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| My favorite pumpkins from when my pup was alive |
Have a safe and happy Haloween.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Hank Patterson's Reel Montana Adventure
Hank Patterson's Reel Montana Adventure debuts in Missoula on November, 7th at the Wilma and is presented by Trout Unlimited and Trout Jousters.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Monday, October 27, 2014
A cool place to stay in Butte
The next time you find yourself in Butte, America after a long day of chasing the area's huge trout, do yourself a favor and stay at the historic Finlen Hotel.
I had some family in town and we went to Butte. We stayed at the Finlen and it was pretty freaking awesome. For the same room price as the chain motels in the area, you can stay in this really cool, super kept-up, beautiful old hotel on the hill in uptown butte.
I should have took this picture at night when the lobby was all lit up by those chandeliers.
The rooms were clean and pretty fancy. When you get 2 beds, you get two rooms, each with there own desk and TV.
The Butte area has great fly fishing.
Blacktail Creek:
You may not guess by looking at it but Blacktail Creek, which runs out of the Highlands and right through town, is full of nice brook trout. There is a trail along most of the urban stretches with all the access you could want. I've walked the length of that stream from the mouth all the way up to the top in the Highlands, and I can tell you that there is 5-12" brook trout with the occasional cutthroat in every hole, even under Harrison Ave.
Figure It Out Yourself Creek:
You wouldn't believe me if I told you anyway and I'm not going to be responsible for letting the word out. Spend some time talking to locals or ask around at the local fly shop. There is a very unassuming creek right under your nose with some unbelievable fishing. Literally, sniff out the smell of urinal. That's all the clues I'm giving.
Warm Springs Creek:
This small stream, like the rest, has gone through hell and somehow is still an amazing fishery. This stream is hard to get on but a day spent exploring this creek can be fun.
Warm Springs Settling Ponds:
These large man made ponds were built to allow metals from Silver Bow Creek to settle out before it is released from the outlet as the Clark Fork. The ponds grow gigantic freaking fish in this nutrient rich environment. The fishing here can be epic at times.
The Upper Clark Fork:
This is one of my favorite places to fish. From the outlet of the settling ponds all the way down to Jens will keep you busy for years. There is so much to explore. Brown trout rule supreme in the upper Clark Fork and there are miles and miles of undercut banks and deep holes to mine for copper and gold (all puns intended). There are also some great tributaries to the Clark Fork up here which can make for good day trips. Racetrack Cr. and the Little Blackfoot are great options.
The Big Hole:
The Big Hole River is amazing. From the brook trout and grayling in headwaters in the Big Hole Valley all the way down to the hallowed brown trout water of the lower river, the Big Hole is a must for anyone who's ever dreamed of the Montana experience.
The Beaverhead:
This is a bit down the road, but in Montana, it's not really that far. The Beav is a small, high elevation tailwater stream. It is another one of my favorite places to fish. It's very similar to fishing the upper Clark Fork but with more trout per mile. There's also more people per trout per mile. That's a ratio which should always be considered.
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| Finlen Hotel Ballroom |
I had some family in town and we went to Butte. We stayed at the Finlen and it was pretty freaking awesome. For the same room price as the chain motels in the area, you can stay in this really cool, super kept-up, beautiful old hotel on the hill in uptown butte.
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| Hotel Finlen Lobby |
I should have took this picture at night when the lobby was all lit up by those chandeliers.
 |
| 1/2 of the two room "double bed" |
The rooms were clean and pretty fancy. When you get 2 beds, you get two rooms, each with there own desk and TV.
The Butte area has great fly fishing.
Blacktail Creek:
You may not guess by looking at it but Blacktail Creek, which runs out of the Highlands and right through town, is full of nice brook trout. There is a trail along most of the urban stretches with all the access you could want. I've walked the length of that stream from the mouth all the way up to the top in the Highlands, and I can tell you that there is 5-12" brook trout with the occasional cutthroat in every hole, even under Harrison Ave.
Figure It Out Yourself Creek:
You wouldn't believe me if I told you anyway and I'm not going to be responsible for letting the word out. Spend some time talking to locals or ask around at the local fly shop. There is a very unassuming creek right under your nose with some unbelievable fishing. Literally, sniff out the smell of urinal. That's all the clues I'm giving.
Warm Springs Creek:
This small stream, like the rest, has gone through hell and somehow is still an amazing fishery. This stream is hard to get on but a day spent exploring this creek can be fun.
Warm Springs Settling Ponds:
These large man made ponds were built to allow metals from Silver Bow Creek to settle out before it is released from the outlet as the Clark Fork. The ponds grow gigantic freaking fish in this nutrient rich environment. The fishing here can be epic at times.
The Upper Clark Fork:
This is one of my favorite places to fish. From the outlet of the settling ponds all the way down to Jens will keep you busy for years. There is so much to explore. Brown trout rule supreme in the upper Clark Fork and there are miles and miles of undercut banks and deep holes to mine for copper and gold (all puns intended). There are also some great tributaries to the Clark Fork up here which can make for good day trips. Racetrack Cr. and the Little Blackfoot are great options.
The Big Hole:
The Big Hole River is amazing. From the brook trout and grayling in headwaters in the Big Hole Valley all the way down to the hallowed brown trout water of the lower river, the Big Hole is a must for anyone who's ever dreamed of the Montana experience.
The Beaverhead:
This is a bit down the road, but in Montana, it's not really that far. The Beav is a small, high elevation tailwater stream. It is another one of my favorite places to fish. It's very similar to fishing the upper Clark Fork but with more trout per mile. There's also more people per trout per mile. That's a ratio which should always be considered.
Friday, October 24, 2014
Fall on the Missouri River
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| Christine on the MO |
I spent the last couple of days battling the wind over on the MO. The fall colors over there are outstanding. The fishing could be better.
Although the wind gave us some extra work during the day, the last hour before dark made up for it big-time because every fish in the river became pissed off and wanted to take it out on my streamer.
Headed up to the mine waste this weekend. Stay tuned...
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| Eagle in yellow tree |
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Saw-whet owl migration
This is a really fun event. I went last night and they will be back on Sunday night to capture and tag more saw-whets. Bring your kids and see the cutest owls EVER!
Join the Owl Research Institute Society for an onsite lecture and discussion on migrating Northern Saw-whet Owls at the Maclay Flats parking lot located on Blue Mountain Road west of Missoula . On Friday October 17th and Sunday October 19th from dark (7:30 until Midnight Denver Holt will talk about Northern Saw-whet Owls in the parking lot while owls are being banded, measured, weighed and released*. The Owl Research Institute located in the Mission Valley is currently trapping and banding migrating Northern Saw-whet Owls during the night at Maclay Flats as part of a long term study. The event is free and open to the public.
Bring warm clothing, flashlights and lawn chairs. Please remain in the parking lot so the trapping operation is not disturbed. For further information call Jessica Larson at 531-1957 after 900AM or email owlresearchinstitute@gmail.com.
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| Young saw-whet owl getting measured for study |
Join the Owl Research Institute Society for an onsite lecture and discussion on migrating Northern Saw-whet Owls at the Maclay Flats parking lot located on Blue Mountain Road west of Missoula . On Friday October 17th and Sunday October 19th from dark (7:30 until Midnight Denver Holt will talk about Northern Saw-whet Owls in the parking lot while owls are being banded, measured, weighed and released*. The Owl Research Institute located in the Mission Valley is currently trapping and banding migrating Northern Saw-whet Owls during the night at Maclay Flats as part of a long term study. The event is free and open to the public.
Bring warm clothing, flashlights and lawn chairs. Please remain in the parking lot so the trapping operation is not disturbed. For further information call Jessica Larson at 531-1957 after 900AM or email owlresearchinstitute@gmail.com.
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