I’m definitely being a little unfair by not discussing why it was a beneficial tool for me and why I intend to keep it.
I know that they can’t possibly get out and fish each stream and are likely relying on data from many sources. Underground creeks are considered ‘navigable waterways’ to the federal government though so using EPA or Forest Service GIS information blind may lead to this type of thing.
While I was slightly annoyed by the inconvenience of an underground creek, it still dumped into the Flathead somewhere, and knowing creek confluences can produce some good fishing so it’s still valuable information (and exactly how I ended up using it. With good results).
And not all creeks were a bust. In fact, a majority of them were present as were their accesses.
My goal in writing about it was simply to state that, if planning a trip, an additional resource will eliminate some frustration. Whether it’s a gazetteer or a call to fish and wildlife.
I wouldn’t have been as annoyed had these been drive up accesses. Simple enough to turn back the way you came. Figuring out after hiking in a few miles though was the source of my frustration.
Essex Creek (Middle Fork of the Flathead) in the Flathead Forest is one off of the top of my head. McGinnis Creek (North Fork of the Flathead) was another. I believe Canyon Creek also (near McGinnis).
McGinnis and Essex are both underground. Though I’m told that if I had hiked a few more miles, I could have accessed a fishless trickle at the Essex headwaters.
Overall it’s a great app, but if you’re stalking backcountry creeks, the information needs to be verified by other sources
