Thousands of years ago the very glaciers that carved the knife ridges and sharp craggy peaks in Glacier National Park pushed their way down the Flathead Valley of Montana, and when they retreated, they left behind quite a gift. Flathead Lake is a sprawling blue jewel at the base of the Swan and Mission ranges. It covers nearly 200 square miles, and provides over 160 miles of picturesque shoreline, perfect for catching lake trout.

As the sun sinks below the horizon after a day spent on the water, the warm neon glow of the Rainbow Bar on Highway 35 in Kalispell, Montana, one of the longest standing establishments in the Flathead Valley, beckons thirsty fisherman to gather round over a pint or two and swap tall tales about the big one that got away. - MB