Water....

Eastern Montana is a different world compared to it's western counterpart. The landscape is just a shade different. Western Montana is covered with mountains, forests, and lakes everywhere you look. Eastern Montana...not so much. We have a lot of rolling hills, sparatic tree placement and as far as the lakes go...there just isn't a whole lot of lakes in the area and the ones we do have, aren't world class. We definitely make due with what we have and don't complain about it but it's definately not the same caliber of water as the western half of Montana is working with.

To give you an idea of what I'm talking about. When out of staters think of Montana, most of them probably think of what we see in the western half of the state. Mountains, trees, lakes, creeks, rivers, really green foliage, etc....well that's not so much the case in the eastern half.
Not like I'm complaining by any means, because like I said in other posts, as long as I'm on a boat with some friends it doesn't really matter where I am. We have some cool lakes over there, Big Horn Canyon/Yellowtail Dam, call it what you want, is a very pretty lake with steep cliffs lining the entire canyon. Only downside is that there isn't really a shoreline so once you go out, you stay out, and when the wind picks up, watch out...it tears down the canyon hard.

Our usual spot is Tongue River Reservoir or the TRD (Turd) as we call it. It's a pretty good little spot. The reservoir is pretty big but it can get miserably hot there and believe me, that picture is generous for the amount of trees there. We always joke that the only shade at the TRD is behind someone facing the sun. So bring your sunscreen and plenty to drink because its going to be hot. So if you want a tan (or a 3rd degree burn) the Tongue is your place. Mid July is usually good for 100 plus degree days. Be sure to have a well stocked cooler when making the trip, you'll be happy you did.

These definately work and give us an excuse to get out on the lake and have some fun but they don't quite compare to the lakes found over here around Missoula and Kalispell. Lakes like Flathead and Seeley are probably more what people are thinking when they hear about Montana lakes. So if anyone wants to check out a different part of Montana and come visit the desert/plains half. Swing on in and go take a session at the TRD or Yellowtail, just be ready to be hot and in the sun a lot. Regardless, it's going to be a great time, it's summer afterall, what is there to be worried about?

Most of the pictures that you'll find at the top of this blog were taken at either the Tongue, Yellowtail, or Seeley most likely.