It is wheels up, and I am writing this while on a flight to Montana, my happy place. The Mrs. has family based out there, and even more family has relocated to the area.

My plan is pretty straightforward: fish, explore new water, get up early, eat PB&J sandwiches during the day, return late, tie flies at night, and rinse and repeat.

Montana has changed a lot over the decades. A lot of California money has poured in, increasing housing costs and squeezing the locals. I recall a car bumper sticker I saw a few years ago: “Make Bozeman Montana Again.” Bozeman has enlarged greatly, and there are now many more strip malls and cookie-cutter housing developments. The town now even has a Lululemon store. I stay away from it as much as I can.

I stay in a small town in the middle of nowhere. There’s one grocery store, one gas station, three fly shops, and three bars. I like that mix. I can fish the Gallatin and the Madison and can reach the waters in Yellowstone if I am feeling ambitious. Last year, I drove 3,500 miles during my first-ever sabbatical during a glorious four-week period.

I won’t have as much time this summer but will have a few weeks and feel incredibly lucky and blessed to be going out. Unlike last year, when I posted just to Instagram, I will do my best to write some posts. They’ll probably be short. But I hope to give you a glimpse of what’s out there so that you too can find your way to enjoy the fisheries that are loaded with wild fish. The Madison for example has up to 5,000 fish per mile in some stretches. It is a great place at which to forget the cares of regular life.

Tight lines!