Helena Recreation Report by Bob Ward’s Sports and Outdoors (8.1.14)
By angelamontana

Posted: August 1, 2014

Hunting:  

Bob Ward’s 11th Annual Shooter’s Weekend is this Saturday in Missoula, and Sunday in Butte. All proceeds benefit Operation Valor. Visit Bob Ward’s facebook page for event details. You can try out just about any model you might want to buy along with accessories and optics.

A few opening dates to prepare for:

  • Upland Game Birds Season – September 1st
  • Pheasant season – October 11th
  • Archery season: Sept 6
  • Youth, deer only, two-day hunt: Oct 16-Oct 17
  • Dear and Elk general: Oct 25
  • Federal Duck Stamps are $15 each at your local Bob Ward’s.

Fishing:        

Canyon Ferry Lake: Early morning and late evenings are the best times to be fishing, mid-day still is pretty hot and there are plenty of recreational boaters out during the day. Trout have been consistently biting especially on the north end. For shoreline fishing try using some spawn sacs, night crawlers, or leeches. If you are out on a boat try trolling some cowbells or spoons tipped with a worm or leech. If walleye is more your speed try fishing the south end by the Silos. Bring your crawling harnesses, bottom bouncers, and leeches and try trolling around Pond #4. Perch and Firetiger Rapalas have also been doing well, but in Canyon Ferry pink always seems to be successful.

Missouri River: The big “Mo” is fishing well through mid-July. Trico’s have been a go to in the mornings and we’re switching to PMDs by mid-day. If you are more of an evening fishermen bring plenty of Caddis. That’s right dry fly fishing is going full steam and all day long now. Caddis and PMDs sizes 18 seem to be working consistently and the fish are biting. If you want to try some nymphing try throwing some smaller nymphs in the morning, like midges, Caddis Pupas, or Czech Nymphs. As we close in on the tail end of summer expect to see some terrestrial action on the Missouri. Hoppers are out in force and you can also have some luck with beetles or ants. Dry flies are still more productive then the terrestrials but it’s a good idea to bring a few hoppers or ant with you.

(Report by Ryan Corwin-Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors)

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