideal.

Photo not taken on property

FISHING

Fishermen travel to Montana to fish along the many coveted streams and rivers, including the Big Hole River, which flows by the property, creating a unique opportunity to enjoy this resource out your front door. The Big Hole River is well known as one of the finest trout fisheries in the Rocky Mountain West and is both enjoyable to float and wade to fly fish right from this special retreat property.

THE JEFFERSON RIVER

The Jefferson River is formed nearby in Twin Bridges by the confluence of the Ruby, Beaverhead, and Big Hole Rivers, which are world-famous trout fisheries. The Jefferson River has become known as one of the great fishery restoration success stories in the United States, as referenced in a recent article in Fly Fisherman Magazine entitled “Jefferson River Rising”. During the late 1980s and 90s, the Jefferson suffered from chronic dewatering due to the over-appropriation of water for irrigation combined with low water years. In a cooperative effort between landowners, the state of Montana, Trout Unlimited, and Orvis, the Jefferson has become one of the great large trout fisheries in the American West. The Jefferson River has rainbow and brown trout with average fish sizes ranging between 12-16 inches, with many fish over 20”. The Jefferson River is also one of the most beautiful rivers to float on, with one of the healthiest and widest riparian areas of any river in Montana, which is why the wildlife is so prolific. The river is bordered throughout its length by large cattle ranches and very little development, so you can float for long stretches without seeing a house.

Big Hole River Escape | Melrose, Montana

THE BIG HOLE RIVER

The Big Hole River is celebrated for its superb water variety, presenting challenges alongside abundant fish and rich insect life. This quintessential riffle, run, and pool waterway is ideal for floating in June when the renowned salmon fly hatch occurs. This event offers peak dry fly fishing experiences, as the two to three-inch adult salmon flies entice even the largest trout to feed voraciously. From July through October, when water levels recede, the river becomes excellent for wading. During these months, the aquatic menu is dominated by caddis, tricos, hoppers, and various mayflies, while streamer fishing excels throughout spring, summer, and fall, especially in the periods surrounding the salmon fly hatch and into the autumn season. The lower reaches of the river harbor exceptionally large fish, with brown trout reaching up to 26 inches.

THE RUBY RIVER

The Ruby is a prolific fishery from its headwaters to its confluence with the Beaverhead just upstream of Twin Bridges. However, the stretch below the Ruby Reservoir is where you’ll find the biggest fish due to the impact of the bottom release dam and the incredible amount of spring water that enters the river on this stretch. This is partly due to two spring creeks that have been improved in the past 20 years and provide cold, clear nutrient-rich water ideal for growing big fish, some in excess of 20”. The Ruby River is very serpentine in nature, as it twists and turns through the valley, creating a paradise of riffles, runs, pools, and undercut banks. The substrate of the river is small cobble, making for a “waderfriendly” environment. The Ruby can be easily crossed at the head and tail of most pools at its average flow. Additionally, the Ruby River is small enough to be very rarely floated, making it one of the few fisheries in Montana where you can fish for hours and never see another person. The combination of these factors makes the Ruby River a delightful place to fish.

THE BEAVERHEAD RIVER

Originating from the confluence of the Red Rock River and the Horse Prairie Creek, the Beaverhead River winds its way through scenic landscapes and offers anglers a chance to reel in some impressive catches. The river is primarily known for its healthy population of brown trout, with an average size ranging from 12 to 16 inches, though larger specimens upwards of 20 inches are not uncommon. Rainbow trout also inhabit these waters, providing additional excitement for anglers. The Beaverhead River boasts a remarkable fish per mile count, with an estimated 3,000 to 3,500 trout per mile in certain stretches, though the fish count on most stretches runs around 1,500 fish per mile, with 800 fish per mile measuring over 20 inches, making it a prime destination for both seasoned anglers and beginners alike. Its crystal-clear waters and diverse aquatic insect life make for challenging yet rewarding fishing experiences year-round. Whether wading through riffles or drifting along its currents, anglers are sure to find themselves immersed in the beauty and bounty of the Beaverhead River.

On any fly-fishing property, no matter how good the fishing, the day will come when you want to venture out to other water to fish. It would be difficult to find a location where you would have more quality options nearby. The Jefferson, Ruby, and Beaverhead Rivers are short to moderate drives, and the Madison River is one to 1.5 hours east. In addition to these famous rivers, there are several tributaries, and mountain lakes in the area that will become known to you as you explore your surroundings.

OTHER RECREATION

The vast mountain ranges, beautiful meadows and streams, and lush valleys offer a multitude of recreational pursuits, including horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, bird watching, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and just relaxing and enjoying the scenery. Within close proximity to the property, there are thousands of acres of BLM, National Forest, and State of Montana lands.

Photo not taken on property

Big Hole River Escape | Melrose, Montana

CLIMATE

Dillon, Montana, enjoys a continental climate with warm summers averaging in the mid-70s and cold winters in the teens and 20s. With about 16 inches of annual snowfall and fewer storms, it offers ideal conditions for year-round outdoor activities, including skiing and snowboarding.

Climate charts for nearby Dillon, Montana, courtesy of https://www.city-data.com/city/Dillon-Montana.

Big Hole River Escape | Melrose, Montana

LOCATION

Melrose is a small western town a short drive from the property. With deep agricultural roots, Melrose is also known today as a popular fishing destination with a fly shop, The Sunrise Fly Shop, and opportunities to connect with guides for anglers seeking expert advice and a chance to float or fish the Big Hole River. Melrose also features a full-service restaurant with a bar, The Hitching Post, for food service adjacent to the fly shop. The Melrose Bar has food and snacks and operates the local fuel station.

Dillon is about 35 minutes to the south and boasts a historic downtown and blue-ribbon fly fishing on the Beaverhead River. An authentic cowboy town that caters to the needs of farmers and ranchers from the surrounding region, Dillon is home to a variety of retail shopping, dining, Barrett Hospital and Healthcare Services, and the University of Montana Western.

Butte is about 35 minutes to the north and is affectionately known by locals and visitors alike as “Butte, America.” Built on a deep rooted mining history, Butte is home to Montana Technological University, a vibrant “uptown” region featuring a variety of shops and dining in renovated and updated historic buildings and an assortment of major retail and shopping options, too. St. James Hospital first opened in 1881 to care for copper miners and their families and continues the tradition today, serving the residents of Butte and surrounding communities by providing a variety of emergency and routine health care options.

Melrose, Montana

AIRPORT SERVICES

The Bert Mooney Airport in Butte is a short 30+ minute drive. It features a newly constructed terminal and commercial flights on Delta to Salt Lake City for travel ease and convenience from a small, visitor-friendly Western Montana Airport. Butte Aviation offers full-service FBO at Bert Mooney to cater to the needs of private aircraft visiting the area.

Melrose, Montana

Big Hole River Escape | Melrose, Montana

MINERAL RIGHTS

All mineral rights appurtenant to the property and owned by the seller will convey to the buyer at closing. Mineral rights are not guaranteed. It is suggested that the buyer conduct a mineral search with a title company.

CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP

Each of us at Fay loves the land and wants to see it remain a productive agricultural ground and a quality fish and wildlife habitat. Through promoting thoughtful land stewardship, Fay has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide-open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitats, and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay is proud to say that since our company began in 1992, our clients’ conservation ethics and land-use practices have significantly enhanced our work landscape.

Big Hole River Escape | Melrose, Montana

SUMMARY

Escape to your own paradise with this ideal rural property nestled just steps away from the Big Hole River. Offering a myriad of recreational opportunities, this pristine parcel is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The possibilities are endless, whether hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, or horseback riding. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of fly fishing on the blue-ribbon river or embark on a serene float fishing adventure. The existing home provides an immediate place to hang your hat at night, and the vacant parcel presents the perfect canvas to build your dream home, cabin, garage, or shop to complement the existing house, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. Wildlife abounds, with frequent sightings of elk, deer, moose, and more, ensuring a truly immersive experience in nature’s embrace. Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to create your own rural retreat in this picturesque setting.

Big Hole River Escape | Melrose, Montana

$550,000 Cash

Conventional Financing 1031 Exchange

This is an exclusive co-listing with Fay and PureWest Real Estate. Please contact Kimberly lowry at (406) 490-4323 | klowry@fayranches.com or John McNulty at (406) 880-7355 | jmcnulty@purewestmt.com to schedule a showing. An agent from Fay or PureWest Real Estate must be present at all showings unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties, fly fishing properties, and sporting ranches that we have listed, please visit our web page at www.fayranches.com.

Offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classification, carrying capacities, maps, etc., is intended only as a general guideline and has been provided by the owners and other sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction.

RELATIONSHIPS IN REAL ESTATE

As required by Montana law, a broker or salesperson shall disclose the existence and nature of relevant agency or other relationships to the parties to a real estate transaction. The various relationships and description of duties are as follows:

1. SELLER AGENT

A “Seller Agent” is obligated to the Seller to:

Act solely in the best interests of the seller; Obey promptly and efficiently all lawful instructions of the seller; Disclose all relevant and material information that concerns the real estate transaction and that is known to the seller agent and not known or discoverable by the seller unless the information is subject to confidentiality arising from a prior or existing agency relationship on the part of the seller agent; Safeguard the seller’s confidences; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in pursuing the seller’s objectives and in complying with the terms established in the listing agreement; Fully account to the seller for any funds or property of the seller that comes into the seller agent’s possession; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.

Montana law permits a real estate agent, after providing written disclosure to a seller and obtaining a seller’s written consent, to represent multiple sellers of property and to list properties for sale that may compete with the seller’s property, without breaching any obligation to the seller.

A “Seller Agent” is obligated to the Buyer to:

Disclose to a buyer or the buyer agent any adverse material facts that concern the property and that are known to the seller agent, except that the seller agent is not required to inspect the property or verify any statements made by the seller; Disclose to a buyer or the buyer agent when the seller agent has no personal knowledge of the veracity of information regarding adverse material facts that concern the property; Act in good faith with a buyer and a buyer agent; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.

2. BUYER AGENT (cont)

A “Buyer Agent” is obligated to the Seller to:

Disclose any adverse material facts that are known to the buyer agent and that concern the ability of the buyer to perform on any purchase offer; Disclose to the seller or the seller agent when the buyer agent has no personal knowledge of the veracity of information regarding adverse material facts that concern the property; Act in good faith with a seller and a seller agent; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.

3. DUAL AGENCY If a seller agent is also representing a buyer, or a buyer agent is also representing a seller with regard to a property, then a dual agency relationship may be established. In a dual agency relationship, the dual agent is equally obligated to both the seller and the buyer. These obligations may prohibit the dual agent from advocating exclusively on behalf of the seller or buyer and may limit the depth and degree of representation that you receive. A broker or a salesperson may not act as a dual agent without the signed, written consent of both the seller and the buyer.

A “Dual Agent” is obligated to a Seller in the same manner as a seller agent and is obligated to a Buyer in the same manner as a buyer agent, except a dual agent:

Has a duty to disclose to a buyer or seller any adverse material facts that are known to the dual agent regardless of any confidentiality considerations; and May not disclose the following information without the written consent of the person to whom the information is confidential; The fact that the buyer is willing to pay more than the offered purchase price; The fact that the seller is willing to accept less than the purchase price that the seller is asking for the property; Factors motivating either party to buy or sell; and Any information that a party indicates in writing to the dual agent is to be kept confidential.

4. STATUTORY BROKER

A “Statutory Broker” is not the agent of the Buyer or Seller but nevertheless is obligated to them to:

Disclose to: i. a buyer or buyer agent any adverse material facts that concern the property and that are known to the statutory broker, except that the statutory broker is not required to inspect the property or verify any statements made by the seller; and ii. a seller or a seller agent any adverse material facts that are known to the statutory broker and that concern the ability of the buyer to perform on any purchase offer; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in putting together a real estate transaction, and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.

5. IN-HOUSE SELLER AGENT DESIGNATE Created when the agency holds both the listing on a property from the seller and a buyer broker agreement with the buyer, an in-house seller agent designate is a broker or salesperson employed by or associated as an independent contractor with a broker and designated by the broker as the exclusive agent for a seller for a designated transaction and who may not be considered to be acting for other than the seller with respect to the designated transaction.

6. IN-HOUSE BUYER AGENT DESIGNATE

Created when the agency holds both the listing on a property from the seller and a buyer broker agreement with the buyer, an in-house buyer agent designate is a broker or salesperson employed by or associated as an independent contractor with a broker and designated by the broker as the exclusive agent for a buyer for a designated transaction and who may not be considered to be acting for other than the buyer with respect to the designated transaction.

BUYER AGENT

A “Buyer Agent” is obligated to the Buyer to: Act solely in the best interests of the buyer; Obey promptly and efficiently all lawful instructions of the buyer; Disclose all relevant and material information that concerns the real estate transaction and that is known to the buyer agent and not known or discoverable by the buyer, unless the information is subject to confidentiality arising from a prior or existing agency relationship on the part of the buyer agent; Safeguard the buyer’s confidences; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in pursuing the buyer’s objectives and in complying with the terms established in the listing agreement; Fully account to the buyer for any funds or property of the buyer that comes into the buyer agent’s possession; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations. Montana law permits a real estate agent, after providing written disclosure to a buyer and obtaining a buyer’s written consent, to represent multiple buyers interested in buying the same property or similar properties to properties in which a buyer is interested and to show properties in which a buyer is interested to other prospective buyers, without breaching any obligation to the buyer.

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