The Weekly Reel: Chancy’s Guide to the Local Lakes

According to the latest intel from Chancy’s Fish Camp, it’s time to dust off the scales and grab a coffee. The local waters are finally starting to wake up, and Chancy’s has the lowdown on where anglers should point the truck this week.

Swan & Flathead

• Swan Lake: Chancy’s reports that pike and lakers are active. For those chasing toothy critters, the shop suggests heading to the south end to soak some dead bait like smelt or peamouth. For a mix of lake trout and rainbows, staying close to the river mouth is the move.
• Flathead Lake (East Bay): The perch game is on fire right now. Chancy’s is seeing some real jumbos in the 5–7′ shallows. They recommend running small jig heads with tubes or minnow bodies.Heads Up: Chancy’s warns that FWP has been out in force checking buckets. Anglers should stick to the regs and keep it legal!

Deep Water & Trolling

• McGregor Lake: The lake trout are moving into their spring groove. Chancy’s suggests dropping down 60 to 100′ to get to jigging.
  • The Gear: Use Zimmer Rattle Dzators or downsized tube jigs.
  • Shoreline Bonus: For those after rainbows, Chancy’s recommends trolling the shallows with Flickershads or small Flatfish.
• Middle Thompson: Kokanee are starting to show up. The report suggests targeting the 35–50′ range using small dodgers and squids.
• Koocanusa Reservoir: It’s a planer board game right now. Chancy’s notes that plugs and flies are moving well. While the rainbow bite has dialed back a notch, the bull trout are making up for it. Recommended launches are at the Dam or Peck Gulch.

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The Specialist Stops

• Rodgers Lake: Chancy’s highlights phenomenal Grayling action here. Fly fishers should swing leeches or nymphs, while gear tossers should stick to micro-spinners or tiny tube jigs.
• Beaver Chain: The “back lakes” are the place to be, with Woods and Dollar yielding steady rainbows.
• Ashley Lake: Chancy’s notes it is a bit of a grind right now; a few salmon and rainbows are coming topside, but anglers should expect to work for them.

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Quick Hits

• Loon Lake (Ferndale): Reliable rainbows and the occasional perch are being reported.
• Flathead River: The team at Chancy’s observes the main stem is greening up beautifully. As temps climb, they expect the action to explode.

Tight lines and get the net! The crew at Chancy’s Fish Camp looks forward to seeing everyone at the shop to check out the week’s photos.