Big Hole River with Bob Ratcheson

Jack holding Bob's beautiful brown trout

Bob and Peggy have a home near the Bitterroot River but you have to fish other places, too. On this day, Bob and Jack ventured "over the hill" to the Big Hole. It paid off. Cooler temperatures, more water, lots of fish and spectacular scenery were some of the perks.

Closer view of Bob's brown trout

Fly Fishing the Bitterroot with Florence Dentist, Carl Shepp

Jack's dentist is Carl Shepp from Florence. Carl is also a friend, a husband and wonderful father of two. We love getting together with the Shepp family for fun and for fishing. This day was all about Carl getting to fish. Jack took on a stretch in the middle Bitterroot. You can see by the photos, they had a great day.

The Bitterroot has many good dentists, but Carl is our recommendation. You know he knows how to have fun. Along with being a hard working, skilled dentist, he loves to spend time with his family, fly fish and snow ski.



You can find Carl's office at:
5460 U.S. 93, Florence, MT 59833-6852
(406) 273-2015

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See the slideshow below for a few more photos.

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Fly Fishing Montana - the Big Hole River in July with Peter Rein

Peter has been to Montana many times but we first met Peter in the late 1990's when he came to fish with his sister and her family. Peter finished school, began his career in Texas and we didn't see him for awhile. Now Peter lives in northern CA, his career is established and the lure and memories of fishing in Montana have brought him back. He has spent more time in Montana than many because he loves the outdoors and fishing. Peter had been to the Big Hole, but this was his first time float-fishing it. It was a great day.

We are fortunate to have Peter as a friend and as a client. He is smart, fun to be with, passionate about life, dogs and about fishing. Take a trip down the Big Hole River with Peter and with us through the photos in the slideshow below.

John Bolton on the Bitterroot River

Doc and his wife, Liz, were up again. They have a sweet little place on the middle river and come as often as they can. John fishes by his house or wade fishes his other favorite spots.

Liz enjoys the quiet time and catches up on her reading.

On this day, he is fishing with Jack. What a beautiful day.

See a few more photos in the slideshow below.

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Father and son fished the Bitteroot - Greg and Kris came from Canada to the Bitterroot River

Kris from Alberta, Canada - cutthroat trout

Kris graduated from high school and Greg decided it was time to do a fishing trip to the Bitterroot with him. They live in Canada and have plenty of beautiful mountains and rivers there, but coming to the Bitterroot was something special. Nice fish, Kris. Jack Mauer is holding it for him.

Greg Yavorsky is IFMGA Mountain Guide for Yamnuska Mountain Adventures. They have an awesome site. One of the links talks about wind power of personal computers. These people think of everything.

Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is the premier provider of mountaineering, ice and rock climbing, backcountry skiing and trekking experiences in the Canadian Rockies. For over 30 years, we have hosted thousands of clients from Canada and all over the world.

Jeff and Colonel Rogers on the Bitterroot River - and a moose

Jeff's dad was up for a visit again. And, again, they went fishing with Jack - June 28 and 29. Maybe it is becoming an annual tradition for them. There is nothing like bonding as father and son on the river. They certainly know how to have fun in the outdoors together.

There is a moose in a couple of the photos, though it is very difficult to see. A few days later, Jack saw a bear. Deer, moose and maybe elk are common sites, but though bear are here, we don't usually see them on the river. Of course Jeff and the Colonel caught fish, too.

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The Big Hole River in spring and early summer 2010

Salmonfly (Pteronarcys californica) from the Big Hole in June

Wapiti Waters spent a lot of time on the Big Hole River this spring and early summer. Jack began his guiding career in the early 1980's on the Big Hole with the Complete Fly Fisher. He loves the high valley and clear, beautiful Big Hole River. It is one of many rivers he fishes and he knows it well.

To learn more, visit our Big Hole River web page.

See a slideshow below for a few photos from this spring and early summer. Something you should know, if you fish the Big Hole River in June, bring potent and ample amounts of mosquito dope and cover yourself well with clothing. The mosquitoes are plentiful and BIG. But, the fishing and scenery is worth putting up with these pests.

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Another late June day on the Big Hole River - Jim and son-in-law, John

John with a nice brown trout

Jim has fished with Wapiti Waters for years. This year he and his friends included family. This day, Jim and his son-in-law, John, drove to the Big Hole from Hamilton to fish with Jack. It was a brighter day and very successful. Seems like the Big Hole is magical this time of year. See the slideshow below for more photos.

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Big Hole River in late June - a rainy day and good fishing

Jack and Mike

Mike and Jason

Mike and his son-in-law, Jason, fished the Big Hole River with Jack in late June. It was a bit of a drive from Hamilton, but well worth it. There is something about the Big Hole in June, beautiful and usually great fishing. That held true for this day.