Save to del.icio.us

Montana & Wyoming Video

It was a simple plan. Meet my friend in Bozeman, share a rental car and follow his lead. I was really looking forward to a break from my typical DIY style fly fishing trips. No maps, no inside research and limited guess work. He would know (and hopefully have) all the flies we would need, where to fish and we’d be staying and fishing with his friends who live and guide in Montana. I’d just be tagging along and happy to be doing it. Three days before we were scheduled to leave I checked my email and saw an email from my friend. The subject of the email read, “Montana”. I thought to myself, “Sweet, Tom must be sending me some more pictures of the nice fish he has caught in the rivers and spots we are going to be fishing.” I eagerly clicked on the email. It read, “I can’t go.” He had very “good” reasoning for canceling; and it was clear to me that I was on my own. I chugged a huge cup of coffee and got down to business. The first order of business was finding someone to travel with. I called Greg B, “Yo, you wanna go to Montana?” He replied, “I’d love to but blah, blah …” It was tough to find someone in such short notice. “Wait a minute. I think Austin is on spring break?” I call him, “Yo, you want to go to Montana?” He replied, “Are you serious? Of course! I’m in! .. Oh, but I have no money.” I replied, “You never have money, so what makes this any different?” I had some frequent

flyer miles and free ticket vouchers, so we got his ticket. So, I had someone to travel with now I had to figure out exactly where Bozeman, Montana is. So, I did the logical thing (in my mind) and thought, “It can’t be far from Wyoming!” I figured, why waste time in Montana fishing the famous rivers that get pounded. So, I knew Jason from fliesandfinswest.com was already fishing The North Platte with Walter and some of his other buddies. I tried calling him, but his cell phone never gets service in that region. But, I knew Jason and his crew would be there; all I had to do what get there too. Then I saw Kray online. Kray lives and guides in Wyoming, and was a huge help with information when I made a trip to a different region of Wyoming last year. So, I called him and we lined up a day to fish together. I looked at the map and realized that I would be passing by Hardin, Montana. So, I called my friend John who lives in Hardin and guides on the Bighorn River. He shifted stuff around and he was able to fish with us on our way back to Bozeman. So, in short order, everything was shaping up. Then, I got an email from Greg Thomas who lives and writes in Ennis, Montana and he offered to show us around. To make a long story short; it was an amazing trip. I am blessed to have such quality friends and fly fisherman that help me out. And, I am fortunate that my network of quality friends and fly fisherman continues to evolve. Thank you so much, to everyone we fished with and everyone who helped us! We appreciate the help and hospitality greatly. Once again, I was in Awe with the west. Wyoming, as always, did not disappoint and Montana was more spectacular than I could have imagined. We fished some amazing stretches of rivers in both states, caught beautiful wild trout every day and experienced some epic dry fly fishing on Montana’s Bighorn River. Both Montana and Wyoming are amazing places. I especially enjoyed shooting video out there because of the seemingly endless amounts of beautiful trout, inspirational scenery, space and wildlife. It’s clear to me why Montana is referred to as “Big Sky Country.” The song that I put together to accompany the video is called, “Big Sky”. Ultimately, what I love most is being able to combine my fly fishing, film and music hobbies into one little short film. I guess I like it because there is no “right” or “wrong”; fly fishing, film and music are all just personal interpretation and preferences. So, this tune and video represents my interpretation of “Big Sky” country. Thanks again, everyone!