Category Archives: Montana

North America’s Most Interesting Hatches

I take a lot of pride in putting together what I hope all you would consider to be a great magazine. If you haven’t looked at American Angler in the past year or two, take a glance. I’ve changed it … Continue reading

Posted in Alaska, British Columbia, CANADA, Culture, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Travel, Uncategorized, Wyoming | Tagged | Leave a comment

Time to Organize Flies—it’s go-time in Montana

Saw this dude on the screen door a couple days ago and snapped a quick and very amateurish image with my aging phone. Clarity in the photo doesn’t matter as much as the clarity this gave me in my head—time … Continue reading

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Fall On Western Montana’s Rock Creek

There aren’t enough September’s in a guy’s life. It’s the best month of the year, by far. Bird seasons are open, archery for elk, too. Big bulls ripping up trees and barking at their cows. Call one in, feel your … Continue reading

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TRCP and On X Maps Team Up for Public Lands

Two great Missoula, Montana-based groups are backing this effort, one being the Theadore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and the other being On X Maps. I’ve encountered this situation—of not being able to get at public land because it’s surrounded by private … Continue reading

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Quick Turnaround at North 40 Outfitters

I’ve been a little delinquent with Tonic over the past year or so, but I’m making a new effort to keep you abreast of my observations in the West and beyond. Part of my new commitment is having the time … Continue reading

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Slough Monsters: Spring is Prime For Montana’s Northern Pike

Had some fun putting this video together for Field & Stream and its Facebook page, Hookshots. This vid serves as a reminder that pike fishing is an option while most of our area waters are running high and fast. In

Posted in Montana, Videos | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Western Montana Pike

I was able to sneak out for a few hours the other day, to ply Montana’s rivers for northern pike, which invaded these systems 20 years ago. To catch pike you have to row past a bunch of trout and … Continue reading

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Hucks and Cutts: July Is Go Time

The old rule of thumb in northern Idaho, western Montana and southeast British Columbia said you can fish just about any cutthroat creek, after the Fourth of July. Showing up earlier meant you might be limited by high water. But … Continue reading

Posted in British Columbia, CANADA, Idaho, Montana, Northern Rockies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Southwest Montana Spring Brown

You can get great dry fly fishing during spring in southwest Montana, but this time of year always screams streamers and brown trout under snowcapped peaks with brilliant green lining the foothills and river corridors. It really is the prettiest … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Montana, Northern Rockies | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Montana Wild Filmakers Busted By FWP, NFS

A well-known local film company is in hot water for not following laws in film and fishing while shooting a piece on fly fishing for Montana’s bull trout, which is only legal on a few waters in the state. After … Continue reading

Posted in Conservation, Culture, Montana | Tagged , , | 4 Comments