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TAKE ME FISHING!!!
When your life partner, kids, or friends are down in the dumps, sad, cranky, and out of sorts, they send out a message for HELP! They are asking for someone…
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THE SECRET STREAM!!!
We all have that secret hot spot that we look forward to fishing. It may be a stream, river, or pond. Back in the day, I used to cherish the…
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WHY HIRE A FISHING GUIDE?
Fishing guides are easy to come by in Montana. Many see guiding as Big money. Others are great rowers but not great fishermen. Why should you hire a guide and…
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Best of, Bull Elk, Deer, Education, Elk, Gear, How to, Hunt in Montana, Hunter Safety, Hunting, meat, Montana GrantDRESSING!!!
I always wondered why gutting a critter is called “Dressing”. It does sound better “gutting” but you certainly do not put clothes or a salad onto a downed deer…
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TROUT FISHING IS CHANGING!!!
The BEST trout fishing in the world is changing. Blame it on global warming, climate change, overfishing, development, or pollution. What were once the BEST destinations are no longer the…
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BREAKING BREAD!!!
Hunting or fish camp meals are fast, tasty, and plenty. The hunters and anglers are tired and hungry after a long day on the water or in the field. The…
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MASTERING MELONS!!!
Sweet, ripe, full, and tasty melons are a summer treat. Cantaloupe and watermelons are the most common melons that are seasonal favorites. The long days of summer make these melons…
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SMOKIN GOOD!!!
Trout are a salmonid and can be cooked to tasty perfection. Freshwater trout tend to be milder and have a softer texture compared to their larger Salmon relatives. Big salmon…
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MONTANA GRIT!!!
Big Sky Country has its own special vistas, places, and flavors. Food without spices can be less appealing. There are also more to spices than just salt and pepper. Some…
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BIG SKY BEST?
Big Sky Country is certainly the Last Best Place, but for what? For every person you ask, you will get a different answer. These answers also change with time. What…
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BEST OF THE BEST!!!
We have all been influenced by great mentors and fishermen. As kids, we were exposed to men and women that seemed to have the gift. As great anglers, the…
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FAT and HAPPY CAMP MEAL!!!
When hunters return from the hills, they will be hungry. Carbs, meat, pasta, and potatoes will fit their bill and bellies. As a camp cook, I enjoy making meals in…
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activities, Best of, Education, Glacier National Park, Montana, Montana Fishing, Montana Grant, Yellowstone National ParkMONTANA’S BEST!!!
This is the time of year when Big Sky Country Shines. The rain slows, the warmer temperature means comfortable weather. The forests smell of pine, the air feels healthy and…
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Becoming an Outdoors Woman, Best of, Boating, Fishing, Float, Fly Fishing, Funny Fishing, Madison River, Montana Fishing, Montana GrantBERTHA’S BEST!!!
Over the years I have guided boatloads of fishermen. Some were celebrities, many were newbies, and lots of kids. I enjoyed fishing with all these guests. When guides reflect, they…
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Antelope Recipes, Bear Recipes, Best of, Buffalo Recipes, Bull Elk, Deer, Deer, Education, Elk Recipes, Food, Gear, How to, meat, Montana Grant, Moose Recipes, RecipesWASTED STEAKS!!!
Great steaks are becoming hard to find in Montana. The best steaks often came from small, family-owned cafes and restaurants. Those folks knew what a great steak was. Today, many…
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activities, Best of, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Funny Fishing, How to, Montana GrantTHE BUTT FLY!!!
Every fly angler has a ton of their favorite flies. One box may be full of nymphs, another is loaded with dries, and a terrestrial box is also on hand.…
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IS NEW BETTER?
Sportsmen love new stuff. It seems that we never have enough hats, fishing rods, guns, gadgets, garments, and outdoor stuff. More is better, I guess. The more stuff we have…
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MONTANA ESCAPE!!!
The trend of people moving to Montana may be changing. According to the National Census numbers, more people are leaving Montana than are moving here. Big Sky Country is certainly…
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Best of, bison, Black Bear, bobcat, Brown Bear, cougar, Coyote, Did You Know, Education, Foraging, fur, Furbearer, How to, Hunt in Montana, lynx, Montana GrantDOG HAIR!!!
Anyone with a dog knows that shed hair is a problem. Hairy dust bunnies gather in corners of the floor, or on carpets. Vacuuming helps but what can you do…
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KNOT KNOWLEDGE !!!
Fishing knots are critical to fishing success. Different knots are required for certain line types, gear, and presentations. Not all Knots are created equally. For most of my fishing, I…
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animal attack, Best of, Bob Wards, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, health, Hunting, Montana GrantSQUITOS!!!
Big Sky Country is also home to huge blood sucking mosquitoes. They grow big in the Rocky Mountains. These blood suckers can be relentless and ruin a fishing, hunting, or…
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MONTANA NAMES!!!
Everyone has a little cowboy or cowgirl spirit. Humans are Hunters and Gatherers. Our pioneer spirit continues to bring folks to western states. Once here, kids will need names that…
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Bass Fishing, Bass Lake, Best of, Billings, Canyon Ferry, Fish, Fishery, Fishing, Flathead Lake, Food, Fort Peck, Helena Lakes, How to, Lake Elmo, Lake Koocanusa, Montana Fishing, Montana Grant, Noxon Reservoir, Tongue River ReservoirKISS MY BASS!!!
Bass fishing is a great sport but is limited in Montana. Since bass are not native to our state, the bass fishing we have is limited. The MTFWP does stock…
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HOWARD’S GREENS!!!
Years ago, we would take annual trips to fish Canada. The local outdoor shows would come to town, and we would pick one out and schedule a trip. Some destinations…
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BUTTERFLY FISH TRICK!!!
Filleting trout is a learned skill. Butterflying a fish is even tougher and takes a lot of practice with a sharp knife. Butterfly trout are best for grilling. Normally the…
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activities, Best of, Bighorn River, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Flying, How to, Lakes, Montana GrantTHE LAST BEST FISHING HOLES!!!
Secret Fishing Holes have become fewer and further between. There seem to be more folks that have discovered the joys of fishing. Humans are Hunters and Gatherers so catching fish…
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PIONEER PLANT!!!
Rhubarb is in full leafy growth, just in time for Strawberry season. Each Summer, I harvest several crops of this unique, healthy, and tasty plant. Rhubarb can sometimes be found…
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MEMORIAL DAY!!!
We just celebrated Memorial Day. This holiday honors the memory of great soldiers that helped to keep America free and safe. Their ultimate sacrifice is a high price to pay…
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Best of, Boating, Boating Safety, Fishing, Float, Fly Fishing, health, How to, Madison River, Montana Fly Fishing, Montana GrantHAIL and HIGH WATERS!!!
Years ago, I was guiding some ladies from Georgia. We put in at Warm Springs access, along the lower Madison, and began our drift. I was working with the mother…
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ROUGHING IT!!!
Camping is simple and fun. It is supposed to be about enjoying nature without modern conveniences. Yes, you may need to use an outhouse, there may not be a cell…
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Best of, Did You Know, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Gear, Madison River, Montana GrantSAME OLD LINE!!!
Fly lines have come a long way. The first fly lines were made from waxed and braided horse tail hair. Sinew from deer was used for the tippets. Hooks…
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Best of, Did You Know, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Gear, How to, Madison River, Montana GrantNET JOBS!!!
Pictures of trout and other fish in nets are on the rise. Many Catch and Release fishermen want a picture record of their catch. Several net shots are often in…
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THE FLYING FISHERMAN!!!
Outdoorsmen love their outdoor shows. Some shows focus on education, others on unique destinations, some promote hunting or fishing, others advertise gear and products. Whatever your taste is, for the…
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Best of, Cutthroat Trout, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fish, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Montana Grant, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone RiverCUTS COMING BACK!!!
Yellowstone Lakes cutthroat trout population is coming back. This unique native trout has survived the relentless attack from invasive Lake Trout. They have also changed their habits and behaviors. It…
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FLASH and TRASH!!!
High and off-color water doesn’t mean no fishing, you just need to change strategies. A fish must eat, and a bigger PIG must eat more. Just because the water levels…
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FIREPOWER!!!
Most outdoorsmen have a preferred way to build a fire. Different fires have different uses. Some may be for cooking while others are just for heat or looking at. Whatever…
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A BUTTE LIMIT!!!
Butte was once the wealthiest city in North America. It was also the capital of Montana. The “Treasure State” is named after the rich minerals found in Butte mines. Copper…
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JUST A LITTLE FURTHER!!!
Sometimes an angler must cast a really long way. Perhaps they just saw a huge fish surface, or closer casts tended to spook the fish. Maybe the structure or edge…
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activities, art, Best of, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Guns, Hunting, Montana, Montana Grant, Shootingand a SPORTSMAN LIVES HERE!!!
Montana is full of outdoorsmen and women. Many folks migrated here to enjoy the diversity of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. Each season has its highs and low points…
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LADIES FIRST!!!
Times have certainly changed in America. It’s become hard to know when to hold a door, take off your hat, and display proper manners. The wokesters have damaged what it…
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THE NEW BIG BANANA!!!
Back in the day, I was fishing in a creek in Maryland called Deer Creek. It was near Pennsylvania and stocked trout often washed downstream. PA. stocked a diversity of…
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ANSWERING THE CALL!!!
When a hunter calls in the game it is very exciting. Animal calls let the hunter talk to the animals. You can call all sorts of game close enough to…
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FISH LOAF!!!
Fishermen love meat loaf. The leftover meat loaf sandwiches the next day are great. So why not make a meat loaf using fish? I once had a Fish Loaf at…
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Best of, Did You Know, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Gear, How to, Montana Fly Fishing, Montana GrantPRESENTATION!!!
Catching fish on a fly is simply about ONE thing. The fisherman must Present the fly so that it looks like nothing is attached to it, and they will…
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SPINNER WINNER!!!
Spin fishing is great fun. Tossing metal around ponds and rivers attracts hungry fish and aggressive strikes. These treble hooked lures have been around for over 100 years, but which…
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activities, Ammunition, Best of, Camping, Education, Fishing, Gear, health, How to, Hunting, Montana GrantFREE GEAR!!!
All sportsmen love FREE stuff. Fishermen can always use more hooks, sinkers, lures, or flies. Hunters always need some extra ammo, shotshells, or gear. Every dollar saved helps. We all…
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CASTING!!!
Casting a line takes some skill. You also need to practice. Eventually, muscle memory and feel will take over. Casting becomes second nature. Originally, fishermen used cane poles and fixed…
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FISH COOKERY!!!
Hopefully, some of snowpack will melt and great fishing will begin. So far, ice covered lakes, snow drift lined rivers, and cold weather make fishing tougher. Catch and Release fishermen…
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