Missoula Anglers Stranded Overseas As Middle East Tensions Rise

Most of us from Missoula travel for fish. Bonefish. Tarpon. Steelhead, if you’re really ambitious. Turns out this trip included missiles.

Flights have been canceled as tensions in the Middle East escalate, and now two Missoula anglers, Stephen Simpson and Andrew Bailey, are stuck in Dubai. The two have been hearing missile activity from their hotel, where they say they are waiting for a safe way home, according to Blackfoot River Outfitters. Their families say they are safe, but travel out of the region has been disrupted amid rising tensions.

Missoula Facebook Was Full Comment Section

As Blackfoot River Outfitters posted about the situation, responses snowballed fast and, as you might expect from a Montana Facebook thread, were mixed.

Some worried about the two fishermen. Others were like, well… you did go to Dubai. One commenter said, “If you go to the Middle East for any reason, then it’s your own fault.” Another added, “Knew the risks.” Some people weren’t convinced they really were stuck. One person said, “They’re fine.” Another added, “They’ll figure it out. Not a crisis, the fly shop is making it out to be.”

Then the optimistic fishing crowd showed up. One commenter joked, “Their fishing just got extended, they ain’t bitching about that they are fishing.” Another person took the half-full view of the glass and wrote, “Extra fishing days!”

Also, the Internet Did That Thing

Needless to say, it wouldn’t be the internet if a couple of commenters didn’t go straight for the jugular. A few people asserted that if someone is able to travel internationally for fishing, they probably don’t need assistance getting home. One commenter said, “Waaa rich guys travel to the Middle East.” Another wrote, “If you’re dumb enough to go over there, then work it out.”

Meanwhile, Two Missoula Anglers Are Still Waiting

Lost in the comment battlefield is the simple fact that two guys from Missoula are currently camped out in a hotel halfway across the world waiting for flights to reopen.

Blackfoot River Outfitters posted the story in hopes of raising awareness while they await travel options. Some commenters encouraged contacting Montana leaders to help facilitate getting Americans back home from the region. Others just shrugged and returned to arguing in the comments. Which is also very much on brand for the internet.

Here’s hoping Simpson and Bailey get home soon. The trout are hungry.