Subscribe
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events
Menu
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events

Local nonprofit celebrates fly fishing on Gallatin

in News
Megan Paulsonby Megan Paulson
August 13, 2013

Weekend festival raises river awareness, money for Blue Water Task Force

By Joseph T. O’Connor Explore Big Sky Senior Editor

BIG SKY – Under sunny skies and warm temps, fly fishing fans big and small gathered at Big Sky Town Center Park on Aug. 4 for an afternoon of angling-centric activities and to pay homage to the Gallatin River.

Article Inline Ad Article Inline Ad Article Inline Ad
ADVERTISEMENT

It was part of Blue Water Task Force’s Big Sky Fly Fishing Festival, which returned after a year hiatus with a full weekend of events, including the 2013 FT3 Fly Fishing Film Tour Saturday night, Aug. 3, and events and vendors on Aug. 4.

Along the festival perimeter BWTF, along with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, American Rivers, Yellowstone Park Foundation and the Big Sky Noxious Weeds Committee, had educational booths set up to inform people about trout and river conservation.

Following Sunday’s festivities, Buck’s T-4 Lodge hosted a fundraising dinner and live and silent auctions, as well as guest speaker Bruce Farling, executive director of Montana Trout Unlimited.

“We just wanted to get involved with users on the river,” said Kristin Gardner, BWTF’s executive director. “But I can’t take all the credit.”

A festival committee helped plan this year’s event, she said, and included representatives from BWTF, Gallatin River Guides, East Slope Outfitters, Grizzly Outfitters and Lone Mountain Ranch.

BWTF raised $10,000 in all, according to Gardner, through film and dinner ticket sales, and through the auctions.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We were really pleased with the turnout at all of the events and we met the goals, which were to develop more awareness of BWTF and what we do. We’re already scheming lots of ways to improve upon this year’s event,” Gardner said in a later email.

The Aug. 4 activities included casting clinics and competitions, fly-tying demonstrations, kids’ games and vendors. Simms, Gallatin River Guides and Grizzly Outfitters were also on hand giving product demonstrations to festival revelers from around the globe.

Chad Vitito was visiting Big Sky from the Twin Cities in Minnesota. He was practicing his cast with fly-fishing guide and Montana Living – Big Sky Real Estate Associate Ennion Williams, who helped organize the festival.

“It’s been an awesome five days of rafting and mountain biking,” said Vitito, who added that he’ll be teaching his kids to fly fish as soon as they’re old enough.

Others were at the event supporting BWTF and enjoying the local vibe and sunshine.

“We’re having a great time,” said Benjamin Bross, who was visiting Big Sky with his family from Mexico City. Each year the Brosses vacation to a different U.S. national park. This year, they’re touring Yellowstone.

“We are from one of the most populated cities in the world,” Bross said. “We promised the kids that we’d show them there are places like this. The people are friendly and happy in Big Sky.”

Outlaw Realty Outlaw Realty
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Listen

Hoary Marmot Podcast

Joe Borden & Michele Veale Borden

Lastest Episode
See More Episodes
outlaw realty montana outlaw realty montana
ADVERTISEMENT
Outlaw Realty Big Sky Bozeman
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Jul 12
10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Cretaceous Crossroads Education Celebration

Jul 12
11:00 am - 5:00 pm Event Series

June Show at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery

Jul 13
11:00 am - 5:00 pm Event Series

June Show at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery

Jul 13
5:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Hooked on the Gallatin

Jul 14
9:00 am - 12:00 pm Event Series

Community Hike Big Sky

View Calendar
Event Calendar

Related Posts

David Yarrow photograph heads to Wildlands auction through Courtney Collins Fine Art
Arts & Entertainment

David Yarrow photograph heads to Wildlands auction through Courtney Collins Fine Art

July 9, 2025
Gallatin Whitewater Fest celebrates community, competition and crowns river royalty
Featured

Gallatin Whitewater Fest celebrates community, competition and crowns river royalty

July 1, 2025
Uncle Dan’s Cookies moves forward with new owner, same sweet legacy
Business

Uncle Dan’s Cookies moves forward with new owner, same sweet legacy

June 30, 2025
To the Tune of Hope
Featured

To the Tune of Hope

June 27, 2025

An Outlaw Partners Publication

Facebook-f Instagram X-twitter Youtube

Explore Big Sky

  • About/Contact
  • Advertise
  • Publications
  • Subscriptions
  • Podcast
  • Submissions

Outlaw Brands

  • Mountain Outlaw
  • Plan Yellowstone
  • Big Sky PBR
  • Wildlands Music
  • Outlaw Partners
  • Outlaw Realty
  • Hey Bear

Copyright © 2025 Explore Big Sky | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Your Privacy Choices

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Yellowstone
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Real Estate
  • Events

©2024 Outlaw Partners, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Explore Big Sky Logo
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events
Subscribe
Facebook X-twitter Instagram Youtube