When you begin your day by tracking how much snow has fallen in Missoula since December, nearly 50 inches so far, it might be a sign that you have cabin fever. One cure for cabin fever might be to head to one of the boat shows that are happening around the state. Boat dealers go to great length to take advantage of cabin fever consumers by prescribing ownership of a new boat as a sure fire cure to end their mid winter blues. The boat dealers and manufacturers that they represent, go to great lengths this time of the year putting together attractive financing and other incentives to make owning that new boat for buyers suffering from cabin fever a reality.
This year in Missoula, Gull Boats and RV and Bretz RV and Marine have decided to combine the two dealerships boat inventories and showcase them at Bretz new 20,000 square foot indoor show room located at 4800 Grant Creek Road from February 10-20th. Just about every boat line imaginable will be on display from fishing to water sports crafts. If that is not enough to get you out of the house maybe the fishing seminars will do the trick. Catching one of the free fishing seminars beginning this Saturday might just help you catch more fish once the hard water turns to open water this spring.
Kit and Trevor Johnson the father son team from Helena return for another great fishing seminar this Saturday February 11th at 11am this time the topic is, “Four Generations of experience on how to guide you into targeting ice out trout perch and walleye on Holter Lake and Gates of the Mountains, including ice out tactics on all Montana waterways”. The Johnsons, who are well known for their popular glass minnow jig series, are now guiding anglers on lakes with their KT Sport Fishing business.
On Saturday February 18th join Bob Hickey at 10am. Hickey is three time Montana Walleye Circuit Angler of the year, 2006 Montana Walleye Angler Circuit of the year, 2016 Runner up Montana Walleye Circuit Angler and team of the year. Hickey will show you how to find walleye and techniques to catch them once you find them.
Then at 12pm Mike Howe, who recently won the $10,000 Hebgen lake Ice Tournament at West Yellowstone with Jason Mundel and is the owner of A Able Fishing Charters will discuss tactics to catch fish in Flathead Lake, including the spring yellow perch bite in Polson Bay. Howe also will show you how to catch shallow spring lake trout around the mouth of the Flathead River. In addition Howe will provide tips and advice for anglers on towing a boat when you want to head to a new body of water.
So if the cold weather, snow and rain Western Montana has been experiencing this week has got you a little down then begin your weekend by day dreaming about spring time fishing. It might be hard to realize right now but spring is just over a month away and once spring is here your cabin fever will be left behind in a melted snow drift.
(Written by the Captain-aka Mark Ward)
