Type Cast
by Brian Cey
In a world where fly fishing has become a lifestyle rather than a way to catch a few fish, it is increasingly difficult to cast without casting judgment.
Long before A River Runs Through It ran through … Read more...
Category: Culture
Charting the Waters
by Katie Thomas
Renowned Montana writer Thomas McGuane once wrote, “If the trout are lost, smash the state.” He’s been fishing for almost 80 years, just about as long as he’s been writing, and the two activities define him equally. … Read more...
Soft Heckle
by Jeff Beyl
My father drew a picture and mailed it to me a couple weeks prior to one of our frequent fly-fishing trips to Montana. A couple days later I got an email:
“I understand you are going fly … Read more...
Call of the Wild
by Jamie Rankin
Montana’s meandering, scenic rivers are known around the globe for their access to wild trout. Fly-fishers come from far and wide to chase browns, rainbows, and even the elusive cutthroat, all of which are born, and grow … Read more...
Connected by Water
by Kurt Dehmer, artwork by Monte Dolack
Angling art is a niche genre. Those folks who enjoy, purchase, or collect it are most likely anglers, or at least fish enthusiasts. However, there is one “angling artist” that everyone in Montana … Read more...
Lady of the Line
by Dave Hemphill
It all started in 1952, when Bud Lilly, Montana’s father of fly fishing and often referred to as “a trout’s best friend,” bought his fishing shop in West Yellowstone. Two years later, his wife Pat delivered their … Read more...
Local Legend
by Dave Hemphill
In Montana, Bud Lilly’s name carries weight. Any angler who has knowledge of the West’s fly-fishing heritage has heard of the man. Legends may be soft-spoken, but their reputations don’t allow them to remain silent.
Born in … Read more...
Homeward Bound
by Eli Fournier
In early November, we load up the truck. Fly rods, camping box, cooler, canoe. Eleven hours to Montana. Gas is pricey, but worth it. This year’s lineup is better than the last: Big Horn, Yellowstone, Madison, Missouri, … Read more...
Passing the Torch
Nestled near the banks of the Yellowstone River, Dan Bailey’s is much more than Livingston’s go-to outdoor shop. Within its walls lives a reminder of the first days of Montana fly fishing. This legacy is carried through every fly tied, … Read more...
Levity & Gravity
by Christian Shane
“I would never categorize myself as an environmental artist, but when the paint dries, I often find that the work is relevant to environmental issues. I sort of dabble in modern mythology by juxtaposing the old myths … Read more...