Hiking Trip Report: Jewel Basin Hiking Area

Today we got out to a new spot which has a reputation for beautiful views and chunky trout. We pulled in to the trail head around 10:00am under bluebird skies. The Basin lies in the Flathead National Forrest and is just over the crest of the Swan Mountains about 25 miles east of town.The hike began in the trees offering scant views of the surrounding mountains. After a mile or so the view really opens up.

 Here's Joy on her way to a precarious ledge.

 This lake came before the one that we fished...you can see the valley in the background.

This is the view of Flathead Lake from the ridge.

 The destination!

We fished here for a little over an hour. I caught three on a big deer hair stimulator fly and one nicer one on a prince nymph. He hit hard in a spot where a waterfall flowed into the lake.

This westslope cutthroat had a purple hue. After fishing only a short time we headed back. 

 

If you blow this picture up you can see the trail falling off the side of the rocky mountain in the background. This spot got steep as it rounded the bend.

 The wildflowers are in full bloom along the trail sides, in the alpine meadows, and near avalanche shoots.

This pic was taken from near the top of the ridge line. This hike was a moderate 6 miles round trip. We will definitely be back to explore more of the twenty some alpine lakes in the Jewel Basin Hiking Area.

 Montana's National Forests hold some of the best waters!

Hiking Trip Report: Another Brick In The Wall

Today the wife, a friend, and I decided to hike a popular trail on the East side of the park. After a 2.5 hr drive we approached the Many Glacier area. We've seen bears every time we've been here and today was no exception.

After a few minutes of staring at him we continued to the trailhead. I did a little research and knew that this spot offers good views but I had no idea it was this beautiful.

By the time we reached the first good views of the wall we were excited.

 The lake that we hiked to sits at the foot of the wall just above the ridge with the waterfall.

And this is where we came from!

 The wildflowers are approaching full bloom. The meadows are alive with color!

 And finally we arrived at the lake. The water was extremely cold but to our dismay no icebergs!

There was a goat too!

 

Today's hike was around 10 miles! Stay Tuned: I'll be out fishing and hiking a lot over the next month or so. Some of the best hiking and fishing is yet to be discovered!

Trip Report: Freshwater Fare

Twas a great day for fishing!

 A few perch and a load of little crappie sucked down a tiny little pheasant tail.

I also pulled in two beautiful chunky Pumpkinseeds. There is no more beautiful environment to catch these fishes in.

 And the best part...the wife said she wants to come next time.

Tied Up Some Stimulator Dry Flies

Hopefully I'll get out fishing in the next week so I can test 'em out!

Swimmin' and Flies!

Today we went out for a swim and a few casts at a local lake. No fish but the chilly lake water felt great on such a hot day!

Trip Report: Montana's Thompson River

The nearest stream to us which harbors brown trout, the Thompson River is a little over an hour away. With temperatures forecast in the mid 90's today we got out good and early. There were a lot of people out fishing today with this being one of the first weekends after runoff. The fishes were hungry too!

 Near the headwaters of the river I caught brookies and a couple little rainbows. Many were too small to fully engulf the deer hair caddis fly in their mouths but a few sizable ones did show themselves.

This little guy wouldn't sit still for a photo! I caught him out of the same pool as a much larger brown trout and a tiny brookie!

The brown had previously been caught evidenced by his mangled lower jaw. After this pool I could not keep the browns off the caddis.

 No huge browns today but I did manage to scare up a few nice ones. I'll be back here in a few weeks armed with foam hoppers, caddis, and some sculpin patterns.