It seemed that no sooner did we get home, than it was time for me to take off on a visit up to the ole E4 up in Beaverhead,Mt for a July 4 visit and some fishing. Jim Plumhoff pulled in from down to San Antonio on July 2, and he and I headed out in convoy next day early for the trip. We stopped at Cabala's so I could stock up on ammo before Obama made it impossible, then made the obligatory stop in Ogden to shop Smith & Edwards, before heading to the ranch.

Tom & Plum

Liz and Tom met us at the Buffalo for dinner, then it was on to the ranch. Next AM we were up early and over the divide to Leadore for the fireman's 4th of July breakfast. After we wandered around a bit, then visited the Silver Dollar for Bloody Marys. Since we were really early and the parade and family rodeo weren't til later, we decided to head to Dillon to get our fishing licenses.

Dee & Liz

Next day we were up early and loaded up for a hike in to Peterson lake. In all her years, ole Liz had never laid eyes on Peterson Lake, so this was to be a first for her. Tom elected to forgo the hike, so off we went.

Drinking @ the Silver Dollar

At the base of Bloody Dick peaks we gathered all our gear and set off up the steep climb for what we hoped would be a great day of fishing. Huffing and puffing up the mountain, we arrived at the lake to find it full from snow melt and broke out the fishing gear.

Plum Gearing Up

Liz and I went to spin fishing around the edges, while Plum slipped into his waders to fly fish. Try as we did, Liz and I couldn't convince a fish to hit our offerings. Plum, however, did pretty well with the fly rod.

On the Trail

Finally

Early afternoon, after a lite lunch and with a storm brewing, we decided we had best beat it off the mountain before we got caught in the storm, so we headed back downhill. Driving out my truck hit a pot hole and I tore up my brush guard on the front. Using a little backwoods ingenuity, I lined the brush guard up against a huge tree and slowly drove the truck forward pushing the brush guard back in position so we could safely drive.

Jared Misses Another

Jim left next day for Missoula to meet his lovely Sarah for a week of float fishing and fren Jared Cahill showed up for a couple days fishing. Our best outing was a trip up Bloody Dick canyon to fish and we both hammered the trout. It tried to rain off and on, but it didn't diminish the fish hitting any offering.

Got Him!

Finally Caught One

No trip to the ole E4 for a newcomer is complete without a visit to Sacajawea Park on Lemhi Pass where the Lewis & Clark Expedition found the headwaters of the Missouri, so one evening I took Jared up for a looksee. Course, he had to straddling the stream and utter those famous words, "Thank God I've lived to bestride the mighty Missouri!"

Astride the Mighty Mo

The last day I took Jared on a tour of Bannack, the first territorial capital of Montana.
The old town has been beautifully preserved , so we took the full tour of all the old buildings, before Jared got thrown in the hoosegow.

Hornswaggled

Bannack

Not to miss another chance at fishing, we spent a couple hours trying our luck in Grasshopper Ck., but the fishing Gods had declared that our luck was to suck that day!

On the Grasshopper

The Last Cast

Next day, Jared headed up to Helena on business, and I had planned to meet some Virginia frens in Manhattan, Mt. for dinner. Unfortunately, we had hay on the ground back home, so I had to hit the road back to Montrose. Its always a pleasure to get together with Tom & Liz on the ole E4 and spend some time with them. I'm already thinking about the next trip.

COMING SOON

That's enough for now, but coming up in the next issue will be young Roberts visit out here in August for fishing and 4 wheeling, as well as a couple visits back to Virginia for some live Virginia Tech football. Thrown in will be some duck and goose hunting stories for good measure.

So, we will say so long for now, stay tuned for more.

Love Annee & Dee