In September and October, 2007, we made a swing through Montana and Yellowstone National Park
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After spending a few days at Chelan with Susan's family we headed east with stops at St Regis, Montana, Nugget RV Park and Slowy National Forest Campground also near St Regis. From there we made our way south to Georgetown Lake Piney Campgound.. Most of our stay at Georgetown was quite pleasant including some nice trout fishing days. While there we also visited Philipsburg and Anaconda. The last morning dawned with snow and ice on the ground.
We spent a couple of days at Anaconda where we drove to Wise River to check out the Big Hole River, which was closed due to low water, and Deer Lodge to visit the Old Montana Prison. Next stop was Bannack State Park. Bannack is the country's best surviving unrestored ghost town. It remains exactly as left by the last residents. While staying in the state park we enjoyed several entertaining visitors.
Enroute to, and later from, Yellowstone we stopped for a couple of days at Ennis RV Village at Ennis, Montana. We enjoyed exploring the town of Ennis and the surrounding area. I managed to get in some fishing at the Valley Garden and Bear Trap areas. My results confirmed why it's called fishing, not catching.
Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park is always a pleasant stop for us. We made all the required sights in the park and I did some fishing in a couple of the rivers. Fishing in the Firehole in the midst of falling snow was a not to be forgotten experience. Nice trout willing to gobble drys amidst flakes of snow in the total silence that comes with snow must be experienced to be appreciated and understood. Lunch at the Lake Hotel, seeing lots of elk and other animals, and just enjoying the park never grow old.
Yellowstone National Park
The Missouri River at Craig, Montana
Finally we spent a full week at the Craig Fishing Access Site at Craig, Montana. Scott Sample of Paul Roos Outfitters gave us a fine day of fishing along with plenty of advice about the techniques for catching the very selective large trout of the Missouri River. Fishing was so great we ended staying the full week despite our initial intent to be there only three days. Susan also enjoyed a couple of quilt shop forays into Great Falls. I ended up purchasing a pontoon boat from the local fly shop which was selling the summer's rental equipment. Made floats from Craig to Stickney twice and from Wolf Creek bridge to Craig twice. Plenty of 15 - 16 inch Rainbows with some larger - biggest measured 21 inches. Fastest fishing was on San Juan Worm with #18 Beadhead dropper, or similar rig, below an indicator. Most challenging was enticing surface feeders with #18 or 20 Blue Wing Olive with a #10 Stimulator indicator. Absolute dead drift required for these smart fellows.
From Craig it was homeward with overnight stops at Jim & Mary's RV Park in Missoula, a visit with Susan's sister and brother-in-law Carol and Gary Baker in Spokane , and Leavenworth KOA.
