Montana on my mind

In 128 days, I will be headed to Montana for fourteen days. When we plan a trip there is a host of things we need to prepare for and some people my say I go a little over the top. 

Here is an example of the amount of effort and detail I put into a trip. We will be leaving on September 16that zero dark thirty and driving to Eureka, Montana arriving on the afternoon of the 18^th. We are driving because we will have access to two watercrafts while we are there. One craft is in the Helena and the other in Eureka.

While in Eureka we will be guided on the Flathead River most likely the Middle Fork. I am sad because I wanted to fish the North Fork of the Flathead, but she will be very boney “low water”. The Snow melt will be done when we show up.

The first day of fishing on our own will be Tuesday the 20^th. This will be a lake float. We will be on Kintla Lake in Glacier Park. It will be an awe-inspiring outing.  This Alpine Lake will have some amazing views and vistas.

The 21^st we will either the Bull River, Middle-Fork of the Flathead, or the South-Fork of the Flathead. It is important to know far these other rivers are to make the best possible decision for the moment.

For example, The Bull River is 99 miles away and 200 round trips. The Middle-Fork is 216 miles round trip. The South-Fork is 320 miles round trip. So, who knows how we will be physically from the previous days fishing? 

One needs to remember you are on vacation and the urge to do everything is a reel issue.  So, one needs to write stuff out to categorize it. I simply make things into categories. The first category is what do I want to accomplish and how much harder would it be to accomplish this versus the others? How much time will it take to affectively accomplish said task? Do you have the time to complete the task?

At what sacrifice would it take to get everything you want done? Here is an example. It will take us 30 hours to drive to Eureka, Montana. We could drive 15 hours at a time. We have decided to make the trip out there in 2.5 days.  This real and not being foolhardy. We will arrive in Eureka safely.  We will be traveling Friday and arriving there sometime on Sunday.

You need to be reel with your self because no one wants to set themselves up for failure.

Monday, we hook up with a guide to float the Flathead River.

Tuesday, we will drive 225 miles one way to float and fish Kintla Lake.

Wednesday, we will float the Bull River and drive 99 miles one way.

Thursday, we will go to Glacier Park and drive the Road to the sun.

Friday, we will float and fish river to be determined.

Saturday, drive to Helena.

Sunday, we will float and fish the Big Mo.

Monday, we will float and fish the Big Hole.

Tuesday is a calamity day.

Wednesday, we will start the trek home!

I have used my Garmin 64sx and basecamp to calculate all the routes for floating.  The last thing I want to do is blow the takeout! Ouch!

I have been in contact with several fly shops in the area that will shuttle our truck for us. The cost is between 27 – 57 dollars which is reasonable.

I have calculated all the costs for me and its at almost 4,000 dollars. This price tag is worth every penny. The memories that I will make and the rawness of seeing mother nature will be amazing.  In all with driving out and back we will be gone for 14 days!

I hope you enjoyed the little story/fish travel thoughts.

Be well,

Sonder