Mark and I decided to run down to Hebgen yesterday afternoon after I got off work to give the ice out fishing a try. The jeep was having some alternator trouble, but we wanted to give it a shot anyway. Nothing like a little car trouble to add some excitement to a fishing trip.
Hebgen, as you might imagine, was pretty busy. It being Friday afternoon and all, there were cars and trucks pulled off in every turnout, and the good spots had vehicles pulled off along the highway. The sheriff was having a heyday with these people, writing tickets left and right for parking violations. But I guess when you have a chance at a seven pound trout, a parking ticket is not that important.
We eventually found a spot and started fishing, marveling at the numerous crawdads and bear tracks along the lake shore. When had been there perhaps only an hour before Mark yelled the one word no Montana fisherman ever wants to hear: “Bear!”. We first saw the grizzly when it poked its head up in the willows about 50 yards from where we were fishing. The next time we caught sight of him, he was moving our way and covering ground pretty fast. We quickly weighed the bear’s size and rapidly closing distance against the fishing and decided it was the better part of valor to come back some other time.
All in all, it was a pretty nice evening. It always helps to get out and fish some water that you don’t very much. Helps to keep things fresh. I would tell you how the fishing was, but, frankly, I don’t think anyone would believe me.
Tags: Chi Wulff
