Fishing for huckleberries

I went kayaking and fishing with my wife Colleen on Lake Alva on Saturday.  While we were eating lunch on the shore, we suddenly realized that we were surrounded by ripe huckleberries. Concerned that the berries might attract bears to the lake shore, we did what we could to reduce the hazard.

Glad to hear you're doing your part!  Thanks for the photos!!

I don't understand your pictures. Where are the wakeboard boats, jet skis, and Alumawelds? Where are the shore fishermen and their associated BBQs and throngs of family? I've never seen a lake setting like this. (or maybe it's just been a long time...)

I don't understand your pictures. Where are the wakeboard boats, jet skis, and Alumawelds? Where are the shore fishermen and their associated BBQs and throngs of family? I've never seen a lake setting like this. (or maybe it's just been a long time...)

Lake Alva, which is a 1.5 mile long lake in the Clearwater River drainage north of Seeley Lake, is completely surrounded by USFS property, with no private land.  The only development is a campground along the east shore, which is visible in the first picture with the Swan Range in the background.  In 2013, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks adopted regulations for Lake Alva which restricted motor boats to no-wake speed all year long.  As a result of these regulations, few motorboaters use Lake Alva, and the lake is a pretty pleasant place for paddlecraft.  And while there aren't any other boaters visible behind Colleen in the first picture, the lake does get used by a lot of kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, and other human-powered craft.

Well, we just got back from our visit to your lovely state and a couple of others, as well. Gotta say you guys like your huckleberries out there. You've got huckleberry syrup, huckleberry jam, huckleberry ice cream, microbrews with huckleberries. You are never far from huckleberries out there. I just hope you are leaving enough for the bears.