Many anglers reference the size of the natural flies they see in terms of a hook size. "Those caddis today were a #16."  That’s a pretty good frame of reference, but it has some challenges.  With all the various brands and styles of hooks available today, a #16 hook has some variability in sizing.  Some patterns produce a bigger bug on a small hook and a small bug on a size or two larger hook.  Confused? So what really matters to the trout?  The actual size of the natural bug of course.  If you really want to match up your imitation fly to the naturals the fish are eating, put them side by side.  If you want to get geeky about it, measure the real bugs with a micrometer or trace their outline on a piece of paper.  Then you will have a reference for choosing or tying your imitations. Or you can do what most anglers do and keep t...

Joy Taves is a Master Gardener from Great Falls, MT and is especially interested in perennial plants. Two of her favorites, and two best suited to be grown in Montana, are the coneflower (Echinacea) and coral bells (Heuchara). These plants are hardy to zone 3 (or 4 for coral bells) and are deer resistant: part of the reason Joy enjoys them so much.  They naturally attract songbirds and other birds into the garden. While birds are pretty to look at, they also help naturally manage pests in the garden. Visit our Home & Garden department for inspiration and savings. "I look for perennials that will provide color for long periods of time. The coral bell foliage provides beautiful color from spring through the first fall frost. The coneflower blooms most of the summer." Joy was kind enough to shed some insight on how to properly manage p...

I've spent the last three days boat camping on Lake Pend Oreille in Northern Idaho with my family.  The weather was perfect and the water was about as warm as I have ever seen it, at 73 degrees, which is unheard of in early June.  Normally the fish are working the surface in the evenings throughout early June and can be caught on dry flies.  I was a bit of a skeptic this time with the water being so warm. Arriving at our campsite, Denver and I started noticing some fish feeding on the surface.  We didn't pay much attention to them since it was pretty sporadic.  After a while there seemed to be more fish rising, so off I went on the paddle board with my four weight in hand.  I paddled slowly towards the fish and saw a nice one right away- but it’s really hard to stop a paddleboard while trying to set the paddle down and grab your...

I'm not sure when exactly the transformation occurred, but at some point in my life socks went from being something that "required a thank you card" to "the must have item of the holidays." The reasons that drove such a transformation are highly debated, but regardless of how it happened, wrapping my feet in soft fluffy products rivals most of the other gifts that make their way down the chimney. If you are in the market for some summer socks, then we've got a wide selection right here.  The Smartwool Hiking Medium Crew Sock My most recent sock purchase was the Smartwool Hiking Medium Crew. I don't think it is necessary for me to divulge my "opening a new sock for the first time routine," just know that 1: I have such a routine, and 2: If you have not developed such a custom, I encourage you to do so. Upon completing said tradition, the...

Growing Blueberries in Montana: Where Passion Meets Brains Growing sweet potatoes, blueberries and kiwi in Great Falls, Montana... seem impossible? Not for Charles Bocock, Great Falls resident and flora manipulator extraordinaire. Looking for a selection of gardening tools and supplies? Look no further. This interview was effectively a cram session on everything from heat units needed to maximize growing season, to the microbiology of reducing germination time (the example Mr. Bocock threw out was corn seeds from 14 days to 4). It was immediately apparent that this man's passion for growing plants in MT was somewhat consuming. "I have a degree in biology and chemistry and my wife is an MD and a PhD in microbiology," enough knowledge to power a university department, and me, Jake and Tracie with only two hours, a few cameras and a yellow ...

I’m generally in a hurry when I have the time to go fishing.  Sometimes the best laid plans are thwarted by a Montana Traffic Jam. I mean I had to wait like 5 minutes. I guess I still love Montana.

As we roll into summer, the river is alive with lots of hungry fish and lots of food choices. Anglers are often confounded by what flies to fish.  The fish are always eating.  What they are eating and how to present our flies, is the endless question.  Lots of caddis are hatching.  PMD’s are coming on.  Yellow Sallies are on the brink.  A random hopper hits the water from time to time. You might be able to feed them an ant or a beetle.  I watched a mouse get destroyed after Terrys’ dog frightened it off the bank.  Hmmm.  A few baetis are still around.  Midges are always present.  Scuds and sow bugs and crayfish are in the mix.  A San Juan Worm can catch a fish here and there. The decision on what to fish is often determined by how you want to fish.  If you are happy to nymph, you can pick a couple good flies and cover lot...

While I don’t always fish for species other than trout, when I do, I’ll try to catch them on the fly.  Sometimes opportunities present.  I was recently fishing with a spey rod, when a chance to cast at some rising trout presented.  As I was walking to the car to do a rod swap, I spotted some carp.  Heading back with my 5 weight, I took a detour from the trout.  I had a small Clouser stuck on the Velcro of my waders, so I clipped off the caddis and tied it onto my dry fly leader. Not the best set up for carp, but it was worth a shot. I must admit that Mr. Carp sure added some fun in my fly fishing day.  I had to thread my rod through several clumps of reeds and follow the fish out to the main river.  I almost filled the big hole in the top of my waders, but managed to crawl out to solid ground with minimal moisture. Fly fishing...

Self Reliance: How Father's Lessons can go a Long Way As Father's Day approaches and I think about everything that my dad has done for me and taught me, the most significant trait that stands out is self-reliance. As a kid I spent most of my childhood growing up in the farm and ranch lands of Montana. In the country, self-reliance is a necessity, if your car or truck broke down you couldn't always run it to a mechanic, you had to buy the parts and figure it out for yourself. While a lot of my classmates parents were farmers and ranchers. My dad drove semis for a living and so he had a vast knowledge of engines and all things automotive. Looking for automotive parts and maintenance supplies? When teaching my brothers and I how to do anything, my father's philosophy was tell us what we needed to do to accomplish the task, show us how to ac...