Sports + Recreation

Fisherfolk

Lakestream: Where the passion of fishing meets the love of people Article by Marko Capoferri | Photography by Nick Haas Even when times are tight, we Montanans are wealthy, for we are rich in land and water. And it’s a richness that we can go right up to and touch. “The beautiful thing about Montana is this access,” says Justin Lawrence, owner of Lakestream Fly Shop in Whitefish. “We are leaps and bounds above other states. Anywhere water touches is public property. In a place where it’s...

Life + Culture

Guardians of the Flathead

A conversation with Lincoln Chute of Firesafe Flathead Article by Summer Zalesky In the rugged beauty of the Mountain West, fire is an inevitable neighbor. For those who have built legacies and luxury retreats among the pines, understanding the distinction between fighting a flame and preventing one is the first step in stewardship. We sat down with Lincoln Chute, Flathead County Fire Service Area Manager and a leading voice at FireSafe Flathead, to discuss why "resource management" is the...

Life + Culture

The Iron Warriors

The next generation of American-made manufacturing Article by Kate Heston | Photography by Kory Anderson At five days old, he attended his first steam engine show. At nine years old, he learned about the 150 Case steam tractor, the largest ever made in the early 20th century. In 2018, Kory Anderson created, by hand, a rendition of that 150 Case, a feat that earned him a place in the Guinness World Records.  But beyond steam engines Kory’s love for American history rings true in other forms...

Real Estate

From Homemaker to Realtor

Leanna Klaus expands family-driven realty in the valley Article by Kate Heston | Photography by Nikity Nak Creatives Leanna Klaus measures success by looking back at how far she’s come. Now a Flathead Valley realtor, Leanna has one word to describe the career she’s built: thankful.  Leanna is not only thankful for the life she’s built but also for the women who came before her, the women who will come after her and the women she gets to meet through work today. “Don’t let fear stop you,”...

Food + Beverage

Spirit of the Frontier

Savoring wildly local sips at Spotted Bear Spirits Article by Marko Capoferri | Photography by Forrest Mankins For the intrepid Montana adventurer, a trek to Spotted Bear Ranger District ought to be at the top of any list. Fifty miles of washboard will get you to this little haven tucked between the Swan and Lewis mountain ranges, where the South Fork of the Flathead River spills clear from the glaciated heights of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. “It’s one of my favorite little pockets,” says...

Arts + Culture

The Maiden's Mark

The art of sisterhood at Original Skin Tattoo Article by Sydney Ludden | Photography by Nikity Nak Creatives There's a moment, if you've ever walked into a tattoo studio and felt immediately out of place, where you quietly talk yourself out of it. Maybe the music is too loud. Maybe the energy is too sharp. Maybe you just didn't feel like you belonged there. Sammy Connell knows that moment well, because she lived it herself. "I found my style because I worked in very male-dominated spaces that...

Sports + Recreation

Rhinestones and Rapids

Brooke "Minnow" Hornbeck sprinkles rafters with glitter and grit Article by Kate Heston | Photography by Allison Weis and Eva Goodwin Brooke Hornbeck’s first year raft guiding was roughly seven years ago, when 15-year-old Hornbeck welcomed a group of Girl Scouts onto her raft.  At the time, Hornbeck was the only female guide at her company in the Adirondacks of New York state. What was a day of laughter, stoke and fun on the water turned into a meaningful experience for the new raft guide...

Health + Wellness

A Blueprint to Healing

No more one-size-fits-all for chiropractic care Article by Sydney Ludden | Photography by Nikity Nak Creatives Dr. Tanner Klein’s journey to chiropractic care began in a world far removed from clinics and adjusting tables. As a Navy Diver in the Special Warfare Division, he tackled construction engineering projects under high-pressure conditions, until a sudden back injury on deployment shifted his life’s trajectory. “I went from a super active job in the Navy to working on a job site...

Home + Design

Paths That Last

The quiet investment of trail building in Montana Article by Sydney Ludden | Photography by Nikity Nak Creatives I keep thinking about how investment isn’t always about money. Sometimes it looks like a man walking among the trees with a shovel slung over his shoulder, listening for what the land wants to become. That’s the feeling I had after talking with Darren Pfeifle, owner of Montana Made Trails. Darren has been carving paths through Montana for 26 years. First in Glacier National Park...

Home + Design

The Palette of Preservation

How Joshua Morin is restoring the Flathead Valley’s homes Article by Julie Schnieders | Photography by Nikity Nak Creatives As thankful as I am for this rugged Montanan beauty, I understand the cost of it. The elements here are unforgiving. Snow, wind, fire, and the friction of daily life are the trade-off of the gorgeous, jagged ridges that surround us. When wood fades and leather cracks, as it inevitably will, Joshua Morin leaps into action. When these materials threaten to fail, his refined...