Somewhere in Montana

[john michael white]

My wife and I are trying to make vacation plans for this summer, and one key area of interest is Montana.  I have been to Yellowstone area, but never made it to Montana so far.  My question is the same old scenario:  I would be happy fly fishing and shooting photography all week….and my wife doesn’t exactly want to spend her vacation doing that all day, every day.  So, where is a good town or place to go in Montana that has great fishing and amazing scenery with public access(preferably no bears), and yet still has a town that would have plenty to do that my wife would enjoy?  We have thought about Glacier NP, but my wife is not exactly thrilled about the Grizzly population there.  And what all is there to do that is unique.  She likes touring old historic homes, I like history, we both love art and galleries, but what else is there?  Maybe horseback riding, river rafting (think scenic float…not perilous whitewater), good resteraunts…

Is there a particular area, town, or resort we should concentrate on?  I’m thinking this will probably be a do it yourself trip, but if a resort wasn’t too expensive for us, it would be worth a look maybe.

Thanks for your help and reccomendations guys.

[Zach Matthews]

John Michael –

Lauren and I have spent a substantial amount of time in SW Montana, which is close to Yellowstone and to many of the most famous trout rivers in the state.

[Tim Angeli]

John,

Zach hit the nail on the head about Yellowstone.

[john michael white]

Thanks Zach and Tim.  I had been thinking about the Twin Bridges area, Bozeman, and Missoula…..just don’t know much about them and what all is avaiable.

Thanks for the tips to point us in the right direction in researching.  We went to Yellowstone  two years ago, and I have been many times before, although never made it to the Norhteast area of the park since I have always been doing a day trip up from Jackson (usualy do the loop from south entrance).  I would really enjoy seeing this area of the park, and from pictures I have seen it looks to be possibly the most beautiful part of the park.  Have been to Mammoth once, briefly, but sounds like there is much more there now with the wolves and all.

Personaly, I could always go to Yellowstone, and I have yet to fly fish there, but the Bozeman/Twin Bridges and/or Missoula area sounds fun and relaxing.  

I am thinking we will be out there for around 9 – 11 days and may do some driving, but don’t want to spend the whole vacation road tripping in the car.  I like to kind of settle in someplace and get to know it and relax.

How far apart driving wise are Bozeman, Twin bridges, and Missoula?

[Jay Hake]

Bozeman.

[Joel Thompson]

John,

Though I think Yellowstone is a very cool place I don’t quite share the same love for it the rest of the gang does for one simple reason…too many people. Missoula is a great area that is WAY cheaper than Bozeman and has tons of fun stuff to keep both you and your wife busy with plenty to do. Missoula has great farmers markets on the weekends and outside events weekly at Caras Park down town. You can check out the Missoula Chamber of Commerce website to see all of the stuff that will be going on over the summer. Here is that link. http://www.missoulachamber.com/

Now for fishing….you are literally MINUTES away from the Clark Fork, Blackfoot, and Bitterroot Rivers. You are just around an hours drive from the North Fork of the Blackfoot, West Fork of the Bitterroot, and the East Fork of the Bitterroot. AND if you like lake fishing there are a ton of them! Some you can drive to other you would have a nice hike to.

Missoula is also only a 2.5 hour drive to Glacier National Park which in my opinion is far superior. As a photographer you would lose yourself there in a heart beat and though it does have bears the Human conflicts with humans are much less frequent than in Yellowstone.

John if you need more details feel free to email me with anything you would like to know and I will be happy to help any way I can.

Joel

[Mike Cline]

Missoula is a great area that is WAY cheaper than Bozeman and has tons of fun stuff to keep both you and your wife busy with plenty to do.
Joel

Isn’t Missoula on the wrong side of the mountains. Go Cats

John,

Everyone’s got great ideas.  Montana is an awesome place that simply cannot be covered in a single trip–especially if you include the Park.  If you are coming in July-August, the Bozeman-Gardiner-Mammoth approach is a good one because the west side park streams are too hot.  If you are coming in Sept-Oct, Bozeman-West Yellowstone-Twin Bridges provide the better fishing and scenery.  Be aware as I mentioned in a previous post that East-West travel in the Park is going to be severely disrupted this summer because the Norris to Madison Junction Road will be closed and undergoing major construction. http://parksflyshop.com/roadwork.htm  Factor that into your plans.

[lee church]

My vote is for GNP its unreal.

[john switow]

What about Livingston?

[Corey Kruitbosch]

I always have a hard time getting PAST south west MT. Hopefully, I can change that this year and broaden my horizons.

I really like the area around Twin Bridges and Dillon. LOTS of water to fish and float. Four Rivers has rooms in town (Twin Bridges) and Cabins on the Jefferson that they rent out. I think you’d be able to find plenty of family oriented activities in the area. I’ll second Virginia City as a cool place for your family to explore and I think there is a cave system near Ennis (its on my list of family adventures to do this year).

If you decide to stay in that area .. Give me a shout and I’ll you some directions, spots, etc

[john michael white]

Thanks everyone.

[Author]

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