Well boys, I went back to god's country last weekend for a family visit and got some fishing in. Below is my account of the day of absolute bliss:

The day started out perfect day and I knew from the very begining that it would be a special. The Bridger Mountains had snow at the peaks, the cottonwood trees were at the very peak of their annual fall color, and the sky was a color of blue that can only is witnessed in big sky country. It was obvious that only the maker could have chosen such a color pallet and painted such a scene. I selected a small stream outside of Bozeman to fish that day.

Like putting butter and syrup on a pancake to make the tast even better, there were eager Rainbow and Brown trout added to the equation. The day was one that all anglers have had or should experience. I could do no wrong, it seemed that every cast with my 5 weight yeilded a feisty response from the plentiful creatures lurking just below the surface. I was nymphing and the water color was perfect, just clear enough to see the slots and pools but, just off color, so that the fish only saw the fly.

During the course of this bliss I caught and released 4 Rainbow Trout that were over 20" the biggest one I estimated at over four pounds. I feel by recognizing these fish in particular I am not giving the handfuls of other fish their due, they too were eager to engulf the size 18 olive prince nymphs, size 18 beadheaded WD 40's, bead head pheasant tails, and small san juan worms. I estimate I must have caught and released 20+ fish in the four hours that I was allowed to exist in this small slice of paradise.

I do not post this to gloat, it just lets me experience and reflect on the moment one more time, and share with the fisherman a much needed day in God's Country. I lived in Montana until two years ago, and experienced many great days of fishing but, for some reason; be it the long hours at work, the stress of the pugetropolis, or the often depressing state of the fisheries here, this day was something extrodinary.

The best part, I had the river all to myself, only the migrating geese, sandhill cranes, scury of a pheasant, and observant deer shared this experience with me.

If you ever have the chance to go to Montana, do so. It is O.K. to fish the holly water (ie Madison, Missouri,Beaverhead,Bighorn etc) but, toss me a line and I will PM you some special spots that do not get fished very much and have just as big of fish. Maybe if more stewards of our sport could experience what it could be like, more would be done here, to preserve, enhance, protect what is here......

Misplaced.

Nice