Last weekend’s Walleyes Unlimited of Montana Fresno Walleye Challenge had 92 teams with competitors from Washington, North Dakota, Wyoming and all across Montana.  The members of the Fresno Chapter did an outstanding job running the tournment.  A little rain on Saturday failed to dampen the great time had by everyone.  Meals were provided both Friday and Saturday evenings and the top 20 each day received a check as well as the top ten overall.  If you’re thinking of fishing a tournment, this would be one to enter!

My partner and I are off to a good start placing 6th on Sat., 18th on Sun., and 8th overall.  There are three more tournments in the series, Tiber, Canyon Ferry, and Crooked Creek on Fort Peck.  There’s not much time to prepare as Tiber is this coming weekend and Canyon Ferry follows on the 23rd and 24th.

As I reflect upon our days on the water, a couple things come to mind that may help the next time you hit your favorite fishing spot with limited time.  Our prefish was limited to one day and with lots of water to cover, having a game plan is important.  We talked it over, considered how we had fished in past years, where we had fished and talked to a couple friends in the campground.  We came up with what hoped was a reasonable schedule for the day.  The same concepts can be applied to your fishing outing… a simple plan can be worked out before arriving at your destination, maybe during the trip.  The goal is simply to make the most of your time on the water.  For us that Friday, we found keeper fish in 3 different stretches of the reservoir.

The other suggestion is a repeat of something I’ve talked of before and that is to try a variety of techniques with the rods in the water.  We had various baits in the water at all times and I tried many different methods from the front of the boat.   We kept moving and didn’t pound the spots we picked up fish.  It paid off for us and these ideas will work for you as well.

Til next time….Be Smart and Be Safe!

Pat Slater
Pro Staff: Mack’s Lure & Ranger Boats
National Professional Angler Association #757