Is Montana's Flathead Lake hiding a whale-snake hybrid, or is it just a crafty creature of legend?

Like Santa Claus, if you believe, then he's real. And maybe the fable of "Flessie" the Flathead Lake Monster is supposed to live on forever. And we assume "Nessie" the Loch Ness Monster didn't file any copyright infringement complaint for the name being too similar.

Flathead Lake Montana
Courtesy of Getty Images, Anchikus
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Angela Montana of the Montana Outdoor Radio Show tells us that Flathead Lake's Flessie has been making waves for well over 100 years, starting with a tale of an antlered beast bursting through the ice and causing incredible panic.

In 1889, a steamboat captain and 100 passengers claimed they saw a whale-like creature. Locals described her as a horrifying mixture of eel, snake, and whale. Skeptics scoffed and speculated that it could be floating logs or maybe even a huge buffalo out for a swim.

But, Montanans still keep Flessie in their hearts and on their minds. A report as recently as 2017 claimed spotting a 40-foot, steel-eyed serpent gliding through the water. No word on whether the sighting was fueled by excessive White Claws.

Back in 1940, there was a story about a 3-year-old boy who was saved from drowning by a mysterious large creature emerging from the depths to escort the child to safety.

Elaborate prank? Trick of the light shadows? Imaginations running wild? Whatever the case, don't tell numerous Flathead Lake area businesses that there isn't a dollar or two still to be made from tourism with products referencing the Flathead Lake Monster. Being curious doesn't necessarily mean being gullible.

And it all makes for perpetual entertainment and fun, because through the centuries, Flessie remains the queen of mystery, and knows how to keep Flathead Lake fascinating!

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