We had some of our neighbor friends move to Sunriver earlier this year and we are thinking of flying up to visit next weekend. There is a grass strip right by their house and the owner told them I could land there, but we will most likely stay in Great Falls so I could park there too.

I plan to go fly early in the mornings just to sight see and goof off. Could anyone recommend some places to go/see/land while in the area? Anyone willing to tell me of possible fishing spots or areas to try? Thanks in advance.

Here is the strip by our friends house. Does anyone know this area?

sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

I'm guessing some river/gravel bar action may be a strong possibility. In fact I'd guarantee it

Did your friends buy the place just North East of there? I was hoping to but it sold before I got back to town.
Not much for gravel bars on the Missouri but the fishing is great. Lot's of public access at most any road crossing, plus in Montana you can walk the bank below the high water mark so you can go quite a way's. The river is finally dropping so the fishing is pretty good.
If your doing it from the bank go to Cascade and fish upstream from there. Below Holter dam there is plenty of spots, it's best out of a drift boat. If you get that far check out Isaacs ( I think that's what is was called) in Craig, awesome food, better get a reservation if it's the weekend.
As for flying there is ton's of backcountry strips, check out the Missouri breaks, not far in a plane plus a nice flight.

Might be able to get a hangar but I would call first. Holman is kinda expensive and jet focused, check out the guy at the other end. Not much in Fairfield but you could tie down there as well and it's only about 20 min from there.
Good luck

670x wrote:Did your friends buy the place just North East of there? I was hoping to but it sold before I got back to town.
Not much for gravel bars on the Missouri but the fishing is great. Lot's of public access at most any road crossing, plus in Montana you can walk the bank below the high water mark so you can go quite a way's. The river is finally dropping so the fishing is pretty good.
If your doing it from the bank go to Cascade and fish upstream from there. Below Holter dam there is plenty of spots, it's best out of a drift boat. If you get that far check out Isaacs ( I think that's what is was called) in Craig, awesome food, better get a reservation if it's the weekend.
As for flying there is ton's of backcountry strips, check out the Missouri breaks, not far in a plane plus a nice flight.

Might be able to get a hangar but I would call first. Holman is kinda expensive and jet focused, check out the guy at the other end. Not much in Fairfield but you could tie down there as well and it's only about 20 min from there.
Good luck

I think they are leasing a place that has some farm/pasture included. I think just north of that strip. My wife and kids went and visited them back in May, but I have never been there.

Thanks for the fishing tips. Would you try Sunriver or just go straight to the Missouri?

sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

The Dearborn has some huge browns at the top of it this time of year, as well as some nice rainbows. The good stuff requires some walking, but it is some of the most beautiful water you will ever see. 20' deep holes with perfectly clear water.

Rattlesnake Creek is also known for some big browns this time of year.[googlevideo][/googlevideo]
Elk Creek is also good if you can get on it.

Sun River usually was not as great as these others because of irrigation. That was a dozen years ago, but I doubt much has changed.

Yeah there are a few on the Sun but this time of year it's shallow and warm.
If you want to catch fish check these stats out.


MISSOURI RIVER TROUT
Both Rainbow and Brown trout inhabit the Missouri River, though the very occasional Brookie or Cutthroat is caught. Rainbow Trout estimates are around 3000 per mile. Fish average 15-19 inches, but plenty in the 20-22 inch class are caught every year. Many anglers believe that the biggest fish are closer to the dam. While not necessarily true on the Missouri, we do see a migration of Rainbows to the upper river during late summer and fall. The Cascade section hold some truly big fish as well, and should not be ignored as a place to search out a trophy fish.

Brown trout numbers are much lower than Rainbows, about 600-1000 per mile. Some days it seems like there's one behind every rock, and others you'd think the river was void of Brown Trout. Fewer fish means bigger fish, and this is definitely the case on the Missouri. Brown trout average 17-21 inches, and it is not uncommon to catch fish in the 20-23 inch range on a daily basis. Our biggest Browns are in the 23-25 inch range, with the rare fish over that taken a couple of times each year. Brown trout are spread pretty evenly throughout the Missouri, though highest populations tend to be from Mt. Palace downstream. The area around Pelican Point is especially favorable.

It's only 20 miles from Great Falls to Cascade, if you want to catch fish it would be much better there. 4000 fish per mile!

Made it to Sunriver last night just before dark. We fished a tiny creek that runs into Sunriver and it was awesome.







sent from my Droid using Tapatalk