The Norski Waiting Game

The Trailwatcher / G. George Ostrom

What happens when a highly motivated Swede tries to sell something expensive to a skeptical reluctant Norwegian? Going to write about that this week.

Are Scandahoovians stubborn? Some people think so. Generalizations are considered illogical because "they infer something as fact which is derived from insufficient evidence." With that said, I just want readers to know the following story is not meant to imply specific genetic traits are necessarily characteristic of the subject's nationalities.

In the winter of the 1967 the Swede in this story, named Ostrom, bought a large piece of land on the Canadian Border next to Glacier Park. The property included several cabins, a mile of the North Fork River and a large meadow containing a 2,600-foot grass airstrip. Ostrom had no money in either the bank or under the mattress so relied upon his gift of gab to con … 'er, talk friends into forming a partnership where-in, he would manage things and sell off parcels to pay the mortgage.

With a few more lots surveyed the following spring, Ostrom began driving potential buyers over 56 miles of crooked, dusty, bumpy road to offer them the "bargain of their life." The plan was going so-so that summer but the tough trip up there tended to discourage quite a few. A big mortgage payment was due in late August and the partner's treasury was a bit short.

North Fork logger, flyer and cattleman Lloyd Sanderson agreed to mow and rake the airstrip in return for getting all the meadow hay. That done, Ostrom made a deal with Norwegian Mike Strand to fly in potential customers. One of those was Kalispell architect, Norwegian Oystein Boveng, who couldn't fly up until after working hours. Ostrom told him that was just fine because it didn't get dark until after 10. The trio landed at "Moose City International Airport" around 7 p.m. and took a quick walk around the cabins before heading down river to look at lots.

By shortly after 8, Boveng had seen all the real estate and seemed most interested in a lot among trees just down river from the meadow. Ostrom emphatically assured him the entire river along there was 'really good fishing" but Oystein observed, "This piece has a wonderful view into Glacier Park; however, it doesn't seem to have very promising trout water along here." Ostrom countered instantly, threw his hat to the ground, jumped on it and emotionally declared, "I will stand right there and catch three trout for your breakfast."

Boveng rose to the challenge by stating, "If you can do that … I'll take the lot."

Strand reminded Ostrom his fishing rod was in the airplane up at the cabins but Ostrom answered, "Won't take me very long to get it." Oystein looked at the sun slowly sinking into the west but didn't say anything. Maybe it was 8:40 when Ostrom returned, putting the pole together as he walked. Tied on a six-foot leader, rummaged through his fly box for a Royal Wolf, tied that on and made a cast from his hat on the riverbank. On third cast a 10-inch cutthroat trout struck and was landed. It took longer for the second trout to be brought in and Oystein was worriedly glancing again at the sun.

Ostrom was displaying extreme confidence in his ability to land another fish in a "minute or two," but after 15 minutes of no action, he speculated, "Maybe I need a different fly." Another 10 minutes went by without a single bite or rise but Ostrom appeared unconcerned and continued his angling activity. Boveng noticed that Strand was starting to keep track of approaching dusk and looking at his watch. All three knew there were no runway landing lights on the Kalispell airport, so many miles away. Long shadows were creeping across the meadows and the mountains. Ostrom kept casting … and casting … and …

Suddenly, Oystein yelled above the murmur of the river, "Okay! Okay Ostrom! You don't have to catch another fish. I'll BUY the lot anyway."

Boveng, Strand and Ostrom remain good friends. Boveng ended up getting two lots. Strand also bought a couple and became a Moose City partner.

Sometimes it is good for a stubborn Swede to outlast stubborn Norwegians.