Special Agent Cooper Takes Montana

[CatskillsRunner]

I think its also about how you choose to live your life. You can either not do exciting, fun things out of fear of what will happen, or you can do them and risk it and feel that even with the risk its worth it.

Everyone else seems to be ok with it so that was a good reminder to me to stop worrying about it. I raft and ride horses, two pretty dangerous hobbies, and don't worry about either of those, despite the fact that I lost a friend to a riding accident years ago.

I think I make a habit of engaging in activities where what happens is a little bit out of my control, so I don't know why this should be any different.

 

[CatskillsRunner]

Coop and sunset

This was last night's sunset, and a pic. of Coop.

Tim swapped out both the broken leaf and the one on the other side.

Boat is rigged and ready to go. We'll float a section of the Missouri tomorrow morning and maybe again in the evening. I'll post more pictures tomorrow and hopefully we will have had a good, fishy day.

 

[Titanpat57]

Can't wait to see the updates...be smart, you'll be fine.

I imagine Koop never thought he'd be on a ride like this...

 

[CatskillsRunner]

Can't wait to see the updates...be smart, you'll be fine.

I imagine Koop never thought he'd be on a ride like this...

I'm pretty sure he thinks I've lost my mind, driving 10 hour days.

No dry fly action; it'll be nymphing tomorrow.

 

[CatskillsRunner]

Missouri River

We had no luck at all fishing. One broke off on Tim and I moved a few but that was as good as it got. I booked a half day guided float for him tomorrow morning. This river is some tricky business.

We floated from the Holter Lake dam to 7 miles down. The sky was cloudless which didn't help the fishing but made for a splendid day otherwise. We watched pelicans and ospreys all day and talked to the friendliest fishermen on earth. Unlike in NY, people talk to you at the boat launch, on the water, help you get your boat on the trailer. I am always taken aback by it; people are just so kind out here.

Here are some pics. From the day...

 

[CatskillsRunner]

Mighty Mo

More...

 

[CatskillsRunner]

This morning

Tim went out fishing this morning and is having some good luck.

I am spending the morning breaking camp and loading the trailer by myself. I signed up for it and it didn't sound that bad until I tried to lift our huge Canyon Cooler into the trailer. I did it, but I think it weighs more than I do and getting it in the trailer, beneath the raft, involved a lot of foul language.

We'll leave around 1:30 for West Glacier, and should be there by 6. Then it will be time to get the other raft rigged for my brother for our 4th of July overnight on the N. Fork Flathead. After that we will stay at Big Creek Campground, which is right on the river, for 2 more nights. We will do the Road to the Sun driving tour and some short, Cooper-friendly hikes before heading east to Upper Missouri River Breaks for what should be a very beautiful and unique 2 night/3 day rafting trip. We will then decide whether we want to return here to float the Missouri some more or whether we should head down to the Big Horn River for the last float trips we'll do.

I doubt I'll have any service on the Flathead but will check in tonight if I do.

 

[chilliwak]

Nice to see you catching some fish and the agent enjoying the water...

 

[CatskillsRunner]

We had a spectacular float on the N. Fork Flathead. Rainy now and 48 degrees. We are driving the Going to the Sun Road. I'll try to post pictures tomorrow.

 

[JeepinMt]

Sorry you have crappy weather today. Going to the Sun Road is an awesome drive! I hope you enjoyed it. If you didn't and you go back up, walk a few hundred yards down the High line Trail, it is epic! Tomorrow is supposed to be nice.....

 

[CatskillsRunner]

N. Fork Flathead

Here are some pics. I'll have to do a proper trip report once I have better service for a few hours...

 

[CatskillsRunner]

More pics...

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[CatskillsRunner]

More

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[CatskillsRunner]

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[longhorn1]

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Really enjoying your trip. Thanks for posting. My wife and I will be spending 2 weeks in Wyoming and Montana end of September, with plans to get plenty of fly fishing in. jd