Fish the MO in the Morning to Beat the Heat: Helena Area Outdoor Report
By Matt Schauer

Posted: August 10, 2012

Hi, it’s Angie from Bob Ward & Sons, & the HELENA waters are fishing GREAT as expected, you just gotta beat the birds out of bed to get the best of it!

Hit the MISSOURI with Tricos or Duns in the cool morning hours to catch fish…the wind has been calm just about everywhere, so no issues there…it’s not quite KILLER Hopper season here yet, but we’ve heard the best sucess w/Hoppers has been the LOWER you go on the river (take along a Hi Vis Grand or a Pink Morrish Hopper in 14-16). Evening Caddis are primarily your twilight bug (we like the Olive Snowshoe or the Tan Outrigger Caddis), & if you don’t have anything to do during the heat of the day, try Nymphing….a good afternoon Nymph is a Copper Lightning Bug in an 18, or a Pheasant Tail in a 16. Doesn’t seem to be an end in sight of this HEAT, so you might as well be on the mighty MO when you can be, friends!

Small Nymphs, Crayfish & the ever-present Leech are successful patterns for CANYON FERRY at the moment…stick to the deepest parts of the Lake! Try tipping a Lindy Rig with a juicy Crawler for something different to entice the Perch, or get out your Red/Gold Panther Martins in the deeps for some Trout! The dam at HAUSER/HOLTER has been the spot to dead drift some Caddis…HOLTER in particular has been fruitful for anglers drifting with jigs for Walleye…overall, fishing has been solid on the Lakes, so get out there! Don’t forget your sunscreen, tho!

If your plans don’t take you to any of the Lakes or the River this weekend, come on into the HELENA STORE & check out the gear you’ll need for the open of Antelope 900 Series Archery Season on Aug 15th. General Archery for Deer, Elk, Antelope & Lion is Sept 1, with Upland Bird season beginning on the same day. Time to get set up for fall hunting and fishing, & we’ve got it ALL for you. Start filling the autumn tackle box as well while you’re in the Store, & ask us where WE’RE fishing lately! Happy weekend from Bob Wards, & I’ll see you next week.

New Podcast!

Riley's Meats - Butte Wild Game Processing