Sunday, July 26, 2020

Touring,Flying and Trout fishing in a Pandemic

This could be It , The last great trip , Who knows anymore! I was scheduled for my Montana tour and I was praying I would make this trip. A lot of West Coast and Canadian trips had been cancelled.I actually couldn't believe it when I arrived at O'hare in Chicago. The flight was on time and the line at TSA was non existent.I was on a direct flight to Bozeman and I was lucky to be all alone in Economy Plus.Arriving in Montana the National Guard greeted me with a temperature check and a smile. I picked my car up and was on the way to get my guitar rental and license.Withing an hour I was at my first gig location in Livingston meeting my friend Josh for an evening on the Yellowstone. Then it was west to Ennis and a couple of great days fishing with my friend Jim Walker , a Neuroscience professor from Purdue University.Talk about an inferiority complex!! Before heading to  the world famous Trout Hunter lodge on the Henry's Fork and my friends Jonathon Stiehl , Griz,Joe, Darby,TJ and everyone else I stopped and met my girl fishing friend Tamela for a hike down to a new stretch on the Madison.It was then down 287 to Island Park. This time instead of killing myself trying to get a perfect drift I read a book in the beautiful lodge. It was then on to the beautiful Philip
sburg area and some great nighttime stimulator action.I landed 2 beautiful Brook Trout and 2 beautiful Rainbows.The next day the brewery was fantastic and I spent time with my friend Josh McGowan.Then It was on to Yellowstone Park to Meet my friend Griz and Josh for some cutthroat fishing. After a very beary hike down a canyon I found them.We worked hard and finally a massive Cutthroat took my dropper on 4.5 x and I was fast to the fish of a lifetime.Josh put it in the net and it was a done deal at 22 inches!This turned out to be a fantastic day. I left my friends and headed to the other side of the park. I was on the famous Soda Butte and took 6 cutthroat in 10 casts.Afterwards I spotted a real Grizzly and a Black Bear to wrap up the day. The next day was Red Lodge and a lost rainbow and more great music. After dropping my gear off in Bozeman I headed back to Ennis to meet my friend Jim but the fishing was slow and we settled for a grea

t dinner.The highlight on the way to the Airport was a stop at Schnee's sporting goods for a new pair of Merril's. Tight Lines and Stay safe!!, Keith