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GETTING SKUNKED!!!
Every fisherman has a bad day, occasionally. Getting Skunked Stinks! Not catching anything is not an intentional choice. We don’t wake up thinking, I think I will go fishing and…
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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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MEN VS. WOMEN FISHING!!!
Competition between men and women seems to be in the news a lot lately. Biological Men are seen as unfair competitors to biological women. How does Biology translate when men…
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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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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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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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activities, backcountry fishing, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Gear, Montana GrantBACKPACK FISHERMEN!!!
I have noticed that many fly guys are fully decked out when fly fishing. In some drift boats, there is only room for 2 anglers since the 3rd area is…
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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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LOOKING FOR BIG BUGS!!!
Now is the time for huge stoneflies and Salmon flies. Big Sky Country sports BIG BUGS during June-July. If you are fly fishing now, start with stonefly nymphs. Big black…
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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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HYALITE HOWDY!!!
Hyalite Lake is a favorite destination for many tourists and locals. This beautiful lake, in the mountains south of Bozeman, is used for the town’s water supply. The water level…
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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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Did You Know, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fish, Fishery, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Madison River, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, Montana Fishing, Montana Fly Fishing, Montana Grant, TroutALL THE MARBLES!!!
Trout fishing is at risk in Montana and many other traditionally favorable trout waters. Generally, trout prefer cool, clean, clear water that is below 65 degrees. Montana is home to…
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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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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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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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BUFFALOED!!!
Personal safety comes with personal responsibility. During a time with reduced police, more people, less enforcement, less security, and greater risks, we are now required to become smarter and more…
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activities, Bighorn River, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, Fly Fishing, How to, Montana Grant, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone RiverLAST TIME TO TIE!!!
It’s time to double check your fly boxes. Complete an inventory and see what you need. The extra rain and high, off-color water won’t be around for more than a…
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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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Boating, Boating Safety, Dry Fly Fishing, Education, Fishing, Float, Fly Fishing, How to, Montana GrantBOAT READY!!!
Well, the waters will soon become navigable again in Montana. This means that the fleet of drift boats will be launched. For many fly guys, the drift boats are…
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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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CORNER CROSSING!!!
A recent Corner Crossing case has been resolved in Wyoming. For those that don’t know, “Corner Crossing” means that you can travel from one access to another at a corner.…
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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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WINGING IT!!!
Lately I have been finding pictures of sportsmen with wings. Airplanes do help outdoorsmen find remote and unique places to hunt and fish. As our open places become more…
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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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activities, Boating, Boating Safety, Education, How to, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, Montana GrantRAMP TRAMPS!!!
Boat Ramp Tramps take up too much space and take too long to launch or retrieve their boats. Others will only be patient for so long. It is at this…
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WHAT FLOATS YOUR BOAT!!!
Boating safety is important when on Montana’s rivers, lakes, and waters. Any activity done near or on the water makes safety more of a concern. Drowning, hypothermia, and injury can…
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LEADER LOVE!!!
Fly Fishing is the opposite of spin fishing. Spinning rods require that the weight of the bait or heavy lure pull line off the reel. In Fly Casting, the heavy…
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THE TWIST!!!
C’mon Baby, Let’s Do the TWIST! This may be the perfect song for some dancing, but not what a fisherman wants to hear or see. Twisted fishing lines means a…
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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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BURNT DOGS and BRATS!!!
Grilling dogs and brats are a learned skill. Most rookie grillers throw a dozen or so tube steaks onto the grill and cook them on a high heat. Usually, they…
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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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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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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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BROWNS DOWN!!!
Brown trout populations in Montana are on the decline. The Bighole, Bighorn, and now the upper Clarks Fork are all showing dramatic changes in Brown trout. There seem to be…
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X MARKS THE SPOT!!!
Finding that specific fishing hot spot is just half of the battle. Remembering where it is another problem. Oh sure, modern technology can get you close but sometime the structure…
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