We will be visiting friends next month in the Sunriver area. Last year we stayed close and just did some local flights.

But it looks like Spotted Bear is only 80 miles away and Meadow Creek or Schafer are even closer than that. Can anyone recommend one of these over another? I doubt I'd camp, but thought about flying over for the day and do a little fishing. Any info would be appreciated.

Is Benchmark worth a visit?

I can't comment on any of the strips mentioned but I'd suggest hitting them all!

I can't comment on the fishing, but Shafer is beautiful. Seeley Lake is nice too with bikes and courtesy cars.

Schafer has the best access for fishing and the upper middle fork can be awesome this time of year using pretty much any big ugly terrestrial bug. I have never fished at Meadow Creek but have landed there several times and it is beautiful... there is a bit of a hike down to the water which is the reason I haven't fished there.

Never been to spotted bear but you can drive to it so I would assume it gets a bit more fishing pressure than the others. Benchmark is paved so I've never really had the desire to hit it. I think you can actually drive to Meadow Creek (or at least to the opposite side of the river from it) also.

I agree with Grassstrippilot on Seeley lake... it is a great stop on the way back for a great steak at Lindy's! They leave a courtesy car there at the strip and if you're lucky enough, it will be the short bus!

Or as my little boy, Adam called it...the party bus!!! He still talks about it.

Thanks all

Looks like Schafer will be first on the list.

Can anyone who's been there take a look at Schafer Meadows on Google Earth? Is that a cloud? Or just a bad image? There's not a lake right there is there?

That is just a cloud, If you change the imagery date it dissapears.

Just figured out how to change the image date...... That's cool.

Darinh wrote:Schafer has the best access for fishing and the upper middle fork can be awesome this time of year using pretty much any big ugly terrestrial bug.

What he said.

Meadow Cr is nice too off the north end. The hike to the water isn't really bad (an old cat trail). Way less traffic than Schafer. Schafer has a nice mix of fishing and more wildlife, though, and you can cruise by the Chinese Wall for some views from the air. It's pretty neat.

If you were going to stay for a civilized overnighter, the Holland Lake Lodge is perfect. Great day hikes. The owner (Christian W) might be able to pick you up. Fine dining at the lodge. Best views in the Seeley Valley (and weekend weddings are sold out more than a year in advance because of it).

Seeley Lake itself is nice too...and a good 1/2 day trip can be had paddling the sloughs on the north side, with a couple of miles lily meadow paddling and fishing at the lake entrance to the shore before hiking back. Canoe rentals are available somewhere. Inflatables are better. Only fished it a couple times in the middle of summer...slow, but who knows now...

It will be hard to have a bad time.

Lindbergh Lake/Crystal Lake are tops for easy access big/mtn lake fishing respectively.

Yes, all 3 are good with Schafer being my preference, but as was said above you'll find they are all nice places.

Ryan field is also worth a stop and you won't be all that far from it. You do need to download the info from the RAF first, however.

Fuel at Kalispell city was about $5.60 a month ago and Scotty's bar across the street is a good place to eat and you can hit the grocery store on the walk back to the plane, if need be.

And, be advised that there are grizzly bears in that country, so be bear-smart while hiking, fishing or camping.

MTV

And, be advised that there are grizzly bears in that country, so be bear-smart while hiking, fishing or camping.

Well, Mike, I'll just be taking pictures.......

Sorry, bad taste..
lc


Late edit:Looks like this is headed to the archives.
For those who read this 2+ years from now-a photographer
just got killed by an Alaskan Brown (grizzly) in Denali recently for the first time in park history.

Approaching Schafer.


Such a pretty area.


Baby frogs.


Mama.


Tied down at our friends house.


Gravel bar on the Sun River.

Great trip so far. Headed for home in the morning.