The aging Toyota (and the aging person driving it) made the 13.5 hour trip to Missoula in great shape.
Though I’d love to describe the effort in terms that elevate it to the level of crossing the prarie in a Conestoga wagon, the truth is rather simpler; I just drove a lot.
In the west — where things are rather far apart — that’s how you get from Point A to Point B.
I’m at the house of the Underground’s Anonymous Fly Fishing Benefactor in Missoula, and we’re throwing gear in the car for a camping trip on Rock Creek.
The stones are still coming off, the creek’s coming down, and for once, it looks like the Underground’s timing is damn near perfect.
Naturally, expecting big fish on top of the perfect timing represents a kind of hubris that can only lead to trouble, so I’m only going to say it’s beautiful up here, The Benefactor’s fun to hang with, and if we catch a few small fish, well, that’s just icing (looks around furtively).
I’ll likely be out of touch for a couple days. But don’t cry for me, Undergrounders. It’s the kind of out-of-touch fly fishermen live for.
See you in Montana, Tom Chandler.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Don 06.28.08 at 9:01 am
If you make it to Hamilton say hello to Chuck Stranahan for me.
David Knapp 06.28.08 at 4:34 pm
Enjoy the trip! I hope to fish somewhere, anywhere, during salmonfly time someday but in the meantime will enjoy what I’m sure will be some great stories about it…good luck!
Smellslikefish 06.29.08 at 6:28 pm
Is there smoke-free air there?
Tom Chandler 06.29.08 at 6:47 pm
David: it was spectacular today (see new report). Then again, it’s tough to beat the Smokies.
Smells: Not much smoke, but plenty of hissing radiator vapor…
Jim 07.01.08 at 12:28 pm
Tom, enjoy the trip and keep clear of that cell phone!