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Here is a press release that shows off some of the work of our Great Falls and Montana conservation groups.  A lot of the fund raising money is behind the scenes and often seems untangible but here is a great example of what they get done for all of us.

Last year, at the 09 Simms Fishbowl Big R sweeped Montana fly shops accross the state with their bowling skills, and ability to dress ridiculously in public.  Wigs, jorts, bowling shoes, and fancy Pandhandle Slim Big R Fly Shop stamped shirts brought the judges to their knees.  All of that is a recent memory, our trophy hangeth proudly in the shop next to tippets, thingamabobbers, and forceps waiting for a mate...the 2010 Fishbowl Trophy.  This may all sound ridiculous to you but it's not ridiculous.  We want this.  We have decided to forego the dressing up this year, and concentrate solely on our skills with a bowling ball; three holes, eyes on the pins, strike or be striked.  Erik has still not returned from Belize, so we are man down, in his place we have Savannah, Brian, Cody, and John to lead the team.  Can they bowl?  We are going to find out this Friday night.  Simms Fishbowl in Bozeman this Saturday night.

Here's a short film from RA Beattie.  Who's ready for summer?

Off the Grid from RA Beattie on Vimeo.

Sign of the times?  Maybe... BNSF will be using the railcars being stored on the Mo due to demand...
"In the coming weeks, BNSF Railway Co. is putting some 1,100 railcars that were parked idle between Helena and Great Falls back to work.
Some of the cars have been sitting on the rail line for as long as three years because of the global economic downturn.The company has seen increased demand for moving freight and is now planning to move 11 or 12 miles of the idle cars starting in the next two or three weeks, spokesman Gus Melonas said. About 100 railcars can be stored on a mile of track, though Melonas said the size depends on the type of car.There are about 32 miles of railcars being stored on track between Helena and Great Falls, including cars used to haul shipping containers and those used to transport timber. One-third of the cars are stored north of Cascade and the remaining cars are in Wolf Creek Canyon.The cars in the canyon drew particular ire as many tourist-related businesses said the empty flatbeds detracted from the area's natural beauty. The stretch of river draws anglers from across the country.Melonas said that in the next two to three weeks, half of the cars parked in Wolf Creek Canyon will be removed and put to use.  Texas-based BNSF, a division of BNSF Railway Co., is storing about 10 percent of its idle cars in Montana. At the peak in April, some 87 miles of Montana track were covered in railcars.As recently as January, BNSF was storing 28,247 of its North American fleet of about 100,000 cars in Montana. (Great Falls Tribune, March 30, 2010)"

The Bitterroot River which flows right next to Missoula Montana is one of the most talked about rivers in the state these days.  Topic of discussions about this river start in March when it receives one of the largest and most predictable hatches of Skwala stoneflies in the state.  It has easy access and it's an enjoyable river to float.  Last year, Chris Orwig, Cornfed, and I spent quite a bit of time fishing blue wing hatches and throwing streamers on the river...and yes there are pike... I landed about a 6 pound pike there last year and saw a number of pike larger than that in the slack water.  This week the Missoulian Newspaper wrote a store about Pike fishing the Bitterroot, and during their exploration even managed to land a 3lb Largemouth Bass.  So what does this mean for the trout?  I don't have an answer, Pike are fun to catch but they eat trout.

"Are you a trout fisherman? If so, I hope you savor every cast, every strike, every last fish you bring to the net between now and the day you lay down your rod for good. Enjoy these sleek, spirited gamefish that help make Montana one of the finest fishing destinations in the world. Because your children will be pike fishermen.

Thursday’s Missoulian featured an entertaining story by Joe Nickell, chronicling his guided float down the Bitterroot River to fish for pike. From the perspective of a fly fisherman attempting to hook one of these “freshwater barracudas” (as Joe aptly put it), it was well done. To this third generation Montana trout fisherman who is teaching the sport to his own son, the story pissed me off to no end. (Bob Wire; newwest.net)"

I just spent the last 3 days on the Smith River at the Heaven on Earth Ranch and thought they deserved some props. First of all if you haven't got a chance to fish the Smith then you need to. It is one of the most scenic trout streams we have here in Montana. Although access is limited, you can either float it or access it through private property such as...Anderson's (operated by Gary and Vic). These guys run a top notch operation, great accomodations, excellent food (Heather is a great cook), and an unbelievable view of the Smith canyon. There is hot water, rising trout, an old time western saloon that overlooks the river, wildlife, small streams, and even a 9 hole par 3 golf course. Although the last three days we fished were pretty muddy water we still got fish and July and August are very consistent for great water, and some of the best fly fishing in Montana all year long... stonefly hatches, Caddis, Mayflies, etc. If you are fly fisherman looking for a place to take the family, have business meetings (which we often host there), or just want to fly fish on a working Montana ranch...this is a great place and truly lives up to it's name as "Heaven on Earth". http://www.deepcreekoutfitters.com/

yeah...there's not one. Bring your Huffy ...thanks for operating the NCM Shuttle Service for us this weekend KK