In Episode 8, the Boat Trader crew heads to Big Sky Country—out to the untamed wilderness of Montana to explore boating culture in one of the last unspoiled, natural areas in America. Montana’s shining mountains, high wide open spaces and crystal clear waters make it one of the country’s favorite boating regions. From exploring Flathead Lake on a pontoon boat, to fishing the mountain rivers aboard drift boats and white water rafting in Glacier National Park, host Ryan McVinney delves into the traditions, history and culture of Montana. Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi in the lower 48 states, offering 185 miles of shoreline and over 200 square miles of water. One of the highlights of Flathead Lake is Wild Horse Island, an unspoiled island on the Southern side of the lake where horses still roam free and boaters can pull up to explore the serene, natural landscape. Next we stop at a tribal longhouse to learn about the history of the Salish and the Kootenai tribes in this region, what their relationship with the lake and the waterways was like and what kind of canoes and kayaks they used. From there, we meet up with long-time Flathead Lake resident Bruce Young, son of Stanley C. Young. who co-founded StanCraft Wooden Boat Company on Flathead Lake, back in 1933, constructing early wooden runabout boats. Finally we visit Glacier National Park to experience some of the best white water rafting areas in the world. With over 1,500 miles of glacier-fed streams, bounded by the North and Middle Fork of the Flathead River, spring time here arrives with a rush of water raging down the mountains creating white water rapids that recreational boaters come from around the world to conquer. The streams here are also corridors for spawning fish, eagles, ducks, otters, beavers and numerous other species.