A Stringer

Fall weather in Montana can be squirrelly. Snow has already dusted the mountains we see out our windows, so our hikes and big mountain adventures are probably over for the season. As a closer and milder alternative, we've spent one day in each of the past two weekends fishing Crow Creek in the Elkhorn Mountains (those closest to our house). Though the trout aren't big, they are eager and catching fish is always fun. Claire fishes with her rod a little, plays with sticks, splashes in the water, eats peanuts, and watches us fish as we take turns. We decided to actually keep a few for dinner the other day--something we haven't done since we've been together (ten years this fall!).
Claire and I fishing one of the deeper holes. The dry fly fishing has been great practice for me.

We actually took Hem the first time and he did remarkable well restraining himself as we reeled in the fish. However, it wasn't so easy to wade in a freezing stream with a dog right next to me.

The final product...pan fried trout, fresh Hutterite green beans, and cheddar buttermilk biscuits--a final summer meal.