The “Dog Days of Summer”: Captain’s Column (8.4.16)
By angelamontana

Posted: August 4, 2016

Fishing on lakes and reservoirs in Montana is a mixed bag of reports as we have officially entered the “Dog Days” of summer. The rainbow trout fishing has slowed but the walleye and bass fishing has gained momentum. You will need to go deeper to catch them but once you find them your chances of putting fish in the boat are pretty good.

That happens to be the case on Noxon Rapids Reservoir where the bass fishing has been good according to John Harris from Lakeside Resort, “We have had a couple of bass tourneys the past couple of weekends and they are bringing in some good weights and the anglers competing tell me that the bass are biting pretty good”. The walleye fishing on Noxon has been hit and miss according to Harris but Lew Tripp from Frenchtown had a pretty good weekend fishing for walleye a couple of weekends ago with some nice 4 to 5 pound fish.

The Flathead Lake whitefish bite is hit and miss according to Chancy Jeshke from Snappys Sport Center in Kalispell, “I have heard reports of anglers getting whitefish in the Big Arm and Elmo area along with some fish being caught in Skidoo Bay on south end of the lake but I have not heard of any whitefish being caught with any consistency by the River Delta on the north end of the lake”. Sean Davis from the Bitterroot Valley had this report from Flathead Lake a week ago Monday, “Flathead whitefishing is picking up, it’s an early bite so don’t go late like I did. (Started at 9:30) when we found the fish it was a great bite but it ended as soon as it started for us. Like I said go early. Guy next to us had 30 by himself one rod. 3/8 rattle disaster when the fishing slowed, 5/8 seemed better when bite was on. 60′ of water was the ticket Big Arm and Finley Point”.

The kokanee salmon fishing on Lake Mary Ronan has been fair with anglers picking up a few trolling and the perch bite has been good on LMR with perch being caught in the 9-11 inch range according to Jeshke.

The walleye fishing has been good on Canyon Ferry Reservoir according to Adam Strainer from FWP, “Walleye fishing has really picked up as fish are being caught throughout the reservoir tolling worm harnesses or slow-death rigs, tipped with worms, in 15 to 50 feet of water. Jigs, both standard and floating, tipped with a worm are working well.
The Camp-mak-a-dream walleye benefit will be held on Saturday August 13rd at Canyon Ferry from 7 am to 3 pm. This benefit is very family friendly. The cost is $60 per boat or team from shore. Donation entry fee of $50. Call Carol Henckel 406-633-2598.

The elk shoulder seasons are scheduled to begin this month so if you plan on hunting these early hunts then plan on attending the 13th annual Shooters Weekend by Bob Wards. This Saturday August 6th at the Deer Creek Shooting range August 6th in East Missoula! Shoot rifles, shotguns, and handguns from leading manufacturers. Proceeds benefit Special Forces Association “Devil’s Brigade Chapter.” The event then moves to the Rocker Gun Range by Butte on Sunday August 7th. Tickets are available at the events for $3.00 and are redeemable for a variety of ammunition. For more information call Bob Wards at 406-728-3220.

(Written by the Captain)
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