If you have been to a campground recently, then you know that more and more families are enjoying the great Montana outdoors in a recreational vehicle. It has become a lifestyle for Montanan’s with a young family all the way to older retired couples just living the dream traveling from one campground to another and enjoying the outdoors. It is for this reason that I encourage you to attend the RV Lifestyle Expo at Bretz RV and Marine in Missoula this Saturday May 7th.

As is the case every year, during this popular event you can enjoy a free steak and chicken dinner prepared by the folks at the Montana Club. The free meal will be served from 11-3pm. Come early and enjoy some great seminars on fishing and cooking that are also free. For the early birds, top walleye angler Bob Hickey will be talking how to locate fish and once you do how you catch’em at 9am. “I will show the technique on how to pull cranks to find fish, then jigging them once you locate them. It is simple, location plus presentation equals more fish in the boat!” he said.

At 10:15, Mike Howe from A Able charters is back with a great seminar that will enable folks to help them figure out new bodies of water faster. The seminar is called Scouting and Learning New Waters, “I will help all the traveling anglers scout and learn new lakes efficiently, before you even get there, and have a good head start when you do. You can’t catch them if you don’t find them. Use these tactics on new lakes as well as old favorites.” said Howe.

The reservoirs over by Helena have more angler hours than most lakes in Montana, so at 11:30 the father-son team from Kit’s Tackle out of Helena will give you an idea on how to fish all three reservoirs and catch more fish. They will show you how to successfully fish Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and Holter in the summer months. “We will cover multi species and techniques, including pointers on night fishing!”

Then at 12:45pm, they go from the water to the grill as acclaimed chef Paul Sidoriak will be demonstrating how to make a main dish of Moscow Mule Brined Pork and a dessert that is truly amazing, Grilled Peach dessert. After that, at 1:45pm it is back to the water with another informative fishing seminar by a local favorite Dick Zimmer from Zimmer’s Tackle. The self-proclaimed MacMan of Flathead Lake has been fishing that beautiful body of water for most of his life and during his seminar he is willing to share information on how to catch more lake trout, perch, and whitefish. He will also show you his new kokanee salmon set-up for Lake Mary Ronan.

This lifestyle RV lifestyle expo will also feature what is new in the camping world to make your stay in the outdoors more comfortable and enjoyable. Check out items like a portable ice machines or how to power your campsite with solar energy. “If you own an RV you will want to check out the RV Lifestyle Expo. You will be surprised at the innovations that have been included in today’s travel trailers and fifth wheels”, said owner Mark Bretz. The event will take place this Saturday May 7th from 9am till 4pm at Bretz RV and Marine at 4800 Grant Creek Road in Missoula.

(Written by the Captain – aka Mark Ward)