Spring 2011

A tale of two lusts. I never get laid in the summer. There is very little sex on the riverbanks these days. After all, it’s a hard place to find those types of women. Women who think that moldy waders, chapped hands, and…

“Tell us a scary bear story.”I knew what he wanted—I just didn’t want to give it to him.I had just finished presenting a living history character for an audience at Lone Mountain Ranch. Dressed as a buffalo-hide hunter…

How to plan the perfect event for any occasion.  Quick, hide this article. Otherwise, you can’t take all the credit for orchestrating one stand-out family reunion, company retreat, friendly gathering, corporate conference…

My first time running the Baldy Blitz, I experienced the full gamut of human emotion: ecstasy as I ran down off the summit, my yee-haws drowned out by the roar of arctic-style winds, to spirit-crushing despair on the ice-…

When patches of snow become harder to find around town and blades of grass begin to appear, many anxious Bozemanites hit the trails. Such eager hikers are often deflated when they reach the trail and find only mud and post-…

An exercise for the green thumbs. Want to grow your own veggies? Interest in raised-bed gardening is growing, and our local climate and soils make them a great choice for Bozeman gardeners. Here's how to get started.Why a…

You should of been here yesterday. I mean spoons was workin’ like Jesus hisself was puttin' 'em on the hook. Hell, Roy Dean, he seen Bobby Don toss a Alka Seltzer where they was rootin' and a little one took it, then a big…

Feelin’ hot, hot, hot! If you’re looking for a little somethin’ to tickle your taste buds, give Oso Loco a try. This versatile sauce goes great with tacos, eggs, chili, or anything else you feel like spicing up. I’ve never…

You can see them bouncing near dusk. Like the deer, antelope, and elk that used to live here. On pavement and in the shadow of sodium vapor lamps they dance, frolic, and try to forget everything that brought them here and…

Better Ways to Fence I read with interest Melynda Harrison’s article on the pronghorns (Fall 2010, p. 30). I think you only scratched the surface of the problem. Restricting migration or herd movement is one issue, but a…

A few months ago, my boyfriend got in touch with his fire-loving inner Neanderthal, and together they went out and purchased a wood stove for our house. To compliment his desire to improve our home, I found my way to Ace…

Kayak and canoe paddles, bike wheels, bare backs in the sun. Aaah, Bozeman in the springtime. It really is paradise here in southwest Montana… until that darn rotator cuff injury ruins everything! Shoulder issues are so…

The East Gallatin Recreation Area on Bozeman’s north side contains some of the valley’s most popular trails—residents come to immerse themselves in the beauty of the river, its shimmering green cottonwood and aspen forest,…

Springtime is finally here... and that means the fresh produce of summer gardens. However, if you’re like me, you live in an apartment, and the only space available for your gardening dreams are your windowsills. If you’re…

It’s springtime in southwest Montana, but for those willing to work for it, ski season isn’t even close to finished. We’ve handpicked a few of our favorite spring ski locations so that you to can enjoy what’s left from a…

Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude. –Ralph MarstonSeveral years ago an essay landed in the O/B editorial inbox, about a woman’s post-divorce experience working in a barn with a retired rodeo bull named Wander.…

Reveal your knife personality. You can tell a lot about people by the blades they choose to carry. It’s kind of like a personality indicator, or even a mood ring—that also doubles as a lethal weapon. Here’s a primer on…

I rarely barbeque trout caught in the local rivers and streams, especially in summer, because the flavor and texture of the meat seems to diminish with the warmer waters. I prefer to harvest trout from colder water via ice…

I’m out on a beautiful river, on a beautiful day, with beautiful trout. As the sun sinks low, I look over the river in search of an easy way to wade across without getting myself in trouble or falling in. It's not that I'm…

The story of Porcus. Constellations are a lot like movie stars. Some, like Orion, are superstars. Others, like Hercules, are character actors. And some, like Porcus the Pig, are who-dats. And just like movie stars, each…

Spring is here and it’s time to stock up the fly box. As the honeycomb-like fly-shop bins suggest, there are literally hundreds of patterns to choose from. But if used properly, you only need a few. It’s okay to error on…

Outdoor spring events coming to a place near you. These events took place in 2011; for updated dates, visit our event calendar.  Nothing helps ring in the spring like getting out and enjoying the wide array of outdoor…

When your kid is ready to graduate from beginner status and take to the hills, try one of these (relatively) easy trails:Bozeman Creek / Sourdough Canyon—mileage variesThis local favorite (you’ll see ten people you know,…

The Tungsten Bead Goomie Worm is a go-to fly in the spring. This worm pattern is great when the bugs aren’t hatching, the water is off-color, or the fish are slow and lethargic. Those truths said, let us also disclose that…

Resurfacing isn't just for roads. Just as spring shows us the havoc winter has played on our byways, highways, and roads less traveled—exposing new holes, ruts, and bumpy terrain—skin shows similar wear and tear, making for…

The synthetic felt sole has long been the standard for wader traction and grip on slippery river rocks, but its days may be numbered: Montana State Senate Bill 230 proposes an amendment to fishing regulations that will…

Michelle Feldstein stands on the bank of the Yellowstone River in Paradise Valley. Cottonwoods sway in the breeze next to the river at the feet of the Absaroka Mountains. Snow still skiffs the crags. Her eyes scan the…

If your forehead is feeling warmer than usual, it might just be spring fever. There are a variety of cures for that in Livingston and the surrounding area; here are a few of the best ones.On the RiverThe Joe Brooks Chapter…

Weddings under the Big Sky. Face it: no outdoors enthusiast worth his salt readily and without profanity cancels a sunny, spring-weekend excursion to pack into a church and watch a twitterpated twosome tie the knot. Most…

Want to give the perfect Mother's Day gift? Take Mom fishing. That’s right; there’s even a corresponding aquatic insect hatch, which reminds us that Mother Nature also celebrates Mother’s Day. Numerous local fly-shops offer…

I am not a disciple of Norman Maclean. To say it another way: I’m not a fly fisherman. Fly fishing is fine and dandy, but I’m more of an eater than a fisher. Fishing is something I do to provide myself with juicy, succulent…

Published May 2011- Check our EVENTS CALENDAR for updated dates. There’s no better way to shake off the cobwebs of hibernation than to ditch the treadmill, head outdoors, and compete. Lace up your shoes and come run this…

An interview with the Gallatin Valley Land Trust.Penelope Pierce, the new executive director of the Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT), offered some insight into one of the area's most well-known organization that protects…

Having lived in the Bozeman area for some 13-odd years, it seems strange (at least to me) that I didn't really see the outdoors until recently.Of course, I've “seen” the outdoors. I'm not visually challenged—I had just…

Gearing up for life in the rain.At 11,000 feet, having only marginal rain gear during a storm can be life-threatening. On the other hand, if you're hiking for several hours in the rain, you're going to get wet, no matter…

Over the years, I’ve had people come into the gym after a weekend outing on one of our great rivers and they can hardly move. Kayaking, rafting, or paddling a drift boat uses a great deal of upper body and core strength.…

Adorning the walls of Manhattan’s famous Garden Café is a truly unique and original collection of angling and angling-inspired art. Dubbed the “Hatch Matcher Gallery,” this exhibit—still in its nymph stage—is an impressive…

The good news for the Sourdough Canyon / Bozeman Creek trailhead is that Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) doubled the parking capacity and installed a permanent vault toilet last fall. It also secured major funding for…

If you think that “looking forward to your daily commute” sounds outrageous, you’re probably thinking about mind-numbing, stress-inducing, bumper-to-bumper travel. Change your mindset to bike commuting—the kind that lands…

Around Montana, runners, anglers, and cowboys are breaking out their gear to help find a cure for breast cancer—the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, after lung cancer. In the United States, a woman has a one…

Whitewater kayaking has long been one of my favorite subjects to photograph. The high energy, emotion, and adventure elements of the sport inspire my photography and continually bring me back time and time again. The sport …

Isn’t it funny how things work? All summer long I dream of backcountry powder, but as soon as those long winter nights set in, I begin passing the time on a bike trainer and dreaming of future “gravel grinder” rides on my…

The rugged backcountry around Bozeman compels folks to partake of the fresh air and challenging terrain. Whether it’s hiking to Lava Lake or a more casual stroll along Hyalite Reservoir, each trip presents both a physical…

New TrailsThe recently completed Chestnut Mountain trail, east of Bozeman at the Trail Creek exit, adds some sweet new front-county singletrack. A new spur trail brings improved climbing access to the Frog Rock area. Be…

If you live in the Gallatin Valley, you know that biking is pretty damn fun. What you might not know is that biking with kids can be just as much fun—even though it takes a little more work and planning. But few family…

Our latest mountain-town match-up finds Bozeman competing against the like-minded burg of Park City, Utah. Does this filthy rich tourist hotspot have what it takes to win? Let's see how they stack up.Movie Festivals…

88%: trout’s chance of survival if exhaustively exercised62%: trout’s chance of survival if exhaustively exercised and held out of the water for 30 seconds28%: trout’s chance of survival if exhaustively exercised and held…

How to calculate your asshole footprint. Being an asshole is like burying a dead body in the woods: everyone’s done it. Or something like that. Are you an asshole? Take our handy quiz to find out.1. Did you blow up the…

“You’ve gotta check out this arête, it’s amazing,” Tom Kingsbury urges on one of his many guided tours through the Desert, a bouldering area outside Whitehall. The six climbers following him gather around the blunt,…

The many uses and personalities of knives.  Ask someone to borrow a knife these days and nine times out of ten they won’t be packing. It’s damn near impossible to find a blade in public, even here in Montana, where there’s…

What the locals do. You might be a Bozemanite if… ... your garage is for outdoor gear, not cars. ... you associate the scent of gun powder with food. ... you wear Carhartts to weddings. ... you've waxed your skis in July…

July 22, 1957 - November 26, 2010I don’t know where she found the time. She swam, skied, mountain biked, hiked, backpacked, and scoured Montana cafés in search of pie. She wrote an award-winning book, was working on a…

Now that winter has come to a close, it’s time to start thinking about hitting the rivers again—and all signs are pointing towards a fantastic paddling season. Bozeman’s favorite little girl, La Niña, treated us well this…

Bungee cords come in many styles, from cheap Wal-Mart flimsies to burly S-hook straps used for lashing big-rig load covers. One flaw common to all, though, is eventual deterioration—nylon bungees eventually stretch out, and…

When I wear these shoes, I feel like I could kick Sasquatch in the nuts and then outrun him. The Salewa MTN Trainer is designed to be comfortable enough for everyday use and general hiking but technical enough to handle any…

Waterproof gear is absolutely awesome—until it stops working. For the longest time, I would relentlessly use my waterproof stuff, and then sadly shrug off the fact that my gear’s “waterproof” claim was now meant…

Just so we’re clear, Luna Bars aren't "chick food." Each bar has nine grams of protein—which is about 50% more protein than an egg—and they come in mouthwatering flavors such as Peanut Butter Cookie, Vanilla Almond, and…

The Fishpond Deep Creek Chest Pack solves many of the problems I’ve had with previous chest packs. The front pouch opens to a full 90 degrees so I can find the right fly, and the foam storage pad is attached with Velcro so…

If you’re headed into the mountains with your adventurous best friend, the newly updated K9 Dog Pack from Mountainsmith is something to consider. Its tapered torso prevents slipping and provides excellent balance as your…

Few things feels better than a soft, furry dog head in one’s hands—and nothing’s worse than a sudden blast of rank dog breath on the face. If your pooch’s halitosis is out of hand, temper the terror with Breath Bites from…

Getting into the Redington Sonic-Pro Wader with the bulky clothing I was wearing for cold-weather fishing was a breeze, plus the zipper made it easy to prevent my polar fleece pants from bunching up around my knees. The…

Cold weather in Montana is never really confined to just a few months. When the wind kicks up and your average sweatshirt just won’t cut it, you need Carhartt’s thermal-lined Hooded Zip-Front Sweatshirt. This sweatshirt is…

The performance of Mammut’s Phoenix double ropes inspires a climbing twist on an old cliche: two ropes are better than one. Routing the separate cords through alternating pieces of gear or switching ropes across a traverse…

Now that spring is here for the next six months, climbing only happens on terrain too steep to get rain or melting snow (i.e., thuggish, blocky limestone with glassy feet). I need all the help I can get to clip the chains,…

Silent Seasons, a legendary 1978 collection, assembles angling writers who delve into the contradictory nature of humanity. The writers of these essays are honest to a fault. In fact, their faults are where their self-…

A collection of some of the greatest skiing locations on the continent, 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America (Wolverine Publishing, $60) by Chris Davenport, Art Burrows, and Penn Newhard has a lifetime of skiing within…

Tired of hiking the same old circuit of trails around Bozeman? Check out the new edition of Robert Stone’s Day Hikes Around Bozeman (Day Hike Books, $16) for plenty of beautiful hikes you’ve never done before, all within a…

We don’t have to sit idly by while oil companies pillage the earth for cheap petroleum. With The Heart of the Monster: Why the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies Must Not Become an ExxonMobil Conduit to the Alberta Tar…