Outdoors

Adjusting on the fly: Cooler temperatures bring different strategies for anglers

With the seasons changing, the fish in the rivers are making the necessary changes to adjust to fall and winter weather as are anglers going after those fish. 
 
But what adjustments are those exactly? 
 
For anglers looking for the big catches, such as brown trout, the changing weather is seen as a positive sign. 
 

Masters of MOHAB

“That was a lot of fun.” 

That’s how Scoutmaster John Yeager summed up the adventure Scouts and leaders of Livingston Troop 516 had in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in late June.

The trek is called MOHAB, an acronym for Montana High Adventure Base. The Boy Scouts of America have half a dozen high adventure base locations including the Boundary Waters near Ely, Minnesota and Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron, New Mexico. Each base features a unique adventure.

Rediscovering the Oregon Coast Trail

ASTORIA, Ore.  — At the end of June, a woman picked up three young backpackers walking along the highway near Gearhart.

They had been hiking the Pacific Crest Trail — a 2,650-mile-long path that twists up the West Coast from the Mexico border to Canada — but heavy snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountain range stopped them 700 miles in.

Rather than stop hiking, they decided to hop over to the lesser-known Oregon Coast Trail. And they aren't alone.

"Everyone is coming here," they told their driver.

Norris Campground reopens

After the area’s water system failed Wednesday, the Norris Campground reopened to campers Friday morning. 

The National Park Service closed the campground, located on the park’s northwest side about 20 miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs, on Thursday after learning of the water system failure. The failure also affected nearby employee residences. 

A summer Passage

Roughly 16 miles down Mill Creek Road in Paradise Valley, the Passage Creek trailhead is located just off the right shoulder of a well-maintained gravel road. 

Starting off down the path located within the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, visitors are immediately greeted by lush mountain vegetation spilling onto a dirt path 

A beautiful, newly constructed wooden bridge welcomes hikers and fishermen to cross Mill Creek and continue alongside the meandering stream for several miles through the vast Mill Creek tundra. 

AMBLING UP ALLENSPUR: Paradise Valley rock crags gaining popularity with climbers

 Allenspur, a series of rocky crags rising out of the pines off of East River Road near the Carter’s Bridge fishing access, is just about everything for which a Livingston-area rock climber can wish.
 A number of routes are bolted up multiple facets of the rock pillars, offering climbers of varying skills levels something to grip their fingers and toes into. 
 “The accessibility is the best part of it,” said climber Ryan Rock of Livingston. “I worked till six today, and I can still get out and climb.”  

Wildflower class by BOW slated for July

Here’s a chance to learn how to identify wildflowers. 

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will offer a day-long class from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 8 near Big Sky at the Jack Creek Preserve Outdoor Education Center. 

The class is offered through the agency’s popular “Becoming an Outdoorswoman,” or BOW. 

University offers early retirement to 48 faculty members

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — The University of Montana has offered early retirement incentives to 48 tenured faculty members age 65 and older in an effort to save money.

The Missoulian reports the faculty members have until May 31 to decide if they'll accept the offer, which includes receiving 50 percent of their salary this school year. Their last day of work would be July 17.

The Montana Legislature appropriated $2 million for buyouts, which would cover the 48 offers.

Full Circle: Warriors and Quiet Waters inspires one Army veteran to put down roots in Montana and help his fellow servicemen

Thick, soggy snowflakes fell upon the three fly-fisherman as they crossed the icy waters of the Boulder River. They moved in unison, arms linked together, slowly but surely until they reached a small island in the center of the waterway. Jey Johnson, a 15-year Army veteran, was flanked by local guide, George Anderson and his companion and fellow Army vet, Rodney Thurman.

Over the past four days, the trio had grown close, as was evident by their easy camaraderie during the river crossing.

Sibanye Gold expands platinum holdings with US acquisition

HELENA (AP) — A South African gold mining company has completed a $2.2 billion acquisition of the only U.S. producer of platinum and palladium.

Thursday's announcement comes a little more than a week after shareholders of both Sibanye Gold Limited and Littleton, Colorado-based Stillwater Mining Co. approved the merger.

The U.S. government also reviewed the purchase to ensure there are no national security issues.