Bank fishing is simple and fun. There is plenty of shoreline around Canyon Ferry to sit along and just fish.
The trout in Canyon Ferry are cruising the shallower shorelines. This will happen until ice prohibits bank fishing. Until then, you never know what the lake will give up. Walleye and perch are also on the move.
On this day, I used a bottom rig and one from a bobber.
Bottom Rig Slide an egg sinker onto your liner and then tie on a small barrel swivel. Add 18 inches of 10 lb. florocarbon for a tippet. Floro is thinner, clearer and stronger than regular monofilament. Attach a floating jig head and a piece of worm about 2 inches long. You can also use a bare baitholder hook in size 6 or 8. Instead of a floating jig head, use a marshmallow or floating power bait.
Bobber Rig A slip bobber works great. Set the bobber stop at 8-10 feet. Use a 2-inch piece of worm and a kernel of corn.
Scent I use trout scent on most of my lake rigs, even when ice fishing.
Corn You can use regular canned yellow corn, but I have begun using Pautzke’s Fire Corn in red and chartreuse with great results.
Marshmallows I have tried using the sparkly and colored mallows from the bait shop but found them less sturdy than Campfire mini mallows. You can get these mini mallows in a mixed color bag. When using them, keep them out of the air and sun. I use a bag clip to keep them airtight. These will turn into rocks fast if you don’t. When I take my grandson, he usually eats half the bag.
The fishing was not fast but steady. I cast using a longer medium action rod. The water where I was fishing is around 10-15 feet deep, a long cast from shore. You can find this set up north of Silos all the way up to Hole in the Wall. There are many channels close to shore. I chose to fish off a point where I could see the water depth I wanted. Use your polaroid glasses to look for deeper water close to shore, near a point.
My rods fit into rod holders that I secure with a couple of rocks. The bottom rig was blowing hard, so I attached a bobber to the line between the stripper guide and the next guide up. Off set the bobber hook so that it slides freely. Wind in the line until the bobber hangs a foot or so under the rod. Using this strike indicator trick does not lie.
Several of my bites, on the bottom rig were very light. I set the hook and discovered a couple walleyes and 6 nice yellow perch. Only one trout was caught on the bottom rig. The top, Bobber rig produced the most rainbows. I kept the hook sharpened and never missed a hit. The rainbows were 20-25 inches. 2 males were the biggest. I threw back a few females, that were full of eggs. These bows also tend to have white meat instead of bright salmon colored flesh. I kept 4 rainbows, all males, all were Brite orange when cleaned.
The Yellow Perch were 11-12 inches and filleted nicely, as did the 2 walleyes that were 14 inches long. Their meat is white and translucent. I packaged these filets separately.
When I filet the big Bows, I also skin them. Keeping the fish on ice during transport will keep them fresh. Try freezing a couple empty milk jugs, filled with water. This cools the fish without soaking them in cold water, which can make the meat mushy. I remove the pin bones with a pair of pin bone tweezers. The big filets are then cut into 3 large pieces each, the size you would get in a restaurant when ordering salmon.
Many anglers claim that trout doesn’t taste good. If you prepare them like salon, you may change your mind. The bright orange filets look amazing and are nowhere near as fishy tasting as salmon. A fresh Tartar sauce will top them off nicely. Try making them into fish sticks or filets that fit into an air fryer. There are so many tasteful ways to prepare these flavorful and flaky fish filets. Try something new.
I sat along the bank, alone. No one was withing earshot. Ravens, geese, gulls, and an osprey kept me company. A couple mule deer were grazing along the shore. A mink scurried out of their path. I sat on a big rock and never moved. My long-handled net was handy, and I kept a stringer attached to a nearby log. I fished for 4 hours and enjoyed a mess of fresh fish for dinner. The fish fought hard and were great sport.
You don’t always need a $40,000 boat or private access to fill a limit. The fish are feeding heavily as Winter approaches. They are more aggressive and feeding in shallower water. Find a nice place to sit and enjoy the day.
You can take Bank Fishing to the Bank!
Montana Grant
