Lincoln Montana
 |
| White Tailed Deer |
I do love prowling the Blackfoot River for peace, quiet and spiritual healing. Catching trout is the bonus.
The day was cool, I was fishing alone on a stretch of river about 1/2 mile from my truck. Hiking through the woods to the river, picking my path through, its easy to turn and miss the trail.
I keep my eyes peeled for any animals that also use the trail.
I have encountered many animals on this stretch of the river, deer, moose and bears.
One afternoon, after fishing for hours, I was standing in the shadows tying on a fly, when I heard splashing just downstream. my hands were busy and my focus was on the fly, when I heard those duck like sounds. I looked up and to my surprise a huge black bear was crossing the river only 20 yards away. I felt some adrenaline, but it quickly turned to enjoyment as the bear only paused to look, then ambled into the woods. I always carry bear spray, the best option in case of conflict.
Black bear tracks are easy to recognize. The toes are marked with an arc, Grizzly bears have a straighter toe curve.
 |
| Westslope Cut Throat Trout |
 |
| Clear, clean water |
 |
| Big girth on this cuttie |
 |
| Woolie Bugger |
 |
| Quite the hole...caught many fine trout along this stretch |
 |
| A summer dry fly |
 |
| Cut throat spots |
 |
| Brown trout spots |
 |
| The spirit of the water |
