Helena Area Outdoor Report
By Kjel

Posted: February 3, 2012

The MISSOURI has been a bit dicey this past week due to the varied temp fluctuations, but the water has leveled out and if we DO get the string of nice days in the forecast, all should be well here again, as usual. One of the best places is, of course, between the lakes – it’s BUSY, but productive! Stick with a Glass Bead Pale Morning Dun nymph, or a Mighty Mo or Soft Hackle in Pink, & think sizes 14-16! For STREAMER action, dip a size 2 White Fathead or Black Home Invader into the Lanes, for best success!

We’ve got reports of GOOD but slow fishin on CANYON FERRY — Duck Creek has been one spot of choice (tho some open water has been reported in this area as well, so WATCH FOR IT), or in the area around the Dikes. One person commented that there were “more humans than fish”, but still did pretty well…13-15” of ice seems to be about the AVERAGE, & it looks like a few of the pressure ridges at the Dikes are disappearing. CAUTION is still necessary on this or any ice, so keep your head and catch your limit, even if it takes all day! NEWLAN CREEK RESERVOIR, between Canyon Ferry and White Sulphur Springs, has 12-14” of ice and is in fine shape…tip your jigs with maggots, grubs or worms and go for it! HOLTER and HELENA VALLEY REGULATING RESERVOIR have a lot of open water right now, so not your best bets if you want to drill!

GREAT DIVIDE ski resort reports a 48” base this week, w/8” of new snow & many more groomed trails available. Should be TERRIFIC skiing this week! SHOWDOWN is 35” at the base & 52” at the summit, with plenty of packed powder!

Pop in the HELENA STORE for the start of our annual ICE FISHING GEAR sale. Get the shanty, rods, augers & even jigs you want—plenty of ICE FISHING days left, especially if the Groundhog is RIGHT about 6 more weeks of winter! Until next week, get out & catch some fish!

This report is provided by Angie from Bob Ward & Sons, updating the sport scene in the HELENA area!

This report is brought to you by ANGIE from Bob Ward & Sons, with where to fish in the Butte & Bozeman areas!

 

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