Getting air, losing a ski. Photo taken at the opening of Sun Valley's new terrain park by Nils Ribi. Read more about the terrain park on Ribi's blog.

See more photos on the New West Images photoblog.

Oh What a Night

We knew we had a long, fun day ahead of us when we put in for the Superior to St. Regis stretch. In our boat, John and I played gracious host to Marcy Hikida, John’s friend from Seattle. She was a diligent angler, but she said her biggest take-away on the day was all the talk about conservation. Marcy’s usually a paying client, when river restoration isn’t a huge topic of conversation (ironically enough). But we chatted it up about different threats and opportunities for the river on this stretch. The biggest piece of news on the education front was learning about the impact of the highway system on the river.

Diligent Anglers, Worthy Rewards

The Tarkio to Superior stretch was another spectacular day of fishing. We fished dries all day and loved it. In our boat, John and I hosted writer Brian Kevin, who’s managed to witness the 320 on each stretch of the river– the upper, middle, and lower. In the other boat, guide John Gould had clients Craig Perkins and Tom Wozniak. We had a nice canyon stretch and a lot of weather.

One River.  And A Lot of Loud Voices

Here it is from the horse’s mouth — my version of events from Friday, July 3 and the community float through Missoula. I’m sure you saw some of the write-ups in the Missoulian or maybe on TV that night– but for the first time in over a hundred years, a few select folks were able to float the Clark Fork River through the Clark Fork-Blackfoot confluence just upstream of Missoula because of a special order from Governor Brian Schweitzer.

Girrrrl Power

I’m telling you, Day 4 of the 320 was something else. John and I had two guests in our boat– Clark Fork Coalition Development Director Stacy Senterfeit and Shelly Jones (aka "Buns") from Paul Babb’s office (Chief Executive of Butte-Silver Bow City and County). In boat two, birthday boy Paul Roos joined us for the second straight day to guide Nick and Mary Babson (CFC board member and his wife). Man, this stretch from Drummond to Bearmouth is gorgeous. Tons of birds– osprey, ducks, geese. Saw three beavers– more evidence of a river on the rebound. Longest day on the river yet– we put in around 10AM and didn’t come off the water until 11PM at the Bearmouth Chalet in the moonlight.

What Happens in the Boat Stays in the Boat

Thank you, Hal Harper, for arranging a special VIP float of the Blackfoot-Clark Fork confluence at the former Milltown Dam site for the Clark Fork 320. We appreciate your stellar support of the Clark Fork River these many years.

John and I slept on an island Sunday night in the open air . There’s nothing quite like opening your eyes straight up to the sky in the morning. And with no tent to disassemble, we rolled up our paco pads, hopped back in our boat, and fished our way over to Jens to meet up with a bunch of folks for the day.

Browns, Blisters, and Beef

What a weekend. Days 1 and 2 of the Clark Fork 320 have come and gone. John Havlik (my guide in the photo) and I put in bright and early on Saturday for the Racetrack to Arrowhead Park stretch. Thought I’d be a nice guy and offer to row John for a while first– certainly didn’t expect him to jump at the chance as quickly as he did. Within 15 minutes, he had a big brown on the line. A good omen and a good start to the day– even though it wasn’t my fly that brought ‘em in.

All the waiting is over.  I’m putting in.

This morning I woke up at 5AM. It all starts now. My truck was already all packed up, with the boat hitched up to the back. My wife and I had a little bit of coffee. I kissed her goodbye (but she’s joining me on the river for the day tomorrow) and I gave my kids a couple of big hugs. I can’t believe this day is here. It’s 320 launch day.

Today we’re putting in at Racetrack, near the Clark Fork Coalition’s working ranch, located just downstream of the headwaters of the Clark Fork River. It’s a 2,300-acre working ranch, located in the heart of the Superfund site on the upper river, and it’s one of the largest and most polluted ranches in the valley. Follow me on Twitter

Countdown 320

I’ve got dry bags strewn across the house and flies poking out of my carpet.  I’ve got all my shirts and shorts laid out, and I’ve been spreading out my map of the Clark Fork across the kitchen table every night after dinner.  I’m as ready as I’ll ever be to put in for the adventure of a lifetime this coming Saturday.  On Saturday, June 27th, I’m starting a float of epic proportions-- the Clark Fork 320.  I’ll be putting in at Racetrack near Butte, Montana, for a 20-day float of the entire length of the Clark Fork River. 

One River. One Voice.

Coming Soon: The Clark Fork 320

The 320. It's gonna be big.

This summer, Clark Fork Coalition board member Daniel Kiely will be blogging straight from the river. Daniel and fishing guide John Havlik are floating the length of the Clark Fork River, from its headwaters near Butte, Montana, to its terminus at Lake Pend Oreille in northern Idaho.

It’s going to be quite a ride– and quite a blog.