Going to Montana.......

[HuntingFanatic]

So....my sis moved to Bozeman about 8 months ago. I will be taking a road trip to go see her at the end of April. She has been doing a little hiking around the area. She is not a hunter(YET!). I was wondering If there were any of you that had wandered around any of the 300 units? I will probably give myself 5 days in Montana.....gonna do some fishing, head down to Yellowstone for a day or two. Totally stoked for this trip. Now I had told my sister to start dating all the ranchers....but she has not listened to me! lol She is currently dating a some dude who doesnt hunt! 

I know the Montana draw wont be completed by the time I go....but even if I dont get drawn I plan to start my sister hunting! Anyone got any tips on general areas(region 3)to hit the dirt and hike around? Ill be sure to post pictures of my journey!.....but thats still 4 weeks away *censored*!

[jackelope]

the first tip i would give you if you want to visit yellowstone, do some fishing, see the sights, etc is to give yourself more than 5 days. we went for 9 days a few years ago with those same plans and didn't have near enough time. you could spend a week in yellowstone and not see everything.

[jackelope]

where do you want to fish?
you might have runoff issues that time of year too...

[HuntingFanatic]

Thanks jackelope. I have 11 days total. I wanted to spend 2 or 3 days working my way over there. Fishing and hiking in our state as well. I always like to have a day or two to unwind from a vacation before I go back to work. Maybe I will just have to suck it up and bomb on over there.
lol no idea where I want to fish....my sister does have a friend that is a fishing guide so he may be able to help. If I dont get to fish oh well.....im sure it will be a great time!

[jackelope]

i've fished some of the rivers between bozeman down to west, in the park and back up to ennis, also rock creek is a must-do 20 miles east of missoula or so. stop there on the way. the guys at the mercantile can give you some direction...it's right off the rock creek exit.

[Hornseeker]

OK, Listen closely!

Do not stop and do not pass go in Washington... Just fly on over to Bozeman. Trust me, I lived in Washington for 27 years before moving to MT... you can always hit some of that stuff in WA later... but the stuff in MT will blow you away man. I still cant believe I live here!!!

Drive over Bozeman Pass and head south down Paradise Valley to Gardiner... UNbelievable. The rivers shouldn't be blown out yet...they'll be up some, but there will be fish to be had.

Drive down the Gallatin to W. Yellowstone...check it out all the way..hike from any trailhead...  then..head back along Hebgen lake and down the Madison River through Ennis and such... you will see mountains and valleys and rivers that will make you drool for months!!

Have Fun!

[GoldTip]

Any high country around Bozeman will be clogged with snow at this time, but anywhere up Bridger Canyon or above Hyalite lake always held good elk populations back in the 80's and early 90's.  Doubt you could get far in any of those places this time of year.  Could always make a trip down to Gardiner and head up to Jardine and check out the famed Deckard flats for elk as well.  Right close to Bozeman you could always head up Bear Canyon as well.  Most deer and elk will be down low on private ranches this time of year.

[jackelope]

thats what we did. we stayed at big sky and fished the gallatin when we were feeling lazy, went to the park, toured, fished, photo'ed, drove to ennis, fished the madison, touristy ennis stuff...get me a new t-shirt from the madison river fishing company while you're there. paradise valley is amazing. i wouldn't mess with washington either.

are you a flyfisherman?

can you still get up into ted's place just a little north of big sky? we saw some huge bulls in there right from the road.

[HuntingFanatic]

Thanks guys!

Jackelope, I do fly fish not very good...but i try. I have fished Rock creek.... about 16 years ago....we just missed the testicle festival too! lol

OK....Screw Washington!!!!!

[mthillrunner]

You could fish the Gallitan River and Madison River pretty easily wade fishing,  a great spot to wade is just below Beartrap Canyon which is just downstream from Ennis.  The mouth of the canyon is about a 30-40 minute drive from Bozeman, some very big fish in there.  The Gallitan is a lot of public access once you get into the canyon, it's smaller so it is easily waded, but it has swift currents and slick rocks.  The Yellowstone if pretty tough without a boat, just too big of a river.  The Missouri River is the same, big river, tough without a boat.  Rock Creek by Missoula should be really good that time of year, might be able to use some salmon fly nymphs by then, it is pretty easily waded, small stream with some big fish.  You have endless places to hike there, but, anything at much elevation will still have load of snow like Hylite Canyon.  Good luck on your trip.  I'm going over to Billings for a few days soon and will hit the Yellowstone and Bighorn, luckily will have a boat.

[Pathfinder101]

THat's funny.  I keep trying to talk my sister and her husband into moving to MT (I would move myself, but I think I would find myself unmarried pretty quick)...