doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com OT: Montana Trip Questions

My son and I are are making the treck up to Fort Smith, Montana and the Crow Indian Reservation to fish the Bighorn. I had planned to pack a sidearm (for all the usual reasons) but wondered what the complications might be on the Rez. Anybody here familiar with the area?

Lloyd 3, I don't think you'll encounter any problems, but I have to wonder what all the usual reasons might be. Montana is not the frontier any more. Custer died a few miles from where you'll be but that was in 1876. Ask your guide.

I wouldn't know how things would be for your particular situation, but I'd go with the thought that everyone around will have a gun on themselves or in their vehicle. I haven't gone down to Ft. Smith, but I've actually done stop overs in Hardin. If it were my preference, I'd try to avoid late night hours off the beaten path, and I'd try to avoid big event dates such as pow wows. You folks will have a ton of fun.

Never know what you might stumble upon. Friend-O.


___________________________
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Parts of the West still seem to be a bit wild. Nice to have the right tools along on a long trip. I know the Rez is dry and there won't likely be any late nights, still...

Any decent places to eat in Hardin?

The most important reason to pack a sidearm, is, because you want it there. Second most important reason, is because there is stuff that needs to be shot.

Mine is carried daily. The reservations are sovereign nations, and the rules for non band members are different here in MN. You will have to make an effort to find out the rules that tribe has in place, specific to non band members. Try to get it in writing from the law enforcement people in the particular reservation you are on, and do not assume a neighboring band has the same rules.

I avoid foreign countries as much as is humanly possible. I�m uninterested in learning or living by their laws. That includes Canada.

Good luck. Hope you are well, Lloyd.

Best,
Ted

Hi Ted! Hanging-in here. From my understanding, back in the 1980s ('81?) the Crow Nation took over that section of the river and stopped all activities by non-natives. The Feds, because of Yellowtail Dam (& Montana?) stepped in and carved out sections where the State fishing laws were the only ones that mattered. I'm not dead-set on having a weapon with me, but in the lonely places out here it's still good policy to have one available. It looks like I have some research to do.

I have been there many times.

You do know, that it�s the valley of the beautiful people. Right?
You�ll drive right past Orvis endorsed private compounds on the way to the three-mile landing launch.
It�s countercyclical to South America, so it�s not uncommon for Chileans and Argentinians to be fishing there because their seasons are closed where they live.

Fort Smith is a pretty small beat down town, from which I have a plethora of sordid memories. Just my kind of place.
It has a decent restaurant, primary industry there of course is a government check, or being a guide of some sort.

Met my first Flathead there.
Nymphing is the technique primarily used, but there are some guides that work the feeder creeks with dries.

Everything is about the flow.

Lloyd, I hope you'll post some photos and tell us about your trip.I'm thinking of going in Sept. It's been a while since I fished there, but I'd like to do it one more time.