Big Sky Country

The Mayor joined a small delegation and visited Montana for the first time. Big Sky country has many similarities to Alaska: sparsely populated, long,cold winters, various topography/geography/geology/flora and fauna. Right now, flooding is an issue along parts of the Missouri River,although the worst of it appears to be in the lower reaches within the state of Missouri itself.
The western rivers around Missoula are blown out with high flows, high silting, and heavy rains mixed with late spring snow fall in the higher elevations.
We landed in Missoula, met our guide Karl Jones(Sheerwaterguides.com) and set out east for the Missouri River 135 miles across the Rogers Pass and the Continental Divide. A foot of new snow was on the roadside as we crossed the summit, mute testimony to the recent storm. We arrived in Craig, picked up some items at the Flyshop, and launched our drift boat(made by Karl of marine plywood,etc). Within minutes, the mayor had a fish on, a nice 18" rainbow who took the fly(worm like Karl Special). Thus began 3 days of some of the best fly fishing ever experienced by this delegation.
Local flyshop operator, Phil Camera and his wife hosted our group at his Prewett Motel in Cascade. Spartan but comfortable, the location was ideal for working this stretch of the river where it parallels I-15 for several miles. The river is below the Holter Dam and the flow is controlled, keeping the water clear and cold for miles. Feeder streams contribute some silt but not enough to color the main river. Besides rainbows, a number of browns were also taken along with a few whitefish.
Pelicans were in the vicinity adding some color to the landscape. Fishermen were few in number owing to the weather(rainy, windy, cool temps). But the fishing more than made up for any inconvenience.
All events made the excursion a good one, and has set the stage for a return shortly to Glacier national Park later in the month. The date promises better weather, more summer than spring, hopefully.