Montana Route Planning - Need Ideas

[Jasper_GB]

Hi there - i am trying to plan a good trip for next summer and am currently leaning towards heading out to Missoula around late May for about a week.  I know there is a ton of stuff to ride out there - but i would also like to hit some good trout fishing along the way.  Any suggestions??  A 300+ mile gravel/dirt loop with some good fishing potential would make me horny...

Any thoughts?

Thanks a ton!
Jasper

[DaveC]

The snow is still melting (and falling) in May.  That means lots of pushing through snow, and that the rivers and creek will be high and silty.  Thus, bad fishing.  I'd wait until September.

[caseygreene]

Don't know if your still planning this but here's my 0.02:

Id heed Daves advise and not come in May. I don't know about fishing but we usually get most of our precip in May/early June coupled with snowy passes. For riding (not fishing) id shoot for Early July or as Dave said September.

If i have to recommend 1 spot for fishing/bikepacking it would be the St Joe River area just across the border in Idaho. Tons of FS roads and trails including the Idaho Centennial Trail. You could hit the Route of the Hiawatha with all its tunnels and trestles (just dont ride it on a weekend). Numerous lookouts to rent. Lots of early FS history including the fires of 1910. Food resupplies in Alberton, St Regis, Superior, Avery, Wallace, and Mullan. The best thing about the area is that its not used/traveled that much. Especially compared to Rock Creek or the Blackfoot River.

[AZTtripper]

Hi there - loop with some good fishing potential would make me horny...

Some locals might want to warn the fish that this guys coming.

Sorry I just couldn't resist...........

And as has been pointed out recently this site could use a little humor.