Willow Bend Trading Post

05/30/2026

There was a thunderstorm that tore through the Yaak night before last, and there has actually been an area wide electrical outage. As of early last evening there was no evidence that the electric company crews had gotten to the Yaak, and our electricity is still out. As luck would have it, our big generator decided to pick now to mess up, so we are running on the small one. That means each freezer/refrigerator has to be hooked up separately. So for the time being we may be on and off the Internet and maybe a little slow answering messages. It also looks like the phone company substation battery finally died, so we don't have phone service for the time being.

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05/28/2026

Here's a big 'Thank You' to all of the friends who helped make the 2026 'seasonal opening' of Willow Bend trading Post a big success. We can't thank the Cole family enough for their hard work, in setting up all of the great tipis and other structures, that are necessary. The band was wonderful as always and the various vendors added a sense of celebration, with their colorful and fun wares. The guests, who brought the potluck goodies and fellowship to the event make it all happen. That's what our community is all about. So, as we get busy meeting new friends/ customers at the Trading Post, we know that we are blessed to live in this wonderful place known as 'The Yaak', where neighbors and friends support each other and live the simple, caring lives that carry us all on this journey together. Thank you, again.

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05/26/2026

Beautiful night time tipi photo taken by Lynsey Stringfellow at our seasonal opening get together May 23.

05/26/2026

Another video from Cole Mountain Trading Co.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Cuc56x1ot/

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05/26/2026

Some scenes from our spring opening get together Sat. May 23. We had a great time! It was a beautiful day and a nice, laid back crowd. Thank you to all who helped us to make this a memorable event!

05/17/2026

FOR SALE (SOLD!!!!) We have two big, beautiful 12” Bowie knives made by Andy Jess of Arizona. They have 1095 high carbon steel blades. One has a walnut (SOLD!!!) handle, and the other is Mesquite. These are paired with our own natural elk rawhide sheaths lined and fringed with buckskin and laced with pronghorn. Each sheath is personally signed by Tom, Nancy, and Will. Additional photos available on our website at www.willowbendtradingpost.com in the Knives and Blades section. Price on these is $335.00 including $35.00 shipping in the U.S.

05/13/2026

FOR SALE: We have six (FOUR LEFT!!)" Southwest bird beak knives paired with bright and beautiful beaded leather sheaths available to ship at this time. The knives have carbon steel blades and tiger maple handles, and are made by River Trader Knives. When we went to the mountain man rendezvous at Fort Wash*ta, OK, in April, we picked up these sheaths from a trader Tom and Will have known for a long time. Price on these is $200.00 including $20.00 shipping in the U.S. Additional photos available on our website at www.willowbendtradingpost.com to purchase.

05/13/2026

We have suggested to the Yaak Community Hall Board that they put up a donation table at our spring opening celebration on Saturday, May 23, 2026, which they are going to do.

We don't charge an entry fee for our spring opening celebration, but we would be grateful if those attending would consider making a donation of any size toward the funding of our community project to pour a foundation for the community hall and put in a new floor. The building is now a hundred years old. It has never had a proper foundation, and the floor is becoming dangerous.

The Yaak community, along with others who have supported this project by bidding on items being auctioned to raise money for the new foundation and floor, have helped to raise some $222,990 for the project, including matching funds for a grant from the State of Montana. There is still $47,500 to go, and construction is to begin this summer.

If you'd like to make a donation but won't be able to be present at our spring opening, please send us a private message so we can send you the donation link.

05/05/2026

SOLD!!! In spite of its diminutive size, the ermine (a weasel with a white winter coat) is a fierce predator, sometimes dispatching prey much larger than itself. Years ago Tom Oar saw an ermine like this on a Native war shield. He subsequently taught himself to brain tan ermine in this way, with the skull left in, which preserves its fierce character. It has obsidian drop (Apache tears) eyes, and the tongue is brain tanned buckskin he colors red. It has small bead dangles on each of the legs. Comes with a handwritten letter from Tom and Nancy and a signed photo of Tom, Nancy and Ellie. Price on this fierce fellow is $275 + $15 shipping in the U.S., for a total of $290. You can order by going to our website, www.willowbendtradingpost.com, and clicking on the Furs section.