Tight Lines and Full Bellies: A Father's Day Fishing and Food Guide
Article by Maloree Murphy with Jessica Plance
Photos by Jessica Plance
Let's be honest. Dad doesn't need another tie. What he needs is a reason to stand in a cold river for three hours and catch something (or pretend he almost did). This Father's Day, skip the card aisle and hit the road. Here is a fishing-and-dining guide to plan the best day for Dad.
Reed Point / Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone is one of those rivers that makes you feel like you're doing something right just by standing next to it. Enjoy every second of it.
Red Lodge / Rock Creek
Rock Creek runs cold and clear out of the Beartooths, and the browns and rainbows don't come easy, which means Dad will have excellent material for his story later. After the fish win, head into Red Lodge. You really can't go wrong on Broadway.
Edgar / Clark Fork of the Yellowstone
Low trout numbers, desert terrain, and a bottom that will grab your wading boots and not let go. But the fish here are big, and the Edgar Bar & Steakhouse is right there when you're done. You can literally walk down from the bar to the water, which is either very convenient or very dangerous, depending on the order of operations.
Absarokee
The Cliff Swallow access on the Stillwater is a local favorite, the scenery does its job even when the fish don't, and MontAsia wraps up the day with a menu that surprises pretty much everyone. It's the kind of place you leave talking about and I will talk more about that soon!
Tight lines, dads. You deserve it.
