Does Montana Count As "PNW"?

Breck

The Whisk(e)y Dick
Hi folks,

Many of you may remember me from the WFF site. I moved to WA from UT, where I was born & raised back in 2000. I loved WA and its rich bounty of outdoor recreation. In recent years, I saw the state devolve in many ways and realized that it really wasn't the place for me anymore. I took a 2-week vacation to Montana in the Summer of 2020 and fell in love with the place. Immediately upon returning to WA, I made arrangements and settled business and affairs and moved to NW (Kalispell area)/Flathead Valley) MT in September, 2020. It's had its ups & downs for sure. The 5-month-long hard Winters are a bit of a challenge to get accustomed to, for instance. It's really nice living 30 minutes from West Glacier. Glacier National Park is really something to behold.

I also really miss steelhead & salmon fishing, and miss the salt water in general. The trout fishing here is exceptional, as well as warm water species fishing (when it's actually warm). I have supplemented my addiction to fighting bigger fish with learning how to fish for pike on the fly. The pike fishing around here is out of this world. We also have a Canadian strain of rainbow trout called "Kamloops" in a few of the lakes here that grow to mammoth sizes (I'm talking 20-30 lbs commonly) as a result of feasting on kokanee smolts. They eagerly hit big flies (Sex Dungeons, for example) trolled just under the surface on sinking fly lines. They are also pretty abundant below the Lake Koocanusa Libby Dam on the Kootenai River where Spey swingers pick them up on swung flies. Definitely not lacking in great fishing opportunities around here. Im also an avid hunter and there is no shortage of excellent hunting here as well.

Long story short, I guess I'd like to offer myself as a resource to anyone wanting to visit MT for a fishing/hunting/vacation trip. I'm happy to offer any info as far as weather, fishing reports, lodging, guide recommendations, etc.. Don't be afraid to ask.

Kind regards and tight lines,

-Breck
 
Last edited:
Welcome aboard. I wouldn’t worry too much about the name, we have folks from all over.
 
As far as I'm concern Montana is part of the PNW... as is Idaho. If this site goes the way I believe it will, we'll have members from all over the world so don't let the PNW put anyone off.
 
As far as I'm concern Montana is part of the PNW... as is Idaho. If this site goes the way I believe it will, we'll have members from all over the world so don't let the PNW put anyone off.
Inland NW is part of the greater PNW. Once you get to Billings, then we can start calling it "Midwest."
 
Welcome to this site and a big welcome to Montana. I'm also a transplanted Washingtonian. Moved here in 2007. I mostly fish in and around Dillon. I live in the fishless area of Butte.
I remember you from WFF. Thanks for the welcome. My profile pic was taken on the Beaverhead last July. Lots of big browns in that little ditch.
 
Well... I for one thought the name of the forum should throw a larger net for the name but my efforts fell on deaf ears ....

:D:D:D
 
I watched some guys fishing below the Libby dam in the late 90's. They were drift fishing just like you fish steelhead. Saw some incredibly huge fish swimming around there. Fly fished the Kootenai a couple of days out of my drift boat and only caught relatively small fish. The highlight of the trip was when my wife wanted me to row back up to the put in because a black bear decided to swim across the river right in front of us.
 
Welcome @Breck and congrats on your move to Montana. I miss that state dearly, but my Kids & Grandkids are here so here I stay. You picked a gorgeous part of the state in which to settle.

Pacific, North, AND West Fly Fishing
I LIKE it!
 
Back
Top