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At first I hated fishing tricos. They were too much of a mystery - not much was written about them then and all I knew about them were things I didn't like. They were too small. There were no standard patterns - that I knew about, anyway - so I had to start from scratch. The trout kept sipping them off the surface with maddening regularity for hours every morning. And when the tricos were on, it was useless to fish with anything else. If I wanted to catch these fish, I'd have to learn more...
This long slow process of the Pyramid Mountain Lumber mill shut down is just heartbreaking. Seeley Lake Community Foundation staff got to be a fly-on-the-wall at the Rapid Response hosted by Missoula Job Service in June, to see if there was any way the SLCF could help during this sad time. This meeting at the Community Hall was set up to get Pyramid employees info on next steps as the layoffs occur this summer. At that meeting, several mill employees asked the Job Service to offer their services...
Montana law states that "it is unlawful for any person to permit any noxious weed to propagate or go to seed on the person's land." It further states that "...any person who adheres to the noxious weed management program of the person's weed management district or has entered into and is in compliance with a noxious weed management agreement" is considered to be in compliance. (Montana Code 7-22-2116 (2023)). Legally, a noxious weed is any plant designated by a Federal, State or county...
Do you own a home and wonder what it’s worth? You can easily look up your address on Zillow and see the estimated value is rapidly rising, translating to more property taxes. Too many Montana families cannot keep up with an annual $249 million property tax increase imposed by Republican Governor Gianforte and his party in the Legislature. Yet, after months of analysis by the Governor’s property tax task force, they recommended a complicated process that will raise our taxes again. Why didn’t they didn’t consider the new taxes they already...
On Sunday, Aug. 4, my husband and I were in a serious accident on Highway 83 north of Seeley Lake. We were towing a fifth wheel and a boat, both which will probably be totaled. Needless to say, we were unbelievably fortunate to not have been injured. We want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank everyone who helped us, especially the Swan Valley emergency response team, Missoula highway patrol and Missoula County sheriff. We especially want to thank Bob and Ben at Clearwater Towing, who were exceptional at clearing up the huge...
Does anyone know Where the love of God goes When the waves turn the minutes to hours Those lyrics from Gordon Lightfoot's famous ballad "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" were passing through my mildly seasick brain as the predicted 3-foot waves were clearly significantly higher. Moving our boat from New York City back to Chesapeake Bay involved 122 miles of open North Atlantic Ocean, and I had waited patiently for a benign weather forecast. On the day of departure my many weather apps predict...
“Throughout history, there have been supernatural apparitions and signs that go to the heart of human events and, to the surprise of believers and non-believers alike, play their part in the unfolding of history” (Vatican). If someone predicted future events and said, “I will perform miracles on a certain date to prove my words to be true,” and has 70,000 witnesses, would you believe it? That happened in Fatima, Portugal. The details began in the village of Fatima, Portugal on May 13, 1917. The Blessed Virgin Mary, holding a Rosary, appeare...
The summer reading program finishes Thursday, Aug. 22. Reading logs can be turned in through the end of the day. The grand-prize drawing will be on Monday, Aug. 26. A special thank you to the Ice Cream Place for donating small cones for each kiddo who completes a reading log. This steadfast support for years from the ICP makes the summer reading program such a treat for the kids. Also, thank you to Linda Orr, who donates a blanket with a hand-crocheted border each year for the summer reading...
Throughout the years, the Forest Service has had a lasting impact on the landscape and culture of the upper Swan Valley. Many residents were employed by the Forest Service from the local teenagers on the YACC (Young Adult Conservation Corps) crews, to the seasonal trail crews, fire crews, planting crews, spraying crews, building crews, fire lookouts, to the full-time employees. The Condon Work Center has remained an important part of the fabric of the community. When the Forest Service decided...
You see them everywhere - maybe not in blizzard numbers but usually at least a few - all summer long. They start while salmonflies are on the water in June and they last, most years, well into September, depending on how chilly the nights get. You'll often find more of them clinging to streamside willows and tall grass than you'll see on the water. When they're ready, you'll see the egg-layers flying almost haphazardly over the stream, then dropping to shed their cargo of eggs into rifled...
Saturday Aug. 3 found 147 triathletes preparing to hit the water at River Point Campground. This year’s race had a bit of a twist for the bikers, no Boy Scout Bridge. After a little creative work we came up with a route. Down Boy Scout to Highway 83, down 83 to Riverview Drive, across the Dogtown bridge, turnaround at Snowmass Drive, back across the Dogtown bridge, down our driveway, through the fence, through multiple private yards, across Cabin Lane, down Back Cabin Road to Lars Kramen, to Boy Scout Road and back to the campground. WHEW! I h...
Condon residents unhappy with Missoula County government should consider the real fact Lake County would probably reject their offer to join that county. It would be a far reach for Lake County to offer the required fire, road and other emergency services.It has plenty of problems of its own. I know I now reside in both Missoula and Lake Counties. Because the Tribal government does not pay its full share for government services it enjoys and it recently took the Kerr Dam out of the Lake County tax base, the county government is strapped. A far...
Alpine Artisans would like to give a big shout out of thanks to the Seeley-Swan and Blackfoot Valley communities for making our 24th Loon and Fish Festival a big success! Why do we call it a success? We rely on the sales of raffle tickets to fund our ambitious Youth Grant and Scholarship Fund, which awarded over $5,000 in grants to seven youth grant recipients and three senior scholarship winners in the last year. Next year will be even better. Your support of the raffle this year set a record in sales, enlarging our budget for these youth...
We learn about people in different ways. Some we read about, some we have met in person, and of course in this digital age we meet people virtually. I was a seasonal worker at the Seeley Lake Ranger District in the 1960s, and one person that I knew only by voice over the Forest Service radio was Dorothy Taylor. It seems strange in this day of fire patrol planes to learn that in 1966 the Seeley Lake District alone had four fire lookouts: Falls Point, East Spread, Morrell (built in 1962) and Double Arrow. Dorothy was our Double Arrow lookout...
Jon is a great kid. When my grandson Silas invited Jon to join us on a fishing and camping trip I couldn't have been more pleased. Silas is a great kid, too. I knew they'd bring a sense of adventure, enthusiasm, laughter and just enough delightful mischief to keep each other busy. I wouldn't have to do much but direct traffic, pass out chores and enjoy my time with them. Jon and Silas are both 13, and have known each other since they were babies. Their moms are best friends and their children, J...
Fifty years ago, a new law significantly altered the landscape of wildlife conservation in the U.S. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) turned 50 on Dec. 28, 2023, providing an opportunity to reflect on its lasting impacts for species of all kinds, including grizzlies. After two centuries of willful persecution of wildlife in North America, the ESA formalized into our federal structures a counterforce of conservation. Environmental historian Dan Flores, who gave a webinar for Vital Ground last...
It was an interesting start to the morning. I was sitting in the cockpit (back deck of the boat) in the Liberty Landing Marina, just off the Hudson River, looking directly across at Manhattan. The "Freedom Tower," the replacement for the destroyed Twin Towers, dominates the skyline, a magnificent rebuttal to the cheap shot terror vendors of the world. I glanced at my phone-delivered morning news feed, and the lead article related the plea agreement between the 911 perps and the US government -...
SUMEMR SALES ON PACE WITH PREVIOUS YEAR Following four years of a dramatic covid-19 real estate market that saw rapid price appreciation, very limited inventory and multiple offers on many properties, the past two years have seen sales in the local market stabilizing. Locally, we are coming off a real estate run with virtually no inventory, to an increasing inventory. Nationally, active home inventory for sale is 22% higher than it was this same time last year. Properties with unique aspects like creek front, bordering forest service, mountain...
Summertime in Montana is an amazing time of year. Even with storms and fires, it is a time that emphasizes fun outdoors, camps, travel and lots of fun in the water and the sun. Often, this is a time for barbecues, for family dinners, for get-togethers. Unlike the strict schedules of the school year or the cold early evenings of winter, summer seems to invite some rule relaxation. It is a time when we relax some rules around playtime and bedtime and often dessert time. And when we seek the best dessert for summer, we can never turn away from...
As a family medicine doctor at Partnership Health Center, I have helped many people through their pregnancy journeys. While planning for a baby is an exciting time, it can also be challenging and even overwhelming. If you are pregnant or preparing for a pregnancy, meeting with your doctor can help set you up for success. First, starting prenatal vitamins early gives your baby the best chance for healthy growth. These vitamins, especially folic acid, help prevent birth defects and support your baby’s development from day one. Next, your d...
It's a rainy day on the Hudson River, about 35 miles north of New York City. About every 30 minutes our little floating house will be rocked by a wake from the many giant barges that travel the river. Hold on to the coffee maker. The recent discussions regarding the brain function of certain prominent persons has me musing about my own experiences. When I finally finished my surgical training, all of 16 years after high school, I began my adult (getting paid) career in Billings, Montana in...
Well, we had an interesting few weeks in our politics. All the rules seem to be changing. Donald Trump didn’t really have much competition in his primary run, no doubt due to being a former president. As expected, former President Trump was acclaimed the Republican nominee at their recent convention. The Democrats had a proforma primary run with President Biden the presumptive nominee at their National Convention but then the debate happened. For the past two years, at least, we the people could not help notice that age was catching up with P...
Anybody reading this column who is old enough to be a Gordon Lightfoot fan might recognize the title of this column from one of his songs. Like many of you, and without going into the reasons why, I could use a summertime dream about now and over the next few days I might get one. I'm taking a grandson and his friend camping and fishing. They're wonderful kids and at that barely-teen age when the world comes alive with things to wonder at while they're still young enough to see it all fresh,...
As a U.S. Marine and a veteran of the Vietnam era, I appreciate the service of all members of the armed forces, past and current. However, I am seriously disappointed and a bit disgusted with those members of the armed forces in Sheehy’s recent ad. They are standing against the man who has done the most for Montana veterans — brought us clinics, got care for those exposed to Agent Orange, etc. They are promoting what will be a very junior senator over a very senior and powerful one who has done good things for veterans and Montana and will con...
Tonight I am witness, to my surprise, to a waterski exhibition. We have stopped in Amsterdam, New York, on the Erie Canal, and apparently there is a very active waterski academy here. While entertaining, the jumpers and balletic skiers put up prodigious wakes, which rock us continually. Between that and the trains paralleling the Erie Canal every 30 minutes, it is an active place. We have traversed northeast Canada, crossed Lake Ontario and are now transiting the Erie Canal on our way back to...
