Vacations on the Fly
Great Falls, Montana
By Gary & Robin Edwards, Travel Editors

Montana conjures images of beautiful mountain peaks, wild trout, fresh air, and wide-open spaces. Visitors soon confirm that the image of this state is more than hype; it’s reality.

Our trip to Great Falls, Montana was filled with amazing natural beauty. Eagles, rainbow and brown trout, beavers slapping the water as we drifted quietly by, buffalo...Buffalo? Yes! Just outside Great Falls is a wonderful historic site. The Ulm Pishkun Buffalo Jump Interpretive Center. It’s an enlightening place. We enjoyed touring the facility and hiking on the trails that take you up to the jump site. Visitors leave with a new sense of the hardships and ingenuity that made the West great.

In addition to the outdoors, Great Falls offers many enjoyable indoor destinations. The most complete exhibit of Lewis & Clark history and a huge gallery of the famous western artist, C.M. Russell, are just a couple of examples. There is a lot to experience in this part of Big Sky Country!

The conditions on the Missouri River were fairly windy; typical of western rivers. Therefore, we used 9’ x 5wt. Vector series rods by Thomas & Thomas. The Vector series is a relatively fast action rod that is good for controlling your line.

For line we used Rio’s Windcutter in a 6 weight. The Windcutter line is specifically designed to help anglers cast into the wind with less effort than a standard line. Using a line one size heavier than the rod helps the rod load quicker, again, making casting easier in windy conditions. We used a 10’ leader tapered down to 5x and 6x. That’s somewhere between 2 1/2 and 4 pound test. We used the long light leader and tippet because the fish get quite spooky in clear water.

We used a variety pack of flies. Alternating between a size 16 Elk Hair Caddis and a size 20 parachute Adams for dry flies seemed to work well. When the fish were feeding under the surface we added a size 16 bead head pheasant tail on a dropper about 18 inches long.

The best time to enjoy the city of Great Falls and its surroundings is during the milder weather, from June 15th to October 15th. Like any Rocky Mountain state, weather conditions are quite changeable, so stay alert.

Whatever you choose, be sure to get a good nights’ sleep to tackle the days’ events. Whether you hear the call of the wild and are looking for great outdoor activities, or you plan to visit one of the many museums or cultural centers, you won’t lack for things to do. Contact the local Great Falls Chamber of Commerce for more ideas than you’ll know what to do with.

The Ulm Pishkun Buffalo Jump Interpretive Center outside of Great Falls is an interesting side trip. Take a tour of the Center and learn the importance of the site. Then drive up to the jump and get a breathtaking view of the vast prairie.

Remember to hitch up your mountain bike or throw in a good pair of walking shoes. Great Falls maintains a hiking and biking trail through town that follows the Missouri River. Also, before you make your trip, we suggest brushing up on your history of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery. It will enrich your experience.

GENERAL INFORMATION
For a FREE Montana Vacation Guide call “Travel Montana” at 800-847-4868, www.visitmt.com.
For more information about Great Falls and the surrounding area, call the Russell Country Chamber of Commerce at 800-527-5348 or visit us on line at www.russell.visitmt.com.
Great Falls Chamber of Commerce, 406-761-4434, www.greatfallscvb.visitmt.com

RECOMMENDED GUIDE SERVICE
Central Montana Outfitters, 406-799-7984, www.cmontanaoutfitters.com.
Central Montana Outfitters is owned and operated by Chad & Marsha Schearer. They offer outstanding guide services for both fly fishing and hunting trips. Our trip with Chad on the Missouri River was most memorable and some of the best days of fishing we’ve enjoyed. In a nutshell, the scenery, fishing, and camaraderie were unsurpassed!

RECOMMENDED DINING
Borries Restaurant, 406-761-0300
Borries is technically located in the town of Black Eagle, just across the Missouri River from Great Falls. You can sum up the food in a few words; Great Big Steaks!

THINGS TO DO
Great Falls has a lot of interesting things to see and do. Here are just a few. For complete details call the Chamber of Commerce at 406-761-4434.

The Charles Russell Art Gallery and Museum, 406-727-8787. Tour Russell’s home and workshop and see the largest collection of his work under one roof.

The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, 406-727-8733. The Center is located on a hill overlooking the first of 5 falls that challenged Lewis & Clark in the search for an all water passage to the west. The Center has a great collection of artifacts, as well as many hands-on activities for kids.

The Ulm Pishkun Buffalo Jump Interpretive Center, 406-866-2217; Connie Jacobs, Park Manager
email: pishkun@initco.net. The Ulm Pishkun Visitor Center tells the story of the buffalo and what we
know of the people who shared its world. View the rich exhibit, hear stories, and learn more about the archaeology and history of this remarkable place. Outside, hike the interpretive trails, view a prairie dog town, and explore the cliffs just as the ancient people did.

Hiking, biking, canoeing, and wildlife watching, are all available in and around Great Falls!