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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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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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SNACKLE BOX!!!
Outdoorsmen, women, and kids need snacks and treats to keep them fat, happy, and satisfied. Without a goodie box, hunger can overwhelm a good time. Back in the day, I…
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accident, activities, Bear Attacks, Boating, Boating Safety, Education, health, Hunter Safety, Montana GrantDEATH WISH!!!
We have all made some poor choices when afield. Injury or worse can result from not planning, preparing, or considering safety risks. Montana is a rural place. Citizens play in…
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SNAKE SEASON !!!
Snake time is upon us! Summer means that rattle snakes are active and pose a risk. Fortunately, Rattlers are mainly nocturnal, but encounters can happen at any time. Habitats such…
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FLAB INTO FAB!!!
Winters in Montana are LONG!!!! We all tend to gain more than a few pounds. As the winter grows, so do our waistlines! If you plan to chase bulls, in…
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OTTER OPPOSITION!!!
The Jefferson River, near the Sappington Bridge, was the site of an Otter Attack. # ladies were tubing down the river in the shallower summer waters. Their pleasant float soon…
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BIG FLY COUNTRY!!!
Montana is home to several species of nuisance flies. House flies and Horse Flies abound. At this time of year, swarms of flies show up in our yards, and homes.…
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activities, Bass Fishing, Boating, Boating Safety, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, Float, Fly Fishing, Gear, health, How to, Montana GrantWADE A LITTLE DEEPER!!!
Wading can be dangerous. Fishermen that wet wade or wear expensive waders, always try to get a little deeper. Their goal is to get closer to the fishing spot that…
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RASH CHOICES!!!
Life can be an ITCH! Humans can get affected by many insects, bugs, snakes, nettles, and other encounters that make us ITCH. Poison Ivy is a huge contributor to what…
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OUTDOOR ACCIDENTS!!!
Outdoorsmen and women never plan to get injured, hurt, or stranded when enjoying Outdoor Recreation. Accidents happen when we get to comfortable, relaxed, and distracted. Once our guard is down,…
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Big Hole River, Did You Know, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Food, health, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, Montana Fly Fishing, Montana GrantSALMON FLY SUFFERING!!!
It seems that aquatic insect and Salmon fly populations are in the decline. This reduction of insects is related to the decline in trout populations of SW Montana. Areas that…
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SAVE A FISH!!!
Catch and Release fishing is extremely important to conserve Wild and Native trout fisheries. A great and healthy trout may survive 4-6 hook ups. After that they will die. Great…
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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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Boating, Camping, Did You Know, Education, Fishing, Float, Fly Fishing, health, Hunting, Montana GrantBIG FRY COUNTRY!!!
Montana sunbathing smells like frying bacon. Getting a sunburn is easier at higher altitudes. Big Fry Country means that being outdoors in the sun has its risks. Sunburn is a…
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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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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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CHOKE HOLD!!!
Dogs are great family pets. Owners are always looking out for their wellness. Sadly, our pets can require emergency first aid immediately. Dogs are famous for eating almost anything which…
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animal attack, Animal Laws, Bear, Bear Attacks, Black Bear, Did You Know, Education, Grizzly Bear, health, Montana GrantBEAR WITH US!!!
A lifetime ago, I lived in Maryland. Being from western Maryland, I was used to seeing bears in the Appalachian Mountains of Garrett County. The biggest black bear that I…
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Catchin the Big Ones, Cutthroat Trout, Did You Know, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fish, Fishery, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Gallatin River, health, How to, Madison River, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, Montana Fly Fishing, Montana Grant, Rainbow Trout, Trout, Yellowstone RiverCATCH LIMITS!!!
Montana fisheries are being overfished. Many anglers practice Catch and Release fishing. Trout, walleyes, or perch are hooked, landed, and released often after several minutes of selfies, flipping, flopping, and…
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animal attack, Bear, bison, buck, Bull Elk, Deer, Education, Elk, Funny Deer, Grizzly Bear, health, Horseback riding, Montana GrantWILD LIFE!!!
Wildlife means that the critters are not domesticated. These “Wild” animals or fish have not come from a preserve, hatchery, or manmade and manipulated place. The critters and fish are…
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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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accident, animal attack, Animal Laws, Bear, Bear Attacks, Bison, Black Bear, Brown Bear, Camping, Cow elk, Deer, Did You Know, Education, Elk, Grizzly Bear, health, How to, Laws, Montana Grant, Yellowstone National ParkTOUCH ME FEEL ME!!!
Humans seem to have a need to touch and feel wildlife. The problem is that inappropriate touching and feeling are harmful. Recently, there have been several human wildlife encounters in…
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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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Big Hole River, Did You Know, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fish, Fishery, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Gallatin River, health, Madison River, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, Montana Grant, Rainbow Trout, Rivers, Trout, Yellowstone RiverBIGHOLE RIVER EARNS A D!!!
The Bighole River is in trouble. It has been in trouble, and there is no plan in place to save the fishery. The same is true for the Madison, Bighorn,…
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BIG SKY BUGS!!!
Montana is home to many wonderful and wild things. Folks travel from around the world to see our unique and interesting wildlife. There are many dangerous and nasty bugs that…
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EAT IT RAW!?
Many people enjoy eating raw seafood, fish, and shellfish. There is more on the menu than you may know about. As soon as a fish dies, the clock starts running.…
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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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BOOT RIP BOOGIE!!!
Some anglers just need to wet wade since no boots are ever going to stay waterproof on their bodies. It doesn’t matter what company makes them, how thick they are,…
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CRASH TESTS!!!
The other day I was driving along the interstate and saw a dead doe deer. A short distance later were her 2 fawns. It appeared that they were hit by…
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activities, Bighorn River, Boating, Boating Safety, Fishing, Float, Fly Fishing, health, How to, Madison River, Montana Grant
RIVER LIVER!!!
As the rivers become more float friendly, floaters and boaters are drawn to the flows. Great weather means more water borne people. As Montana becomes more popular, floating becomes more…
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TICK TIME AGAIN!!!
Ticks Suck! No outdoor sportsmen enjoy ticks. They may have a role in the ecosystem but… Anyway, Ticks seem to show up in early May. Turkey hunters often end up…
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accident, activities, Boating, Boating Safety, Education, Fish, Fishing, Float, Fly Fishing, Gear, health, How to, Hunting, Madison River, Montana Fly Fishing, Montana GrantSPRING IN YOUR STEP!!!
Getting out for the first time requires some patience. Anxious anglers have been preparing all Winter for their first Spring trips onto the water. Whether you are wading or boating,…
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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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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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TAT TAILS!!!
Many friends and fishing acquaintances have Trout Tats! Arms, legs, necks, wrists, and private parts. To each their own. You really must love trout to have them tatted for life…
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GARDEN GREEN LIGHT!!!
If you enjoy Montana Gardening, it’s time to get going! We have a very short growing season which means getting a head start on your plants and garden is essential.…
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Becoming an Outdoors Woman, Best of, Education, Fish, Fishing, Funny Fishing, health, How to, Hunting, Montana GrantHOW TO CATCH A FISHING BUDDY or MORE!!!
Hate does not happen instantly. It takes time and repetition. In a relationship, it can end with divorce or perhaps even violence. I once drove by a dumpster with fishing…
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CONES OF SHAME!!!
We have recently become experts with dogs needing to wear Cones of Shame. This medical tool is needed after pet surgery occurs. Its purpose is to keep the pet from…
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THE INVADERS!!!
Back in the day there was a TV show called The Invaders! It was a Quinn Martin production that told the story of Alien invaders. Sadly, this is currently…
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BLUE BLOODS DINNER!!!
Family always needs work! Like it or not, there is always something that needs to be addressed to keep a family together and strong. Like a Marriage, constant attention and…
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FAVORITE FISH DINNER!!!
Fish is a healthy and tasty meal. There are so many ways to cook and prepare them from raw sushi, fried, baked, broiled, grilled, smoked, poached, stewed, sticked, pattied, puppied,…
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FANCY FISH!!!
Fish are wonderful to eat. They are especially good when cooked fresh. Here is a recipe that allows you to make a Fancy Fish dish, but in a foil…
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3 TIPS! Chillin N Drillin Series # 13!
13 can be an unlucky number. Friday the 13th was when King Phillip outlawed the Pope’s army known as the Templars. Friday the 13th movie series still scares many viewers.…
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FRUGAL, FAST, FULL, and FAMILIAR!!!
Camping food needs to be fast and filling. The outdoors makes folks hungry. Once we return to camp, the clock is running. Hungry hunters and campers can only wait so…
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SSSSNAKE ENCOUNTERS!!!
Snakes freak many of us out. It may be because of the snake that encouraged Adam to eat the apple in the Garden of Eden, or just because they are…
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FISH CONSUMPTION WARNINGS!!!
Be careful what you eat! Freshwater Fish have become a new high-risk food for human consumption. Liver damage, high cholesterol, cancer, and reduced immunity are common health concerns due to…
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WHAT IF?
Rural states like Montana, the Dakotas, and Wyoming have become overwhelmed with “out of staters” moving in. So, how could we sort out the good, bad and ugly in this…
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