LOCAL KNOWLEDGE: PAUL ROOS

As anglers, many of us have moments that define us — be it a first fish on a fly rod, bringing a steelhead, permit, or tigerfish to hand, or playing a part in your child’s first caught fish. I’ve been blessed with several of these moments. My first one came more than 20 years ago, during a day I spent guiding outfitter and conservationist Paul Roos.

I was 24, and trying out for my first major league guiding gig. We were on the Blackfoot River in early June. Roos had picked an off-the-radar float and, as I launched the Avon Drifter raft, he said, laughing, “There aren’t a lot of fish on this

For the third time, a Bozeman business is representing the entire state of Montana at a White House event celebrating American manufacturers.

“It’s very much an honor,” said Curt Smith, president of Schnee’s in downtown Bozeman. “We got invited by the White House to represent the state of Montana.”

When you get invited to go to the White House, it might be tough to say no. For Smith, he’s proud to make the trip, representing both Schnee’s and the Treasure State.

“We have been building our boots in Bozeman and even on Main Street since 1987,” he said. “We’re really proud about that.”

It’s all a part of the White House’s “Made in America” showcase, bringing all 50 states together in Washington, D.C. A business from each state is picked for

Billings Clinic is one step closer to building in Bozeman.

The health care provider asked for an amendment to the city’s growth policy for the 54 acres it owns west of Costco, and the Bozeman City Commission voted 5-0 Monday night to change the requirements to build a medical campus and new businesses on the land.

Sarah Rosenberg, an associate planner with the city, told commissioners it was the first of several steps Billings Clinic needs to clear before carrying out its plans. She said city planning staff recommended approving the request because it would encourage a “broad and robust activity level” in the area.

Billings Clinic bought the property in 2016 with plans to open an ambulatory center and provide outpatient

By Kris Inman EBS CONTRIBUTOR, Explore Big Sky

It was a great winter for skiers but the conditions that are best for winter sports enthusiasts provide unique challenges for wildlife. Record snow fall with temperatures well below zero resulted in deeper than normal snow depths that remained on the ground for an extended period this winter.

These conditions made it difficult for deer, elk and pronghorn to accesses the grasses lying beneath the snow. In turn, this forced the herbivores to rely on their fat reserves to not only fuel them when the grasses weren’t available, but to also keep them warm. As a result, we can expect to see more winter-killed animals this spring.

Photo: Missoula County FWP
To watch the video of Missoula County Fish Wildlife

ANGELA THANK YOU from Engel & Völkers Big Sky Country on Vimeo.

There is exciting news in the Rocky Mountain West! Our little montana406.com has had a baby! We are now excited to announce that evranchland.com has been brought into the world. EV Ranch & Land is our new ranch division and is a network of experienced brokers throughout the states of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, California, Idaho, and Washington. We have an incredible line up of properties and brokers that have a combined 100 years of experience in finding recreational ranches for clients that are looking for investments with great memories. 

It was a natural evolution considering the beautiful states we live in. Whether it is a legacy ranch, hunting property or a fly fishing ranch EV Ranch & Land has the website and the brokers to find you the

Mortgage rates showed little change heading into the Federal Reserve meeting. But now that the central bank has revised its stance, they could be headed lower.

According to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate average edged up to 3.84 percent with an average 0.5 point. (Points are fees paid to a lender equal to 1 percent of the loan amount and are in addition to the interest rate.) It was 3.82 percent a week ago and 4.57 percent a year ago.

The 15-year fixed-rate average slipped to 3.25 percent with an average 0.4 point. It was 3.26 percent a week ago and 4.04 percent a year ago. The five-year adjustable rate average dipped to 3.48 percent with an average 0.4 point. It was 3.51 percent a week ago and 3.83 percent

“Fishes of Montana,” a free app, launches this month (June 2019) includes photos and descriptions of the state’s more than 90 fish species as well as distribution maps.

MSU professor Chris Guy says they wanted to digitize the book of the same name in a mobile-friendly form to make the guide more available.

The app also lists 10 species that biologists don’t want in the state. Guy says officials are trying to use app as a tool to prevent the spread of these invasive species. 

The app was developed by High Country Apps in collaboration with scientists at Montana State University and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The scientists behind it hope it will help people get to know the state’s piscine inhabitants better.

It will have a list of at

DAVE - THANK YOU F1 from Engel & Völkers Big Sky Country on Vimeo.