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Montana TR- Getting There
(Sorry folks. As usual when I get started with these things I get very
prolix. Bear with me.) I'm not, by nature, a traveler. But taking a trip out west to do some trouting has been in the back of my mind for a couple of years. This year we agreed that hell or high gas prices we'd make the trip. We left Merrill at 10 pm on Saturday the 5th. The plan was to drive through the night and pull off to rest after we reached Montana Sunday afternoon. We had access to the cabin on the West Boulder starting Monday the 7th. We spent Sunday night in the dilapidated old city of Forsyth. A railroad hub it still revealed aspects of its former prosperity in a few buildings on Main St. but the overgrown sidewalks and empty houses that stared panelessly out on those same walks were a truer testament of its stature these days. The Interstate has given it some measure of purpose with a street lined with motels and gas stations and the Burlington Northern still has an office there. But it was obvious that Forsyth was enduring hard times. The motel was old but clean. The air conditioner strained mightily to cool the kitchenette's three rooms in the 90 degree heat and actually made the place sleepable. There was Animal Planet on the TV for Mason and a coffee maker for Jacci and me. I made a personal re-acquaintance with the goathead thorns of my Colorado days while walking the dogs. It wasn't a bad stop over but I was relieved when we pulled out the next day. We drove past a pall of smoke rising from an unseen wildfire between the "I" and the Yellowstone River. Further west we passed miles of burned dry-land forest/prairie around Custer and Hardin. This was somewhat worrying as there had been a small fire in the next drainage over from the cabin, on South Pine Creek, and an even larger one near to Yellowstone. We didn't know what we'd find. When we reached Big Timber we made a quick stop at the IGA (nice place and people) and the flyshop, Sweetcast Flyfishing, to get our licenses. Then it was up into the mountains. The road went from pavement to gravel to gravel/rock. The last 7 miles took about 20 minutes to cover and went through the holdings of, supposedly, Michael Keaton and Tom Brokaw. During the next week we made numerous, unverifiable Brokaw and Keaton sightings. Whoever the drivers were, it must be said that for a little rocky road, West Big Rock Road hosted a very high percentage of pricey, upper end SUVs. We reached the cabin. It was snugged up against a rocky bend in the river. VT had preceded us by a day. His stuff was neatly stacked in a small corner of the three room building. It was soon overcome by all the crap we had brought from Wisconsin. To be fair, we (meaning Jacci) had volunteered to do the cooking for the whole week and we had two coolers full of things like steaks, roasts, milk and eggs. But there were also packs and boxes of waders and fly tying materials and trekking poles and headlamps and bear spray. We tried to limit the Cleveland Chaos from spilling over to the rest of the cabin from our bedroom but it wasn't always a successful endeavor. Some of it I would drag out and forget, some of it the dogs would. In general though the cabin floor was easy to walk across and the window ledges uncluttered enough to open and shut the sliding multi-paned windows. http://fishskicanoe.tripod.com/geopics/IMG_0223.JPG The West Big Rock Cabin http://fishskicanoe.tripod.com/geopics/IMG_0224a.jpg The River Behind the Cabin After we unpacked we headed for the river. VT had warned us about the lack of trout in what seemed to be obvious places but it still came as a surprise to drift dries and nymphs through numerous pieces of holding water with nary a bite nor bump. Finally, along about sun down, I hooked and landed a big whitefish. But that was it for the evening. The rest of the day was spent on the porch, talking and drinking beer. A little after dark a big full moon struggled up over the mountainside to the east. The cabin windows glowed out into the moonlit night. The next day VT and I were headed up to the Meadows... http://fishskicanoe.tripod.com/geopi.../IMG_0233a.jpg VT and Jacci on the Porch (More...fortunately or unfortunately... to come) Geo. C. |
Montana TR- Getting There
George Cleveland wrote:
(Sorry folks. As usual when I get started with these things I get very prolix. Bear with me.) I'm not, by nature, a traveler. But taking a trip out west to do some trouting has been in the back of my mind for a couple of years. This year we agreed that hell or high gas prices we'd make the trip. We left Merrill at 10 pm on Saturday the 5th. The plan was to drive through the night and pull off to rest after we reached Montana Sunday afternoon. We had access to the cabin on the West Boulder starting Monday the 7th. We spent Sunday night in the dilapidated old city of Forsyth. A railroad hub it still revealed aspects of its former prosperity in a few buildings on Main St. but the overgrown sidewalks and empty houses that stared panelessly out on those same walks were a truer testament of its stature these days. The Interstate has given it some measure of purpose with a street lined with motels and gas stations and the Burlington Northern still has an office there. But it was obvious that Forsyth was enduring hard times. The motel was old but clean. The air conditioner strained mightily to cool the kitchenette's three rooms in the 90 degree heat and actually made the place sleepable. There was Animal Planet on the TV for Mason and a coffee maker for Jacci and me. I made a personal re-acquaintance with the goathead thorns of my Colorado days while walking the dogs. It wasn't a bad stop over but I was relieved when we pulled out the next day. We drove past a pall of smoke rising from an unseen wildfire between the "I" and the Yellowstone River. Further west we passed miles of burned dry-land forest/prairie around Custer and Hardin. This was somewhat worrying as there had been a small fire in the next drainage over from the cabin, on South Pine Creek, and an even larger one near to Yellowstone. We didn't know what we'd find. When we reached Big Timber we made a quick stop at the IGA (nice place and people) and the flyshop, Sweetcast Flyfishing, to get our licenses. Then it was up into the mountains. The road went from pavement to gravel to gravel/rock. The last 7 miles took about 20 minutes to cover and went through the holdings of, supposedly, Michael Keaton and Tom Brokaw. During the next week we made numerous, unverifiable Brokaw and Keaton sightings. Whoever the drivers were, it must be said that for a little rocky road, West Big Rock Road hosted a very high percentage of pricey, upper end SUVs. We reached the cabin. It was snugged up against a rocky bend in the river. VT had preceded us by a day. His stuff was neatly stacked in a small corner of the three room building. It was soon overcome by all the crap we had brought from Wisconsin. To be fair, we (meaning Jacci) had volunteered to do the cooking for the whole week and we had two coolers full of things like steaks, roasts, milk and eggs. But there were also packs and boxes of waders and fly tying materials and trekking poles and headlamps and bear spray. We tried to limit the Cleveland Chaos from spilling over to the rest of the cabin from our bedroom but it wasn't always a successful endeavor. Some of it I would drag out and forget, some of it the dogs would. In general though the cabin floor was easy to walk across and the window ledges uncluttered enough to open and shut the sliding multi-paned windows. http://fishskicanoe.tripod.com/geopics/IMG_0223.JPG The West Big Rock Cabin http://fishskicanoe.tripod.com/geopics/IMG_0224a.jpg The River Behind the Cabin After we unpacked we headed for the river. VT had warned us about the lack of trout in what seemed to be obvious places but it still came as a surprise to drift dries and nymphs through numerous pieces of holding water with nary a bite nor bump. Finally, along about sun down, I hooked and landed a big whitefish. But that was it for the evening. The rest of the day was spent on the porch, talking and drinking beer. A little after dark a big full moon struggled up over the mountainside to the east. The cabin windows glowed out into the moonlit night. The next day VT and I were headed up to the Meadows... http://fishskicanoe.tripod.com/geopi.../IMG_0233a.jpg VT and Jacci on the Porch (More...fortunately or unfortunately... to come) Geo. C. wellhell...this is fun so far. think i'll stick around to see where we're goin next. excellent stuff george...thanks. ...esp. liked the paneless parts. with you and claspy and wolf and knight around in the yoop next month, the campfire's gonna be an entertaining place. jeff |
Montana TR- Getting There
jeff wrote: George Cleveland wrote: (More...fortunately or unfortunately... to come) Yes, more. Definitely more! wellhell...this is fun so far. think i'll stick around to see where we're goin next. excellent stuff george...thanks. ...esp. liked the paneless parts. with you and claspy and wolf and knight around in the yoop next month, the campfire's gonna be an entertaining place. And John......don't forget John. Maybe we can get him to dance for us! To whom, incidentally, I spoke not ten minutes ago. He's agreed to driving up separately.....he'll be coming up over the Big Mac (if they haven't blown it up by then) while I circle around and come in from the west. Figured if we get you in a crossfire it'll be harder to miss you. :) We'll have three kayaks between us and John has promised a veritable feast in the bottom of the Sturgeon Falls gorge. He is also hell-bent on Fishing the Fox and the Two Hearted. Early in the trip probably works best since we'll already be further east than in past ventures. This also works out better for meeting Wayne who, when last heard from, was planning to be there Saturday, the 9th. Bill has not yet confirmed, but I believe mid week was his best guess. Not sure when and where we'll meet him, but he was working on getting access to the family cabin......which puts us back on familiar turf in the west......as does Fisher's shack which is also available. George? Wolfgang |
Montana TR- Getting There
On 16 Aug 2006 18:33:29 -0700, "Wolfgang" wrote:
jeff wrote: George Cleveland wrote: (More...fortunately or unfortunately... to come) Yes, more. Definitely more! wellhell...this is fun so far. think i'll stick around to see where we're goin next. excellent stuff george...thanks. ...esp. liked the paneless parts. with you and claspy and wolf and knight around in the yoop next month, the campfire's gonna be an entertaining place. And John......don't forget John. Maybe we can get him to dance for us! To whom, incidentally, I spoke not ten minutes ago. He's agreed to driving up separately.....he'll be coming up over the Big Mac (if they haven't blown it up by then) while I circle around and come in from the west. Figured if we get you in a crossfire it'll be harder to miss you. :) We'll have three kayaks between us and John has promised a veritable feast in the bottom of the Sturgeon Falls gorge. He is also hell-bent on Fishing the Fox and the Two Hearted. Early in the trip probably works best since we'll already be further east than in past ventures. This also works out better for meeting Wayne who, when last heard from, was planning to be there Saturday, the 9th. Bill has not yet confirmed, but I believe mid week was his best guess. Not sure when and where we'll meet him, but he was working on getting access to the family cabin......which puts us back on familiar turf in the west......as does Fisher's shack which is also available. George? Wolfgang Mid-week is looking good. Geo.C. |
Montana TR- Getting There
I only dance naked....and you don't want to see that....
anyhow my plans are leaving Dayton, Oh, on the 7th or 8th or thereabouts and returning via any route on the 15th or 17th or thereabouts. If that helps anyone I've got a big van. Sturgeon Falls dinner will be filet mignon, with potatoes (recognize *that* spelling? ) and green peppers and garlic and onions and other stuff all wrapped in aluminum foil and roasted in the embers....I'll keep the receipt and charge accordingly. The wine is on me and I'll pack it all in! john ) "George Cleveland" wrote in message ... On 16 Aug 2006 18:33:29 -0700, "Wolfgang" wrote: jeff wrote: George Cleveland wrote: (More...fortunately or unfortunately... to come) Yes, more. Definitely more! wellhell...this is fun so far. think i'll stick around to see where we're goin next. excellent stuff george...thanks. ...esp. liked the paneless parts. with you and claspy and wolf and knight around in the yoop next month, the campfire's gonna be an entertaining place. And John......don't forget John. Maybe we can get him to dance for us! To whom, incidentally, I spoke not ten minutes ago. He's agreed to driving up separately.....he'll be coming up over the Big Mac (if they haven't blown it up by then) while I circle around and come in from the west. Figured if we get you in a crossfire it'll be harder to miss you. :) We'll have three kayaks between us and John has promised a veritable feast in the bottom of the Sturgeon Falls gorge. He is also hell-bent on Fishing the Fox and the Two Hearted. Early in the trip probably works best since we'll already be further east than in past ventures. This also works out better for meeting Wayne who, when last heard from, was planning to be there Saturday, the 9th. Bill has not yet confirmed, but I believe mid week was his best guess. Not sure when and where we'll meet him, but he was working on getting access to the family cabin......which puts us back on familiar turf in the west......as does Fisher's shack which is also available. George? Wolfgang Mid-week is looking good. Geo.C. |
Montana TR- Getting There
asadi wrote:
I only dance naked....and you don't want to see that.... anyhow my plans are leaving Dayton, Oh, on the 7th or 8th or thereabouts and returning via any route on the 15th or 17th or thereabouts. If that helps anyone I've got a big van. Sturgeon Falls dinner will be filet mignon, with potatoes (recognize *that* spelling? ) and green peppers and garlic and onions and other stuff all wrapped in aluminum foil and roasted in the embers....I'll keep the receipt and charge accordingly. The wine is on me and I'll pack it all in! john ) "George Cleveland" wrote in message ... On 16 Aug 2006 18:33:29 -0700, "Wolfgang" wrote: jeff wrote: George Cleveland wrote: (More...fortunately or unfortunately... to come) Yes, more. Definitely more! wellhell...this is fun so far. think i'll stick around to see where we're goin next. excellent stuff george...thanks. ...esp. liked the paneless parts. with you and claspy and wolf and knight around in the yoop next month, the campfire's gonna be an entertaining place. And John......don't forget John. Maybe we can get him to dance for us! To whom, incidentally, I spoke not ten minutes ago. He's agreed to driving up separately.....he'll be coming up over the Big Mac (if they haven't blown it up by then) while I circle around and come in from the west. Figured if we get you in a crossfire it'll be harder to miss you. :) We'll have three kayaks between us and John has promised a veritable feast in the bottom of the Sturgeon Falls gorge. He is also hell-bent on Fishing the Fox and the Two Hearted. Early in the trip probably works best since we'll already be further east than in past ventures. This also works out better for meeting Wayne who, when last heard from, was planning to be there Saturday, the 9th. Bill has not yet confirmed, but I believe mid week was his best guess. Not sure when and where we'll meet him, but he was working on getting access to the family cabin......which puts us back on familiar turf in the west......as does Fisher's shack which is also available. George? Wolfgang Mid-week is looking good. Geo.C. well hell with the campfire stories and dancin, let's eat! g the fox and two-hearted sound like a fine adventure...looking forward to it. jeff |
Montana TR- Getting There
You all got room for one more? I'm considering taking the trip.
General dates, meeting location.. Frank Reid |
Montana TR- Getting There
"Frank Reid" wrote in message oups.com... You all got room for one more? Eh? A traveling fly shop? Hm........yeah, I suppose we could work something out. :) I'm considering taking the trip. General dates, meeting location.. The only firm items currently on the itinerary are meeting Jeff at the airport in Marquette at 2:07 p.m. on Friday, September 8 (John and I will both be there), and returning him thither sometime on Saturday, the 16th. Personally, I have no strong preferences concerning where to fish. John, Jeff, Wayne and Bill have all expressed a desire to fish the Fox and the Two Hearted. The Two Hearted is roughly a hundred miles to the east of Marquette. John also wants to go back to the Sturgeon (which we fished together last year), and Bill and I are most familiar with waters from there on to the west. He and I both have access to relatively comfortable accommodations in the Bruce Crossing to Kenton area. All of this is about eighty miles to the west of Marquette. Bill and George (whose preferences are as yet unknown) both plan to arrive around mid-week. What all of this boils down to is a number of potential logistical problems with regard to scheduling times and places for meeting. While the distances involved are not overwhelming, I understand that some of the participants have a limited amount of time available and would like to hit the water as soon as possible. To complicate matters, cell phone coverage is spotty in the U.P. It is reliable only in towns.....which is exactly where we will NOT be most of the time. The only way to assure that we'll be able to meet later arrivals is to make firm plans in advance.....changes MAY be possible, depending on who can get in touch with whom by phone, but there is a real risk that we'll be out of contact. The best we can do is for anyone planning to attend to let me know as far in advance as possible when they intend to arrive and where would be convenient to meet. I'll do my best to accommodate based on how well conflicting schedules can be overlapped. I hope you can make it. Wolfgang |
Yoop! was, Montana TR- Getting There
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Montana TR- Getting There
Wolfgang wrote: This also works out better for meeting Wayne who, when last heard from, was planning to be there Saturday, the 9th. That was if Wayne could get away and get as far as Grayling on Friday night. My actual departure date from Indy will be dependent on the Catholics financial closing calendar. I am working on meeting a few friends with cabins and connections in the area (and hunting dogs) for the grouse opener that Saturday. Who else is up for a little casting and blasting at the end? Wayne |
Montana TR- Getting There
Wayne Knight wrote:
That was if Wayne could get away and get as far as Grayling on Friday night. My actual departure date from Indy will be dependent on the Catholics financial closing calendar. wtf is "the catholics financial closing calendar?" so far, all i know is wolfgang, asadi, frank and i will be at the marquette airport at or about 2 pm on sept 8. where we're going from there isn't real clear, except we'll be yoopin somewhere east or west of marquette...meeting claspy for poetry on the fox river, finding g.c. somewhere west of marquette, and perhaps finding you somewhere if the catholics allow. i spent most of the day in the midst of, and fomenting, arguments about whether the best interests of a child would be served by sending her to a private catholic school or a public school. those catholics can be a ruthless lot, so don't let them know you want to go fishing. g jeff |
Montana TR- Getting There
"jeff" wrote in message news:rtqGg.4619$W01.2355@dukeread08... wtf is "the catholics financial closing calendar?" that's when i figure out how much additional "reserve cash" we made from operations for the prior month. if the catholics allow. i spent most of the day in the midst of, and fomenting, arguments about whether the best interests of a child would be served by sending her to a private catholic school or a public school. those catholics can be a ruthless lot, so don't let them know you want to go fishing. g you think their ruthless in their schooling, wait until you need your gallbladder excised. g |
Montana TR- Getting There
Wayne Knight wrote:
"jeff" wrote in message news:rtqGg.4619$W01.2355@dukeread08... wtf is "the catholics financial closing calendar?" that's when i figure out how much additional "reserve cash" we made from operations for the prior month. if the catholics allow. i spent most of the day in the midst of, and fomenting, arguments about whether the best interests of a child would be served by sending her to a private catholic school or a public school. those catholics can be a ruthless lot, so don't let them know you want to go fishing. g you think their ruthless in their schooling, wait until you need your gallbladder excised. g uh oh... is that what's in all those shiny silver chalices. g as far as the financials, just bring the books along. i'll bring my pocket calculator and we'll have a number before the day is done. g jeff |
Montana TR- Getting There
"jeff" wrote in message news:rtqGg.4619$W01.2355@dukeread08... Wayne Knight wrote: That was if Wayne could get away and get as far as Grayling on Friday night. My actual departure date from Indy will be dependent on the Catholics financial closing calendar. Hm.....can't just buy an indulgence or something and vaminos? Well, keep us posted. Thursday, the 7th, at 3:00 p.m. is the deadline for prearranged meeting details. After that it's hit or miss as we pass through occasional cell phone friendly regions. wtf is "the catholics financial closing calendar?" so far, all i know is wolfgang, asadi, frank and i will be at the marquette airport at or about 2 pm on sept 8. John and I do indeed plan to be there to meet your plane......um.......but......well, the maps show several streams in close proximity to the airport (the middle branch of the Escanaba is roughly 4 miles and the east branch is, as far as I can tell, about 1.66 from the end of the runway) and......well, you know. :) where we're going from there isn't real clear, I've located three likely looking state forest campgrounds within twenty minutes' drive. All of them are in easy striking distance (less than half an hour) of the aforementioned east and middle branches, as well as the west branch of the Escanaba, Chocolay Rver, Cedar Creek, Sawmill Creek, Goose Lake Outlet, the Little West Branch, Werner's Creek, Johnson Creek, Dexter Creek, Hunter's Brook, Tacoosh River, the Rapid River, Days River, Ford River, Rock River, Sturgeon River (not the one we've already been to), Little Sturgeon, Indian River, Bryan Creek, Flat Rock Creek, Two Mile Creek, the north branch of the Ford, the east branch of yet another Sturgeon, Michigamme River, the west branch of the Ford, myriad smaller feeders, several hundred small lakes and ponds and......of course......Lake Superior. If you boys don't have any trouble clearing customs we can have your asses in trout bearing water within ten minutes of hitting the tarmac. So much for Friday afternoon. Saturday morning.........well, if we get a long rope and some water skis, I figure we can cross the U.P. from end to end and have somebody fishing the whole way. :) except we'll be yoopin somewhere east or west of marquette...meeting claspy for poetry on the fox river, finding g.c. somewhere west of marquette, and perhaps finding you somewhere if the catholics allow. Further details about where and when east and west shall meet will be worked out (insofar as possible) over the next two weeks. i spent most of the day in the midst of, and fomenting, arguments about whether the best interests of a child would be served by sending her to a private catholic school or a public school. those catholics can be a ruthless lot, so don't let them know you want to go fishing. g Papists and other upstart religionists beware! Da ancient fish Gods are strong in da Yoop.....dey will brook no meddling wit deir agenda, eh? :( Wolfgang |
Montana TR- Getting There
Wolfgang wrote: Hm.....can't just buy an indulgence or something and vaminos? Not if I'm gonna keep Billy in borrowed cane rods. Well, keep us posted. Thursday, the 7th, at 3:00 p.m. is the deadline for prearranged meeting details. After that it's hit or miss as we pass through occasional cell phone friendly regions. Tell me where to be both Saturday and Sunday nights just in case. Bringing tent(s), sleeping bag, various and sundry beverages, hazmat suit (for the olives), various lighting and cooking stuff related to outdoor cooking, various and sundry fishing things, a 20G, and a golden retriever. Papists and other upstart religionists beware! Da ancient fish Gods are strong in da Yoop.....dey will brook no meddling wit deir agenda, eh? I have the cane and the complete Voelker, I won't hesitate to use either |
Montana TR- Getting There
20G, and a golden retriever.
I can take care of the first one for you (the wiff just told me how much I get to pay Syracuse to babysit my daughter per semester). I could bring Toespaz. That outta tire out your hound. Frank Reid |
Montana TR- Getting There
Frank Reid wrote: 20G, and a golden retriever. I can take care of the first one for you (the wiff just told me how much I get to pay Syracuse to babysit my daughter per semester). For that babysitting fee, I hope she gets better reading comprehension. 20K might help you but if you intend to rob UP convience stores to raise cash for Syracuse you aren;t gonna do it with an Italian side by side. At least not MY italian side by side. I'd let Claspy tie a bobber and nymph on a cane rod before I'd do that. I could bring Toespaz. That outta tire out your hound. I'm not so sure the TSA would let you do that |
Montana TR- Getting There
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Montana TR- Getting There
"William Claspy" wrote in message ... On 8/22/06 4:22 PM, in article (and do you lads want modern English poetry, or otherwise?) I vote otherwise |
Montana TR- Getting There
William Claspy typed: snip (and do you lads want modern English poetry, or otherwise?) There was a young lad name of Claspy Whose poetry really sucked ass, be it English or Dutch I don't care for it much In fact, I'd rather be stung by an asp bee. -- TL, Tim --------------------------- http://css.sbcma.com/timj/ |
Montana TR- Getting There
(and do you lads want modern English poetry, or otherwise?)
I'm big on poetry from the North East during the whaling era. Anyone have a word that rhymes with Nantucket? Frank Reid |
Montana TR- Getting There
On 8/22/06 10:21 PM, in article
, "Tim J." wrote: There was a young lad Meeeouch! :-( B |
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