Lazy J Cross Ranch Sula, Montana! 1
LOCATION The Lazy J Cross Ranch is located in Sula, Montana approximately 81.6 miles south of Missoula, Montana and 35 miles South of Hamilton, Montana. Missoula International Airport has several major airlines to get you to the ranch: Allegiant Airlines, Compass Airlines/Northwest Airlink, Alaska/Horizon Airlines, Northwest Airlines/KLM, Skywest/Delta Connection, United Airlines. LOCALE Located near the historic Lewis & Clark trail and nestled in the heart of the Bitterroot National Forest on the East Fork of the Bitterroot River. The East Fork of the Bitterroot is a prime private fishery and is a main tributary of the famous Bitterroot River, which flows into the Clark Fork River in Missoula. Sula is located approximately 2 hours South of Missoula, Montana. Seasonal activities include fly fishing, hunting, hiking, rafting, biking, downhill/cross country skiing and snowmobiling. Year round attractions are Daly Mansion, Big Hole National Battlefield, Lewis and Clark Trail, Lake Como, Painted Rocks Reservoir and Bannack State Park. Darby is a small town located north of Sula with a population in 2004 of only 814 people; the town is a quiet one with spectacular scenery and fabulous fishing opportunities. The Painted Rock State Park and reservoir, as well as other streams, rivers and lakes make Darby prime territory for the fishing enthusiast. With Brook Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout, and West slope Cutthroat Trout prevalent, Darby and its surrounding areas is the perfect fishing destination. Missoula is dubbed the Garden City for its mild winters relative to the rest of Montana. It's no wonder we're suffering some growing pains, Missoula is a pretty good place to live. Depending on the season, we hike, ski, fish, run rivers and ride mountain bikes. We talk politics and shoot pool. We're also a literate town; it's commonplace to chat with a local author about his or her latest book. (John Updike dubbed Missoula the "Paris of the 90's," a flattering but somewhat gross exaggeration.) Missoula is located in an old, glacial lakebed, which is now cut by Clark Fork River. The Bitterroot River feeds into the Clark Fork on the Southwest edge of town; the famed Big Blackfoot River meets the Clark Fork just east of town. 2
The University of Montana is here, as is the Northern Region headquarters for the U.S. Forest Service. Retail Trade is way up; extractive industries like logging are waning. Just as the university students leave each year, the tourists arrive. Missoula is 3 hours south of Glacier National Park and 3-and-a-half hours west of Yellowstone National Park. It is surrounded by national forests and a handful of wilderness areas. In short, it's not a bad place to hang out in the summer or (if you like the snow) winter. Frank Church Wilderness area and Bitterroot Selway wilderness areas are also near the property with over 2.5 million acres of public lands. 3
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY Having been in the same family for several generations, this traditional Montana ranch is precisely the holding sought by many, acquired by few. The property encompasses close to 1,080 acres of diverse agricultural land, open meadows and pastures, forested acres, panoramic hilltop views, irrigated ground and about 4,500 feet of blue ribbon trout stream the East Fork of the Bitterroot River coursing through. Wildlife thrives on the ranch with elk, whitetail and mule deer, moose and black bear claiming residency as well as one of the largest herds of Rocky Mountain Big Horn sheep in the region. Backing up to the Bitterroot National Forest on some of its borders, the ranch is seemingly endless. Located in the heart of the Sula basin in the Ross Hole, a historic meeting place of Lewis & Clark and the Salish Indians (and also the setting of Charlie Russell painting); the Lazy J Cross Ranch is teeming with beauty and intrigue. For nearly a century the ownership of this pristine property has been in the hands of one family whose name is synonymous with the community of Sula. This is the first time in modern history that this ranch has been made available to the public. From the hilltops are seen the Bitterroot Mountains to the west and the Sapphire Mountains to the east, of which the ranch is a part of, and beyond to the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness. Interlaced with mature pine and grazing land, the grounds provide great habitat for wildlife and stock. The lower acreage is comprised of irrigated pastures and coveted river property reaching great lengths beyond both banks an angler s dream to own possess such a private stretch of water. Archery and rifle hunters will relish the big game opportunities of dominating a vast range of prime land. 4
ACREAGE In its entirety the Lazy J Cross Ranch covers approximately 1,080 acres and is being marketed at $5,400,000. Should it be desired, the ranch can be purchased as two units: 745+/- acres of agricultural and pasture land with hilltop views for $3,000,000 and 335+/- acres of lush, irrigated meadow with approximately 4,500 feet of East Fork of the Bitterroot River for $2,500,000. IMPROVEMENTS There are currently no improvements on the Lazy J Cross Ranch. 5
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CLIMATE FOR SULA, MONTANA Month Avg. High Avg. Low Mean Avg. Precip Record High Record Low Jan 32 F 10 F 21 F 0.96 in. 58 F (1992) -43 F (1957) Feb 39 F 14 F 27 F 0.80 in. 67 F (1995) -40 F (1985) Mar 47 F 21 F 34 F 0.99 in. 74 F (2004) -24 F (1966) Apr 55 F 27 F 41 F 1.50 in. 83 F (1992) 3 F (1982) May 63 F 32 F 48 F 2.25 in. 90 F (2003) 10 F (1973) Jun 72 F 38 F 55 F 2.20 in. 95 F (1974) 20 F (1974) Jul 80 F 40 F 60 F 1.39 in. 98 F (2002) 21 F (1971) Aug 80 F 39 F 59 F 1.41 in. 100 F (1961) 14 F (1992) Sep 70 F 32 F 51 F 1.22 in. 92 F (2000) 10 F (1985) Oct 58 F 25 F 41 F 1.17 in. 87 F (1963) -10 F (1971) Nov 41 F 19 F 30 F 1.18 in. 72 F (1999) -30 F (1959) Dec 32 F 11 F 21 F 0.97 in. 59 F (1990) -45 F (1983) Sula, MT Weather Facts July is the average warmest month. The highest recorded temperature was 100 F in 1961. January is the average coolest month. The lowest recorded temperature was -45 F in 1983. The maximum average precipitation occurs in May. 7
GENERAL OPERATION Lazy J Cross Ranch is currently operated for agricultural purposes. Located in Southwestern Montana, The Bitterroot is an excellent river consisting of diverse water and quality hatches. Cutthroat, brown, rainbow, and brook trout can all be found in its waters. The Bitterroot is approximately 75 miles long from the junction of the East and West Fork just below Conner to where it meets the Clark Fork near Missoula. Throughout this long stretch you will find riffles, deep pools, fallen trees, and other characteristics of a great trout fishery. There are a few Special Regulations area's along its path. WILDLIFE AND FISHERY The Bitterroot is well known as one of the finest dry fly fishing rivers in the state. The dry fly fishing season begins sometime in March, depending on the weather, and ends in late November. Spring is always blessed with high water that lasts for two to three weeks in late May and early June. This time of year is always good for the trout because of the abundance of food available when rocks are washed along and nymphs uprooted. Once this is over the river returns to its meandering nature and settles in for the summer fun. The first major hatch is the Skwala (stonefly) in March. If the conditions are right the fish will key on the imitation pattern for a full 6 weeks. One pattern to use for the Skwala is a bullet head fly tied with a black egg sack and dark body. The underwing is dark brown or black and the overwing is tied in bullet head style with dark brown premo-deer hair. The fish seem to look for this hatch to begin their yearly feeding habits and with the size of this stonefly they can build bulk fast. The late fishing which continues into November includes patterns such as the October Caddis and Midges. The October Caddis are large and can be fished with an imitator that is size #8 or #10. The Midges on the other hand are from #20 - #24. In between the major hatches include Pale Morning Dun, Blue Winged Olive, Green Drake, Salmon Fly, Golden Stone and several varieties of Caddis. The mayflies are typically sizes 14-18 with the exception of the Green Drake which is size 10. The Salmon Flies should be fished with a size 6 or 8 and the Golden Stones are sizes 8-10. The wild life is incredible at the ranch proper. There is a large population of elk and moose on and off the property along with bear, deer, and most all of the North American animals. Hunting is perhaps the best there is in the Rocky Mountains in the Selway-Bitterroot National forest. TAXES PROPERTY TAXES ARE $1,700 PER YEAR 8
WATER AND WELL RIGHTS 9
BROKERS COMMENTS This is one of the best fishing spots in the valley. The ranch has unique aesthetics with privacy and panoramic views. There are several excellent potential building spots. PRICE "##$%$&!'(!)*+,--+---! Should it be desired, the ranch can be purchased as two units: 745+/- acres of agricultural and pasture land with hilltop views for $3,000,000 and 335+/- acres of lush, irrigated meadow with approximately 4,500 feet of East Fork of the Bitterroot River for $2,500,000.!!./%!0/%$!12#/%3'(1/2!4/2('4(5! 67!8149'%&!'(!:-;<=>-<*,?*!/%!$3'1@!'(!67AB9$8'249C%/D$%EF4/3!! 10