Uncategorized
Eddy Line: Giving thanks
Published
9 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersAnglers have it pretty darn good in southwest Montana
By Patrick Straub Explore Big Sky Fishing Columnist
I had just returned from sledding with my daughter during the mid-November cold snap when I received a frantic voicemail from a friend and fishing client.
“Yo Pat,” the frazzled message began, “It’s Bill D. here. I’m stranded up here on the Missouri River in this cold and wind.” Bill continued, “I added a few extra days of pleasure on my business trip and decided to have a little do-it-yourself fishing. Where should I go fish … because the ‘Mo’ ain’t happening in this weather?”
I placed my daughter’s and my wet gloves and socks by the fireplace, and began rehearsing my call to Bill.
“With the wind and cold you’ll want to be on smaller waters and either spring creeks, tailwaters, or waters with an abundance of springs,” my prepared response began. “But wherever you go it will be darn cold until this cold snap breaks.”
Then I would list a few options, including the Gallatin River near Big Sky, and a few sections of the East Gallatin River in the valley. For some bigger waters, I’d suggest the Upper Madison between Hebgen and Quake Lakes and the walk-wade section below Quake Lake down to Lyons Bridge. If I wanted to expand the list even more I could mention the Clark Fork River near Warm Springs, and the Beaverhead and Bighorn rivers.
This list of fishing options got me thinking: We’ve got it pretty good here in southwest Montana. Here’s a list of a few more things to appreciate this Thanksgiving season:
Access to world-class fishing with Montana’s stream-access law. It’s a simple truth: We could not live the fishing-centric lifestyle without our stream access law. Created so the public could enjoy our rivers and streams, it’s a law every angler and river user must be thankful for. We must also understand that with it comes the responsibility to protect and care for the resources we use, and respect private property by not trespassing.
In Montana, both federal and state public lands allow us to partake in the things we love: fishing, skiing, hiking, biking, hunting, and more. Our good fortune doesn’t stop there. Residents and visitors to Big Sky have access to a great park with ball fields, a playground, our arts programs, the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center, and many more community-centric events. Generous and forward-thinking people have played vital roles in making these things a reality.
Winter and its snowpack. It’s hard to believe we’re already thinking about next summer’s fly fishing, but for those of us who depend on good fishing, the snow that’s falling now is a good thing. Our 2014 summer angling season was one for the record books. Above average snowpack and a gradual runoff meant our rivers and streams had fish-friendly flows all summer. And for that, we should be thankful. Start praying to the snow gods for another snowy winter.
Technology. Each year I’m impressed with how fly-fishing gear improves. From waders with less bulk and more durability, to fly rods becoming lighter yet, it’s clear that technology is an angler’s friend. If you haven’t tested the latest waders and rods, find some time this winter to take a few test drives.
Southwest Montana has some of the best fly shops in the world. No other region on earth has as many fly-fishing shops as our corner of Montana, giving you access to a wide array of brands and prices. These shops are run by passionate anglers who are happy to help you get more enjoyment out of fishing. Whether you’re looking to find the nearest rising trout or chase giant trevally off the coast of Christmas Island, you won’t need to venture far for some gear and great advice.
Protecting the places we love. We can be thankful for the many groups and organizations dedicated to protecting what we love and enjoy daily. Groups like the Blue Water Task Force, Trout Unlimited, Gallatin Valley Land Trust, and many more ensure we have plenty of places to wet a line, take a hike, and leave things better than we found them.
After this Thanksgiving feast, work off those extra helpings and hit the water, trails, or slopes. After your first catch, first few switchbacks, or first turns, take a moment to be thankful for our good fortune.
Pat Straub is the author of six books, including The Frugal Fly Fisher, Montana On The Fly, and Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Fly Fishing. He and his wife own Gallatin River Guides in Big Sky and with a partner operates Montana Fishing Outfitters.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
april, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
more
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Everyone is invited to join us in celebrating 2 years of arts education in the BASE Art Studio with us! Take a tour
Event Details
Everyone is invited to join us in celebrating 2 years of arts education in the BASE Art Studio with us! Take a tour of the studio, meet our instructors, and meet other artists of all levels in our community. We’ll be getting creative and you’ll have the chance to make your very own artful button pin.
Stick around for our Volunteer Appreciation and Social beginning at 6:30 p.m.!
Time
(Thursday) 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Location
BASE
285 Simkins Dr