Sharing connection to the outdoors

June in Northwest Montana has a way of pulling people outside. 

The days stretch longer, the rivers run clearer, drift boats start showing up behind pickups, and fly rods, coolers and sunscreen move from the garage back into regular rotation. For many of us, time outside is part of why we live here. For me, that often means checking river flows and water temperatures, looking for the right window to head to the water.

I have learned that a few hours on the river can do a lot of good. It clears the head, forces patience and has a way of reminding me that we are fortunate to live in a place where this kind of resource is so close to home. Some days the fish cooperate. Some days they do not. Either way, I usually come back better for having gone. 

That personal connection to the outdoors is one many of us share. It is also a major part of what drives our local economy. 

This month’s edition of Insights looks at that connection through two stories rooted in Montana’s outdoor culture. 

In our feature, reporter Taylor Inman examines the economic ripple of fishing across the state and here in Northwest Montana. Fishing contributes more than $1 billion to Montana’s economy, supporting guides, outfitters, fly shops, lodging properties, restaurants and other businesses that benefit when residents and visitors spend time on the water. But the story is not just about dollars. What comes through clearly is the responsibility many guides and outfitters feel to protect the resource that makes their work possible. 

That balance matters. More people on the water can bring more opportunity, but it also creates more pressure on rivers, lakes, fisheries and the businesses that depend on them. Anyone who spends time fishing here understands that the experience depends on healthy water, healthy fish and a shared sense of responsibility. Stewardship, education and thoughtful use are not separate from the outdoor economy. They are central to sustaining it. 

Our accompanying profile highlights John Chisholm and Skybrim, a Montana-rooted product built around a familiar problem for anyone who spends long days outside: how to get better sun protection without giving up the comfort of a ballcap. It is a story of friendship, persistence and practical innovation, the kind that often starts with experience and a simple question: Could this work better? 

Taken together, these stories offer a clearer picture of the outdoor economy in Northwest Montana. It is built on scenery, access and recreation, but also on small businesses, working guides, local knowledge, product ideas and the ongoing care of the places that draw people here in the first place. 

What stands out is how connected it all is. A healthy river supports a guide. A good experience supports a return trip. A practical idea can become a business. A local shop can help a visitor become a better steward. Over time, those connections help sustain both the economy and the place itself. 

That is why these stories matter. They remind us that the outdoor economy is not abstract. It is personal, local and deeply tied to the land and water around us. 

Thank you for reading, for supporting local journalism, and for continuing to support the businesses and people who help make Northwest Montana such a remarkable place to live, work and explore. If you would ever like to schedule a meeting with me to talk about journalism, our community, or whatever is on your mind, I am perfectly comfortable holding that meeting on the river. 

Tight lines.