Bullwinkle (pics)

[Abalone]

Last September we took a trip to Montana to do some exploring and a little Fly Fishing. Found a sweat little spot on ther Ruby river called Silver Springs right out side of Sheridon. Good place to fish. Water is super clear and it's kind of a locals favorite. In the evening while casting the stream I heard a grunting sound. Didn't know if it was a bear or what. Pretty soon I looked up and saw this big Moose. He must have been about Seventy feet away is all. He was grunting like he was irritated at something.
I didn't think much of it and kept fishing. Short time later he was gone and then I heard my wife scream. And then I heard the Truck start up. Well she's in the Van so she must be OK. Pretty soon I heard that moose right behind me. He couldn't have been more then Fifty feet on the other side of the brush. Well it was getting dark so I headed back to the truck where I found my wife inside with
the Doors locked and the Window all the way up. She got a real Close up view of Bullwinkle.
Oh yeah ! I did catch some nice Browns. Nothing huge maybe Fifteen inchs.

http://www.ifish.net/uploads/49472329.jpg
http://www.ifish.net/uploads/43482329.jpg

It's a great place to fish if you ever get over there. I like the Bighole better.

[ 01-31-2004, 12:48 AM: Message edited by: Abalone ]

[All Wet]

You must go to the right church or something. I came from NW Montana and consider a moose one of the most dangerous animals in the woods especially in the rut (September). I know many peaple that have been treed by moose even cow moose when they are with a calf. I know of one instance where one charged a logging truck. Moose lost. A couple of years ago there was a vidio on TV of a moose stomping a man to death in Anchorage. After an interesting encounter 30 years ago I started packing a pistol while fishing the small wooded streams in Mt.

[Abalone]

The evening after this happened my wife and I went to a bar in Sheridon. The locals pretty much told me that same thing. The Grunting sound indicated that he was irritated by my presence. Also they told me I was lucky because there was a Cow and a Calf in the same area and that could have been worse. It's funny because I never felt I was in danger. The locals told me a Moose is the most dangerous critter out there.

Lesson learned. That bull was huge !

[Abalone]

Here is a small brown I caught on that same trip but over on the Bighole.
I love that river.

http://ifish.net/uploads/22412330.jpg


All Wet< Where in Montana ?> Sounds like Libby, Troy ? I have been up there also.
I have it on my list to fish the Kootenie someday. I really like Montana.

[ 02-01-2004, 12:01 AM: Message edited by: Abalone ]

[All Wet]

I lived mostly in Lincoln Co. Warland, Old Rexford, now under a reservoir, Troy, Libby, and Eureka. The rivers are the Kootenai, the Fisher, the Yaak and the Tobbacco? All good fishing. I have a house in Libby that has been rented for the last four yrs. Monday I may be taking possesion of it and using it for a cabin. I have been going back often to visit my parents and of course fish. The record rainbow for Montana came from below the dam on the Kootenai. 30+ lbs.

[Gizmo Man]

Looks like we may have a new place to fish in Montana....say the ifish fly fishing lodge??? :smile: :smile:

Several years ago I was float tubing Georgetown Lake near Anarondak (SP) MT. Looked up and there was a cow moose who came in near me. Not knowing any better, I kicked over to get a close up shot with my camera. Lucky for me she did not charge.

When I got back to my camp a couple of guys who saw what I did, came by and informed me how dangerous the moose where and that I was lucky she didn't charge after me...even in the water. Lesson learned...Critters in the wild looking cute do not make them any less dangerous.

Giz...

[lilnorthfork]

Great post Abalone! I thought for sure you were going to tell us the moose disappeared, you heard the van start and then saw your wife go running by. :laugh:
My first moose encounter was with my brother on the Firehole in 1978; I was all of 13. That snorting sure gets your attention. Walking home from work in the dark in Grand Teton Nat'l Park was like being a kid playing truth or dare again. Often times you'd hear a noise, flip on the flashlight and find a moose an arm's reach away. :shocked: Lots of moose encounters in the Park; sometimes with people, other times with Christmas lights. :smile: I'll see if I can dig out some pics. The Native Americans say the creator took the leftover parts and made moose. Funny looking creatures, my favorite of them all. Now bison, there's a critter worth avoiding. Fast as a racehorse, 30+ mph; the difference is a racehorse is a short-distance runner whereas a bison can hold that speed for 3 miles. :shocked:
lnf

[ 02-02-2004, 07:49 PM: Message edited by: lilnorthfork ]