Our best bets page is designed as a service to offer you trip tips, gear tips and other useful information on places we've traveled, equipment we've tried and other things we highly recommend. Reports will be posted by Troutfitters owners Bruce and Gayle Whittenberg, shop manager Kris Kumlien and other members of our staff. We hope you find the information useful in making the most of your outdoor experiences.

We recently become acquainted with the Montana Sporting Journal, a new publication that covers the field from fishing and hunting to other outdoor activities.  Great Montana folks publishing an excellent new magazine.  Check it out at the shop or visit the web site.
www.montanasportingjournal.com

If bushwhacking through Grizzly country to stalk large wild bull trout, or floating down the pristine Elk River throwing dry flies to hungry cutthroat might be your idea of a good time, check out Fernie Wilderness Adventures in Fernie, British Columbia. We made the trip to Fernie in July with our pals Carolyn and Paul Roos.

Only a couple of hours north of Kalispell, you are transported into a world of pristine woods and waters.

Our friends Kim Sedrovic, owner and outfitter, and top guide Brian Lull really impressed Gayle and I with both their hard work and creativity.

If you are looking for something a little out of the ordinary, yet close enough to home to make for easy travel, give Kim and Brian a call at Fernie Wilderness Adventures. They have lodging and Cat-Skiing trips, too!

For more information on Fernie Wilderness Adventures, you can send an e-mail to info@fernieadventures.com or you can call
1-877-423-6704. -- Bruce

You can visit Montana and vacation at beautiful rental homes, guest cabins, and private luxury lodges. Mountain Home offers outstanding Montana rental accommodations are located in Bozeman, Big Sky, Ennis, Dillon, Livingston, Wilsall, Wisdom and more terrific destinations.

Mountain Home only represents properties that are special - the kind that you wouldn't think would be available to rent. Private, scenic, secluded, beautiful, impressive. These are places which are minutes from Montana's fabled trout fishing, alpine hiking, horseback riding, great powder skiing, and towns with friendly folks.

For more information on these properties, you can visit the Mountain Home Web site at www.mountain-home.com.-- Bruce

I had the opportunity to visit with Jim Sawyer, of Denver, Colo., when he was visiting Montana recently. Jim hand crafts some of the most beautiful custom rods I've seen. Jim's made everything from delicate fly rods to heavy spinning rods. He's also a fine angler and superb storyteller.

Originally from Winifred, Mont., Jim belongs to several rod-building groups and loves to share his passion with others. Here's how to contact him:

Jim Sawyer
flyrodbuilder@comcast.net
303-369-9159

If you've got any interest in a custom rod, or are a rod-builder yourself and want to compare notes, drop Jim a note or give him a call. -- Bruce

If you are interested in a unique adventure, and are in the Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo, California area, Gayle and I highly recommend a day on Morro Bay with John Flaherty, owner and guide, at Central Coast Outdoors.

As you paddle around Morro Bay, with a great view of legendary Morro Rock, you visit an oyster farm, enjoy incredible bird life and see the curious Harbor Seals. John is a wonderful guide and offered a gourmet meal as we explored the sand dunes across the bay.

This trip is highly recommended. For more information, you can visit their Web site at www.centralcoastoutdoors.com. -- Bruce