It is with great regret that I am packing my bags and (Monday) heading for another 7-10 day fly fishing trip to Montana. Really. I’ll miss you guys.
Last year’s trip produced a handful of reports which recorded exceptionally high readership numbers, clearly suggesting my readers secretly wish me dead for rubbing their noses in my little fly fishing adventures.
And I’m down with that; if I inflict a little pain and suffering during the day, I sleep better at night.
A highlight of last year's trip? Only if you like beauty, solitude, and trout.
For those who missed last year’s reports:
The Great Montana Upper Radiator Hose Massacre
The Underground’s Montana Road Trip Continues to Rock Creek
The Montana Road Trip Continues: Georgetown Lake, and Culinary Breakthroughs
The Montana Fly Fishing Road Trip Continues: This Time an Even Smaller Stream
The Montana Fly Fishing Road Trip Continues: Last Casts, and a Gripping Action Sequence
Much has to happen between now and Monday, which means no fly fishing for the Underground before The Big Drive. Last year, the 14 hours went by pretty quickly – despite the fact I was driving a 1987 Toyota pickup relying largely on duct tape for molecular cohesion.
This year we’ve acquired a road car; a 2002 Subaru Legacy with (and we know this is shocking in this day and age) a working air conditioner and stereo.
I’ll be far more comfortable, but I can’t help but feel I’ve robbed this trip of a sizable (and romantic) element of risk. Is this an improvement, or am I simply flying too close to the sun?
Other questions loom.
Will [name redacted] willingly reveal his identity? Will the fishing be great? Will the L&T forgive me after I’ve slopped the between-bread contents of a mega-death-burger (cheese, chili, ketchup & produce) onto the passenger seat?
Stay tuned – these questions and others will be answered.
See you in Montana (starting sometime next week), Tom Chandler.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Have a great trip TC. I’m working over in Helena for the summer, but hear the ‘root and Rock Creek are coming down fast and shaping into summer fishing quickly. If it stays hot and dry, maybe the never before seen numbers of mosquitoes will quickly decline too. If not, bring the bug head net and 100% DEET (at least that’s what my wife is telling me and she is one of those people who don’t attract ’skeeters). Also, plastic garbage bags or even one of your t-shirts covering the seats can keep your Spousal Credit in the black concerning road food and the new ride.
Tom, I’m not jealous, really, no honestly I’m not.
Hope you have a fantastic time! Can’t wait for the report and pictures already!
G
Have fun! I was just back up there this past week to wander the old stomping grounds. All the rivers were pretty blown out but maybe you’ll be lucky enough to find some that aren’t.
You’re killing me! You’re ditching the Toyota? You are already worrying about trashing out the Subaru and you haven’t even left yet! Buy some more duct tape, get a fan that runs off your cigarette lighter and relieve yourself of those fears of slopping food and wine across the front seat, floor and windshield. Go to the second hand store and buy a cheap boom box and a big rabbit ear antenna to attach to it and a box of cheap CDs and you’re set.
If you are going to go Felix Unger on us I might suggest you buy a roll of industrial size Saran Wrap and encase the entire interior with it. I wouldn’t go as far as wrapping yourself in it while you are in Montana though, that might fly in Cal but you might give the locals the wrong idea.
Have a safe and fun trip, can’t wait for the stories.
It’s not so much the discomfort of driving all that way in the Toyota as much as the very real risk of it not driving all that way that has me wary.
See you in air-conditioned comfort, TC
I’m looking out for you buddy, check these out- TC personal protection devices.
Toyota’s never die, they just look and smell like they did.