The following is just one feature from our 2009 Summer Guide, which is inserted in Wednesday’s newspaper and available all summer on stands located throughout valley.
I have encountered few hardships in my life that a mountain stream couldn’t heal. When the world hasn’t made sense, the river has. Besides home itself, there is no place on this planet that I feel more at home than on the bank of a healthy trout stream.
But instead of trying to describe the appeal of Flathead’s many waters, I offer a simple invitation: come see for yourself. Spend an afternoon on Flathead Lake, reel in a westslope cutthroat on the North Fork or brave the rapids of the Middle Fork. Get wet and enjoy the moment. It’s the best invitation I can think of to offer a visitor.
Boating
One of the most unique opportunities in Northwest Montana is sailing. The rest of the state is known for its rivers and lacks the lake environment of the Flathead Valley. But here, sailing opportunities are abundant.
Several businesses offer chartered sailing or rentals. The Dayton Yacht Harbor has the whole package: guided excursions to Wild Horse Island and elsewhere; lessons; boat storage; rentals and vacation packages. Rentals cost $150 for a half day and $250 for a full day, with a few other options in that general range. Reservations are recommended. The Dayton Yacht Harbor can be reached at (406) 849-5423.
Other options for sailboat rentals are Hands On Sailing & Kayaking (406) 260-3125 and the Flathead Lake Lodge (406) 837-4391.
For people who prefer a paddle or motor to the wind, there are a number of companies that offer motorboat and sea kayak rentals, including Absolute Water Sports (406) 883-3900; Flathead Boat Company (406) 883-0999; Bigfork Marina and Boat Center (406) 837-4224; Marina Cay Resort (406) 837-5861 and Wild Wave Rentals (406) 257-2627.
Also, the North Flathead Yacht Club in Somers holds sailboat races throughout the summer. If you want to check one out, go to www.nfyc.org for a schedule and contact information.
But while there are advantages to having your own boat, it doesn’t get more relaxing than taking a chartered cruise on the lake. Two popular options are the KwaTaqNuk Princess in Polson (406) 883-3636 and Wild Horse Island Boat Trips in Bigfork (406) 837-5617.
The rivers can’t be ignored either. From Polson to Glacier National Park, there is no shortage of opportunities for kayaking and rafting. Experienced boaters can find enough whitewater to satisfy their need for adventure, while novices can either opt for guided trips or navigate easier stretches of the river if they rent.
One of the most well-known river companies in the area is the Glacier Raft Company based out of West Glacier. Along with rentals and knowledgeable staff, the Glacier Raft Company has a full list of river trips: half day, full day, dinner excursions, multi-day trips and self-guided explorations. Call 888-5454 for more information.
Other outfits offering raft and kayak rentals, as well as guided trips, are the Flathead Raft Company in Polson (406) 883-5838; Silver Moon Kayak Company in Kalispell (406) 752-3794; Rocky Mountain Outfitter in Kalispell (406) 752-2446; Wild River Adventures (406) 387-9453; Great Northern Whitewater Raft & Resort in West Glacier (406) 387-5340 and the Montana Raft Company in West Glacier (406) 387-5555.
Fishing
For fly-fishermen like myself, the Flathead Valley isn’t the same type of blue-ribbon trout hatchery found elsewhere in the state. Westslope cutthroats are the prevalent species up here, along with attendant rainbows, bull trout and whitefish. Lake trout abound in the bigger waters.
The main fly-fishing shops in the valley are Lakestream in Whitefish (406) 862-1298; Stumptown Anglers south of Whitefish 877-906-9949; Arends in Columbia Falls (406) 892-2033 and Bigfork Anglers (406) 837-3675. These shops offer flies, equipment, guided fishing trips, sound advice and anything else an angler needs.
You can also try calling Northern Rockies Outfitters (406) 756-2544; Wild Trout Adventures (406) 837-3838; Glacier Anglers (406) 387-5555 and Kootenai Angler in Libby (406) 293-7578.
Charter fishing trips are a good way to fish the large and rather daunting Flathead Lake, which is full of lake trout, whitefish and northern pike. The top charter companies in valley are Flathead Lake Charters in Bigfork (406) 837-3632; A Able Fishing in Kalispell (406) 844-0888; Glacier Fishing Charters in Columbia Falls (406) 892-2377 and Mofisch in Lakeside (406) 755-4414.
A good resource for information on licenses, maps and equipment is Snappy Sports Senter in Kalispell. Snappy’s can be reached at 257-7525. Another good resource is Sportsman Ski Haus, which can be reached at 755-6484 in Kalispell and 862-3111 in Whitefish.