Flathead Lake Lodge
A little unknown fact about Bigfork is that the village is actually not incorporated. This means the town runs on almost 100% vollunteerism to keep it character and accomplish the towns issues.
Earth Day is no different. Each year hundreds of Bigfork residents spread across Greater Bigfork with gloves and garbage bags in hand, pitching in to Clean the Fork before the busy summer season arrives.
However, on the Sunday following Clean the Fork might be when the true die-hards show up to clean. For over 30 years a group of Bigforker’s and Averill’s have shown up at 6am the following Sunday to ‘Hose the Streets’, often braving near freezing temperatures. Thanks to all those who helped get Bigfork cleaned up for the Summer, and especially gang who always show up to help clean the streets downtown. It is the continued spirit of volunteerism that truly makes Bigfork the unique little town it is.
Well, we thought it was spring here in the Flathead Valley…but then we remembered we are in Montana and it snowed 4 inches out of nowhere. So, with our snow boots put away for the season, we figured what better way to stay warm than a little Flathead Lake Lodge Trivia. Hopefully you all have been studying up before another great summer on Flathead Lake is here.
Good Luck!
(If you are on Facebook go to https://www.flatheadlakelodge.com/ to take the quiz!)
Well, after going almost 15 years without any females, 2010 is the lucky year for the old bulls in the Ranch’s Elk Preserve (we might re-name it ‘Trump Elk Preserve). We have introduced five bred and six un-bred females into the herd. Most of the old elk are between 15 and 18 years old (that’s pretty darn old for an elk) and it will be exciting to see the new generation of the herd be introduced this spring.
We’ll keep you posted when the first mother calves!
Happy 100th Birthday Glacier National Park!
This summer marks the 100th birthday of the Crown Jewel of the Continent, Glacier National Park. ‘The Park’ as it is known around here is just a short 40 min. drive away, and we encourage all our guests to either visit the park before or after their week at the Lodge, or definitely for a day during their week at the Lodge.
This year will truly be a unique year to visit as The Park is planning numerous events, celebrations and exhibits making the trip even more worth the 100 year wait. Visit the parks official Centenial website for more information.
Does anybody even recognize these two little guys…or gals anymore?
A view of the Swan Mountains from the Flathead Valley this winter.
It was another great Dude Ranchers Association annual meeting this year in Billings, MT. The DRA had a great turnout with over 150 ranch owners. As always, it was a great time for the industry to come together and tackle current issues as a whole. Nonetheless, there is never a shortage of laughs and characters that always make the DRA conventions an entertaining off season weekend.
Well, it is no secret to those who have spent plenty of time riding through the Ranch mountains that there is more than a healthy population of ‘Nice’ Whitetail Deer. This definitely did not go unnoticed to a couple of life long friends and lodge pals, Allan Haggar and Mark Thiel.
The pair joined us this fall for a great week of hunting, laughing and well…more laughing. We don’t want to spill all the beans on their hunting exploits, [after all, there is a better than average chance stories will vary both in facts and details] but lets just say there was more time spent laughing then there was hunting.
Every year as the snow starts to fly and the Holiday Spirit starts to work its way into our daily lives, hundreds of Bigfork’ers and friends meet early on a late November morning to decorate the town of Bigfork. Each year the crowd grabs their coffee and hot chocolate [Schnapps and Baily’s optional], elf hat, lights, pliers, bows,Christmas Trees and scatters about town working with their different groups and Flight Leader to decorate the different buildings down town. Each year the volunteers earn a new ranking, Militarily speaking for their help.
It truly is a unique experience as 200+ community volunteers of all ages gather for a fun filled day that not only has the town looking beautiful it has its dwellers feeling good too. Bill and his family, Laura, Melinda and Nicole have joined us twice now for this great day. With a couple more years and we might have to refer to Fireman Bill as simply, ‘General Fireman Bill.’ It is a great way to start off the holiday season and we are glad some old Lodge friends have been able to share in the spirit over the years.
Fall has become a great time to fish for pike in Flathead Lake. Until recent years, pike weren’t present in Flathead Lake in numerous numbers. A non-native fish, they aren’t regarded as a true sport fish by the locals and are very predatory. The last couple falls have been great fishing off the shores of Flathead Lake as can be witnessed by the two pike caught the last two years by staff. Chase Averill caught a 46″, 31lb. monster this fall on a 8 weight fly rod and last fall our sous chef caught a 49″, 28 lb. dandy.
