High Water on the Big Hole

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

           Our son Tyson attends school at the University of Montana Western in Dillon.  He has a scholarship to play football there. His coach wanted them down for a summer training camp, a two day ordeal from 8 am till 11 pm.  I think the coach has figured it out that the kids can’t party much if he has them on this type of schedule. This is Tyson’s second year and of course he has to live off campus. I thought apartment hunting was a perfect reason to get down into southwest Montana and try some trout fishing, or at the very least a laid back weekend of camping.

        I set my sights on the Big Hole River.  We left Ronan about 4 pm. It’s about a three and a half hour journey to my destination, a beautiful fishing access site right on the rivers bank. As we pulled off I-15, I could see the river was a bit swollen, well maybe uh higher than I’ve ever seen it! Must have been the record rains we’ve had the last coulple weeks. As we pulled into the access I could see a damp spot on the gravel road where water had run across earlier. This was a good sign. The water is residing right? We backed into a site. I took my time setting up the camper, a 2 beer setup. We were all set up about an hour later. I had been watching the water level the entire time. It had dropped six to eight inches already. It was residing. Knew it all along.

        The water level did continue drop the rest of the weekend. The sun was shining most of the time with a couple of scattered thunder showers, but it was a great time on the Big Hole. Fishing wasn’t that good, the high water must of drowned them. All kidding aside, this little river will turn into a blue ribbon trout stream in the next couple weeks. There’s a plenty of them here and you need to be with us next time. Come join us at the Montana Outfitters Hub, we can point you in the right direction.

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Canyon Ferry Memorial Day Weekend

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

      It started off like a lot of Memorial Day Weekends, rainy. It’s about a four hour drive from Ronan to the campground on Canyon Ferry Lake. It rained the entire way. The gravel road that lead from the highway down into the campground was muddy and greasy, but we were on a mission. We had planned the trip for months and had packed everything in the camper the last couple days. We would not be denied. The friends we had planned the weekend with would be there. We’re in Montana, where true Montanans live by the saying, ” if you don’t like the weather in Montana, stick around for an hour, it will change.”

         We’ve had a lot of rain in April and May, the best thing that could have happened, since our snowfall last winter was below average. Just like I said, the rain stopped as we pulled into our campsite. We set up the camper and relaxed with a couple of cool beverages. The friends we had caravaned from Ronan with had arrived and were setting up their camp as the rain started again. We decided to retire to the camper to watch the “Blind side” and let the storm blow over. There’s something relaxing about rain pattering off the roof. It rained the rest of the night.

      We were wakened the next morning to the singing of robins and red winged blackbirds and the honking of  Canadian geese on the lake. The sun was shining  the sky was blue and I remembered again why we don’t worry about the weather in Montana. The rest of the weekend was nice. We had some scattered showers but it was mostly sunny. Fishing was a little slow, probably the rain had washed enough natural feed into the lake.  We sat around the campfire, enjoyed the beauty of Canyon Ferry, did a little hiking, but mostly we relaxed with friends. Whether you enjoy RV camping or need to camp on a budget, it’s all here. If you need destinations or gear for your adventure see us at Montana Outfitters Hub. You’ll be glad you did.

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Montana Outfitters Hub Blog

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Montana Outfitters Hub
    If you like hunting and fishing, camping and hiking, rafting and boating, backpacking and rock climbing, or any other outdoor sports of Montana, then Montana Outfitters Hub is a good place for you. We are like the hub of a wheel. If it’s hunting or fishing you’re interested in, then we might send you down the Outfitters and Guides spoke of the wheel. Here the professionals will show you what’s available for guided hunts or fishing trips. You may be on a budget and just looking for a public or private hunting or fishing place. We might suggest the National Forest and BLM, or Block Management and other Private Access spoke.
    Camping and hiking is often a big part of hunting and fishing. You’ll need a place to stay while you’re here. If you’re RV Camping, tent camping, or maybe looking for a cabin or even a tepee, we have a spoke of the wheel for that too. We also have winter camping, hiking, skiing and whatever else you like to do in the snow. 

    Backpacking is a favorite of mine. There’s something about putting on a backpack, loading it with everything you’ll need for whatever time you’ll be gone, and hiking into the back country. I often combine hunting and fishing and camping with my trips. Make sure you take your camera. You’ll be in some of the most beautiful scenery available. We have a spoke for that also.
    For those of you with more intestinal fortitude, the whitewater rafting anRV Camping Sited rock climbing spoke might interest you. Again, I recommend the professionals to guide you through the ups and downs and pit falls you might encounter.
     Whatever your favorite outdoor sport, we probably have a spoke of the wheel to cover it. The most important part of any wheel is the hub. Remember everything starts here, the Montana Outfitters Hub.

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