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Full color publication full of features, calendar of events and guide to Southwest Montana
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RecReating at PiPestone Pass
Southwest Montana fly fishing forecast
summeR time in Yellowstone
Complete summer events calendar
COMPLIMENTARY ISSUE
Published by
SummerTimeS
2011 edition
BILL MERCERRealtor®
406-581-5574Email: [email protected]
Check my website for hundreds of listings www.EnnisMontanaRealEstate.com
TrouTdale • McallisTer$139,900 • #174815
• 1 bd, 1 ba • 794 +/- sf• log cabin on 1 +/- acre
• open living space • propane stove• 1 car detached garage
Mirza Way • ennis $159,900 • #157304
• 2 bd, 2 ba • 1,215 +/- sf log• 9,150 +/- sf lot • open floor plan
• updated kitchen• close to downtown
e. Fagin • ennis$189,000 • #176473
• 3 bd, 3 ba • 2530+/- sf• Big finished basement• great deck & hot tub
• perfect for large family • close to downtown
shining MT 1 • ennis$189,500 • #176458
• 2 bd, 1 ba • 1768+/- sf• spacious cabin 6 +/- acres• near fishing and hunting
• great getaway cabin • beautiful mountain views
WesT Fagin • ennis $225,000 • #174409
• 3 bd, 2 ba • 2,560 +/- sf• lots of extras • 2 car attached garage
• landscaped, sprinklers• great in-town location
upper slope road • MaMMoTh $259,000 • #170045
• 2 bd, 1 ba • 2,280 +/- sf • 1.21 +/- acres• custom home with blue pine finishes
• near FS Land & river
sporTsMan’s paradise • caMeron $289,000 • #155214
• 2 bd, 2 ba • 1,428 +/- sf • 20 +/- acres• Gallatin Forest access• turnkey, air conditioned• RV site with hookups
souTh Third sTreeT • ennis $299,500 • #176140
• 4 bd, 2 ba • 2,812 +/- sf• open floor plan • sunken family room
• basement kitchenette• fenced, mature yard
TrouTdale ii • ennis $299,900 • #175614
• 4 bd, 4 ba • 1648 +/- sf• guest apartment • guest cabin
• borders common area with ponds and trees• nicely landscaped
TrouTdale • McallisTer $299,900 • #165484
• 3 bd, 2 ba, 2,400 +/- sf• 1.2 +/- acres, borders common area w/ pond
• vaulted ceilings• beautiful master suite
TrouTdale • McallisTer$315,500 - #176669
• 4 bd, 2 ba • 1931 +/- sf• 2.24 +/- acres
• vaulted ceilings• extra 2 car garage for boats & toys
TrouTdale • McallisTer $339,000 - #164436
• 3 bd, 1 ba • 2,460 +/- sf• 1.8 +/- acres
• Tobacco Root views• guest cabin • end-of-the-road
shining MT WesT • McallisTer$349,999 - #175627
• 2 bd, 1 ba • 1611 +/- sf • 20 +/- acres• high end upgrades
• massive mountain views • borders BLM land • end-of-the-road
shining MTns. WesT • McallisTer$359,000 • #166033
• 20 +/- acres, views • 1,380 +/- sf home• loafing shed, partial fencing, good grass
• ideal for horses
BenT Trail • ennis$375,000 • #169605
• 3 bd, 3 ba • 2,992 +/- sf • 6 +/- acres• high end upgrades• access to private
• stocked lakes • Immaculate like new
ruBy river reTreaT • alder $395,000 - #176247
• 3 bd, 3 ba • 2638 +/- sf • .75+/- acres• custom home w greenhouse
• RV pad & hookups• borders BLM • Ruby River across the street
sTearMan lane • ennis$399,000 - #160596
• 3 bd, 3 ba • 3,646 +/- sf • 10 +/- acres• custom log home• runway access
• finished basement, loft
Trail creek ranches • ennis $499,000 • #167797
• 27 +/- fenced acres • 3,000 +/- sf log home• pole barn, tack room
• Madison Range views• adjacent land available • great horse property
duncan disT. road • sheridan $395,000 • #168135
• 3 bd, 2 ba • 1,680 +/- sf • 26 +/- secluded acres• shop, overhead doors• multiple water rights
• fantastic views
Widgeon road • ennis$522,500 • #172631
• 4 bd, 4 ba • 3,312 +/- sf • 4 +/- acres, fireplace• high end upgrades• radiant floor heat
• 3 car garage near golf course
loreTTa Minor 4.0 Acres with well - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -$93,500valley vieW highlands 24.83 Acres - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -$235,000pronghorn MeadoWs 3.75- 5.5 Acres - - - - - - - - - - - - - $60,000 - $139,900 rainBoW pT lake vieW 1.4 Acres - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -$220,000
shining MTs. 5.0 – 38.7 Acres - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $36,000 - $144,000sky vieW 1.7 – 2.5 Acres - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $76,000 - $85,000sphinx MT. 21.5 Acres - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -$59,000Trail creek ranches 24 – 27 Acres - - - - - - - - - - - - - $182,000 - $190,000
TrouTdale 1.1 – 1.9 Acres - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $48,000 - $79,500valley garden golF vill. .50 – 1.27 Acres - - - - - - - - - $78,900 – $129,000virginia ciTy ranches 5.1 – 5.7 Acres - - - - - - - - - - - - - $50,000 – $89,000
VaCant Land
4 | Summer Times
Summer Times | 5
Published Thursdays at Ennis, Montana for Madison and South Jefferson Counties.
Owners/Publishers: Steve Perrault & Jill NakaSoNe
Managing Editor: GreG lemoN
Assistant Manager: terri SwierAdvertising & Circulation Manager: BraNdi oStwald
Production: erica SeNf
65 N. mt Hwy 287 - ennis, mtP.o. Box 365
Phone 406-682-7755fax 406-682-5013
toll free 1-888-238-7849
Montana’s Oldest Operating Weekly Newspaper
~ Subscription rates for weekly edition ~In-State: $35.00/1 year or $60.00/2 years
Out-of-State: $45.00/1 year or $75.00/2 yearsEntered at the Post Office at Ennis, Montana 59729
n putting together our annual edition of The Madisonian’s Summer Times, we’ve been keeping a sharp eye out the window and haven’t been too pleased by the sight. In the approach to Summer 2011, we’ve
endured a long winter and endless spring. If anyone deserves summer, it’s those of us who have weathered the
past six months in southwest Montana. Of course, the perfect year is when you can shelve your skis on the same day you bust out your fly rod and hiking boots. It hasn’t been that way this year. This year most people around the West have had put their raincoat to good use. But the good news is all our spring rain and snow will certainly make for a fantastic summer.
This year in gathering stories for our Summer Times, our staff has reached out far and wide to gather information for our most complete summer event calendar to date. Whether you’re looking for something to do in West Yellowstone or Dillon or anywhere in between, we’re your source.
We’ve also put together some useful articles of local flavor, including a piece about two local authors, off-roading at Pipestone Pass, taking in
Yellowstone National Park and the award-winning Nevada City Living History Museum.
And since so many people come to this part of the world for the fantastic fly fishing, you’ll find a bit about that too.
But mostly what we hope our visitors find as they tour through our communities in southwest Montana is enough reasons to stay a few days and enough to entice them to return again and again. This part of Big Sky country is not only unsurpassed in its natural beauty, but also in the friendliness and warmth of it’s residents.
We also want to encourage people to pay close attention to our ad-vertising partners in this year’s Summer Times. These are the businesses and people who make things click around this part of Montana. When you need something on your trips around this part of the state, these are the people you’ll need to see. You’ll be greeted with a helping hand and a warm smile.
So get out and enjoy the summer while it lasts. Greg Lemon
Editor
Bring on the summer!
i
table of Contents
Calendar of Events6-9
Music Calendar10-11
Two local authors write books on Virginia City
12
OHV Heaven14-15
Getting ready for golf season
16
Fly Fishing LakesTips, secrets and strategies for
Southwest Montana18-19
Water Water EverywhereCould mean a good
year for fishing22-23
Montana Night Sky highlights for
summer stargazing23
Local events get kids outside and learning
24
Bringing History to life in Nevada City
26
Local Opportunities for adult natural resource
education29
Experience Yellowstone and Yellowstone Country
this summer
30-31
Like to fish?Head to Yellowstone
National Park32
Cover Photo by Teresa Lewy
PhotobyLyndellStory
6 | Summer Times
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Summer EventsDillon events
June 18Beaverhead White Hat Coalition’s 16th annual car show fundraiser
Beaverhead White Hat Coalition’s 16th annual car show fundraiser is held in the Depot Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dillon’s longest running annual car show event serves as a fundraiser for the Co-alition’s care pack sendouts to our troops serving over seas. BBQ & music, friends and classic autos! Contact: Stan Smith, Email: [email protected].
Shrines ParadeFrom 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Contact: Rod
Roayer, Jackson 834-3188.
June 24 & 25Senior Pro Rodeo
Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce is proud to bring a National Senior Pro Rodeo Association circuit event to your backyard. The NSPRA is dedicated to assisting our local rodeo committee with bringing rodeo fans, visitors, and contes-tants from around the United States and Canada to Beaverhead County. From 7 – 10 p.m. at the Beaverhead County Fair-grounds. Website: http://www.beaver-headchamber.org. Contact: Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce 406-683-5511.
June 25RATPOD - Ride Around The Pioneers In One Day
This is a fund raiser for Camp-Make-A-Dream which welcomes over 300 can-cer patients from all across the country for a week filled with fun, laughter, sup-port, positive attitudes and the sense of not being alone. Last year’s ride brought 550 riders from 19 different states to en-joy a gorgeous day in the Big Hole Val-ley. The ride begins and ends in Dillon at the UMW campus. Website: http://www.campdream.org. Contact: Children’s On-cology Camp Foundation, P.O. Box 1450,
Missoula, MT 59806, 406-549-5987, Fax 406-549-5933. Email: [email protected]
The Professional Horseman’s Associa-tion Annual Hunter/Jumper Horse Show
The Professional Horseman’s Association Annual Hunter/Jumper Horse Show, in associa-tion with the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association, Montana Hunter Jumper Association, American Paint Horse Associa-tion, and the Intercolle-giate Horse Show Asso-ciation will be hosted at the J and S Sport Hors-es Arena in Dillon June 25-26. For more infor-mation please contact Dr. John A. Xanthopou-los at: 406-660-0558. Website: http://www.j&s sporthorses.com
Maverick 3D Archery Shoot80 targets- 4 runs of 20 - Shoot 40
targets each day. All shots will be real-istic and competitive with three shooting stakes. Three runs ride the chair lift up and shoot down - the fourth is an easy walk from the lodge. Trophies will be awarded for the top two-day combined scores in each class. In order to be eli-gible for trophies you must shoot all of Side A or all of Side B on Saturday. Any-one shooting part of side A or Side B on Saturday cannot be flighted on Sunday and will be disqualified from trophy con-tention. Registration will be Saturday starting at 8 a.m. and Sunday starting at 8 a.m. Top scores in each class on Sat-urday will be flighted to shoot together on Sunday. Location: Maverick Mountain
Ski Area. Contact: 406-683-2753 or E-mail: [email protected]
July 4Jaycees Fireworks
Dillon Jaycees present a fireworks display at dusk, from 10–11 p.m.
July 12Carson & Barnes Circus
Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce has contracted with Carson & Barnes Circus to come to Dillon for two perfor-mances at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Website: www.beaverheadchamber.org. Location: Beaverhead County Fair Ground. Con-tact: Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce 406-683-5511. Email: [email protected]
July 16Bannack Days
Bannack comes to life with this two-day (July 16 & 17) celebration of life on the Montana frontier. A trip back in time is provided via hands-on demonstrations of pioneer crafts, music, black powder shoots, wagon rides, shoot outs, pio-neer food, old-time Sunday church ser-vice and much more. Dust off you boots, grab your hat and join us as we step into the past. Website: http://www.bannack.org. Location: Bannack State Park. Con-tact: Bannack State Park 406-834-3413. Email: [email protected]
First Beaverhead Fly Fishing Classic Tournament
Fly Fishing Tournament with the Women’s Resource/Community Support Center. To register call 406-683-6106. Location: Barretts Park. Contact: Kelly McIntosh 406-683-6106.
Jaycee Demolition DerbyDillon Jaycee’s Demolition Derby
from 4-10 p.m. at the Beaverhead County Fairgrounds, Dillon. Contact: Dillon Jay-cees.
July 26Shakespeare in the Park
Shakespeare in the Park from 6-8 p.m. at the Jaycee Park.
September 3 – 5Labor Day Weekend in Dillon
On Saturday night and Sunday after-noon enjoy a great time at the Rodeo. On Sunday evening enjoy a first rate concert. On Monday go to the fire hall for break-fast and enjoy the Parade.
Boardwalk Arts & Crafts FairBoardwalk Arts & Crafts Fair to fill
Depot Park with artist and crafter’s from western United States offering merchan-dize guaranteed to be a minimum 80 per-cent handcrafted in U.S.A. Find original
Summer Times | 7
Wagon Wheel Restaurant
“Most people who have eaten here have gone on to lead normal lives”
Open Daily 7am-9pm (406) 684-5099 207 N. MaiN Street - twiN BriDgeS, MONtaNa
– PRime Rib DinneR –eveRy FRiDay, SatuRDay anD SunDay
art, a special one-of-a kind items, quality hand crafted products made in the true American traditions. Many vendors from Montana display the Made-In-Montana seal. Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Labor Day. Website: http://www.beaverheadcham-ber.org. Contact: Beaverhead Cham-ber of Commerce 406-683-5511. Email: [email protected]
ennis events
June 19Lion’s Club Kids & Father’s Day Fish-ing Derby
Lion’s Club Park at 11 a.m. This is a great day for kids and dads. Kids under 12 can catch “big” fish in the little pond at the park while the dads act as fishing coaches. Prizes given for various age groups. Enjoy a delicious and free bar-becue in the park following the Fishing Derby.
June 24 Guardians of the River Gala Banquet
The Madison River Foundation’s annual “Guardians of the River” Gala Banquet on the banks of the Madison at the Old Kirby Place in Cameron. A festive and elegant evening of gourmet dining, music and auctions on the river overlooking the historic Hutchins Bridge at the West Fork. Proceeds benefit the conservation work of the Madison River Foundation. Contact: Richard Lessner at 406-682-3148.
Madison County Relay For LifeThe American Cancer Society gives
everyone the opportunity to fight back and to make a difference in the battle against cancer. Join in the 2011 Madison County’s Relay for Life event by volun-teering, forming a team or thru sponsor-ship held on June 24-25 at the Ennis High School. Contact Maria Lake, Corporate Sponsorship Chair, at 406-682-5936 or [email protected].
July 2Farmers Market
New Location - Farm To Fork Sat-urday morning Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to noon in the Valley Bank parking lot every weekend throughout the sum-mer. Visit the website at www.madison-farmtofork.com for more information or email Market Manager, Marianne Klein, at [email protected] if you are in-terested in selling at the market.
July 3Ennis Rodeo
July 3rd at 8 p.m. and July 4th at 2 p.m. Rodeo Grounds in Ennis. Enjoy two days of NRA sanctioned rodeo featuring the top cowboys and cowgirls from the northwest in both rough stock and timed events. Please contact Katie at Northern Energy for Reserved Seating tickets 406-682-4230.
July 4Pancake Breakfast
Volunteer Firemen Breakfast 6 -10 a.m.
Fourth of July ParadeParade begins at 10 a.m. July
4.Theme “Let Freedom Ring”….. One of the Madison Valley’s most celebrated events, the traditional Fourth of July Parade follows a route through historic downtown Ennis. Sponsored by the En-nis Area Chamber of Commerce.
Lions Club BBQPeter T’s Park 11 a.m.
Car ShowCar show at the Sportsman’s Lodge
lawn after the Fourth of July Parade. To enter or for more information call Brent at 579-1714 or Joe at 581-2969.
Ennis RodeoRodeo Grounds in Ennis at 2 p.m.
July 22 Cowboy Poetry Night
Cowboy poets from SW Montana will perform at the historic Bear Creek School House starting at 7 p.m. A tradi-
tional ranch dinner will be available for purchase – first come/first serve until the food runs out – starting at 6 p.m. Come to enjoy this uniquely Western entertain-ment and a Montana summer evening at the base of Sphinx Mountain. Sponsored by the Cameron Community Club. Con-tact: Kent Newton 406-682-3222 or Bar-bie Durham at 406-682-4147.
July 244th Annual Madison Marathon
The highest marathon in the US at 9,587ft in the Gravelly Range, featuring full, half, and team marathons. There’ll be fun, food, and prizes. Registration begins June 1st. 406-682-5923 or www.themadisonmarathon.com.
August 2Author Talk
Carol Pollitch will be discussing her new photography book on animals of South Africa in the community room of the Madison Valley Public Library at 7 p.m.
August 6Madison Valley Arts Festival
Festival hours will be 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Peter T’s Park featuring a juried arts & crafts show and sale, live enter-
tainment, children’s face painting, “Meet the Authors” book signing, art raffle, and delicious food.
MVRG Weed Committee Fundraiser – Sitz Angus Ranch
Annual MVRG Weed Committee Fundraiser auction and party at the Sitz Angus Ranch in Harrison. Mark your cal-endars. Contact: 406-682-3259.
August 20Shedhorn Sports 16th Annual Hunters Rendezvous
Join us in Ennis for the 16th Annual Hunters Rendezvous Sale at Shedhorn Sports on August 20 and 21. We’ll have over 1500 firearms in stock and over 26 factory reps on hand from over 50 sport-ing companies. Also featuring the Rem-ington Showroom Truck – this event is bigger than any in-store promotion and better than any gun show. Sale starts Saturday at 9 a.m.
16th Annual Madison River RunRegistration: 8 - 8:45 a.m. Start time
9 a.m. Location: Lion’s Club Park Con-tact: Kelley Knack 406-682-5034 or Sara Armstrong 406-682-4560 for race op-tions and entry fees. Sponsored by the Ennis Area Chamber of Commerce.
PhotobyGregLemon
8 | Summer Times
111 W. Main St ~ 682-3166Ennis, Montana ~ [email protected]
FABRICS, BOOKS, PATTERNS & NOTIONSGIFT CERTIFICATES AvAIlABlE
Julie and Joe Misero
September 23 Annual Madison Fly Fishing Festival
The 9th annual Ennis on the Madi-son Fly Fishing Festival, Peter T’s Park on Main Street. Come celebrate mys-tique and magic of fly fishing. The fes-tival features nationally known fly fishing celebrities, casting clinics and competi-tions, fly tying demos and instruction, live music, BBQ’s, kids’ programs, raffles featuring topline fishing tackle, trips, drift boat, angling art and more. Sponsored by the Madison River Foundation 406-682-3148.
September 1016th Annual “Evening Over the Moun-tains” - Wells Fargo Coffee House
Ennis Arts Association’s 16th An-nual “Evening Over the Mountains” Din-ner & Silent Auction will be held at the Wells Fargo Coffee House in Virginia City on Saturday, September 10. The Artist Reception and Silent Auction will begin at 5:30 p.m. and followed by dinner at 7. Proceeds go to support art-related com-munity projects and scholarships. Res-ervations required. To purchase a ticket please contact Barbara Pierce at 406-570-0711 or [email protected].
October 2126th Annual Ennis Hunters Feed
Now in its 26th year, the Ennis Hunt-ers Feed is held every year on the Friday before rifle season opens and welcomes hunters, families, friends and food enthu-siasts. Chefs of all abilities offer up their best and most creative wild game dishes for all to vote upon on Main Street. Prizes are awarded for Best Chili, Best Non-Chili and Most Unusual with the coveted trophy going to the Best Overall entry (Shad Sterzick won last year from the Ennis Trading Post). You may also pur-chase a Hunters Feed long-sleeve tee or a 50/50 raffle ticket to help support this free Chamber event. Please call 406-682-4388 before October 21 to register your wild game dish.
nevaDa City MuseuM living History
May 27 – 30 The Gold Discovery
Witness the historic discovery of Gold in Alder Gulch 1p.m. Historic Foods programs (all day), Past Meets Present 3 p.m., First Person Interpreters, Saloon Gambling.
June 4 – 5The Shooting of Deputy Dillingham
Witness the murder of Deputy Don-ald Dillingham by three of Sheriff Henry Plummer’s Deputies 11a.m. & 2 p.m. daily, and the trial that follows, Cook-ing demonstrations, Blacksmithing, Past Meets Present 3 p.m., visit Criterion Hall Saloon.
June 11 -12 The George Ives Trial and Hanging
Attend the trial of the murderer of young Nicholas Tbalt 1p.m. daily, historic demonstrations, all day.
June 18 -19Montana Vigilantes
Learn about the formation of the Vigilantes first hand from the Vigilante Executive Officer; Captain James Wil-liams 2 p.m. Placer mining tour, historic demonstrations, all day.
June 25 – 26The Civil War in Alder Gulch
Discover how the Civil War was af-fected by Alder Gulch Gold. Past Meets Present 2 p.m. Historic demonstrations, foodways programs all day.
June 25Alder Gulch by Lantern
Tours start at 9:30 p.m., witness history by lantern light. Reservations re-quired. 1-800-829-2969.
July 2 – 4Nevada City 4th of July
Celebrate the 4th of July 19th centu-ry style, games, competitions, old fash-ioned pie eating contest, and more.
July 9 -10Alder Gulch Legends
Meet young Mollie Sheehan, and other legends of the gulch 2 p.m. Historic demonstrations, and programs all day.
July 16 – 17Capture of Steve Marshland
Witness the capture and execution of one of the robbers of the Moody wag-on train. 11a.m. & 2 p.m. Historic demon-strations, and programs all day.
July 23 – 24Vigilante Double Cross
Discover the inside story of the Vigi-lantes. Past meets Present program 2 p.m. Historic demonstrations, and pro-grams all day.
July 23Alder Gulch by Lantern
Tours start at 9:30 p.m., witness history by lantern light. Reservations re-quired. 1-800-829-2969.
July 30 - 31Miner’s Court, Claim Disputes
Witness the Miner’s Court in action 2pm daily. Historic demonstrations, and programs all day.
Aug 6 – 7Placer Gold
Discover the process of recovering gold in Territorial Montana. Past Meets Present Programs 2 p.m. Historic dem-onstrations, and programs all day.
Aug. 13 - 14Beans, Bacon & Bannock Bread
This foodways program features the staples of the miner’s diet, watch the food being prepared in many differ-ent ways. Past Meets Present Program 2 p.m., Historic demonstrations and pro-grams all day.
Aug. 20 – 21The Flour Riot
In March of 1865 the first flour riot took place when a band of angry men forced the sale of flour at their own price. Join us for a weekend dedicated to the
importance of flour in Alder Gulch. The Flour Riot begins at 3 p.m.
Aug. 27 – 28 The Women of the Gulch
19th Century women experienced gender inequality unknown today, wom-en enjoyed few of the legal, social or political rights taken for granted today. Women’s Suffrage performance; 1 p.m. Historic demonstrations and programs all day.
Sept. 3 - 5Jack Slade’s End
Witness what lead to the end of no-torious Jack Slade, 11 a.m. & 3 p.m. Sat. & Sun., 1 p.m. Monday. Past meets Pres-ent; Meet Jack Slade 3 p.m.
Sept. 3 Alder Gulch by Lantern
Tours start at 9:30 p.m., witness history by lantern light. Reservations re-quired. 1-800-829-2969.
virginia City events
June 10-12Irish Weekend
From painting a green stripe down the center of Wallace Street at 7 p.m. This event celebrates Irish History in Vir-ginia City, featuring a dedication of a rep-lica of Montana’s first governor Thomas Francis Meagher’s State Office on Wal-lace Street, an Irish flag raising, a parade, Irish cultural presentations, celtic music, and a Catholic mass. Call Joe Calnan at 933-5759 for more info.
June 14-16The History of Ice Cream at the VC Creamery
Tuesday through Thursday at 2 p.m. throughout the summer, the Virginia City Creamery will conduct a fun, informa-tional history of ice cream that is free to the public. Virginia City Creamery has real homemade ice cream. Watch ice cream being made in an antique ice cream freezer. An old hit and miss en-gine provides the power to turn the ice
Summer Times | 9
cream. For more info go 406-843-5513 or [email protected]
June 18Grand Victorian Ball of 1864
Don’t forget the Grand Ball of 1864. The promenade around town will begin at 7 p.m. The grand march will begin at 7:30 p.m. The ball will be in the VC Community Center after the grand march. Everyone is invited to participate and era clothing is requested. Live music will be provided. Tickets by reservation only. Call Karen Shores at 682-4935 for tickets and info.
Mike Dowling concert at The Elling House
Mike digs deep into the musical bag of American roots guitar, favoring the melodic Piedmont style of acoustic blues masters like Mississippi John Hurt and slide great Tampa Red. Show starts at 7 p.m. at the Elling House Arts & Humani-ties Center, 404 E. Idaho St. for more in-formation go to: [email protected]
June 19Traditional 1865 Service, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Sunday at 9:30 a.m., St. Paul’s Epis-copal Church will hold a special “period” service using the 1798 Book of Com-mon Prayer which was in use at the time. Please join us for this service and be sure to wear your Victorian-era finest. For more info, please call St. Paul’s at 406-843-5296.
June 25Harry Yeomans, cowboy poet, at The Elling House Arts & Humanities Cen-ter
The Elling House Arts & Humanities Center is pleased to present an Evening of Cowboy Poetry with Harry Yeomanat 7 p.m. The performance is free and open to the public. For more information go to [email protected].
July 4Fireworks display at dusk.
July 9Annual Kid’s Fishing Derby
Virginia City Kids Fishing Derby. For more information, please call 406-843-5504.
Paul Boruff concert at The Elling House
Paul’s acoustic style includes all the influences of his past. Whether it is an original interpretation of an old standard or a tune of his own creation, Paul sings from the heart and plays from his soul. For more information go to [email protected].
July 16Dog & Grog - Montana Microbrew Fes-tival
The Bale of Hay Saloon hosts this Montana Micro-brew festival featuring the best micros made in Montana. For more information go to: www.baleofhay-saloon.com
July 21Washington Air National Guard Band of the Northwest
Washington Air National Guard Band of the Northwest will be performing a pa-triotic concert in Virginia City from 6-8 p.m. For more information go to: www.virginiacity.com
July 23Jerry Kustich at The Elling House Arts & Humanities Center
Jerry Kustich took to the road in 1974 on a quest to fish all the notable trout rivers on the continent. His journey took a slight detour after he caught a wild steelhead on Idaho’s Salmon River. Jerry writes and illustrates a weekly nature col-umn in the Montana Standard. For more information go to: [email protected]
August 6Free open-air concert: Montana Rose
The Virginia City Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to a free open-air concert with music by Montana Rose on the lawn of the Thompson-Hickman Li-brary from 6-9 p.m.
August 7Dave Stamey at The Elling House
Cowboys and Indians Magazine has called him “the Charley Russell of West-ern Music.” Dave Stamey has been a cowboy, a mule packer, a dude wrangler, and is now one of the most popular West-ern entertainers working today. For more information go to: [email protected]
August 12Wilson & McKee concert at The Elling House
Kim McKee received 15 years of classical training before turning to tradi-tional Irish and Scottish music, 28 years ago! Ken Willson is the pulsing folk drive, with an engaging tenor voice and tasteful guitar and bouzouki foundations to the unique material. Show is at 7 p.m. - tick-ets at door. For more information go to: [email protected]
August 12-14Annual Virginia City Art Show
Stroll along the boardwalks and en-joy fine art of artists from all over Montana and the Pacific Northwest. Artists will be on the boardwalk and in the VC Commu-nity Center on Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Don’t miss the Quick Draw & Auction held at 7:30 p.m. on Sat-urday night at the Elks Lodge. For more information go to: [email protected]
August 20Grand Victorian Ball for Peace (1865)
Don’t forget the Grand Ball for 1865. The promenade around town will begin at 7 p.m. The grand march will begin at 7:30 p.m. The ball will be in the VC Community Center after the grand march. Everyone is invited to participate and era clothing is requested. Live music will be provided. Tickets by reservation only.
August 26-28Blues Fest ‘11
Friday music at 9 p.m., Saturday mu-sic at 9 p.m. and Sunday Brunch and mu-sic 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more info or to reserve weekend packages call the Bale of Hay Saloon at 406-843-5700 or www.baleofhaysaloon.com
September 3Labor Day Horseback Poker Ride
Saddle up the horses and put on your poker face! Registration is at the Bale of Hay Saloon from 8:30 to 10 a.m. The trail this year will be along the his-toric Bozeman Trail! First and last card will be given at the Bale. Drawings will begin when all riders have collected their final card. For you non-riders out there, we will also offer a Poker Walk around Virginia City. For more information or questions, please call the Chamber at 406-843-5555 or 800-829-2969.
CALENDAR continued on pg. 36
June 10Lang Termes at Norris Hot Springs.
Lang is a very powerful singer doing many styles of music ranging from mellow folk ballads to growling boogie blues. Lang’s music and lyrics come deep from the heart, or in some cas-es they bubble up from his whimsical sense of irony. Lang is a very power-ful singer doing many styles of music ranging from mellow folk ballads to growling boogie blues. www.norrishot-springs.com
June 11Tammie Jones at Norris Hot
Springs. This is Tammie’s first trip to Norris. She’ll be playing covers and some original tunes from her CD called Angel’s in Disguise. www.norrishot-springs.com
June 12Quinton King at Norris Hot Springs.
King and friends play a style of music invented at Norris - Thermal Grass! Quinton will bring a selection of friends to provide tasty licks for your soaking pleasure. Parts bluegrass, parts rock, parts Americana, all good. www.nor-rishotsprings.com
June 17Richard Reisser at Norris Hot
Springs. Richard enjoys playing origi-nals and other timeless selected gems from several genres - Folk, Coun-try, Blues, Jazz , Sassy, Funky, and Spunky. He delights in the blending of the familiar and the unexpected. www.norrishotsprings.com
June 18Luke Epperson at Norris Hot
Springs. Luke performs his original Acoustic songs with your favorite clas-sic rock and country covers peppered throughout. www.norrishotsprings.com
Dave Walker Band at Wells Fargo, Virginia City. Long time Virginia City resident Walker makes his annual sum-mer appearance on the Wells Fargo stage. Walker is a native of the UK, and has spent a lifetime making music, ap-pearing with bands such as Fleetwood Mac and Black Sabbath. His classic rock set includes plenty of originals and lots of covers, and is always a favorite of the summer set. 406-843-5556.
June 19Tom Catmull at Norris Hot Springs.
Catmull has been writing, recording, performing, eating and breathing music for about 15 years. The style of his mu-sic usually lands somewhere between the blurred lines of country, country swing, pop and folk. He describes his music as “Original and Stolen Ameri-cana.” It’s tough to pin the music to one neat genre, but it is definitely an American roots driven sound. Wel-come this popular Missoula performer and Story Hill Fest regular back to the Dome! www.norrishotsprings.com
June 24Edis at Norris Hot Springs. Edis
brings her unique brand of folky, bluesy sound to covers. Audiences enjoy her heartfelt lyrics, powerful voice, and ready smile. She’s a familiar voice to all from her radio show on KGLT. www.norrishotsprings.com
June 25Eli Madden and Luke Flansburg at
Norris Hot Springs. Saturday marks the return of ever popular Eli Madden and Luke Flansburg. Performing an eclectic mix of covers from bands like The Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, Phish, the Allman Brothers and more
with vocals and accomplished guitar playing. www.norrishotsprings.com
June 26Grant Malady Trio at Norris Hot
Springs. From Springfield, Missouri the trio brings melodic jazz/rock/reggae to the masses. Their sax/bass/drums ap-proach to contemporary standards is fun and familiar yet interesting for ac-tive listeners. www.norrishotsprings.com
July 1Scott Evje at Norris Hot Springs.
Scott is a 5th generation Montanan, a solo acoustic Americana singer/song-writer, and focuses on honest songs that expose his joy, love, and fears. www.norrishotsprings.com
July 2Danna Richards at Norris Hot
Springs. This is Danna’s first show at Norris. Danna is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston and will be performing original acoustic songs on guitar and ukulele with soft vocals. www.norrishotsprings.com
July 2Comstock Lode: at Bale of Hay Sa-
loon, Virginia City. A Bozeman favorite, playing lots of covers and dance tunes. 406-843-5700
July 3Murphy/King Duo at Norris Hot
Springs. Quinton King and Tom Mur-phy are the Kings of Thermal Grass and always bring a selection of friends to provide tasty licks for your soaking pleasure. Parts bluegrass, parts rock, parts Americana, all good. www.nor-rishotsprings.com
July 3Leo Rondeau at Gravel Bar, En-
nis. Rondeau, a North Dakota native who now lives in Austin, Texas, played last summer at the Wells Fargo, and is returning to Montana this summer for another go-round. A singer and song-
writer, Rondeau and his band Dyna-mite Tales play a blend of Americana and classic country, and in 2010 were nominated for songwriter of the year by the Academy of Texas Music. The set will follow the Ennis Rodeo, and is sure to a boot scootin’ good time. 406-682-5553.
July 3Tom Susanj at Bale of Hay Saloon,
Virginia City. Susanj plays baby boom pop and hits from the past and is al-ways good for dancing. 406-843-5700.
July 4The Dirty Shame at Wells Fargo,
Virginia City. VC is the place to be for Fourth of July fireworks, and after the grand finale, the Wells Fargo is the place to be dancing. This Fourth once again features Bozeman favorite The Dirty Shame, a five piece band that plays classic outlaw country in the vein of Willie Nelson, including traditional waltzes and lots of great dance num-bers. This year they were nominated for Best Local Band in Bozeman. 406-843-5556.
Tom Susanj at Bale of Hay Saloon, Virginia City. Susanj plays baby boom pop and hits from the past and is al-ways good for dancing. 406-843-5700.
July 8: Britt Smith & Emilie Phelps at Norris Hot Springs. Britt and Emily perform a blend of Folk and Americana on an assortment of acoustic instru-ments. www.norrishotsprings.com
July 9907 Britt at Norris Hot Springs.
The Alaskan songbird returns to the Dome, where she will share heartfelt original songs from her most recent release, Continental Divide. A big hit in the Bozeman area on her last trip through – don’t miss her! www.nor-rishotsprings.com
July 10J.P.Whipple at Norris Hot Springs.
Traveling across America and Europe either as a one man orchestra or per-forming as an acoustic guitarist-story-teller, J.P. Whipple is a true throwback to the vaudeville acts of the early 20th Century. He combines witty banter, thoughtful original songwriting, and a unique mix of styles ranging from country to blues to jazz to gypsy. He performs either acoustically or as a one-man-band on a variety of instru-ments including accordion, banjo, steel guitar and ukulele. www.norrishot-springs.com
July 15Jeremy Morton at Norris Hot
Springs. Jeremy showcases soulful acoustic guitar and vocals, perform-ing a mixture of acoustic originals and
10 | Summer Times
Ennis Floral & Gifts
202 1st Street • Ennis, Mt • 682-5532
Candles - Balloons
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Hanging Baskets
Summer Music Schedule
favorites from Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Grateful Dead, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and the list goes on. www.nor-rishotsprings.com
July 16Shea Stewart at Norris Hot Springs.
Saturday gives you a chance to en-joy the Hill Country Blues/Americana sounds of Shea Stewart. Shea per-forms a distinctive blend of “stripped-down” acoustic blues and Americana. www.norrishotsprings.com
Comstock Lode at Bale of Hay, Virginia City. The Dog and Grog festi-val features micro brews from Western Montana, and music by Bozeman band Comstock Lode all day under the tent. 406-843-5700.
July 17Hard Luck & Trouble at Norris Hot
Springs. Performing original songs and favorite Americana tunes with bass, guitar and violin, these guys are be-coming a fan favorite at Norris. www.norrishotsprings.com
July 19Lonesome Heroes at Gravel Bar,
Ennis. The Gravel Bar welcomes Aus-tin duo Rich Russell and Landry Mc-Means, whose band Lonesome Heroes plays what they call “psychedelic coun-try.” They’re well loved by the hap-pening Austin scene for their blend of acoustic guitar, reverb-laden steel, and atmospheric sounds, accompanied by great vocals from both Russell and Mc-Means. Come out to welcome them, and help add the Gravel Bar to their list of favorite venues. 406-682-5553.
July 22Wayne the Train at Wells Fargo,
Virginia City. Another Texas musician, “The Viper of Melody” Wayne Hancock comes to Virginia City for the first time. Hancock calls himself the king of Juke Joint Swing, his own blend of honky-tonk, western swing, blues, Texas rockabilly, and big band. The original and promising blend is guaranteed to be great for dancing and good times all around. 406-843-5556.
July 22Mathias at Norris Hot Springs. This
Bozeman based singer-songwriter per-forms acoustic originals and a wide range of covers. www.norrishotsprings.com
July 23Richard Reisser Duo at Bale of
Hay, Virginia City. Richard enjoys play-ing originals and other timeless select-ed gems from several genres - Folk, Country, Blues, Jazz , Sassy, Funky, and Spunky. He delights in the blend-ing of the familiar and the unexpected. 406-843-5700.
Dan Dubuque at Norris Hot Springs. The “One Man Soul Band,” Dan plays a
Weissenborn Lap Slide Guitar as a per-cussive instrument as well as a rhythm and lead instrument. The son of a Na-tive Aymara Indian from Bolivia and a Montanan, he brings a passion for all styles of music. www.norrishotsprings.com
July 29Joe Schwem at Norris Hot Springs.
Joe is a real favorite at Norris - he plays acoustic and electric guitar, performing an eclectic mix of acoustic folk/rock songs. www.norrishotsprings.com
July 30Chad Okrusch at Norris Hot
Springs. Chad is a professor, author and singer/songwriter from Butte who plays frequently at Norris. Chad per-forms original and thought provoking folk songs, many of which are featured on his “Wisdom Road” CD. www.nor-rishotsprings.com
July 31John Floridis at Norris Hot Springs.
John performs with an acoustic guitar, vocals and often amplified, sampled and looped sounds. Named Missoula’s Best Musician, he is also the host of the radio show “Thursday Freeforms” for Montana Public Radio and a former Registered Musical Therapist. www.norrishotsprings.com
August 5“V,” the Gypsy Cowbelle at Norris
Hot Springs. Straight from Cora, Wyo-ming with a homemade banjo, acoustic guitar, autoharp, clever lyrics, and rich vocals that blend original and familiar tunes, Miss V’s unique Cowbilly Sound is cowboyed up classic country with a hillbilly flair - nothing fancy but guaran-teed authentic! www.norrishotsprings.com
August 6Richard Reisser at Norris Hot
Springs. Richard enjoys playing origi-nals and other timeless selected gems from several genres - Folk, Coun-try, Blues, Jazzy, Sassy, Funky, and Spunky. He delights in the blending of the familiar and the unexpected. www.norrishotsprings.com
August 7Tumbledown House at Norris Hot
Springs. Playing “Dirty Saloon Jazz,” Tumbledown House writes seedy sto-ries that are delivered with sultry fe-male vocals reminiscent of a bygone era and placed over rain-soaked indie jazz accompaniment. www.norrishot-springs.com
August 12Edis at Norris Hot Springs. Edis
brings her unique brand of folky, blue-sy sound to covers. www.norrishot-springs.com
August 13Shea Stewart at Norris Hot Springs.
Shea performs a distinctive blend of “stripped-down” acoustic blues and Americana. www.norrishotsprings.com
August 14Open Range at Norris Hot Springs.
Open Range is Ric Steinke & Linda Hausler from Livingston, singing west-ern, folk, Americana, and original songs. www.norrishotsprings.com
August 19Luke Epperson at Norris Hot
Springs. Luke performs his original Acoustic songs with your favorite clas-sic rock and country covers peppered throughout. www.norrishotsprings.com
August 20907 Britt at Norris Hot Springs.
The Alaskan songbird will share heart-felt original songs from her latest re-lease, Continental Divide. www.nor-rishotsprings.com
August 21Tom Murphy at Norris Hot Springs.
One of the originators of music at Nor-ris, the dazzling mandolinist Tom Mur-phy plays bluegrass, pop, Americana, folk, and jazz. www.norrishotsprings.com
August 26-28Jerry Joseph and the Jackmor-
mons at Wells Fargo, Virginia City. Salt Lake resident and good friend of Gravel Bar owners Scott and Amy Kelly, Jo-seph returns for his annual three-day rock concert in Virginia City. The Kel-leys, who have moved their business to Ennis, pass the JJJ torch to the Wells Fargo Coffeehouse, the only venue in the county large enough to hold the Jackmormons’ rambunctious fans. The Jackmormons recorded a live al-bum of their power rock, with Joseph’s emotional lyrics, at the venue in 2009, and the three day weekend is an event that locals in the know look forward to all summer—get your tickets early. 406-843-5556.
August 26Britt Smith & Emilie Phelps at Nor-
ris Hot Springs. Britt and Emily perform a blend of Folk and Americana on an assortment of acoustic instruments. www.norrishotsprings.com
August 27Dan Dubuque at Norris Hot
Springs. The “One Man Soul Band,” Dan plays a Weissenborn Lap Slide Guitar as a percussive instrument as well as a rhythm and lead instrument. www.norrishotsprings.com
August 28Connor Garvey at Norris Hot
Springs. Garvey’s songs are like plac-ing folk-funk guitar & ukulele, soulful vocals, and paradoxical metaphors in a juicer- you’ve never tasted it before, but it’s intriguing and delectable so you have to keep drinking. One of Boze-man’s favorite musicians, sure to be a packed pool! Get here early, as Connor is only in Montana a week and this will be one of his only local appearances. www.norrishotsprings.com
September 2Danna Richards at Norris Hot
Springs. This is Danna’s first show at Norris. Danna is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston and will be performing original acoustic songs on guitar and ukulele with soft vocals. www.norrishotsprings.com
September 3Joe Schwem at Norris Hot Springs.
Joe is a real favorite at Norris - he plays acoustic and electric guitar, performing an eclectic mix of acoustic folk/rock songs. www.norrishotsprings.com
September 4Taj Weekes and Adowa at Norris
Hot Springs. Born and raised on the is-land of St. Lucia, Weekes grew up the youngest of ten children in a musical family. Weekes’ music defies catego-ry... an amalgam of roots style reggae, afro-folk, rock and jazz. Essentially, Taj Weekes is a poet who sings to the rhythm of all that has come before and all that stretches out before him from his own unique and complex perspec-tive. www.norrishotsprings.com
Summer Times | 11
12 | Summer Times
By Terri SwierThe Madisonian
Authors Evalyn Batten Johnson and Gary Forney have both written books on Virginia City with the help of archives col-lected by local historian Dick Pace.
Forney’s book, “It Takes All Kinds, Stories From Virginia City, Mon-tana” was a 12-chapter outline that Pace had started prior to his death.
While Forney has written two other books on local figures, most of his previous work was related to the Civil War. On a trip to Hel-ena he saw a statue of Thomas Meagher and with his interest piqued he started researching how this Civil War general ended up the acting governor of Montana. While in the midst of this research, he ran across information on William Fair-weather, one of the original founders of Virginia City, and learned he had died at Robber’s Roost (outside of Alder), penniless.
Forney, always curious, knows not every story is a book, but as he says, “At least I’ll know the answer.”
In his quest for the answer as to why the leader of the party that started the Alder Gulch gold rush died penniless, he ran across the Dick Pace archives.
Pace was a news-paperman from Bozeman who did public relations work for the Bovey family in Virginia City and also did some writing for The Madisonian. In the course of his life, he collected hundreds of pictures, documents and other historical mementos. Upon his death in 1991 he donated all his papers and pictures to the Thompson-Hickman County Library, which is the Madison County library.
Pace had started a book on Virginia City based on not only historical characters, but also people he had known in his lifetime – true Virginia City “characters.”
Forney found the writings while doing research and decided to finish the proj-
ect. He reworked the rough drafts of four chapters Pace had finished and completed the other eight, without altering the original plan.
“I stayed true to the original outline of Dick’s,” said Forney.
That’s why the chapters in the book don’t necessarily read in chronological
order.With stories and pictures of
local characters such as Lloyd “Pop” Brook, Madison County sheriff in the late 1930s through the early 1960s, as well as the his-tory of the Chinese population in the 1860s, the book gives an insight to the diverse peoples who made this town their home.
“It is a collection of stories about some of the wonderful characters who have played a role in the colorful history of this legendary Montana town. Blending history, humor, and sometimes tragedy, these are the stories of those who dared to make this place their home…and of those some of us were
lucky enough to call our family and friends,” as summed up on the jacket cover.
Johnson’s book, “Images of America, Virginia City” takes a different approach.
One or two paragraphs of text set the scene for the photos that show a pictorial history of Virginia City. Using numer-ous photographs and documents from the Dick Pace Archives as well as the Montana His-
torical Society, Thompson-Hickman Library and
many private collections, the book takes us from early times in Virginia City, through the Bovey family restoration.
“I just set the scene for the pictures to tell the story,” said Johnson.
The Arcadia Publishing Company ap-proached the Thompson-Hickman County Library about producing a book about Virginia City for their Images of America series. With the collaboration of Thompson-Hickman library director, Joanne Erdall, the daunting task of compiling documents and scanning pictures came together to produce “Images.”
The book takes readers through pic-tures of the members of the Fairweather par-ty, the first to discover Alder Gulch; Sarah Bickford, daughter of slaves, who went on to own the Virginia City Water Company; school days in the late 1800s and early 1900s as well as numerous photos of other histori-cal documents, people and places.
In Johnson’s introduction she states, “On a wall in Washington, D.C., an inscription reads, ‘The heritage of the past is the seed that brings forth the harvest of the future.’”
Johnson not only agrees with the inscription, she is doing her part to preserve the past and make it available to future generations.
The proceeds from both Johnson and Forney’s book sales will go towards expansion of the Thompson-Hickman County Library in Virginia City.
Forney’s book, “It Takes All Kinds, Stories From Vir-ginia City, Montana” can be purchased at the Thomp-son-Hickman Library, the Blue Heron in Ennis and Rank’s Mercantile in Virginia City.
He will have book signing events at the Madison Valley History Association meeting on June 16 at 4 p.m. in the First Madison Valley
Bank in Ennis and July 22 at Upper Canyon Outfitters ranch, south of Alder, call 842-5884 for more information. Books will also be available at the Ennis Arts Festival on August 6.
Johnson’s book, “Images of America, Virginia City” can be purchased in Boze-man at Barnes & Nobel or the MSU book store, in Virginia City at Outlaw’s Café or Rank’s Mercantile, in Dillon at The Book Store and the Ennis Pharmacy and Yester-day’s Café in Ennis.
Johnson will have several book signing events throughout the summer. To check for dates and times go to: www.madisonian-news.com.
Two local authors write books on
Virginia City
Summer Times | 13
14 | Summer Times
Photos and article by Brandi OstwaldThe Madisonian
Every state in our nation has its favorite areas for off highway vehicles and Montana is no exception. For example, Utah has Moab, California has San Gabriel Canyon and Montana has Pipestone. While it is hard to distin-guish which of these areas is considered the best, each of them has their own distinguishing features.
For me, the discovery of a haven for outdoor enthusiasts was prompted by a desire to enjoy the vast outdoors in which we live, the need to have enough to do for all of my family’s interests and the proximity that didn’t require a plane ticket or an exorbitant budget. After enlisting the advice of several longtime residents with the same interests, the majority of feedback all offered the same conclusion – Go to Pipestone.
Located six miles northwest of Whitehall and within the Deerlodge National Forest, Pipestone is a mecca for all types of off-road and outdoor enthusiasts. The area covers a 20 by 40 mile grid that encompasses ap-proximately 600 plus miles of all-terrain vehicle and motorcycle trails. With varying degrees of diff iculty, there are established trails for all levels of riders. It is a popular camping destination for families and enthusiasts alike. There are several camping sites available that will accommodate a 40-foot f ifth wheel toy hauler or a nice secluded area that is perfect for the family
OHV Heaven
Pipestone area offers a variety of activities for
people itching to get outdoors
Summer Times | 15
tent. A large number of designated sites include picnic tables, f ire pit and close proximity to restrooms. The campsites are fee based and monitored by the forest service.
If blazing through the trails is not your forte, you have the opportunity to take in f ishing and boating at Delmoe Lake; located approximately 12 miles into the mountain range. There are 25 camp-sites right on lake and you better get there early on big holiday weekends as they f ill up fast. The lake offers plenty of shoreline and sandy beach areas providing endless hours of exploration and fun for the entire family.
On the other hand if you are an avid ATV or dirt bike rider, Pipestone’s trail system has a plethora of terrain to suit your riding mood. There are four wheeler specif ic trails with varying degrees of dif-f iculty as well as single track motorcycle trails of the same. One can literally leave his/her campsite and not travel the same trail combination twice over the course of a long weekend. Pipestone has several staging areas and offers easy access for all types of vehicles into and out of the area.
Outside of the awesome opportuni-ties that Pipestone provides to similarly minded riders, don’t be surprised by the impromptu communities of people that
congregate to this beautiful area. They lit-erally create small villages of families and friends that convene on the area for day trips, weekends and extended trips away. We all have heard the term, “friends you haven’t met yet” and Pipestone encap-sulates this notion more than can be described without f irst experiencing what the entire area has to offer.
Whether you like four wheelers, dirt bikes, mountain bikes, ATVs or hiking the great outdoors, Pipestone will have the terrain to accommodate you. It is impera-tive to always remember the basic rules of safety f irst; ride with all the appropriate safety gear, never travel past the fuel mile-age allowance of your vehicle, know your bearings and proximity to your camp or parking area, and be mindful of wildlife and others on the trails. It is never alright to create dangerous situations in the out-doors for yourself or others.
Next time you are wondering what to do with your time off or the next family camping outing, look into Pipestone to satisfy your adventurous spirit. Some of the greatest adventures can be had not far from your own backyard. For more information contact the Jefferson Ranger District at 287-3223.
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16 | Summer Times
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Patrick StoltzPGA Professional
Madison Meadows Golf Course
Warmer weather brings thoughts of getting outdoors and enjoying yourself. Many of us can’t wait to get out to hit a few golf balls and see what we can do this year on the course. There is nothing quite like hitting the club on the “sweet spot.”
After the winter we have just had it is important before swinging hard that you do a lot of stretching to loosen up the muscles that may not have been used much. Walking to get your legs stronger also helps with your swing. Warm up your swing and your body with a few range balls. Concen-trate on keeping a good balance with your legs and also keeping your head still as you swing. Swing at about 70 percent of your normal speed at first and then you can pick up the pace as you feel more comfortable.
Along with getting your body back
into a groove check on your equipment. How are your grips? A good grip is very important, as they will keep your hands comfortable with your contact to the club. Good shoes with a strong supporting sole will also help your balance when swinging the club.
The Madison Meadows Golf Course is a truly unique golf course. The course was designed by Frank Hummel and opened for play in 1982. We have breathtaking views from the course. One of the finest tee shots in Montana is on Hole 1 from the south tee. It feels as though you can hit it to the top of Fan Mountain The course also has four different sets of tees to accommodate all types of golfers. The golf course is continually being upgraded and improved to help all of our golfers enjoy their game to fullest. The Madison Meadows offers a fun filled summer with open public play, leagues for ladies, men and couples as well
as a junior program. You can check out more about the
course at our website madisonmead-owsgolfcourse.com and we are also on
facebook.Hoping to see you on the course and
remember “keep the ball in the short grass.”
Summer Times | 17
Open 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. 682-4306 • 4979 US Hwy 287 • Ennis, MT
Frontier Sandwiches and Fisherman LunchesHalf Sandwich or Whole Sandwich (Add $2.00)
Made fresh with chips, fruit, candy bar, 2 cookies and all condiments on the side.
$4.99 Sandwich $7.99 Fisherman’s LunchThe Madison oven roasted turkey, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle on wheatThe Gallatin roast beef, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion pickle on whiteThe Jefferson honey ham, swiss, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle on rye swirlThe Yellowstone 2 pc. Fried chicken, ½ lb cold case salad (Fisherman’s Lunch Only)
The Wise choice of small deli salad - chicken caesar, sesame ginger chicken or a chef
$5.99 Sandwich $8.99 Fisherman’s LunchThe Beaverhead turkey, bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion on croissant squareThe Big Hole grilled chicken breast, pepper jack, lettuce, tomato, onion, spicy remoulade on ciabattaThe Ruby turkey, provolone, cranberry, lettuce, tomato, onion on ciabattaThe Missouri salami, mortadella, ham, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, italian dressing on a hoagieThe Smith grilled chicken, swiss, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, pesto ranch on ciabattaThe Big Horn roasted pork, cheddar, mango chutney, lettuce, tomato, onion on multigrain square
$5.99/lb Wrap $7.99Fisherman’s LunchThe Clark Fork smoked turkey, bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion, cream cheese on a herb wrapThe Flathead cucumber, sprouts, avocado, bell pepper, lettuce, tomato, onion, cream cheese on a spinach wrapThe Kootenia turkey, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, cream cheese on a wheat low carb wrap
$5.99 Sandwich $8.99 Fisherman’s LunchThe Boulder 1/3 rack of smoked baby back ribs 1/2lb. Cold case salad (fisherman’s lunch only)The Teton smoked brisket, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion on a kaiser rollThe Musselshell smoked pulled pork, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion on a kaiser rollThe Tongue 6 shrimp with cocktail sauce and a 1/2lb. Cold case salad (Fisherman’s Lunch Only)
DELI SPECIALTY CHICKENWhole Smoked Chicken $7.99
Individual Pieces of Chicken: Breast - $1.99 | Leg - $.99 | Wing - $.79 | Thigh - $1.49
4 Piece Chicken $12.99Includes: 1 lb cold case salad, 2 dinner rolls
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& 12 pack of Coke16 Piece Chicken $34.99
Includes: 4 lbs cold case salad, 8 dinner rolls& 12 pack of Coke
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MEAL #1: 10 lbs Brisket, 3 doz But-ter/Egg Rolls, 8 lbs Coleslaw and8 lbs BBQ Beans. Serves 30+.......................... $119.99 ~$4.00/person
MEAL #2: 8 lbs Brisket, 2 doz Butter/Egg Rolls, 6 lbs Coleslaw, 6 lbs BBQ Beans. Serves 24............................ $94.99 ~$4.00/person
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18 | Summer Times
lakesFly fishing
Tips, secrets and strategies for southwest Montana
By Greg LemonThe Madisonian
outhwest Montana is famous in fly fishing circles for its blue ribbon
trout streams. But for anglers in search of still waters, our area is also home to some of the best lake fishing in the state, particular-ly if you’re interested in catching a variety of trout and some rather large ones as well.
Lake fishing has its own sort of lore and secrets. Old crusty lake fishermen are known to keep their spots and tactics closely guarded. It’s not uncommon to hear stories of fishermen who will change tactics, loca-tion or even snip their flies off the line when others approach.
But as intimidating as fly fishing lakes may be, there are a few universal tactics that should produce results just about any-where you go in this part of the state.
When you’re heading to a new lake, the best thing to do is go early in the morn-ing or in the evening when hatches are at their peak and fish are sure to be rising, said Bob Jacklin, who owns a fly shop in West Yellowstone and fished southwest Montana for more than 40 years.
“If you’re going to a strange lake, I’d rather go in the evening and look it over,” Jacklin said.
Seeing where the fish are feeding on the surface can be the obvious tipoff for where to start fishing. However, zeroing in
on what they’re eating can be tricky.
Essentially, lakes in this region have three significant insects that fish feed on: callibaetis mayflies, damselflies and drag-onflies, said Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone. Mat-thews, like Jacklin, has fished the region in and around Yellowstone National Park for decades.
Fish will take callibaetis in three stag-es: nymph, dry and spinner fall, Mathews explained.
Callibaetis nymphs move fast and in the summer begin to move toward the lake’s surface around 9 a.m.
“Prior to emergence they may make several trips near the surface,” he said.
This action will cause trout to move quickly when feeding on the nymphs and will result in big swirls on the surface of the water.
Callibaetis nymphs can be fished with weighted or unweighted flies, depending on what the fish are doing. If they appear to be taking nymphs toward the surface (remem-ber big swirls) try an unweighted nymph. If there doesn’t appear to be much action on the surface, a weighted nymph might be the ticket.
Callibaetis will begin to emerge about 10 and if you’re on the water you should
start seeing fish begin to take flies off the surface and notice the delicate mayflies on the water, Mathews said.
This part of the hatch is best mimicked by a callibaetis cripple or dunn, but they’ll also take emergers as well, he said.
“Then all of a sudden the spinners come back,” Mathews said. “That’s when fish will start keying on the spinners, the spent adults.”
Callibaetis are essentially a creamy grey or tan colored fly in a size 16 or 18, he said. Prolific hatches of callibaetis can provide amazing action on lakes like Ennis, Cliff, Wade and Hebgen. But it can also be frustrating for fishermen if they ignore a few simple tips.
When fishing to rising trout during the callibaetis hatch, try and get in rhythm with the rises, Mathews said. Trout will often get in a pattern of rises moving one direction for a time and then another. Tim-ing the rises and recognizing the direction the fish is moving is tricky.
“You have to be able to determine which way the fish is heading and you have to lead it precisely,” he said. “Once you get it, boy then you’re in fat city.”
Try leading rising fish by about six feet
and remember to always use longer lead-ers – about 12 feet – and pull the slack out of your line. Like on a river, slack line can make it hard to catch fish. On still water, fly line and leader will slowly unfurl and create just the slightest amount of unwanted move-ment. The simple habit of pulling in your slack as soon as your fly has landed can result in many more fish, Mathews said.
Fish callibaetis where you see fish rising to them, typically near the shores or along big shallow flats.
Damselflies and dragonflies can also be very prolific on area lakes and are good patterns for trout. Damselflies hatch at various times depending on the lake, but in the upper Madison River basin, the Fourth of July is about the time they usually shed their nymphal forms.
For both damsel and dragonflies, the best approach is to fish nymphs, Mathews said.
Adult damselflies look like a smaller, more delicate dragonfly. The damsel-fly nymph follows suit. While dragonfly nymphs are large, hard-bodied and aggres-sive – like little armored tanks – damselfly nymphs are daintier and a bit smaller.
PhotobyGregThomas
S
Summer Times | 19
Both flies can be mimicked with a standard wooly bugger tied with and without weight. Damselfly patterns are about a size 10 or 12, while dragonfly patterns can be as large as size 6. Colors vary, but typically damselflies are lighter in color – olive or tan, he said.
Damselflies hatch in the shallows and so when fish are keying on them, of-ten a nymph fished in shallow water near weed beds can be effective, Mathews said.
“You’re fishing fairly shallow when you’re fishing these hatches,” he said.
These nymphs have quite a bit of movement and so casting and stripping the fly in at various rates can be a good method, Mathews said.
He also recommends people work the flies perpendicular from shore, either by standing on the bank and casting away from shore or in a float tube or boat working the other direction.
When fish are keying on emerging dragon or damselflies, the rises are very ag-gressive, he said.
“A (damselfly) hatch may go on from one to two hours,” Mathews said. “Certainly when they’re on damsel flies, they can be-come pretty stupid. Fish get a little greedy.”
He recommends sight fishing both dam-sel and dragonflies to fish whenever possible
and prefers weighted flies to sinking line to work at deeper holding fish.
Later in the summer, when hatches be-gin to slow down, terrestrials become a good option on area lakes, Jacklin said.
He particularly likes to fish hopper
patterns in Earthquake Lake along the highway on the north side of the lake.
He prefers either a green or yellow hopper, but encourages anglers to pack a variety of terrestrials in their box – from ants and beetles to bumblebee patterns.
Another fly that has recently been prolific on the upper Madison River and nearby lakes is the spruce moth, which tends to fly in late summer, Mathews said.
The spruce moth has begun to slow down in recent years, but when fish key in on it, they can rise very eagerly to large amber colored moth patterns or a big elk hair caddis with a light colored body.
Both Jacklin and Mathews en-courage anglers venturing out to check in with local shops about fly patterns, weather conditions and fishing reports.
“I tell people, utilize the local knowledge. Check with other fisherman,”
Mathews said. “Make sure you ask questions and certainly do some research before you get here.”
ThelistoflakesaroundsouthwestMontanaisnearlyendless,fromthelargerfamouslakes–HebgenLake,EnnisLakeorClarkCanyonReservoir–tosmallerlakeslikeWade,CliffandElkLake,whicharealllocatedprettyclosetogetherinthesouthernGravellyMountains.
However,don’tbeafraidtotakeoutamapandtryoutthemountainlakesaroundtheregion,whichnumberinthehundreds.
MathewsalsorecommendsthelakesinYellowstoneNationalPark,manyofwhichhavefantasticfishingandreceiveverylittlepressure.
Where to go
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PhotobyJoeDilschneider
20 | Summer Times
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22 | Summer Times
By Greg LemonThe Madisonian
Photo by Joe Dilschneider
As fishermen, we just assume fishing is going to be good in southwest Montana.
We are so spoiled, so optimistic and so right.
Yes it’s true that while I can try to insert a healthy dose of journalistic skepticism into this year’s fishing forecast, I can’t completely get past the undeniable fact that I fish and therefore I’m prone to unfounded optimism.
But around here, whether you talk to an outfitter or a biologist, the answer is the same – two summers of good stream flows have done a lot for trout numbers around the region. And this year flows again look to be very healthy.
The Madison“I anticipate that this will be a great
year,” said Joe Dilschneider, fly fishing outfitter in Ennis. “The fishing opportunities will be as good this year as we had last and arguably as good as ever.”
The fish numbers found during the annual shocking surveys show solid numbers of both rainbow and brown trout in the Madison River, said Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks fisheries biologist Pat Clancey.
“I would call it steady,” Clancey said. “Not upward not downward but steady.”
On the upper Madison River, FWP does shocking surveys on two stretches – Pine Butte and Varney Bridge. On the lower Madison they survey numbers from Warm Springs to Cherry Creek.
The combined number of rainbow and brown trout per mile is higher in the Pine Butte section than the Varney section, he said. But both sections sport more than 3,500 trout – larger than six inches – per mile.
The numbers of both browns and rainbows lower in the section below the dam remain fairly steady at about 2,300 per mile, Clancey said.
The Beaverhead
A couple of years of good flows have also helped out the fishery on the Beaver-head River, said FWP biologist Matt Jaeger. The amount of water stored up in the moun-tains this spring will just continue the trend.
“What we’ll see will almost entirely be beneficial (for fisheries,)” Jaeger said.
The good snow pack in the past few winters had made the overwinter flows in the Beaverhead very healthy, this translates into healthier and larger fish, he said.
“If we can get three good water years, meaning we don’t drop below 200 cfs in the river, it’s going to produce some really big fish,” Jaeger said.
The number of fish ranging between 13 and 15 inches in the up-per Beaverhead is really astounding and with another good water year, those fish will come into next summer pushing the 20-inch range, he said.
The RubyThis little river has held serve the past
few years, Jaeger said. Flows haven’t been as high in the winter, but the fish numbers are staying steady.
This year he anticipates the dam will spill longer than it has the past few years, which will mean good storage and more water in the system.
Still the Ruby River below the dam has a healthy population of brown trout with
many fish in the 14 to 18 inch range.
The Big HoleThe Big Hole River is also holding
steady with fish numbers, said FWP biologist Jim Olsen. Fisherman looking for lots of fish, but smaller in size should try the upper river near Jerry Creek. Fish counts in that area come close to 3,700 fish per mile.
Compared to the stretch near Melrose on the lower river that has about 2,100 fish per mile, but they’re larger in size.
The count drops the lower down you go toward the confluence between the Big Hole and Beaverhead Rivers. The main issue with the health of the fishery in the lower river is late summer flows, Olsen said.
The high water over the past couple of years has helped and the snowpack from this past winter could help late summer flows quite a bit, he said.
FWP has tagged several fish in the Big Hole River and asked anglers to report the tagged fish to officials. The fish are tagged in the dorsal fin and report forms are available at all the fishing access sites along the river, Olsen said.
But numbers only tell part of the story and don’t always give a solid indication of what fishing is going to be like, said Dilsch-neider, who counts the Madison as his home river.
“If you’re out there everyday you’re go-ing to see some great days and you’re going to see some terrible days but that’s just fish-ing,” he said. “I think there are just so many factors that play into it.”
And though the hatches vary some-what from river to river around southwest Montana, they are similar, varying large on time and intensity of hatch from one river to
the next. On the Madison fish start looking for
stoneflies once the spring runoff begins to recede, Dilschneider said.
Most of the rivers in southwest Mon-tana have a couple of different stonefly hatches, but the most important from a fish and fisherman standpoint is the salmonfly hatch.
Salmonflies are large stoneflies with distinct orange underbellies and they hatch in late June to early July depending on water temperature.
“It’s so important to the life cycle of the trout in the Madison River and all the rivers in which it occurs,” he said.
Fishing pressure during the hatch tends to be high and though the big dryflies don’t always work, big stonefly nymphs can be a very good bet, he said. The fish need to eat and since these are the largest bugs they’ll see all year, they won’t pass up too many properly presented imitations.
Just after the salmonfly hatch kicks off, the golden stonefly hatch comes on. These two are larger flies, but smaller than the salmonfly and can be fished either as nymphs or dries. Just as those big stonefly hatches start to fade in July look for evening caddis flies to start coming off in earnest just before dark, Dilschneider said.
“Flyfishingfortroutisalotofvoodooandalotofluckandalotofskillmixedtogether.”
Joe Dilschneider, outfitter – Montana Trout Stalkers
Water, Water everyWhere
Could mean a good year for fishing
WATER on page 24
Summer Times | 23
After that most of the dry fly action is on attractor patterns, he said. Tried and true attractor flies like PMXs, royal Wulffs, and trudes can be very effective in a variety of different sizes.
Later in the summer hoppers and ants become a staple on the Madison River, Dilschneider said. But intermixed can be a variety of mayfly and caddis fly hatches depending on whether, location and time of day.
Throughout the summer, streamer fish-ing on all area rivers can be very effective.
Sometimes the toughest decision of the day is what’s the first fly to tie on your line. But often matching the hatch, or getting
just the right fly isn’t quite as important as it seems, he said.
“Presentation is the most important thing,” Dilschneider said. “Presentation is 80 percent of the success formula.”
Basically on any given day he has a three-prong approach: Plan A – dry flies, plan B – streamers, plan C – nymphs.
“I like to catch fish, I don’t have any pretense for my methods,” he said.
Don’t be afraid to try different colors and sizes of flies and be mindful of your presentation. Ultimately, being successful on any given day has to do with a lot of factors.
“Fly fishing for trout is a lot of voodoo and a lot of luck and a lot of skill mixed together,” Dilschneider said.
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WATER from page 23
summer stargazingMOnTAnA nighT sky highlighTs fOr
By Richard StoufferFor Summer Times
This is the time of year when twilight is long and the nights are short. At the same time, all five naked eye planets and the best meteor shower of the year will pro-vide summer highlights for the Montana night sky.
As June begins, golden colored Saturn may be found halfway up to the zenith in the southern sky. Saturn is closely joined by the relatively bright star Gamma Virginis in the constellation Virgo. By June 11, the planet and star are separated by less than half of a moon diameter, which makes them a striking pair. Saturn forms part of a triangle of bright stellar objects with nearby bluish white Spica, the bright-est star in the constellation Virgo, being located a little below Saturn and yellow-orange Arcturus, in the constellation Bootes, found a little further away to the left of Saturn. By the end of June, Saturn progresses noticeably toward the western horizon as darkness falls. By July, Saturn
will set in the west near midnight. As Au-gust progresses, Saturn may be found low in the western sky, setting by late evening.
A little after Saturn sets, bright Jupiter rises in the eastern sky. Jupiter, which was lost in the solar glare until the last few weeks, rises about two hours before sunrise at the beginning of June and almost 4 hours before sunrise by the end of June, by which time, it will be the most prominent object in the night sky. As July progresses, Jupiter rises by midnight before the end of the month and before midnight in August.
Much fainter reddish Mars finally be-comes visible to the naked eye in June after being lost from view since last fall. Mars rises after Jupiter and may be found well below and to the left of the giant planet. Like Jupiter, Mars continues to rise earlier and earlier as the summer progresses.
Below and to the left of Mars, brilliant Venus shines through the morning twilight. At the beginning of June, Venus may be found just to the east of Mars. The separa-tion increases significantly by the end of the month when Venus sinks into the solar
glare, while Mars rises higher in the night sky. By August, Venus becomes lost from view for the rest of the summer.
Mercury is briefly visible during the summer, being found low in the western sky 45 minutes after sunset during the first half of July.
The Greeks have a word, “meteoros”, that means “in the air”. It refers to the solid masses that come from space and enter the Earth’s atmosphere. Those that become luminous enough for us to see are what we call meteors or shooting stars. During the summer months, there will be several opportunities to see meteors in the Montana night sky in the relative comfort of the summertime temperatures.
In June, the Bootid meteor shower may be worth a look. Although normally a minor shower, the Bootids put on a nice display in 1998 and again in 2004. In 1998, up to 100 meteors per hour were seen. The peak for this shower should occur during the night of June 27 and 28 with no interference from the moon. Then in July, the Delta Aquarid meteor shower,
another minor shower, takes place with a peak occurring before dawn on July 27 and 28. The highlight of the meteor shower displays occurs in August with the Perseid Meteor shower. The Perseids will peak on the mornings of August 13 and 14, when upwards of 50 or more meteors per hour can be seen. Unfortunately, the moon will be a problem this year, when the lunar phase will be full at the time of the shower, which will drown out the fainter meteors. Even so, this is such a good and regular shower that it is worth looking at anyway. To observe a meteor shower, just go to the darkest site you can find, get out your easy chair or blanket, look straight up in the sky facing north and enjoy!
The moon is full on June 15 and again on July 15 and August 13.
The sun arrives at the summer solstice at 11:16 a.m. on June 21, the longest day of the year, when summer begins in the Northern Hemisphere.
Richard Stouffer is a life-long amateur astronomer and former member of Delaware Astro-nomical Society and National Capital Astronomers
24 | Summer Times
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By Sunni Heikes-KnaptonMadison Watershed Coordinator
For suMMer TiMes
The true sign of summer are kids outside, getting their hands dirty, playing games and having adventures. The spin on the local camps and f ield trips also includes learning, where having fun goes hand in hand with understanding and knowledge.
For a third straight year, Madison County is lucky to have offerings by the Montana Outdoor Science School. The f irst Ennis camp is geared for students
entering f irst and second graders. This “Rock Jocks” camp focuses on the study of geology and the stories that can be told through formations and fossils. Students will visit local sites during the 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. camp, scheduled for June 20 – 24.
Montana Outdoor Science School is also offering a camp for Ennis students entering third and fourth grades, with a focus on the sciences around water. “Aqua Adventures” camp is scheduled for July 11 – 15, 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The f irst 10 students that sign up for either MOSS camp will receive a $100 scholarship from
the Madison River Foundation, reducing the enrollment fees to $175. Visit www.out-doorscience.org for more info or to register.
Jackson’s Garden is providing a short course on gardening June 3 in Sheridan. This single day offering welcomes adults and kids to learn about starting and main-taining a garden. For more information, contact Marguerite Jodry at [email protected].
For Ennis kids and parents interested in a longer program, the Good Thymes camp is being offered for 18 classes starting in June. Students entering third, fourth or f ifth grades can attend the 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Camp starts the week of June 20 and runs through the week of Aug. 8 (no classes the week of July 4 or July 11). Students in the Good Thymes camp will get to experience gardening, arts and crafts, and the wonders of the outdoors. Contact mwc@3rivers to register or for more information.
As part of a collaboration with the Sheridan library, Jackson’s Garden is also hosting a picnic lunch for kids involved in the Summer Reading Program. This Aug. 11 event will be held at the community garden, featuring locally grown food and a discussion of the same. For more informa-tion, contact marguerite.jodry@gmail.
com. As autumn rolls around and school
is back in session, students will have the chance to attend f ield trips with their classes. In the Ruby Valley, the Ruby Watershed Council and the Ruby Valley Conservation District host Kid’s River Resource Day Thursday, Sept. 15 at the Sandru Ranch. This interactive day of education brings together fourth, f ifth and sixth graders from all three schools in the Ruby valley, plus the home schooled com-munity. Professionals in f ields such as f ish-eries, soils, wetlands, history, art and other areas have “education stations” that the groups circulate through. Contact [email protected] for more information.
In the Madison in September, Ennis school groups will have a chance to visit several sites on Jack Creek to learn lessons on water quality and watershed function. Students will gather data on the chemi-cal, physical, and biological conditions of Jack Creek, as part of an ongoing study developed in 2006. Contact mwc@3rivers for more information.
The Madison Farm 2 Fork farmers market will also have periodic kids’ pro-grams during the market hours of 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Saturdays at the Valley Bank on Main Street.
Local events get kids outside and Learning
Summer Times | 25
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26 | Summer Times
Bringing history to life in
Nevada CityBy Kate SchwendFor The suMMer TiMes
PhoTos FroM dan Thyer
The Open Air Museum in Nevada City is a great setting for a day of exploring a turn of the century mining town in its original luster.
Although most of the buildings in the museum aren’t original to Nevada City, they are all pulled from ghost towns around the state, and many of them are from the area, including the original Twin Bridg-es Schoolhouse. On weekends throughout the sum-mer the museum comes alive, thanks to the Montana Heritage Commission’s Living History Program. Living History interpreters and re-enactors gather from around the state to demonstrate the daily lives of nineteenth century miners and families.
Each weekend includes a special presentation or event on an aspect of Alder Gulch life, as well as hands-on demonstrations such as gambling demonstrations, hands-on cooking and crafts, blacksmithing, children’s games, which allow visitors to participate in the activities of the inter-
preters and really experience with every sense the lives of Virginia and Nevada Cities’ original residents. Tickets
for the museum are $8 for adults and $6 for kids 6 to 16, kids 5 and under are free. All tickets are good for two days, so that visitors can enjoy the fun all weekend.
Events and activities for this summer:June 11-12: The George Ives Trial and Hanging. June 18-19: Montana Vigilantes.June 25-26: The Civil War in Alder Gulch.July 2-4: Nevada City 4th of July.July 9-10: Alder Gulch Legends.July 16-17: Capture of Steve Marshland.July 23-24: Vigilante Double Cross.July 30-31: Miner’s Court: Claim Disputes.August 6-7: Placer Gold.August 13-14: Beans, Bacon, & Bannock Bread.August 20-21: The Flour Riot.August 27-28: The Women of the Gulch.September 3-5: Jack Slade’s End.
For more information about the open-air museum or living history events, call 843-5247 or 1-800-829-2969, or visit www.virginiacitymt.com.
Summer Times | 27
28 | Summer Times
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Summer Times | 29
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By Sunni Heikes-KnaptonMadison Watershed Coordinator
For The suMMer TiMes
Summer is always a busy time for southwest Montana, but local residents have plenty of chances to learn about their watersheds and get involved with education events.
In the Ruby Valley, the sixth Annual “Welcome to the Neighborhood Party” will be held Friday, June 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the Madison County Fairgrounds. Hosted by the Ruby Watershed Council/Ruby Valley Conservation District, this evening in the field is designed to bring new and existing landowners in the Ruby Valley together over food and drinks to learn of the shared values and natural resources of the Ruby Valley. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Community members looking to take their interest in water a step further are invited to join the 2011 training for the Madison Stream Team. The June 29 and 30 sessions will be held at the Ennis Elemen-tary from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. This group of citizen scientists visit area streams twice during summer months to collect data on water quality conditions. The June train-ing will provide an introduction to new members and provide a refresher to veteran members. Contact mwc@3rivers for more
information. If anyone needs a good reason to float
the Madison River, look no further than the July weed mapping event. Weed identifica-tion and section assignments will be covered from 3 to 5 p.m. on July 18, with the map-ping event being held on July 21. Participat-ing teams will get a barbecue dinner. Con-tact mwc@3rivers for more information.
As part of a continuation on the soil health workshop series in Twin Bridges, a field tour of test plots of cover crop cocktails and no-till methods will be held in Septem-ber. The date is to be announced, contact [email protected] for more information.
Jacksons Garden in Sheridan will be offering a food harvest and preservation workshop featuring hands-on experience with canning and information on various techniques of home food preservation. This autumn event will have the date determined shortly, contact [email protected] for additional information.
Also in September will be a field tour on grazing topics, a continuation of pre-sentations at the January grazing seminar. This event will provide examples of real grazing scenarios and the many factors that influence landscape health. This September event will have the date determined shortly. Contact mwc@3rivers for more informa-tion.
Local opportunities for adult natural resource education
L.L.C.
Dorothy & Claude Mulholland
406.682.4886 P.O. Box 322 • Ennis, Mt
Reynolds Pass to Varney Bridge $30.00
Varney Bridge to Ennis Lake $25.00
30 | Summer Times
Experience
this Summer
&YellowstoneYellowstone Country
By Jan StoddardWest Yellowstone
Chamber of Commerce
ellowstone Park in the summer is kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, smells
and unexpected adventure. The uniqueness of visiting Yellowstone, whether as your first or fiftieth visit, is you just never know what you may encounter.
It could be a black bear foraging for last year’s pine nuts on a shaded moun-tain slope or a young eaglet attempting its first flight while his father watches from a nearby snag. It could be a brilliantly hued sunrise that fleetingly transforms the Madi-son River into a sheet of oranges reds.
The heavy snows from last winter are slowly melting away leaving a promise of future spectacular wildflowers emerging by late June, as well as rivers that will run high and cool throughout the summer for fly fishing fanatics.
The rule of thumb for experiencing the best of Yellowstone in summer is to take advantage of cool mountain mornings and dusky evenings when the traffic is lighter and the wildlife is on the move. The heavi-est traffic on Yellowstone’s interior roads and at its attractions is during mid-day,
especially 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If possible, start your
Yellowstone day with early in the morning.
Watch for wildlife on the move near rivers and streams. Catch the morning mist rising from a river. Or, billowing steam from ther-mals exaggerated by cooler temperatures. Relax with a picnic in the park at a small roadside picnic area? Or, take a shorter hike to a hidden lake.
Evenings in Yellowstone bring their own special magic. As most visitors depart for an evening dinner and lodging, smart summer visitors make different plans. The boardwalks around Old Faithful are the perfect moonlight stroll for adventurously romantic couples. Experience the feeling of the thermals thumping quietly over your feet with the distant sound of gurgling water and perhaps the eerie sound of an owl hooting at his mate. The air is so clean with a hint of fresh pine and an occasional sniff of wet minerals from a nearby hot pool.
Drive to a pull-out along the Madison River that overlooks a mountain meadow where bison graze and songbirds fill the air. Wait for the elk calves to emerge from edge of dark pines and laugh as they act like a bunch of grade school kids released from classroom to recess.
On a clear night, Yellowstone’s unpol-luted skies reveal an incredible starscape. Don’t miss the “Stars Over Yellowstone” evening program cosponsored by The Museum of the Rockies, the Southwest Montana Astronomical Society and the Abaetern Academy.
Join other star grazers to find constel-lations, hear star stories, and view the sun and other celestial objects through tele-scopes. These unique programs are offered on select afternoons and nights throughout the summer. Check for more information at the Ranger Station in the West Yellowstone Visitor Center.
Yellowstone Park also offers unique programs for kids of all ages including the Yellowstone Junior Ranger and Young Scientist programs. To become a Junior Ranger or Young Scientist, families pay a small fee for an activity paper available at any visitor center. After completing the age appropriate requirements described in the paper and reviewing their work with a ranger at any visitor center, participants are awarded an official patch. Requirements include attending a Ranger-led program, hiking on a park trail, and completing activities on various park resources, issues, and concepts such as geothermal geology, park wildlife, and fire ecology.
To enhance your Yellowstone experi-ence, take time to stop at a visitor center inside the park. The Canyon Visitor Center offers interactive exhibits about Yellow-stone’s supervolcano and other aspects of its geology including the film “Yellowstone: Land to Life” that reveals how powerful geologic forces from fire to ice have com-bined to create a unique landscape which supports an abundant variety of life.
You’ll find more exhibits at other Visi-tor Centers located at Fishing Bridge,
Mammoth Hot Springs, and Grant. The Museum of the National
Park Ranger at Norris offers unique displays and tab-
leaus portraying the life of rangers and the military in the early days of Yel-lowstone.
The new Old Faith-ful Visitor Education Center opened last sum-mer and features exhibits
on hydrothermal features, life in extreme environments, volcanic geology, and scien-tific investigations of these phenomena.
Why not layer on another experience or adventure in southwestern Montana to make your Yellowstone trip even more memorable?
History buffs should make sure to include a stop at the Yellowstone Historic Center Museum in West Yellowstone. A new exhibit ““A Place Called Thorofare: People, Wilderness & Wildlife Manage-ment,” explores travel the most remote area in the lower 48 states – the Thorofare region of Yellowstone National Park.
The exhibit includes historical images from the McCracken Research Library’s Jack Richard Photography Collection, stunning contemporary photography by the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, maps, docu-ments, interactive media, and artifacts from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Also new for this summer, is a new historic walking tour. Created by the West Yellowstone Economic Development Council this historic walking tour that takes visitors from 1920s forest service cabins to a curio shop to an old Union Pacific din-ing lodge. Bear paw prints painted on the sidewalk will lead the way, and walkers will be able to learn about places on the tour by reading plaques that will be at each of the 21 stations.
Other locations on the tour include a water tower built in 1910 that provided the town’s early public water supply. Another stop is at the Eagle’s Store, which Sam Eagle opened in 1908. The Eagles were one of the town’s three founding families, and their descendants still operate the store today, according to a brochure for the tour. Maps with way-finding information are available from the Visitor Center or from various locations along the bear paw route.
If traveling through Southwestern Montana, follow Highway 287 from Ennis to the Quake and Hebgen Lakes area. This area was struck in 1959 by one of the
PhotobyMikePolkowske
Y
largest earthquakes ever recorded on the North American continent. Measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, the earth-quake caused an enormous landslide and sent 80 million tons of rock tumbling into the canyon, obstructing the flow of the Madison River. The water soon backed up behind the fallen rocks and formed Earthquake Lake. Today the Madison River Canyon Earthquake Area is of great scien-tific and general interest.
Stop at the Visitors Center (open every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day) to see a short movie and pick up one of the driving tour brochures. While there walk the trail to the Memorial Boulder and overlook. Then as you drive along the banks of the water, the effect of the chang-ing earth can be seen all around. Be sure to stop at the pullouts and scenic overlooks, go to the Ghost Village and visit Refuge Point.
Throughout the summer West Yellowstone, at the west entrance to Yellowstone Park, offers a variety of activities and events. Enjoy a great family-friendly Fourth of July starting with the Big Brothers Big Sisters yard sale in the City Park, Fireman Department Barbecue, and a small pa-rade that anyone can participate in, free music in the City Park, and a great fireworks display set against a backdrop of mountains. It’s a small town celebration at its best!
Summer Times | 31
• The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center - an animal sanctuary with live grizzly bears, wolves, and raptors, open every day of the year, offering daily naturalist lectures, movies, and the “Keeper Kids” program
• The Smoke Jumper Ranger program for kids - offered Monday-Saturday mornings (beginning July 1) during the summer for kids. This free program gives kids a chance to meet real smokejumpers, learn about their equipment, do exercises with a smokejumper, learn about fires and fire ecology
• Yellowstone IMAX Theater open daily
• Yellowstone Ranger Presenta-tions – free slide shows by Yellow-stone Rangers about various topics offered at several different locations in West Yellowstone each week
• Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo - live family rodeo held every week-end (Thursday, Friday, Saturday ) from June 15 through Labor Day
• Bob Jacklin offers free fly casting lessons Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m., starting on Father’s Day, throughout the summer from Jacklin’s on Yellowstone Avenue.
• Playmill Theatre - semi-profes-sional theatre with two nightly perfor-mance and a Youth Summer Camp
beginning May 27.• Pinecone Playhouse - semi-
professional theatre with weekend performances
• Weekly ranger hikes and talks with either Yellowstone National Park or Gallatin National Forest rangers
• Don’t miss the “free music in the park” offered on various evenings throughout the summer (July 4, 16, and 22, and August 13)
• Summer events include: a mini-triathlon (June 18), a mountain bike biathlon (June 25), Rod Run car show (August 5-7), 10-day Mountain Man Rendezvous (August 5-14), Pine Needle Stampede mini-marathon
(August 25), Square Knot Square Dancing Jamboree (Labor Day Weekend), and the Fly Fishing Fed-eration Conclave and Fair (August 28 – September 3).
• Summer activities (outside Yel-lowstone Park) include: fly fishing les-sons and guided trips, kayak lessons and rentals, horseback riding and mountain trail rides, overnight pack trips, outdoor mountain cookouts, mountain bike trail riding, fly fishing and lake fishing.”
More information about West Yellowstone events can be found at http://www.destinationyellowstone.com/calendar/.
Other events and activities include:
PhotobyWestYellowstoneChamber
Open Tues – SundayBreakfast & Lunch 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Dinner 5:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Bar Menu available all day.406.842.5088
Alder, Montana (behind Chicks)
32 | Summer Times
Let Us Drive will PICK YOU UP at your Hotel/Lodge/Inn and provide you with round trip service to Yellowstone National Park!
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By Greg LemonThe Madisonian
Photo by West Yellowstone Fly Shop
You might not think that a national park that sees more that 3 million visitors a year could be a place to go to get away from the fly fishing crowds, but according to Craig Mathews of Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone, that’s exactly how things work in Yellowstone.
“You could spend a lifetime fishing Yellowstone every day of the season and not fish it all,” Mathews said. “If you have to walk a hundred yards off the road, there’s no one around.”
For fly fisherman the names of the park’s more famous rivers bring to mind abundant hatches and unsurpassed scenery – Firehole, Madison, Lamar and Gibbon.
“Fishing in the park is like it was 200 years ago,” he said.
This year, like the last two, is shaping into a fantastic water year for the Yel-lowstone region. Snowpack is holding on through the spring, which will mean great water flows through the summer, Mathews said.
“This is going to be one of the best years we’ve seen in 25 years in the park,”
he said. The fishing season in the park starts at
the end of May and the first river to really start fishing with any consistency should be the Firehole River in the west part of the park. The Madison River in the park should be about a week behind the Firehole.
Fishermen who venture into the park early to fish the Firehole and Madison should be armed with some small baetis flies, along with Pale Morning Dunns, size 16, along with some caddis.
Both rivers also see a salmonfly hatch in early June. These large orange stoneflies are often accompanied by a golden stonefly hatch, Mathews said. These stonefly hatches also are strong on the Gibbon River.
Once the season gets going elsewhere in the park in later June and early July, fishermen should come with grey and green drake mayflies and a good selection of at-tractor patterns like Royal Wulffs, stimula-tors and Madam Xs. All the rivers in the park will fish well with attractor patterns through much of the summer, he said. But keep the mayflies in your box along with a selection of caddis flies.
Beyond the previously mentioned rivers are others like the Yellowstone, Gallatin,
and Slough Creek. “They all fish very well with
attractors,” Mathews said. As the summer wears
on, hopper patterns become very effective and the size of the stream shouldn’t neces-sarily dictate the size of the fly. Some very small water will fish well with larger attrac-tor flies, he said.
Other ter-restrial patterns that are effective in the park include beetles, ants and crickets.
One thing to remember is that match-ing hatches isn’t as important as size and presentation, Mathews said.
He also encourages people heading into Yellowstone for the first time to visit one of the fly shops in West Yellowstone for the latest news on hatches and up-to-date fishing reports.
Ultimately, one of the most popular and scenic national parks in the country is also home to some of the best trout fishing and that’s a combination the avid fisherman shouldn’t pass up, Mathews said.
“Nowhere in the world is there as much wild trout fishing as there is in Yellowstone National Park.”
Like to fly fish? Head to Yellowstone National Park
Summer Times | 33
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Summer Times | 35
w w w . m a d i s o n r i v e r f o u n d a t i o n . o r g
The Festival is a project of the Madison River Foundation, an non-profit organization.
All proceeds benefit the work and mission of the Foundation.
F e s t i v a l S c h e d u l e
Fri , Sept 2 nd
9am – 1pm Kids’ Program @ Peter T’s Park Sunni Heikes-Knapton, Madison Watershed Coordinator1 pm – 2 pm “Awakening Your Inner Pixel” @ FMVB Conf Room* Digital Photo Workshop, Ken Hall, BearFeather Studio2 pm –3 pm “Fly Fishing Down Under” @ FMVB Conf Room with Holger Schaarschmidt2 pm – 4 pm Fly Casting Clinic @ Peter T’s Park2 pm – 5 pm Fly Tying: Learn from the Experts @ Peter T’s Park3 pm – 4 pm Madison Fly Swap: Trade Your Favorite Patterns @ FMVB Conf Rm sponsored by The Tackle Shop4 pm – 5 pm “Sitting in a Boat with Jerry” @ FMVB Conf. Room Jerry Schildroth, Orvis Guide of the Year6 pm – 9 pm BBQ & Live Music @ Peter T’s Park7 pm Mega Trout Live Auction @ Peter T’s Park Madison Byways
9 am – 10 am “Bear Aware: How to Avoid Becoming Lunch!” @ FMVB Conf. Rm presented by USFS10 am – 11 am “Rolling Rivers” Kids’ Program @ Peter T’s Park10 am – Noon Casting Clinic @ Peter T’s Park10 am – 11 am “Something’s Fishy: Stocking Wilderness Lakes” @ FMVB Conf Rm Jonathan Klein, USFS11 am – Noon “Fishing with Grass: Bamboo 101” @ FMVB Conf. Room The Boo Boys of Sweetgrass RodsNoon – 1 pm Madison River Foundation in Action: Projects Update @ FMVB Conf Rm11 am -- 2 pm BBQ Lunch – Ennis Lion’s Club @ Peter T’s Park1 pm – 3 pm “Tying & Fishing Delektable Flies” @ FMVB Conf. Room Dan Delekta, Bearthooth Fly Fishing2 pm – 5 pm Fly Tying: Learn from the Experts @ Peter T’s Park2 pm – 5 pm Fly Casting Competition @ Peter T’s Park3 pm – 4 pm “Fishing Yellowstone’s Lesser Known Waters” @ FMVB Conf Rm Craig Mathews, Blue Ribbon Flies4 pm - 5 pm “Nymph Fishing Top to Bottom” @ FMVB Conf. Room Mike Lawson, Henry’s Fork Anglers6 pm Main Street BBQ – Ribs & Stuff @ Peter T’s Park6 pm – 9 pm Bucket Raffl e Drawings @ Peter T’s Park Live Music with the Flatland Mountain Rock Band @ Peter T’s7 pm Live Auction: Original Festival Poster Painting by Ed Totten @ Peter T’s Park8 pm ClackaCraft Drift Boat Raffl e Drawing of Wining Ticket @ Peter T’s Park
Sat , Sept 3 rd
The Festival site is Peter T’s Park at the First Madison Valley Bankon Main Street in downtown Ennis, Montana
* First Madison Valley Bank Conference Room, Lower Level
Note: Schedule is subject to change.
WIN THIS BOAT!!
raffles!live music and food! fun!· Angling Celebrities
· Casting clinics & competition
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· Exhibits · Kids Program
ENNIS ON THE MADISON fly fishing festivalMADISON RIVER FOUNDATION’S 9TH ANNUAL
L a b o r D a y W e e k e n d S e p t e m b e r 2 & 3 , 2 0 1 1
ClackaCraftFan Mountain Inn
First Madison Valley BankMadison River Fishing Company
O’Dell Creek Fly Shop & Rainbow Valley LodgeThe Tackle Shop
SPONSO
RS SPONSORS
36 | Summer Times
ruby valley events
June 11Garage-A-Rama
The Friends of the Twin Bridges Library will sponsor the 11th annual Garage-A-Rama on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Madison Coun-ty Fairgrounds. This is the yard sale heaven. The Garage-A-Rama is a giant community garage sale organized by the Friends of the Twin Bridges Public Library. Each year, hundreds of buyers and sellers turn out for this fun event in support of the library. In addition to the garage sale the event also includes a silent auction, bake sale and book sale.
Team Sorting 3 Rivers Arena Club Check out, or participate in, the 3 Rivers Arena Club’s new found com-petition at the Madison County Fair Grounds rodeo arena. How team sort-ing works: two pens (approximately 12 feet from each other) are arranged, one of them containing 10 cattle (beef cattle, not roping) numbered 0 through 9. A starting number is called and the clock starts. Within a specified time limit (usually about 60 seconds) a team of two sorts each cow, starting with the one numbered with starting num-ber, into the opposite pen in increas-ing order of number (ex. 6 to 9 and then starting back at 0 to 5). If any cow
crosses the line into the other pen out of order the team is disqualified. Con-tact: Dana Escott, fairgrounds manag-er, 406-684-5824.
Twin Bridges Farmer’s Market The Twin Bridges Farmer’s Market will be held every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to noon at the City Park. Please contact Coree Martin, market master at 406-596-1978 for more information.
June 18Father’s Day Fly In at Ruby Valley Airpor The 8th Annual Father’s Day Fly-In will be through Sunday, June 19. This weekend is packed with entertainment for the whole family. Bring a lawn chair and soak in the fun. Events will kick off Saturday at 9 a.m. with the Young Eagle rides. Bring your 8-17 year old for a free airplane ride. Enjoy aerobat-ic performances throughout the day. Don’t leave too early and miss the pot-luck BBQ. Your dish is your admission. Set your alarm for the Sunday morning Pancake Breakfast. Pilot games start at 10 a.m. so pull up your lawn chair. Contact: Ruby Valley Aviation 684-5335.
June 28Senior Pro Rodeo A beautiful summer’s evening, a cold beer or Pepsi, sitting back watch-ing an old cowboy get bounced into
the next state. The Senior Pro is a great evening of rodeo entertainment. Just cause these riders and rompers have a little salt in their hair doesn’t mean they’re ready to hang up their competi-tive ambitions.
Come down to the Madison Coun-ty Fairgrounds in Twin Bridges and en-joy the show on June 28 and 29 start-ing at 7 p.m.
July 9Team Sorting 3 Rivers Arena Club Two pens (approximately 12 feet from each other) are arranged, one of them containing 10 cattle (beef cattle, not roping) numbered 0 through 9. A starting number is called and the clock starts. Within a specified time limit (usually about 60 seconds) a team of two sorts each cow, starting with the one numbered with starting number, into the opposite pen in increasing or-der of number (ex. 6 to 9 and then start-ing back at 0 to 5). If any cow crosses the line into the other pen out of order the team is disqualified. Come to cheer on your favorite team and be involved in the excitement! Madison County Fairgrounds, rodeo arena. Contact: Dana Escott, fairgrounds manager, 406-684-5824.
Ruby Valley Hospital Foundation Dinner on the Hill
Ruby Valley Hospital Foundation
Benefit - Soc Hop! Don’t miss the 2011 Ruby Valley Hospital Foundation Din-ner on the Hill Event at the Virginia City Community Center from 5 – 10 p.m. There will be a door prize for the best costume, so dig out your bobby socks, letterman sweater, poodle skirt and saddle shoes. To purchase tickets, please call 406-842-5454.
July 11Team Sorting Rivers Arena Club Check out, or participate in, the 3 Rivers Arena Club’s Team Sorting. Come to cheer on your favorite team and be involved in the excitement! Lo-cation: Madison County Fairgrounds, rodeo arena, Twin Bridges. Contact: Dana Escott, fairgrounds manager, 406-684-5824.
July 16 Alder Daze
Alder Daze will be held July 16-17 in Alder.
July 23Floating Flotillas & Fish Fantasies Fun activities include a 5K run, with the parade of “Floating Flotillas” following. After the parade, stop by the Twin Bridges Community Association’s booth for the barbeque fundraiser. Don’t forget to buy your duck num-ber from a museum volunteer for the duck race after the parade either! Stick
Burke Hansen, M.D.Family Practice, Including Obstetrics
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Mick Lifson, M.D., FACOGGynecology
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Summer Times | 37
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around with your hotdog or burger and participate in the Cow Pie Golf Tourna-ment!
July 29-31Sheridan Festival
Drop by Sheridan Main Street and City Park, at least, for the fantastic Antique Car Show! Also available are countless kids activities, great food, water games, and lots of summer fun!
August 11-14Madison County Fair and NRA Ro-deo Catch the rodeo, pet the sheep, admire the handiwork of our local art-ists and have a great time at the Madi-son CountyFair & Rodeo. Great food, great folks, great fun! August 11: Lad-der Canyon Ranch Rodeo; August 12: NRA Rodeo/Car Show; August 13: NRA Rodeo; August 14: Main Street Parade and Demolition Day. There are loads of terrific activities listed in the Fair Book, available at most local retailers. Con-tact: Dana Escott, fairgrounds manag-er, 406-684-5824.
September 10Team Sorting Rivers Arena Club Check out, or participate in, the 3 Rivers Arena Club’s Team Sorting. Come to cheer on your favorite team and be involved in the excitement! Lo-cation: Madison County Fairgrounds, rodeo arena, Twin Bridges. Contact: Dana Escott, fairgrounds manager, 406-684-5824.
West yelloWstone
events
June 11Train Days
This day commemorates the ar-rival in West Yellowstone of the first Union Pacific passenger train filled with Yellowstone bound tourists in 1908. Special reception for the open-ing exhibition of “Wings into West.” Free admission to the Yellowstone His-toric Center Museum! Contact: Yellow-stone Historic Center 406-646-7461 or www.yellowstonehistoriccenter.org
June 15-18 Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo
Born in the past to ease the cow-boys’ boredom, today’s rodeos are pure excitement! Bareback riding, team roping, saddle bronc riding, breakaway roping and bull riding are just some of the scheduled events. Performances are at 8 p.m. each night and will be held at the rodeo arena just 4 miles west of town. Join the fun! Contact: 406-560-6913 or www.yellowstonerodeo.com
June 18Janet Clarkson Memorial Triathlon
This is an annual event held at the
Madison Arm Resort on the south shore of Hebgen Lake. The triathlon hosts many athletes from Montana, Idaho, Utah and Canada. The race course is entirely within the Gallatin National Forest and does not conflict with any vehicular traffic. The race starts at 10 a.m. and should be completed by about 1 p.m. Proceeds go to athletic scholarships and cancer research.
June 21Yellowstone National Park Fee Free Days
The National Park Service has waived admission fees to all national parks on 17 selected dates throughout 2011 and encourages all Americans to visit a national park this year.
June 22-25Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo
Born in the past to ease the cow-boys’ boredom, today’s rodeos are pure excitement! Bareback riding, team roping, saddle bronc riding, breakaway roping and bull riding are just some of the scheduled events. Performances are at 8 p.m. each night and will be held at the Rodeo arena just 4 miles west of town. Join the fun! Contact: 406-560-6913 or www.yellowstonero-deo.com
June 25Mountain Bike Biathlon
The West Yellowstone Ski Educa-tion Foundation will host a Mountain Bike Biathlon on the Rendezvous Ski Trails. This unique event combines mountain biking and target shooting. Racers will complete five laps totaling 12.5k and four shooting bouts. All ath-letes are welcome to participate and no shooting experience is required. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers. A traditional summer biathlon clinic (running and shooting) takes place on Sunday, June 26 and features shooting techniques, racing strategies, and a time trial. Pre-registration is required. Forms and more information can be found online at www.rendezvousski-trails.com/events.
June 29 - July 2Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo
Born in the past to ease the cow-boys’ boredom, today’s rodeos are pure excitement! Performances are at 8 p.m. each night and will be held at the rodeo arena just 4 miles west of town. Join the fun! Contact: 406-560-6913 or www.yellowstonerodeo.com
July 4 Big Brothers, Big Sisters Rummage Sale
This annual event to benefit the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of West Yel-lowstone will be held in the Town Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact: Alysia
38 | Summer Times
Antler DesignsBar 88 Horses & Wolf Pack Outfitters
CoverUps Gifts & EmbroideryD&D Auto
Ennis PharmacyEnnis RV VillageEnnis True Value
Express Rent A Car & U-HaulFarm to Fork
First Madison Valley BankFran’s FancyGot GuttersGravel Bar
Lick a Dee Lube
Longbranch SaloonM&B AutoBody
Madison Drilling & Pump SupplyMadison Foods
Madison LumberMadison Meadows Golf
Matson ExcavationMeadow Creek Vet Clinic
Mountain View TV & SatelliteOtter Banks
Pic-A-Nic BasketPit Stop PizzaRadio Shack
Right Angles Frame Shop
Signs WestSportsman’s LodgeStitches That BindThe Depot GalleryThe Flower ShedThe MadisonianThe Tacke Shop
Valley BankWest of the Madison
Wolfpack Fencing/PaintingYellowstone Wealth Management
Yesterday’s Soda FountainCall 682-4388 to add your business!
Check the Ennis Chamber’s for current promotions. Proceeds from card sales benefit Chamber events.
Enjoy discounts and special offers al l year with The MORE CARD!USE IT AT THESE PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES:
More Fun. More Savings. More Service. More Money in the Community
More Cards available at the Ennis Chamber office and Madison Foods for $30.
Downs 406-646-1015 to donate.
July 4Celebrating America
Our Fourth of July celebration this year includes some “down home” fun; outdoor barbeque benefit for the fire department, parade, music and fire-works (conditions permitting). Parade line up at 5:30 and parade starts at 6 p.m. Fireworks start at 10 p.m. Spon-sored by the Hebgen Basin Volunteer Fire Department. Enjoy an outdoor BBQ of hamburgers, hotdog’s, chili and chips for a donation in the Chamber of Commerce Parking lot from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; join in the fun of the 3rd annual motorcycle poker run; and then feast at the pig roast in Pioneer Park. All pro-ceeds raised from these events will go toward supporting various community needs. Contact: Scott 406-640-2792 or visit www.westyellowstonefire.com
Wild West Yellowstone RodeoPerformances are at 8 p.m. each
night and will be held at the Rodeo arena just 4 miles west of town. Join the fun!
Contact: (406) 560-6913 or www.yellowstonerodeo.com
Music in the ParkBring your blankets, lawn chairs,
picnics (although the Fire Department will be cooking’ up their barbeque
benefit) and the kids. Enjoy a casual evening of alternative country music in the great outdoors! This summer’s first evening of Music in the Park will feature Girls Guns and Glory. Free of charge and begins in the Town Park immediately following the parade.
July 6-9 Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo
Born in the past to ease the cow-boys’ boredom, today’s rodeos are pure excitement! Performances are at 8 p.m. each night and will be held at the Rodeo arena just 4 miles west of town. Join the fun! Contact: 406-560-6913 or www.yellowstonerodeo.com
July 13-16Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo
Born in the past to ease the cow-boys’ boredom, today’s rodeos are pure excitement! Performances are at 8 p.m. each night and will be held at the rodeo arena just 4 miles west of town. Join the fun! Contact: 406-560-6913 or www.yellowstonerodeo.com
July 16Music in the Park
Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, picnics and the kids. Enjoy a casual evening of gospel music in the great outdoors! This summer’s second eve-ning of Music in the Park will feature Shelley Spady and Tim Lemmens. Free
of charge and begins in the Town Park.
July 22Music in the Park
Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, picnics and the kids. Enjoy a casual evening of gospel music in the great outdoors! This summer’s third evening of Music in the Park will feature Air National Guard Band of the northwest 560th (WA ANG) band out of Washing-ton & ANG band from St. Louis, Mis-souri. Free of charge and begins in the Town Park.
July 20-23 Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo
Born in the past to ease the cow-boys’ boredom, today’s rodeos are pure excitement! Performances are at 8 p.m. each night and will be held at the Rodeo arena just 4 miles west of town. Join the fun! Contact: 406-560-6913 or www.yellowstonerodeo.com
July 23 Music in the Park
Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, picnics and the kids. Enjoy a casual evening of gospel music in the great outdoors! This summer’s fourth eve-ning of Music in the Park will open with honky tonk swing Owen Mays and James Hunnicutt and feature “The Vi-per of Melody” Wayne Handcock, free of charge and begins in the Town Park.
July 27-30Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo
Born in the past to ease the cow-boys’ boredom, today’s rodeos are pure excitement! Performances are at 8 p.m. each night and will be held at the rodeo arena just 4 miles west of town. Join the fun! Contact: 406-560-6913 or www.yellowstonerodeo.com
July 15-16Arts and Crafts Fair - Island Park Library Friends
The Island Park Library Friends, Inc. 10th annual Arts and Crafts Fair at Buffalo Run RV Park, 3402 N. Hwy 20, Island Park, Idaho, approximately 30 miles south of West Yellowstone. Fair hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. During this two-day event, artists and crafters offer a variety of unique hand-made items, including wood carvings, metal work, photography, jewelry, In-dian art work, and quilts. Commercial booths sell fish, wild life and cabin décor items. For more information or a registration form, contact organizers at [email protected] or call Phyllis King at 801-699-6241.
July 28Free Mountain Bike Tour of the Ren-dezvous Ski Trails
The West Yellowstone Ski Educa-tion Foundation would like to welcome
Summer Times | 39
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40 | Summer Times
Summer Times | 41
In-BackSteakhouse
406.842.7632 Sheridan, Montana
Prime Rib Friday & Saturday
Daily & Nightly Specials
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Drink Specials all week
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Friday1:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
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406.842.7632Sheridan, Mt
mountain bike riders of all abilities on a guided ride of the local trails. Meet board member Kelli Sanders at Free-heel and Wheel (40 Yellowstone Ave.) at 5 p.m. and be ready to roll. This is a great opportunity to explore West Yellowstone’s bike trails with a local expert and bike shop owner. Get the inside track on the trails near town. Just show up with your mountain bike, helmet, and water. The group will set the pace with novice riders and fami-lies encouraged to participate. Rental bikes and more information are avail-able through Freeheel and Wheel at 406-646-7744.
August 1-5The British are Coming “British Soccer Camp”
West Yellowstone Parks and Rec-reation - has teamed up to host the week long “British Soccer Camp”. As the number of soccer players in the USA nears 20 million, the number one soccer company in the United States & Canada, Challenger Sports, has been invited to hold one of their highly re-garded “British Soccer Camps” right here in the growing soccer commu-nity of West Yellowstone. For more information contact: Katie Wilson 406-646-7715. [email protected]
August 3-6Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo
Born in the past to ease the cow-boys’ boredom, today’s rodeos are pure excitement! Performances are at 8 p.m. each night and will be held at the rodeo arena just 4 miles west of town. Join the fun! Contact: 406-560-6913 or www.yellowstonerodeo.com
August 4-741st Annual Yellowstone Rod Run
Street Rod Heaven. Food, frol-ic, parade, showin’ and shinin’ and cruisin’. This year’s event will be big-ger, longer and better than ever to cele-brate 39 years of this annual gathering. Contact: Jerry or Terry Oksa 406-646-9759 or www.YellowstoneRodRun.com
August 5-146th Annual Smoking Waters Moun-tain Man Rendezvous
Living History and Trader’s Row are the core of this opportunity to experi-ence the West and its people. Demon-strations of carding and spinning wool, making butter and leather working; Seminars on Native American Culture and the Fur Trade Era; entertainment and competitions such as Cowboy Po-etry, Storytelling, Black Powder Shoot, Knife and Tomahawk Throws are all part of the ten day mix. The encampment will be set up on the West side of town. Contacts: Vendor/Camper Info: Beverly Flitcroft: 970-481-4593 email: cloak-
[email protected]: Entertainment and Volunteers: Sunshine Kirkpatrick: 406-646-7931 email: [email protected]: Black Powder Shoot: Randy Foster: 406-587-6265 email: [email protected]
August 10-13Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo
Born in the past to ease the cow-boys’ boredom, today’s rodeos are pure excitement! Performances are at 8 p.m. each night and will be held at the rodeo arena just 4 miles west of town. Join the fun! Contact: 406-560-6913 or www.yellowstonerodeo.com
August 13Music in the Park
Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, picnics and the kids. Enjoy a casual evening of gospel music in the great outdoors! This summer’s fourth eve-ning of Music in the Park feature Kennedy and the Assassins. Free of charge.
August 17-20Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo
Born in the past to ease the cow-boys’ boredom, today’s rodeos are pure excitement! Performances are at 8 p.m. each night and will be held at the rodeo arena just 4 miles west of town. Join the fun! Contact: 406-560-6913 or www.yellowstonerodeo.com
Madison RiveR • Montanaest. 1937
endorsed outfitter & shop
seRvicing fly fisheRMan on the Madison foR 74 yeaRs
www.thetackleshop.coM127 Main Street | Ennis, MT 59729(800)808-2832 or (406)682-4263
Specializing in fly fishing with a full line of Orvis products, great customer service,
diverse fly selections and award winning guided trips.
August 20Annual Trout Cook-Off
Join us at Kirkwood Resort & Ma-rina for this fun event held annually on the 3rd Saturday in August and show off your cooking skill! Entries are judged by local experts with cash prizes. Ex-tra points are awarded if your trout is caught in Hebgen Lake this summer! Call 406-646-7200 for information.
August 19-21Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo
Born in the past to ease the cow-boys’ boredom, today’s rodeos are pure excitement! Performances are at 8 p.m. each night and will be held at the rodeo arena just 4 miles west of town. Join the fun! Contact: 406-560-6913 or www.yellowstonerodeo.com
August 24-27 Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo
Born in the past to ease the cow-boys’ boredom, today’s rodeos are pure excitement! Performances are at 8 p.m. each night and will be held at the rodeo arena just 4 miles west of town. Join the fun! Contact: 406-560-6913 or www.yellowstonerodeo.com
August 27Pine Needle Stampede
Run or walk! This is a relaxed race and a great family event. As summer moves into fall, it feels like a celebra-
tion. A festival atmosphere prevails as walkers and runners from all over the area gather to test themselves on 5K and 10K courses. Race starts at 9 a.m. There is a kid’s race too! A free kid’s fun run will start at 10:15 a.m. T-shirts, snacks, and thirst quenchers are all in-cluded. The Pine Needle Stampede is a non-profit foot race with all proceeds benefiting the West Yellowstone Com-munity. Cash awards and raffle items are presented directly after the race at the Rendezvous Trailhead building. Bring the whole family and enjoy the trails! More info at www.freeheeland-wheel.com or contact Kelli at 406-646-7744.
August 30September 3 - Federation of Fly Fish-ers Fair and Conclave
A week crammed with all there is to know and learn about fly fishing. Classes, competition and camarade-rie. An exposition hall with some of the newest and best of equipment and the world’s best fly tiers whipping together the finest of fish temptations. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, this is the place to be. For more infor-mation contact the Federation of Fly Fishers at 406-222-9369 or visit the web at www.federationconclave.org
September 11West Yellowstone Foundation Golf
Tournament FundraiserThis golf tournament will again
be held at the Big Sky Arnold Palmer designed coarse. Anyone is invited to join in the fun! This is an event that you want to include on your calendar, and serves a great cause, too! For more in-formation call 406-640-0038.
September 17West Yellowstone Foundation “The Happening”
One of THE social events of the year! Plan now to attend. A live auction will be held along with the other events of the evening. Everyone is welcome to attend so buy your tickets in advance. For more information call 406-640-0038.
September 24Yellowstone National Park Fee Free Days
The National Park Service has waived admission fees to all national parks on 17 selected dates throughout 2011 and encourages all Americans to visit a national park this year.
September 24West Yellowstone Old Faithful Cycle Tour
What a terrific way to wind down a summer of riding and a unique way to experience Yellowstone National Park. The supported ride is sixty miles round
trip, with options available for one-way travel. Cyclists in the tour can take ad-vantage of two feed stations, three sag wagons, on-course bike mechanics, and end the day with a group meal. For more information www.cycleyellow-stone.com
42 | Summer Times
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