Western Showy Aster | Aster conspicuus | Aster Family

I must be well rounded and in touch, because this is my favorite wildflower. It’s one of the reasons girls flock to me at the boat ramp…

If you believe that, I have some cheap Missouri riverfront property for sale.

Second cutting on the Oxbow a few weeks ago. A third cutting is growing as we speak. This rain will help things. Not at all hot this summer, not one day @ or over 100F. Nice.

The next big insect, or small, on our incredible resource. When will it happen? Well, I’ll tell ya. Not until October. We, meaning me, always believes that by some sort of autumn miracle the bugs will come early. Never, another pipe dream. Yet, another.

Yet another fire on the Missouri. We seem to have our fair share. Will it affect the fish, no. The fish are in the water…and so are we.

Broke out about 6pm today, and the helicopters were on it within the hour. Scumliner and Squeeky live across the river from said fire…must be living right.

Montana and Wildfires go hand in hand and consequently we get good at dousing them rapidly. We’ll see dip buckets hanging from more helicopters tomorrow.

Good luck and God speed fella’s. We have a case of Budweiser on ice for you when you win the battle!

Thanks to all Dad's

Thanks to my Father and the Father’s of the world. Most of us experienced the outdoors initially with our Father’s, Uncle’s, and even neighbors.

Bottom line: Dad’s facilitate fishing addictive behaviors. They are enablers. Thanks to them for creating an environment for soulful nature release.

If is weren’t for Fathers, how would we have our first beer, first cigar, increased our vocabulary with words we still cannot use in front of Mom…You know, all the cool shit.

Father and Son fishing with Peter Howell on the Missouri

Not all Dad’s encourage this type of growth, but your Uncle may have been the impetus. I say this with the highest respect for our first role model. Our first mentor.

All I know is hold your beer high and toast Father’s across the nation!

They taught us how to interact with the outdoors. How to respect those around us, the animals, the plants and trees, the fresh air…and that it is OK to sit around the fire and not speak. Just to enjoy the entirety of it all.

Spending time with Dad fishing shaped my life. Of course had no idea that hanging with Dad would lead me down this road…or river. It did, and I am thankful.

If your Father did not introduce you to this way of life, your fishing passion, or your endless pursuit of less work and more fishing…I’m sure he encouraged it.

Many of my clients strongest memories include their Dad and fishing. They all start the same way…”I remember Dad loading up the back of the station wagon…the maroon steel Coleman ice box…him untangling my 13th rats nest of the morning…eating beef jerky til my mouth puckered up from the salt…” We all cling to those warm and fabulous memories.

Just chatting is enough with Dad

The time spent with Father’s is worth its weight in gold, or dry flies for that matter. Drifting down the river and not fishing. Good enough. Try it…

Praise Father’s and what they have done for us. Praise Father’s for smiling and not saying a word while we as kids would scream and behave irrationally upon losing a fish. Praise Father’s for going above and beyond when all they wanted to do was sleep in, not get up at 2am, drive an hour in the rain, set up decoys…just to have you miss every shot all day. Praise Father’s for encouraging outdoor respect and appreciation for Mother Nature. Praise Father’s for allowing growth and maturation through outdoor and fishing activities. Praise Father’s for providing opportunities for guided discovery.  Praise Father’s for the introduction of life, and all that is important in it…meaning fishing.

MMMmmm, good

Fly of the Day: Morrish’s Anato-May gold sz 16

SOL’s lunch today: Mini Tuna sandwiches, lots of mayo. Yesterday, Deviled Ham, yum.

Scumliners breakfast today: The perfect omelet. He is the master.

Sprig, the shop dog: Dog food, again.

Matson Rogers: Kicking ass at Angler’s West in Emigrant. Visiting the Mo for a short stretch.

…Learn a new skill. Check this out. Only in the middle of nowhere, or Montana, can this be offered. Makes fishing seem kind of silly.

Youth Trapper Camp Offered In June

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The 2010 Youth Trapper Camp is accepting applications.

The three-day camp, established 11 years ago, by Montana Trappers Association, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and Montana 4-H, offers youth the opportunity to learn all aspects of trapping from qualified instructors.

Held in the Bears Paw Mountains, south of Havre at Beaver Creek Park, the camp is set for June 11-13. Fees are $40 per camper, with a $20 scholarship provided by FWP to the first 60 applicants. All meals, snacks, drinks and educational materials are included. Adults are encouraged to attend with their children. The camp is handicap accessible.

Applications are available online at MTA Web site at www.montanatrappers.org

For more information, contact Jim or Fran Buell via email at 7mbuell@itstriangle.com, or call 406-376-3178.

Even the town dogs love Izaak's cuisine.

Some shots from last night at the greatest restaurant in downtown Craig Montana. The reviews are in and it is a success. The new menu will be loved by many anglers this season.

Len Gross party with a glass in hand.

Izaak’s has added more seating looking towards the river. Why not enjoy the food and the view? A few Montana beers on tap help those aching muscles after a great day on the river. Have Chris pour you a tasty cocktail if you do not like the hops.

Full Bar enjoying apres fish beverages

All happy faces here. A terrific gathering place in Craig Montana. We are really lucky to have Izaak’s here in town. Beats the hell out of O’Connell’s dogs on the roller.

Capt. Carp and Leonard discussing fly design...

A touch windy today, not too bad though. Still very fishable. We are here doing shuttles, drinking coffee, and enjoying the Headhunters Life. Come join us, we love all comers.

Can you smell the goodness...have a taste.

Just a tease until you get here. We will save you a seat.