always with the wolves

As I have said before, much polical hub bub is made around wildlife here in Montana. Especially when it comes to wolves.  Much of the bitterness comes from hunters/outfitters and ranchers. understood.  If the stock on my property was getting killed by predators left and right, i would e pissed, or  have some "beef".  yet so many rancher pay little fees to graze on national forest, and oter public lands. Predation on livestock has been far less than anticipated. And at the sametime manage these public lands as if they were meant for nothing more than to graze their livestock.
Most of the real hunters i know still harvest game regularly, but these are the guys who really "know" how things work in the woods.  Understand the big picture and adapt to an ever changing, ever evolving thing we call nature.  For sure the game has changed.  But there are still elk, maybe not mid 90s level elk.  but still lots of elk.  thousands over fwp "target" numbers statewide.  Here is an interesting article i found recently.  Make your own choice
http://www.thewildlifenews.com/2012/07/13/the-politics-behind-montanas-wolf-hunt-decision/

Want all done fishing

I have been been fly fishing for quite some time now.  One goal is always the same, to get out and enjoy myself.  However success has been judged differently along the way.  There are certain stages to every fly fishermans journey and a few days ago, I found a new one. I took my two year old out on the gallatin.  It started in the morning when I casually asked, " want to go fishing"?  That statement was met by an enthusiastic "OK, fishing, go catch some fish"!  Yes!  So I rigged up at the house and threw the backpack in the car and off we went.  A short 10 minute walk to the run, we jumped a doe and fawn, talked about birds, and waved hello to the river at least 3 or 4 times.  In  I went and got two fairly eager little browns to eat my big foam hopper.  "alright,! catch some fish".  A few short minutes later, all I could hear coming from the backpack was"Want all done fishing"  so off we went.  I just hope she had fun.
When I first started fishing, i was content just catching fish.  Then it became, I would rather catch one 20 inch fish, then 10 little ones.  Now, I am happy to get out with my little one, even if it is only for 20 minutes or so.  However, I know there will be plenty of little  fish days, and hopefully a few more two footers along the way.....for both of us.