Salmon watch continues at Fort Peck
By Hookemharry

Posted: August 21, 2003

The Chinook salmon watch continues on Fort Peck Reservoir.

Gene Moore, at the Lakeridge Motel at the dam, tells me the anglers came over the weekend but most didn’t fish because of igh winds.

“Today, they are bringing in a few, but not like we are hoping for,” said Moore on Monday. Like everyone else, he’s hoping that the catch rate improves quickly over the next couple of weeks.

Some locals believe a 30-pounder will be caught this year. A couple of salmon weighing in at around 25 pounds have already been caught.

If you’re interested in up-to-the-minute information, call the Lakeridge at 526-3597. The next few weekends get pretty busy at the campgrounds and motels, so call ahead to make sure you have a place to stay if you are planning on fishing the salmon at Fort Peck.

Closer to home, the area rivers seem to be producing some fish.

The smoke that has covered the valleys daily in the past few weeks is acting much like cloud cover. That coupled with the normal cooler nights that August brings has kept the river water temperatures down and kept stress off from the fish.

Still most local anglers are still recommending to fish early and then late in the day.

Flathead Lake reports indicate the Lake Superior whitefish bite has slowed down. The mouth of the river on the north end of the lake and Woods Bay point seemed to be the best spots to try your luck now.

Jeff Rach, from Flathead Lake Charter Service, says the big lake trout fishing has been excellent. They caught a couple of fish over 36 inches last week and Rach says the bite is starting to get better.

“We have been fishing deep on the east shore by Woods Bay in a about 150 to 200 feet depth,” said Rach. For updates call 406-837-3632.

Smallmouth bass fishing has been pretty good on the lower Flathead River. The pike fishing has been slow.

A pheasant banquet has been scheduled for the first time in Missoula. The Five Valleys Pheasants Forever Chapter was recently created and will hold its first banquet Friday Sept. 26, at the UC Ballroom.

Jon Lee, from Pablo, is heading up the banquet. Organizers are expecting 200 to attend with adult tickets costing $50. The price of the ticket also includes a year membership in Pheasants Forever.

Early bird ticket buyers will be in a drawing for 12-gauge shotgun and other prizes. The early bird deadline is Sept. 5. You can contact Jon Lee at PO Box 190 Pablo, MT 59855 or call him at 406-721-9919.

Duck and goose season will open in the Pacific flyway Saturday Oct 4 and close January 16.2004 under the tentative regulations passed by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission.

The canvasback season will be reopened after a one-year closure. The duck population is projected to be good with 10 million mallards migrating southward this fall, according to Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks.

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