Thanks, Steve I've always maintained that the scenery can be just as big a pleasure as the fishing.
I fish the Glacier and Kalispel area a lot, and bears and cougars can, and have, been a problem in the area. I carry a can of bear repellant, but the guides up there have told me consistently that the bears love it when you carry pepper spray. Means you won't be so bland when one eats you. Last year when I fished the North Fork of the Flathead, just west of Glacier PArk, there were bear warning signs at every pullover along the river, and many at each camping area. They don't publicize attacks for fear of losing the tourism, but they do warn you once you're there. There've been many fires, and maybe the bear food supply is low. I stopped at one area, geared up and waded out into the river. A couple of hours had passed, and I was watching a good drift intently. I then heard the river rocks right behind me roll as if they had been moved by something heavy. I fully expected to be looking a bear face-2-face point blank when I turned, but there was this lady flyfisher that had snuk up on me without making a noise, although she had crossed 50 feet of these rocks. I don't have to tell you what my chest felt like. So next year it a step up in personal protection for moir. DonO ----- Original Message ----- From: Steve Brettell To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2007 2:26 PM Subject: Re: [VFB] Flyfishing personal protection I agee with Jim. I've felt more threatened by folks than critters. Of course we don't have big bears in abundance in our area, though there are a few black bears and coyotes. A few reports of cougars. And the folks come in many forms. One night a couple of young (15 years old or so) girls decided to swim in tiny suits in the pool I was fishing. Very very flirtatious. Not a pleasant evening. No fish either. A couple of hours of driving down the tubes. message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.410 / Virus Database: 268.16.10/625 - Release Date: 1/13/2007
