Back in the 1980’s, the Bighorn River, in Montana, was the place to fish. Anglers flocked from across the world to wet a line and catch the Big Sky Bounty.
The river had some small crowds but nothing like today. You did not have to battle for a spot to attack the large browns and rainbows. The fish were bigger, the crowds smaller, and the diversity of anglers was unique.
We were fishing in the upper 3-mile section when we heard the drone of an airplane. 300 feet above us was a German fighter plane buzzing up the river. The BF 108 look alike plane made a few passes for reconnaissance and headed to the small runway near the Afterbay Dam.
Later we went to check out and see if the German Luftwaffe was invading Montana. On closer inspection, we could see that this plane was painted to look like a BF 108, German made aircraft. In fact, it was a French re-engineered version, that was built after WW2. The Nord Aviation Co. copied the 1934 ME 108 model. The German version was a tail dragger and not a front nosewheel style. I’m sure that the pilot used euro nymphing techniques when trout fishing.
It turns out that a rich guy from Billings had the plane restored and kept it handy at Billings airport. When he was in the mood to battle some Big Browns, he would make the flight to the Bighorn. He could be at the river in less than an hour as the crow flies.
The engine had a distinct sound. It was nice to see that a tool of war was being used in a more peaceful way. No armament was on board except for some bamboo rods and several boxes of flies. The pilot enjoyed attacking the great hatches and squadrons of trout that the river was famous for.
I am sure that he loved fishing on his Dawn Patrol.
Montana Grant
