A river runs through it

Missoula to Hamilton, Montana. June 2, 2024.

Sister Anne, once she heard I was in Montana, sent a link to a Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. (AKA John Denver) song Wild Montana Skies that I’d never heard before https://youtu.be/wztUGHnSmAM?si=IJUFJiuU1QE-3wJ5. Never been a big Deutschendorf fan, but I had to admit the song was compelling. The first line was “He was born in the Bitterroot Valley” and I realized, that was the valley I would be biking up today.

There was nothing bitter about this route. The Bitterroot River was a placid stream compared to the continuous rapids of the Clearwater and the Lochsa.

I was going upriver, sure, but only rising 1200 feet in 50 miles, so the slope was so shallow as to be inpreceptable. I was following US 93 now, much busier and wider than US 12, but there was a bike path the whole way. This was a typical scene, hardly the spectacular landscape and nonstop flapping eagles of the video.

I didn’t take many pictures, but was inspired nonetheless. The Missoula area was the setting for the novella and movie A River Runs Through It. Norman MacLean’s sensitive story, Robert Redford’s direction, and Brad Pitt’s film debut made quite a sensation decades ago, but the real star was the beauty and grace of fly fishing. This video captures the spirit. https://youtu.be/dzyzAXVBioY?si=UbT0xWUiTThLZZvk

I’ve been fortunate to go on two llama-and-fly-fishing treks with my good buddy John, and can personally attest to the magnificence and serenity the sport evokes, even to a total newbie. Not to mention the great eating.

Distance 50 miles, 1,306 total. Time 6 hours with stops. Elevation gain 1,151 feet

©️ 2024 Scott Luria