Today we head back to the North Fork of Glacier National Park
but this time we are going prepared to go Fly-fishing
.
On May 11, 1910, Congress designated Glacier National Park.
The North Fork of the Flathead River served as the park’s western boundary.
It's an overcast day and starting out in the low 50's with a high expected of 74 in Whitefish,
so probably more like 64 in the North Fork
Approaching our turn in Polebridge
I am so tempted to buy some more Huckleberry Bear Claws or one of the Huckleberry Turnovers I saw someone eating and competing with the bees for on the porch but make a Pit stop instead
We have the one mile of really rough road to get to the Ranger Station and then 15 miles to Kintla Lake. At 10-15 mph it will be an hour anyway. We pass through the Big Prairie
The discovery of oil seeps around Kintla Lake prompted
the Butte Oil Company to clear a 40-mile wagon road (now the inside
North Fork Road) through the forest in 1901. We come across the McCarthy Cabin Homestead. It was built in 1908 ,7 years after the North Fork road was completed.
Further down the road we see a road grader - guess it's been awhile since it's been used.
We pass through a nice stand of lodge pole pines
Then back to thick forest
What looks like green pastures in the distance is actually never ending pine seedlings.
Kintla Creek! The Lake can't be much further
Finally!
We've arrived!
I am always amazed at how crystal clear the waters are here.
I wanted to get Fly-fishing right away but it is still pretty chilly. Gary didn't have a jacket so he squeezed into one of jackets. I was chilly in my Jean Jacket so we decide to do a hike first
At some angles the water is a beautiful Caribbean Blue
It's a rugged trail so we must make noise along the way as there have been bear sightings. Gary has wanted to see a Mountain Lion so I say "Here Kitty Kitty Kitty" at all the blind turns.
A pretty woodland wildflower
If multiple trees fall in the woods and there is no one there to hear them - do they make a sound?
We do hear the sound of Loons and there is a pair out on the lake
Then this cute little guy scampered across the trail
Back to the beginning and it is warming up
So let's get ready to Fly-fish!
I learn how to assemble my 4 part pole, string the line and tie a fly.
Gary demonstrates
Then I give it a shot.
I finally get the hang of the Roll Cast. Too far away on the shore to catch anything and the water is too cold to venture in without waders so it is just a practice run. I actually enjoy it and see where the Zen part comes in.
It's getting late so time to pack it in and head back home to put Chicken Shish-ka-bobs on the grill for dinner.
Back through the Prairies - no short cuts allowed!
Someone fly-fishing on the North Fork - so jealous!
The Mountains of Glacier, a stand of Pines and Aspen which are starting to change color. Come September the nights will be dropping down into the 30's
and again, the only wildlife we see
Back to work tomorrow - bummer!
