Since the beginning more than 20 years ago now, the best thing about writing this column every week has been the feeling that I am simply engaging in a friendly discussion with a bunch of old friends. I really mean that. That feeling is reinforced when folks contact me about something I have written or respond to questions or requests for information that I sometimes post along with my weekly public musings.Sometimes readers let me know that a column reminded them of an experience of their own, perhaps a childhood memory of a favorite summer place, a hunting, fishing or other outdoor adventure that has become the stuff of family lore, or perhaps a few thoughts about the good fortune we share to live in this wonderful place. Whatever the reason, I am humbled by the fact that people take time to get in touch with me by letter, telephone or, more often now, e-mail. I always intend to let each of those folks know personally how much I appreciate hearing from them.
(I am sorry to have to admit that I often fall short on my end. Each year, the list of folks who deserve a note or a call in response grows longer and longer. The road to somewhere unpleasant is paved with good intentions, I know. But my intentions and gratitude are there, and sincere, despite my lack of follow-through.)
Over the years, in this very column, I have more than once admitted to enjoying the natural wonders and beauty of that state. The Sierras, the great redwoods and sequoias, Yosemite, the whole northern coast, and so much more of what makes up California attest to the magnificence, the wonder and the beautiful fragility of the natural world upon which we rely. Yes, John and Susan, I also know that there are plenty of drawbacks to living in Montana. I do appreciate your thoughts. Really!
Once in a while when I ask a casual question, readers take great pains to provide me with sound answers. A few weeks ago, it was the origin or cause of those trees that appear to have been reshaped into upside down question marks by some mysterious force. I have seen them out there in the woods off and on my entire life, but it only dawned on me to ask the question after I noticed a number of them one fine day while elk hunting this past fall.
Dave, who literally resides on Forest Avenue up in Libby, sent me a thoughtful and detailed explanation while being careful to allow for other possibilities. It was interesting to note that he was familiar with the general area I was hunting and could relate the phenomenon to various terrain and geologic parameters in the vicinity. And no, Dave, unfortunately the recent fires did not enhance my hunting prospects in that area. Most of my favorite spot was pretty much toast.
Readers Wade and Jim also provided some thoughts on those trees. Wade admitted to having a particular soft spot for such “interesting trees” and sent along a couple of photos that made it clear he and I were talking about exactly the same thing. One of these days, I will devote a column to sharing the information these folks so graciously provided.
And I will never forget the outpouring of information and the sharing of wonderful memories of a bygone time in western Montana when I asked about the origin of the Buxtehude trout fly. Friend Mark had mentioned the fly to me and asked if I knew anything about it. When I relayed the question in my column, I was inundated with responses from folks who knew exactly who had created that fly. Well, it was one of two people anyway, both former music professors at the University of Montana. Gene Andrie and Lloyd Oakland were both involved in the fly's promotion. The majority of the folks who contacted me credited Andrie for the original pattern. Some of those readers also knew the tune and the lyrics to the song that had been composed to celebrate the amazing effectiveness of the fly in fooling Georgetown Lake trout.
The columns about that fly generated enough interest that my friend and local fly-fishing historian and fly-tier extraordinaire Mike Wilkerson was asked to tie up a Buxtehude for a fundraiser. I now own a matted and framed Buxtehude. It is a beautiful and rather expensive fly.
At times, there are some of you out there who not only disagree with something I have to say in this column, but who are also reluctant to identify themselves when providing me with their observations and comments about particular topics. That's too bad, I think, because sometimes those folks provide me grist for what might develop into a lively conversation if only I knew who I was supposed to talk to. One person in particular this year provided some detailed thoughts for me to consider regarding my views on global warming and climate change. Despite the author's mildly irritating need to identify me as “scientifically ignorant,” the letters from the anonymous individual showed the results of plenty of time and effort, and considerable knowledge. It would be nice to know who you are.
I could go on and on. So many of you have written or called during the last year, and over the many years before that. I am grateful for every single note and thought you have sent my way.
Oh, before I forget, one other little matter I mentioned in this column. A couple of months ago, I publicly bemoaned the fact that once again, I had managed to get my bicycle stolen. I parked it on the street in front of the downtown office where I do my day job and neglected to lock it. The bike didn't last long that way. When I announced its disappearance in this column, a number of people took an interest. One in particular, Mike, even found an abandoned bike he thought might match the description I had provided. Alas, it was not to be.
But I am happy to report that I have been reunited with that bike. It showed up in a local pawn shop a few weeks after it disappeared. I was mildly disappointed at the asking price. I thought it should be worth much more. Regardless, I am tickled to have it back.
And I am always tickled and gratified to hear from you, one and all.
Happy New Year's!
Greg Tollefson is a freelance Missoula writer whose column appears each week in Outdoors. He can be reached at gtollefson@bresnan.net.
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