Bud Lilly -- Montanans You Should Know

The funniest thing I ever saw when fishing was... A fisherman with his foot on a trout trying to release it—in keeping with the regulations of Catch and Release.

Most people don’t know that fly-fishing is... Only about trying to put a small fly on a little tiny hook.

When someone asks how old I am... I usually tell them that I’m in the prime of my declining years.

Something I just refuse to do is... Anything that involves mechanics or technology.

I can still remember when... I was 16 and life was a bowl of cherries and my life was changed on December 7th, 1941—the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

The one thing I most regret passing up was... My opportunity to play major league baseball was lost because of my involvement as an officer in the Navy during World War II.

There is nothing I like better than... A good piece of pie for breakfast.

Even if I live to be 100, I’ll never understand... Why women are so much smarter than men.

My favorite river for fishing in Montana is... All of them.

Everyone knows that I fish, no one knows that I... Am a top-notch bowler. 

Maybe, just maybe someday I’ll... Take a trip into space, and I even want to come back.

I would never tell anyone... That I don’t have a favorite river. My favorite river is being in the right river at the right time.

My favorite fish story is about... Anything to the tune of ‘a fish is the only thing that gets bigger after it’s dead.’

The most interesting person I ever met was... I’ve fished with people from Bobby Knight to Jimmy Carter and Tom Brokaw but I really revere and respect Tom McGuane.

If my wife described me in three words, they would be... “Don’t dare say.”

When I think about doing something good, I think of... My mind turns to providing fishing access for the handicapped.

 My idea of a great day is when... I can be with special friends.

The most special thing about Montana is... The big sky and wide-open spaces.

If I could have anyone over to dinner it would be... My son, Chris.

These days, I would just as soon... Not do these interviews.

visit www.budlillys.com