White Sulphur Springs, Montana
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WHITECanyon SULPHUR SPRINGS, Ranch MONTANA Hunting | Ranching | Fly Fishing | Conservation Hunting | Ranching | Fly Fishing | Conservation Canyon Ranch WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, MONTANA Introduction he Canyon Ranch is located in central Meagher County, a scenic 10-minute drive from White Sulphur TSprings in southwest Montana. Situated in a private and secluded setting, the ranch consists of 1901± deeded acres of farmland, rangeland and river riparian habitat associated with the Smith River, which meanders through the property for approximately 3+ miles. In addition to the river, there are three small ponds on the ranch. Offering strong recreational and agricultural features, the ranch is home to a varied wildlife community that includes mule deer, whitetail deer, antelope, Hungarian partridge, Sharp-tailed grouse and mixed waterfowl species. Historically, 184-acres of the property have been irrigated, and portions of the ranch have also been seeded to dryland crop. Quality improvements including two residences have been added by the current owner since purchasing in 2002, and upgrades have been made to the support buildings on the ranch, all of which are sited in close proximity to the Smith River. The property shares common boundary with two pieces of Montana State Land, and immediate neighbors are mostly larger landowners. In 2003, 1,589± acres of the ranch was placed under a conservation easement with the Montana Land Reliance. The surrounding area is one of the most sporting-oriented locations in Montana, renowned for a number of excellent fisheries and world-class hunting options for upland birds, waterfowl and big game. The Canyon Ranch is a beautiful property and is a prime purchase opportunity for the outdoor enthusiast. www.livewaterproperties.com Hunting | Ranching | Fly Fishing | Conservation Contact JEFF SHOUSE associate broker C:406.580.5078 [email protected] At elevations ranging from 4,700± feet to 5,100± feet, Canyon Ranch consists of 1,901± total deeded acres. The The Ranch ranch is essentially all contiguous, save for Highway 360 and a county road that pass through portions of the CANYON RANCH CONSISTS property. Principally, the property has been utilized by the owner as a summer fishing retreat for friends and OF 1,901+ DEEDED ACRES family. The acreage is a beautiful mosaic of open grass and sage meadows, irrigated hayground, riparian corridor WITH PANAORAMIC VIEWS, and high ridges with scattered trees and large rock formations. From the higher points on the ranch, panoramic MEADOWS AND HIGH views can be seen of the Big Belt, Little Belt and Castle Mountain ranges. Average annual precipitation for the RIDGES. area is estimated at 14 inches. The ranch borders two pieces of Montana State Land, and neighboring ownership is mostly larger ranch holdings. There has been no cattle, and only limited horse grazing Acreage on the ranch since 2002, and the range is in very good THE LAND USE CLASSIFICATIONS condition. It is estimated that the ranch could support OF THE RANCH PER MONTANA approximately 75AU’s year-round. The rangeland on the CADASTRAL IS AS FOLLOWS: ranch is a mix of native grass pasture and sage cover, framed GRAZING: 1,715.95± ACRES by ridges with scattered trees and large rock formations. An annual weed spraying program is in place, and the IRRIGATED: 184± ACRES ranch is perimeter fenced utilizing standard barbed wire. FARMSITE: 2± ACRES 184± acres of the ranch are irrigated cropland utilizing a combination of flood, handline and wheelline systems, with water sourced from 4 decreed surface water rights (Smith River and Birch Creek) dating in priority from 1890 to 1927. The primary crop is alfalfa/grass hay, and typically two cuttings are taken with historic yields in the 2 ton/acre range. Dryland wheat has also been farmed on portions of the ranch in the past. A neighbor does the farming on the ranch under a year-to-year verbal lease agreement. The Canyon Ranch includes two residences, a large loafing shed and adjacent corral system, a detached garage/shop Improvements building, two additional buildings - used for storage and as an artist studio - and two original homestead buildings. All • TWO RESIDENCES buildings are clustered together on the east side of the Smith River and are accessed by a private driveway off the county • LARGE SHED designated Canyon Road. Additionally, a new bridge was built in 2017, to facilitate access from the south side of the • CORRAL SYSTEM Hunting |river Ranching to | F lthey Fishing ranch | Conse buildings,rvation creating a second ingress/egress point from the ranch improvements to the county road. • GARGAGE The homestead buildings have been refurbished, the loafing shed has a newer metal roof, and the garage and storage buildings are tastefully built/remodeled with weathered wood siding. All of the buildings are nicely done in rustic “Montana” style, and blend in with the topography of the surrounding landscape. The Caretakers living on the Canyon Ranch have been on the property since before the current owner’s purchase - 39 years total - and their management duties include coordinating the agricultural activities - farming, irrigation and weed spraying - as well as structure and fence maintenance. They are a strong asset to the ranch, and under the right circumstances, would be receptive to a similar caretaker arrangement with a new owner. Main Residence The 2006 custom-built owner’s residence is considered traditional style with wood/ timbers siding and has three bedrooms and three baths. The wood was sourced from a disassembled pier and dock in Alaska, and adds rustic character to the structure. With 2,320 sqft on the first floor and 1,305 sqft on the second floor, total living area is 3,625 sqft. The house has central gas heating and hot water/radiant floors and an external wood deck on the first floor. The large screened porch on the west side of the house overlooks the adjacent Smith River. Caretaker’s Residence The Ranch-Style caretaker’s residence was built in 2007, with wood siding and has three bedroom and two baths. Total living area on one level is 2,092 sqft. The house has central gas/forced air heating and two external wood decks. (Fly Shop) Improvements The additional ranch buildings include a 29 ft x 30 ft detached garage built in 1975, a 23 ft x 36 ft storage shed building built in 1930, and two large pole frame buildings built in 1955 and measuring 15 ft x 98 ft and 42 ft x 98 ft. All of these buildings were rebuilt in 2014. nquestionably, the most recognized fishery in this part of Montana is the USmith River, which offers a high-caliber trout angling experience. The Smith receives the bulk of activity on the 60± mile canyon stretch between Camp Baker and Eden Bridge located downstream from the Canyon Ranch - where the majority of fishermen float and camp the section over the span of 4-5 days. Due to the popularity of this trip, a permit by lottery has been required for several years to regulate the number of people utilizing the river at any one time. The inconvenience of the draw process is worth the effort however, as the wilderness setting, scenery and fishing are spectacular. Fish densities in the Smith River are documented at between 500-800 trout per mile, with many measuring between 10”-20” and an occasional fish exceeding 5 pounds. These numbers compare to those found in some of the more renowned trout fisheries in Montana. The upper portions of the river above Camp Baker flow mostly through private land, making public access more Live Water difficult and resulting in a much less pressured fishery. 3 + MILES OF THE SMITH Brown trout in the 24”-28” range have been caught in the upper Smith River in recent years. RIVER BISECTS THE CANYON RANCH. Approximately 3± meandering miles of choice upper Smith River flow through the heart of the Canyon Ranch. The ranch’s ownership is on both sides of the river essentially creating a private fishing venue, and the impracticability of public access by wade or float fishing - due to topography and the smaller size of the upper river - is a huge asset in a state where stream access laws are fairly liberal concerning public use. The stretch of the river flowing through the Canyon Ranch supports a healthy resident trout fishery consisting primarily of brown trout, but also containing fair numbers of rainbows, and an occasional brook trout - all naturally reproducing wild fish. Native Mountain whitefish are also common in the river. Augmenting flow, Big Birch and Newland Creek enter the river just above the ranch. Big Birch is one of the primary spawning tributaries for brown trout in the Smith watershed and migrating fish from as far downstream as 50 miles pass through Canyon Ranch in route to the creek to spawn. Shortly after purchasing, the owner retained the services of a professional stream restoration firm to enhance fishing Live Water opportunities on the ranch. In subsequent years, electrofishing and fish tagging have occurred on the property to determine (continued) fish densities and migration patterns in the Smith River watershed. The river is easily wadeable and offers a compelling mix of prime trout habitat; enticing riffles and pocket water, undercut banks, and deeper holes with long tailouts. The run-off is typically winding down by early to mid-June in most years. Due to seasonal irrigation withdrawl which is common in most western watersheds, the river can experience lower flows and higher water temperatures during parts of the summer. Even during these times, the fishing can be excellent with better fishing periods in the morning and late afternoon into evening. The best fishing on the ranch is generally experienced in late spring/early summer and the latter half of September through November which coincides with peak brown trout spawning activity.