The Yellowstone River is the subject of a new exciting independent film, “”, which will hold it’s world premiere in Bozeman at the Ellen Theatre this month. The Yellowstone River at nearly 700 miles in length is the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48 contiguous United States. While most of the river is located mostly in Montana, the start of the Yellowstone River is actually on the south side of Yellowstone Lake and feeds into the lake in Park County, Wyoming. The river then continues at Fishing Bridge at the north side of the lake heading north into the Hayden valley.

At Gardiner the river enters Montana and continues through our state for another 600 miles exiting at the North Dakota border near Sidney. The river ends where it converges with the Missouri river near Williston, North Dakota, where it is considered to be the main tributary to the upper Missouri River. Several other rivers feed into the Yellowstone along the way including the Clark Fork, Bighorn, Tongue, and Powder.

“Where the Yellowstone Goes” is the culmination of a month long journey of two driftboats carrying the cast and crew down the Yellowstone starting at Gardiner where the river exits Yellowstone Park. (Drift-boating is not allowed in the park). The journey continues to Fort Buford, North Dakota where the river feeds into the Missouri.

The description on the movie website tells of “Intimate portraits of locals in both booming cities and dusty, dwindling towns along the Yellowstone River, illustrate the history and controversies surrounding this enigmatic watershed leading to questions about its future. Connect with colorful characters, get lost in the hypnotic cast of a fly rod, and experience silhouetted moments of fireside stories on this heartfelt river adventure.”   So we know that there is a big emphasis on the fishing aspect of the journey.

The Yellowstone River is considered by many to be one of the greatest trout rivers in the world. The section of the river from Gardiner to Livingston has the official “Blue Ribbon” classification. The lack of significant development and absence of dams is thought to contribute to the excellent trout habitat.

Other fish are also found in the Yellowstone as well. Brown, Rainbow, Cutthroat, and Whitefish can be found in Paradise valley and east towards Billings. Further down the river one can find Catfish, Paddlefish, Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye.

The journey of “Where the Yellowstone Goes” is led by a 4th generation Montanan and fishing guide named Robert Hawkins. But besides just lots of great fishing in the movie, the website continues: “..the small crew experiences a soul searching and inspirational journey down the longest free flowing river in the contiguous United States. The crew eases into life amongst the peaceful sounds of a massive water flow, flanked on each side by rugged mountains, plains full of big game, and an unending sky showcasing bald eagles and osprey.” So lots of wildlife and great scenery too.

Continuing from the website description: “Director Hunter Weeks presents a thoughtful exploration of life on America’s great undammed river, the Yellowstone. With Montana’s captivating scenery at the forefront, Where the Yellowstone Goes takes a closer look at the impact people have on each other and on our environment.”

The film also includes original music from British composer Steve Bayley and other works by local Montana talent; Gregory Alan Isakov, Aaron Espe, SHEL, and Jacob Russo.

Other films by Trout Headwaters include similar style documentary/adventure films “Ride the Divide”, a 2700 journey along the Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico, and “10 MPH”, a film about a backroads trip on a Segway scooter from Seattle on the West Coast, to Boston on the East Coast.

The first screening of the film was April 27th at the Newport Beach Film Festival in Newport Beach CA.   But in case you missed that showing, the World Premiere of the film will be on Saturday May 19th in Bozeman at the Ellen Theatre. Later in the spring, the film is scheduled to show in Seattle and Minneapolis.

Tickets to the Bozeman May 19th show are on sale and can be purchased online from the Ellen Theatre: www.TheEllenTheatre.com. If that event is sold out, tickets are also available for the next showing in Boulder, Colorado at the Boulder Theater for Thursday May 24th: www.BoulderTheater.com

A short preview of the film can be viewed on the film’s website: www.WhereTheYellowstoneGoes.com and other information can also be found on the movie’s Facebook page: “Where the Yellowstone Goes”.

Information about the director/producer Hunter Weeks and his other projects can be found at: www.HunterWeeks.com

Don’t miss the chance to see this wonderful film at the world premiere here in Bozeman this month. It looks to be an educational, fun, and enjoyable adventure.

Mike Comstock is an MSU graduate; software engineer by day, math tutor in the evenings, musician on the weekends, and freelance writer in his spare time.