montana trip




Montana Fly Fishing Trip on the Madison River

	Home Base for this trip was in West Yellowstone Montana. Blue Ribbon Flies was our outfitter and provided some great guides.

July 21 - 26 2008 revised photos August 10, 2008


	These photos are not in order. If you want to get past the photos from the plane window, the snow capped mountains, the flat tire we had on the way to fishing, click here. Galatin River


	When we got off the plane, I noticed the clean air. Not only that, but there was a smell of spruce, fir, and pine. Having left the 95 degree humid air of Charlotte, it was a real pleasant surprise. Below is a sunset on Tuesday on the Madison River.




			Photo taken out the plane window around Salt Lake City.



	We had a flat tire on the way to the Madison River on our first day without guides. Of course we had to unload all of our gear. This event put us behind about an hour, and we had to figure out how to get it repaired, so left earlier than we liked on our first day of fishing.


	When we were finished and driving down the road we heard a funny noise. It turned out to be this device dragging under the car. Rather than unpacking the car again, I used a little spare rope I had and tied the device up to the bumper so it would not drag on the asphalt.




		Snow covered peaks as seen out the plane window near Bozeman.


	The view close to Bozeman.


I think the airport was in Belgrade.



	A Map of the area.



		On the road from Bozeman to West Yellowstone Montana


	Galatin River


		I wanted to fish on the Galatin River, but we were running late. It also rained and there was an hours delay with some road work. Our traffic stopper was glad it rained as it was very hot the earlier part of the day. The low was 40 degrees on one morning and 95 during the day. It was a dry heat and not uncomfortable at all.

	Below is our gang. I am on the left, Dana, Lee, Zeke, our guides Scott an Brian.


		Lunch on the Madison on Tuesday.


	We are in Yellowstone Park after fishing on the Soda Butte; having a cold one at Tower Falls overlook.




				Blue Ribbon Flies



			Blue Ribbon Flies was our Outfitter. Photo below Craig Matthew and me in his shop.


	Sunset from Reynalds Bridge.


		Storm coming.



		Zeke and I are getting ready to float down the Madison River.


	Crater Lake formed when the mountain slid down.


	The Madison River


	Zeke, Lee and Dana.




		Madison River ... the best water in ten years.


	Scott Clark with Zeke and me on the Bank of the Madison. We caught about 12 trout right from this bank the first day on the river.


	Lunch on Soda Butte.




		Soda Butte River. We fished this on the second day for Cut Throat Trout


	Tower falls on the left.


	Yellowstone Fire aftemath taken out the car window as we were moving.


	On the Madison River Zeke Lee and Dana


		Bridge on the Galatin



		I believe this is the Lemar River in Yellowstone Park. Photo taken while driving.

Running Bear Pancake House was our favorite breakfast place in West Yellowstone.

Dana on the Madison on the last day.

Zeke got one.

Zeke finally got his big one. Wait what is that, the tail of a brown trout in his right hand?

Zeke and Scott Clark discussing the big fish Zeke caught.

Maybe they should call this blue sky country.

Sunset in Yellowstone Park

Soda Butte

This painting was in the Running Bear Pancake House. When one is driving in Yellowstone Park you will constantly see people parked by the side of the road either pointing, using binoulers, or aiming a camera at some form of wildlife off in the distance. I got a kick out of the painting that had a label where the momma bear is saying “Just Stare Back.” Wish I could give artist the credit, but I do not remember the name.

Dana enjoying the moment.


	This is quite a drop down to the river below. I wonder if anyone has ever fallen in? The Pinnacle.



	We didn’t want Zeke to be the first Lee and I held him back.


	Another shot of the Pinnacle.



	Not Old Faithful, but you get the idea.


	Dana


	Lee and trout



			Downtown West Yellowstone.


	We ate here the first night.



	Zeke took this great photo of the Madison River. This is a fishy looking river if there ever was one.



	Jack.



	Another of Zeke’s photo of the Madison.



	River beneath the Towers Water Fall.



	Getting ready to do a little wade fishing on the Madison on our last day.



	Lee is stalking a buffalo. Close up is below.



	The Madison River at Reynalds Bridge



	Lee and Zeke at Reynalds Bridge on the Madison River. It is spelled with an “a.”


	Lee got pretty close to this buffalo.


	Notice the precise position of the left hand. I guess that is why Dana caught the largest fish.


	Nice brown trout for Dana. Photo by Lee.



	Fishing buddies.


	I took a lot of photos. Digital cameras are great. Probably kept 10 % of them.





	I got about ten Montana White Fish out from the edge of this bridge. Scott said there were 1000 fish from here to the far shore.



	Lee got a good photo as the thunder storm was coming in.



	Jack taking a picture of the canyon.


	These pelicans are not native here and they eat a lot, a very big lot , of fish. As one can imiagine, the fishermen and the guides are not real fond of this invasive species.




	Lee got pretty close to this antelope.







	Spring was late this year and the flowers were still out.



	Big Thunderstorm just missed us.



	Lee got this photo of a female moose.



	That’s all for now. There might be some more photos are to follow, plus a little tweaking.. jmm