Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure June 2009

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for spincast reels works fine too.

Bowfishing Basics

My favorite setup for bowfishing is a compound bow in the 40-50# range, with 65% letoff. I use the Muzzy Fish Hook arrow rest, Muzzy spincast reel with the 150# Tournament Spectra line. The arrow I shoot 99% of the time is Muzzy’s classic fiberglass shaft with the Quick Release Carp point on it. I use that same setup whether I am shooting little gar and carp in a lake, to alligator gar in LA, or most of the saltwater species I like to chase.”

BY BRODIE SWISHER

Q) How do you go about locating fish?

A

s the days of spring roll on and opportunities for black bear and turkey hunting fade, we often find ourselves longing for an outdoor pursuit to keep us in the woods…or on the water. If you’re like me and would rather hunt than fish, then bowfishing might be the perfect solution to help you beat the off-season blues.

This month we’ll spend some time with Mark Land, bowfishing guru of Muzzy Products. This Q & A with Mark is sure to answer some of the questions that often arise when it comes to tackling big fish with bow gear.

Q) What is the basic equipment for getting started in bowfishing?

A) Mark - “As for the bow, pretty much anything will work. It does not need to be fancy, just usable. Old compounds or recurves work fine. They just need to be in the 40# range and above for most situations. As for the reel, anything from a simple hand wrap style, to a retriever reel or spincast with appropriate line will work. The fiberglass arrow is standard, with a good, strong point and slide or ring system for shooting on retriever and hand wrap reels, or tie-to-back arrow systems

A) Mark – “Finding fish is just like patterning and learning about deer behavior. You have to study and learn the traits and habits of the animals you are pursuing. I know by experience where the fish are likely to be at certain times of the year or during certain changes in the lake or structure. I look for mud flats and grass beds in shallow water and especially those that have close access to deeper water as they tend to hold larger fish. Gar are normally located in moving water areas adjacent to the flat spots where they can chase and catch prey as they move with the current. Stump rows and timber adjacent to deep water are also great places to find these fish.”

Q) Do you prefer to fish from a boat or to wade in shallow water?

JUNE 2009

A) Mark – “Utilizing a boat opens up a tremendous amount of possibilities for bowfishing as well as allowing you to keep all your accessories and needed items handy. The boat is also a great place to keep and store your catch as well. Some areas do not offer great boat access and wading can be very effective in those spots. Wading can be particularly effective during the carp spawn when they are in very shallow water that you cannot reach in a boat. About the only time I wade is during the spawn. Otherwise I am fishing out of a boat. Boats also give you the opportunity to fish very effectively at night with the aid of lights run off a generator. Night-time bowfishing is good year-round. The best time for wadefishing however, is during the spawn.”

Q) How can a person practice their bowfishing skills?

A) Mark – “The best way to practice is to get on the water and shoot. I know it sounds simple, but it duplicates the same process you will use when shooting at fish. It also gets you accustomed to shooting in the water, handling the equipment, and how to aim on submerged targets. Each shot is usually very different in water depth and distance so each shot has to be aimed or adjusted differently. The best practice is to shoot (continued on page 8)

JUNE 2009

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4. Bowfishing Basics, Brodie Swisher

COVER PHOTO: TRAVIS MANN Best wishes on your new venture Travis! Thanks for the years of help.

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The entire contents is © 2009, all rights reserved. May not be reproduced without prior consent. The material and information printed is from various sources from which there can be no warranty or responsibility by Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure. Nor does the printed material necessarily express the views of Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure.

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 4

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BOW HUNTERS

Contents 7. Elk Population Reflects Success Of RMEF’s First 25 Years 8. Walleye Tournaments 9. Sagebrush News: In Salmon Fly Time, Chuck Robbins 10. Calendar Of Events 12. Fly Tying Corner, Russell Parks 13. What Is A Fishing Log?, Diane Tipton 14. Montana Fishing Report 16. Hot Spot - Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, MFWP 18. Grizzly Bear Managers Monitor..WG&F 19. Beckman Wildlife Mgmt. Area, Tracy Watt 20. How The Fishing Log Program Helps FWP, Diane Tipton 21. Fishing With The Captain, Mark Ward 22. Where’s A Hen To Nest? PF 24. Hunting & Conservation News 27. ‘09 Fishing Regulation Changes, MFWP 28. News From Rocky Mountain States 30. Gear Review, Patrick T Stinson 33. Prairie Dog Hunting, Andrew Mckean 34. Early Season Kokanee, Neal M. Cote 35. Blackfeet Nation Fishing, Joe Esparza 36. Hunting Public Land, Jack Ballard 37. Boone And Crockett Photo Page 38. South Fork And Upper Salmon Chinook Fishery Set, IF&G

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JUNE 2009

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Elk Population Reflects Success Of RMEF’s First 25 Years RMEF

W

ild elk populations in 23 states are higher now than 25 years ago when the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) was launched to help conserve habitat for elk and other wildlife.

Nationally, elk numbers grew 44 percent, from about 715,000 to over 1,031,000, between 1984 and 2009 (see chart on left).

During that same time span, Elk Foundation fund raisers generated millions of dollars, which helped leverage millions more, for a conservation effort that has enhanced or protected nearly a square mile of habitat per day—now totaling over 5.5 million acres.

Population highlights among top elk states: California, Nevada and New Mexico experienced the greatest increases with growth exceeding 100 percent. Colorado, Montana and Utah herds are 50-70 percent larger. Oregon and Wyoming are up 20-40 percent.

Several states with smaller elk herds documented exponential growth rates over the past 25 years. For

example, Nebraska’s herd expanded from 80 to 1,650 elk (1,963 percent).

RMEF has been instrumental in helping restore elk to long-vacant parts of their historic range, such as in Kentucky, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

In these three states together, elk numbers have swelled from zero to over 10,400.

“Growth in elk populations is one measure of our success. Since we opened our doors on May 14, 1984, we’ve been all about habitat conservation with a focus on elk.

Of course, when habitat is good for elk, it’s also good for other species of wildlife and fish. And that, in turn, is good for people who enjoy these resources,” said David Allen, president and CEO of the Elk Foundation.

Allen pointed out that elk populations are tied to many factors besides habitat, such as weather, predators—and, perhaps most importantly, herd management objectives of the respective states.

State wildlife agencies are ultimately responsible for growing or reducing local elk herds to fit biological and cultural tolerances.

However, Allen said, “The Elk Foundation is extremely proud of our role ensuring that habitat conditions are optimum for healthy, flourishing elk herds. These latest population statistics validate our hard work over the past 25 years.”

Like elk populations, public awareness and enthusiasm for elk and habitat conservation have also appeared to grow alongside RMEF education efforts through the years.

“As the Elk Foundation celebrates its silver anniversary, I hope our volunteers, partners and other supporters will stop and look back at all that we’ve helped accomplish, because it’s really quite amazing,” said Allen.

A logger, realtor, pastor and drive-in owner, each a Montanan worried about habitat loss and its impacts on elk hunting, co-founded the Elk Foundation. The first office

was in the back of a trailer in Troy, Mont. Today the nonprofit organization has a modern headquarters in Missoula, Mont., and 150,000 members worldwide. Some 10,000 volunteers host over 550 fund raisers annually. To date, this funding has supported more than 6,100 different conservation projects across the country.

Habitat enhancement projects include prescribed burns, weed treatments, forest thinning, water developments and more. RMEF land protection work, such as brokering a 2008 land swap that added 61,578 acres of elk habitat to the state forest system in Washington’s central Cascades, preclude future loss to development or subdivision.

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Bowfishing Basics (continued from page 4) submerged or sunken targets at varying depths and distances to get a feel for the changes that need to be made to allow for the light refraction that occurs when shooting something under water.”

Q) Any other advice or words of wisdom you’d like to offer?

A) Mark – “Be very careful with your reels and line and take the extra time to make sure all line is clear and arrows are ready before shooting to prevent any accidents or lost equipment. Use high quality polarized glasses when shooting during the daytime and try and position yourself to keep the sun at your back for better visibility. Be quiet and stealthy when sneaking up on fish and try to get close for a good shot. Avoid days following heavy rains when the water is very muddy and higher than normal as this will make the fish harder to see and locate and can also cause the fish to move from normal areas due to higher and/ or colder water.

Most importantly of all, have a plan in place to dispose of your catch properly and ethically in advance.

Make sure to dispose of your catch where it will not create a problem and eye sore for others around the lake and not cause problems with rotting, decaying fish stinking up the place.

Also make sure and check all your local restrictions and regulations for bowfishing. The rules and regulations vary greatly from state to state on what is, and is not legal to do with your bow.”

Bowfishing is one of the greatest ways to introduce someone, particularly young people, to the sport of archery and bowhunting. Find the right spot and shot opportunities will be frequent. And we all know that when it comes to archery and bowhunting, lots of shot opportunities means bigtime fun.

Brodie Swisher is a world champion game caller, outdoor writer, and seminar speaker. Check out his website at www.BroOutdoors.com.

ou must be a member of Walleyes Unlimited to enter these tournaments. To join visit Walleyes Unlimited of Montana at www.montanawalleyesunlimited.net.

Rock Creek Walleye Tournament June 6-7, 2009 Entry Fee - $200 Per Team (includes $10 Conservation Team Fee) Maximum 100 2-Person Teams Payable to: Rock Creek Tournament Attn: Tournament Mgr. Kris Keller, Steve Harada, Bill Dasinger 116 Indian Street Wolf Point, MT 59201 Kris @ 653-3320, Steve @ 653-1463 or Bill @ 653-1952 Tiber Walleye Challenge Lake Elwell June 13-14, 2009 Entry Fee - $200 Per Team (includes $10 Conservation Team Fee) Maximum 125 2-Person Teams Payable to: Tiber Tournament 1024 35th ave. N.E. Great Falls, MT 59404 For more information Call Doug Rohlf 452-8003 or cell 799-4210 Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival Canyon Ferry Reservoir June 27-28 2009 Entry Fee - $250 Per Team - 6am Start (includes $10 Conservation Team Fee) Maximum 150 2-Person Teams Payable to: Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival Attn: Doug Breker or Dennis Hovden Tournament Managers PO Box 513, Townsend, MT 59644 For more information call: Work 266-5279 or Home 266-3102

Montana Governor’s Cup Fort Peck Reservoir July 9-11, 2009 Entry Fee - $400 Per Team (includes $10 Conservation Team Fee) Maximum 200 2-Person Teams Payable to: Montana Governor’s Cup Attn: Tournament Mgr. PO Box 832,Glasgow, MT 59230 For more information Call 405-288-2222 or visit www.mtgovcup.com

Hell Creek Tournament July 25-26 2009 Entry Fee - $200 Per Team (includes $10 Conservation Team Fee) Maximum 120 2-Person Teams Payable to: Hell Creek Tournament Attn: Tournament Mgr. Calvin Thomas PO Box 22, Sand Springs, MT 59077 For more information call: 557-2311 Fall Classic Fort Peck Reservoir August 8-9 2009 Entry Fee - $250 Per Team (includes $10 Conservation Team Fee) Maximum 100 2-Person Teams Payable to: Fall Classic Attn: Tournament Mgr. Craig Larson 116 Indian Street, Wolf Point, MT 59201 Fall Finale Yellowtail Reservoir August 28-29 2009 For information call: Rod Putnam 591-1141

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Sagebrush News: In Salmon Fly Time

BY CHUCK ROBBINS

T

he coming of the giant stonefly a.k.a. Salmon Fly (Pteronarcys californica) triggers a period of unbridled insanity among trout and anglers alike, perhaps unmatched in all of troutdom. Mature bugs can be 2 or more inches long: a big bug big trout find attractive, thus the hullabaloo. For weeks prior to the “hatch” fly shops tending such rivers as the Madison, Big Hole, Yellowstone and Rock Creek (Clinton) are besieged by anxious phone calls and e-mails…

Is it time? No. Well then when? Soon.

How soon? I don’t know, soon.

Buzz aside, from what I hear in my boat a great deal of rumor and mystery shrouds the event. But what follows is not intended as gospel but rather just one geezers attempt to clear the air.

The nymphs require heavy flows of cold, clean, well-oxygenated water and mature in two to four years.

Time varies depending on fertility, flow levels, water temperatures and such.

The exact date also varies year to year and river to river but when the average water temperature reaches about 50 degrees the mature nymphs begin crawling to the bank. The trout follow the migration to gorge on the nymphs.

Those nymphs don’t get et crawl up into the bushes, (willows et al) split nymphal shucks and emerge as winged adults. In a day to several, depending, mating takes place (in the bushes). The females fly back to the river, lay eggs and die. Many simply tumble from the bushes to end up as either bird or trout food. Birds, such as the colorful western tanager, actually follow the hatch looking to grab an easy meal.

Theories abound but here’s how I do it: The hatch begins

downriver and moves up daily. To get an idea where follow the crowd or check the local shops. I like to fish behind rather than in or ahead of the hatch—for one thing there’s far less madness. Believing strongly the more water covered the better I almost always launch a boat—typically tough wading and gimpy geezer knees of course enter into it.

I prefer to fish dries but the best surface action is usually noon to 4 p.m. so early on I pitch nymphs. We all have our pet patterns but the reality is just about any pattern works as long as it’s big (size 2-4), ugly and dark (brown/black and touch of orange can’t hurt). Simple ties like the black Wooly Worm and various Girdle Bugs are tough to beat.

Like wets there are a zillion dries to choose but you can hardly go wrong with a traditional tie, such as a Sofa Pillow. I carry several styles designed to float high or low in the water and subtle color variations to suit different water and light conditions.

Bottom line: Proper presentation, confidence and tenacity are more important than actual pattern. Should the trout ignore the big dries try switching to a smaller Golden Stone (#6) or even a Yellow Sally (#14) —you might be surprised.

Wet or dry, drag-free rules and accuracy is paramount—i.e., up against the bank and under the willows and over-hangs are the best ideas I know to avoid tasting dreaded skunk. Above all have fun…

Chuck is a freelance writer/photographer and fly-fishing guide. To check out his articles, books, blogs, photos and more go to www.chuckngalerobbins.com.

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ANACONDA Bicycle Festival: June 19 - 21

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JUNE 2009

Calendar Of Events

BOZEMAN Bozeman Trail Gun Show: July 10 - 12

ENNIS Lions Club Kids Father’s Day Fishing Derby: June 21

RED LODGE Annual Beartooth Motorcycle Rally: July 17 - 19

Over 300 booths of firearms and related items, cowboy and Indian memorabilia, bits, spurs and saddles, six shooters and This is a great day for kids and dads. Kids under 12 The Annual Beartooth Rally is a three day event, old rifles, western and wildlife art, furniture, vintage clothing can catch ‘big’ fish in the little pond at the park while beginning Friday with a golf tournament. The and jewelry, knives, books, prints and photos. This show is the dads act as fishing coaches. Prizes given for Motorcycle Rodeo and Poker Run consists of two smoke free and family orientated. various age groups. Enjoy a delicious and free phases. The first day is a poker run that loops its way Directions: From I-90, 7th St Exit, south on 7th to barbecue in the park, at 1:00pm, following the over the Beartooth Pass, down Chief Joseph Scenic Tamarack. Left, 3 blocks on Tamarack to Gallatin County Fishing Derby. Phone: 406-682-5711 Highway and back to Red Lodge. The following day is Fairgrounds. Phone: 406-586-6179 or or e-mail: info@ennischamber.com the Rodeo itself. There are many events that the riders e-mail: bozemangunshow@aol.com may partake in. Barrel racing, the slow race, the Potato Race, the obstacle course, and keg roll to name a few.

FISHTAIL BOZEMAN This is truly a unique event. Phone: 406-446-1718 Fishtail Family Fun Day: June 27 or visit www.bonedaddyscustomcycle.com Headwaters Relay - A Run to the Source: Join in the fun of Fishtail Family Fun Day, which e-mail: rlacc59068@gmail.com provides entertainment for the whole family. Everyone July 31 - August 2 enjoys the duck races and barbecue. The ducks float The Headwaters Relay is a 3-day, 232 mile team relay race through the mountains and valleys of Southwest Montana. down the river and you can purchase a chance for $2.00 a duck. The parade is always a big hit with kids of all The route is 98% on dirt and two-track roads revisiting ages. There’s also a flea market with antiques, craft Lewis and Clark’s trek from Three Forks to Beaverhead show, bake sale, a kid’s petting zoo and pony rides.

Rock. The Relay ends at Hellroaring Creek, the ultimate BELFRY Phone: 406-328-4983 source of the Missouri River.

Elk Basin Cross Country Motorcycle Phone: 406-539-0368, Race: June 21 visit http://montanamtnrec.com/hwrelay, or LEWISTOWN This race covers more than 75 miles of hills, ravines and e-mail: dodemet@aol.com Ed McGivern Memorial Shoot: rock providing a mountain man challenge for those tough June 12 - 14 enough to finish. If you want to try Baja style racing BUTTE Ed McGivern Memorial Shoot is presented by the without going to Mexico or Africa, this is the place to Butte Police Protective Association Snowy Mountain Muzzleloaders and Re-enactors. meet. Riders are divided into “A” and “B” classes. “A” Mountain Man Rendezvous, games, storytelling, Fish Derby: June 27 riders do three laps around the rugged and challenging shooting, songs and paper shoot plus knife and hawk Friday, June 19, 2009 Butte Police Protective Association Fish Derby is for course for a total of 70+ miles. “B” class riders do two are part of this event. Also patch and roundball, only Gallatin/Madison Retriever Training Seminar children 12 and under. Food, beverages and prizes will be laps. Make sure you bring in plenty of water, and come provided. So have fun fishing! Held at Homestake Lake, open sites. Shooting fees are $25 for adults and $12 for with Mike Stewart prepared for a “rough” camp as there are few amenities ages 12 through 16.

8 miles east of Butte on Interstate 90.

Contact Jason Baker: (760) 567-0620 in this part of Montana. Temperatures will reach 100 Phone: 406-428-2286 Phone: 406-490-3870 or e-mail: ckriskovich@bsb.mt.gov degrees, rattlesnakes are not uncommon and the terrain is or e-mail: dmkdak@midrivers.com Friday, June 19 Check in at 8 a.m. Meet & greet inhospitable. Phone: 406-656-9960, DEER LODGE with Mike. Classes/training until 5 p.m. Sporting visit /www.billingsmotorcycleclub.us or LIVINGSTON Powell County Territorial Day: June 20 clays at 5:30. BBQ/DU event to follow. e-mail: ridethebigsky@yahoo.com Yellowstone Boat Float: July 10 - 12 Powell County Territorial Day, a community celebration, Saturday, June 20 Training 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. for consists of a foot race event 3K, 5K, 8K, 10K, Classic Car The annual boat float starts at Livingston and retraces beginner & advanced dogs. Lunch at noon.

BIG TIMBER the Lewis & Clark Expedition all the way to Laurel.

Show (Old Montana Prison Rod Run) on Main Street; a Big Timber Gun Show: June 12 - 14 There are two overnight stops, one in Big Timber and Family Q&A to follow. parade with cars, floats, cowboys on horses, horse drawn The annual Father’s Day Gun Show will be held at the Sunday, June 21 Training 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. one in Reed Point. wagons, shrine band and novelty vehicles; Jaywalkers Big Timber Civic Center. Vendors will be selling art, Awards ceremony until 5.

Phone: 406-222-4414 Jamboree with concessions, craft vendors, and children’s antiques, books, clothing, jewelry and GUNS. Vendors games. Phone: 406-846-2094 come from Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, or visit www.powellcountymontana.com MISSOULA South Dakota and Montana to make this weekend one Pengelly Double Dip: June 13 6/6/2009 of Dad’s favorite. With the waterslide just down the DEER LODGE Double Dip (About 13 miles): From the Riverbowl East road and gun manufacturers, fabric store and shopping Butte, MT fi eld, up to the ‘M’, across the west aspect of Sentinel, Montana Territorial Gun Show: all within 5 minutes, there is something for everyone on Contact Brittany Powers: (406) 490-3322 to the University beacon, the top of Mt. Sentinel, down June 26 - 28 Father’s Day weekend in Big Timber.

RD: Ron Knapp, rknapp@muledeer.org the Hellgate Canyon Trail and along the Kim Williams This show will have a wide selections of fi rearms for sale, Phone: 406-932-5969 Trail to the start location. This challenging course from antique to modern pistols, rifles and shotguns. Visitors 7/18/2008 follows some of the most scenic trails in the iconic will also find all sorts of ammunition and accessories, BILLINGS along with hunting and fishing gear - a virtual sportsman’s mountains of Missoula. Single Dip (About 5 miles): Up Missoula, MT Heart & Sole Run: June 13 bonanza. A concession stand will be offering food and drink. the ‘M’ trail, down the Mt. Sentinel fire road, and back Western Montana Chapter Join the fun and walk or run in the Annual Heart & Sole The Prison gift shops will be open and there will be a variety to Riverbowl East Field These are challenging races but Contact Ray Rugg: (406) 822-4240 This family event is designed for everyone. The Run the Single Dip is great for walkers. The flat Monte Nile RD: Ron Knapp, rknapp@muledeer.org of activities going on in the Prison yard. includes a 10K, 5K, and 2 Mile Health walk with medals is free and great for anyone. Phone: 406-626-4055 Held in the Old Montana State Prison Cell Block. awarded to the first 3 finishers in 17 age divisions. or visit http://runwildmissoula.org Phone: 406-846-1303 Dynamite Dash is free for all kids 6 and under. Free snacks and beverages for participants and their families.

MISSOULA DILLON The entry fee includes a colorful t-shirt: $15 for adults, Missoula Marathon: July 12 RATPOD: June 27 06/20/09 $8 for children ages 6 and under.

In addition to the traditional 26.2-mile marathon, there West Yellowstone Ride Around The Pioneers In One Day (RATPOD) is a No registration on race day. is a half-marathon and a kid’s marathon.

The courses one-day, 130-mile bicycle ride to benefit Phone: 406-237-3600, Yellowstone Taylor Fork Big Game Banquet are all relatively flat and fast with the marathon, half Camp Mak-A-Dream, Riders are encouraged to raise visit www.svfoundation.org or Contact: Peter W. Delzer (406) 995-2610 marathon and kids marathon fi nishing in downtown donations for the camp and bring them to the event.

Prizes e-mail: svspecialevents@svh-mt.org Missoula. Phone: 406-626-4055 will be awarded to the top donation-earning riders. or visit www.missoulamarathon.org Phone: 406-549-5987 or visit www.ratpod.org This festival offers an event for everyone in the family.

Friday, Town Cruise: Bill Lee Memorial Ride, 6:00pm: This parade event is for everyone. Routes will start at Kennedy Commons, tour beautiful Washoe Park, and cruise around town. Saturday, Pedal the Pintlers, 8:00am: The weekend’s flagship event provides opportunities for 25, 50, or 100-mile bike rides. Routes start at Washoe Park, proceed to Georgetown Lake, and continue over the Continental Divide by way of Mill Creek Pass. New this year Turbo Twenty Shuttle service provided for riders to Georgetown Lake, with a spectacular ride back to Anaconda downhill all the way. Sunday, Disco Mountain Boogie, 11:30am: This mountain bike event is a NORBA race featuring 21, 17, and 11-mile courses over scenic, fast, yet challenging routes in the Deer Lodge National Forest. Phone: 406-563-7988 or visit www.anacondamt.org/bikefest

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 11

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12 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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JUNE 2009

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Fly Tying Corner:

PMD Glass Bead Emerger Brought To You By The Missoulian Angler Fly Shop

BY RUSSELL PARKS

PMD GLASS BEAD EMERGER TIED BY DENNY WALN

T

ypically, June gets our hearts pumping for the big salmonflies on our local freestone rivers. As the runoff recedes and the water starts clearing, we’re all eager to get back out and enjoy the day fly-fishing. Denny stopped tying his saltwater flies long enough to pull out this productive pattern for Pale Morning Duns. Try some of these in the mornings before the big bugs get their wings dried out. This pattern has just enough weight to sit in the surface film, acting like a mayfly struggling to hatch. Try dropping it about 18” behind an adult pattern and watch for the take just below the surface.

MATERIALS: Hook: MFC 7009 or TMC 206BL, Size 16-18 Bead: X-Small Glass, Gold Thread: Yellow 8/0 Tail: Three Yellow Pheasant Tail Fibers Shuck: Tan Z-Lon Body: 4-5 Yellow Pheasant Tail Fibers Thorax: Yellow/Olive Dubbing Wing: Dun CDC Flash: UV Pearl Ice Dub

TYING STEPS:

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY DAD, TOM STEINBRENNER “Fishing in the Columbia River Gorge with guide Kyle Battisti.”

Step 1: With bead on the hook, tie in tail and trailing shuck over the tail Step 2: Tie tips of pheasant tail in for body, twist to form ‘chenille’ with the thread. Wrap body forward leaving space behind bead for thorax Step 3: Place one or two CDC feathers down behind bead and tie in.

Step 4: Using a sparse amount of the Ice Dub, tie in on top of the CDC Step 5: Dub thorax with one wrap under CDC, then wrap forward over CDC and whip finish behind bead

JUNE 2009

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What Is A Fishing Log?

BY DIANE TIPTON, MFWP

W

ith a few months of angling under their belts, most novice anglers soon begin to realize how complex and nuanced fishing actually is.

A fishing log is one way to get a handle on what works by documenting your experiences—exact locations, weather, time-of-day, number and species of fish caught, and more. The accumulation of experiences on a water documented year after year begin to yield the insights that separate the pros from the novices.

“As a fly fisherman, I am interested in much more than angler days and success,” said David Stuver of Lewistown, a participant in the FWP fishing log program since 1993.

“I have a lot of personal contacts I consult and I also track the good and bad times of day and of the year on particular waters, the hatches, water conditions, and more. I also check stream flow information compared to normal levels for that time of year, he said.

“A fishing log is much more accurate than memory and at 68 it is likely that will become even more so,” he said.

Stuver said that details can make or break an outing. For help, he cultivates personal contacts and turns to books too.

“I would not fish Yellowstone waters without checking out some of Charles Brooks’ books. He was the great guru on many of those waters,” Stuver said.

For example, prior to fishing Grebe Lake in Yellowstone, Stuver read that Brooks recommended purplish damsel patterns for the particular damsels in that water.

“We carried in float tubes and caught grayling and rainbows steadily all day long while other people asked what the heck we were using,” he said.

On the other hand, two years ago in late September he recounts fishing the Missouri below Holter using blue wing olives, but he also saw some big orange “October” caddis.

“A few people I asked later kind of looked over their shoulders and admitted ’yeah, these do bring up the big fish’,” he said. “I later noted the need for these in a book on fishing this section of the river, so, if I had done my homework I could have been much more successful.”

Stuver also recommends collecting information on water temperature for certain hatches. For example, he explained that in Big Spring Creek near Lewistown in July pale morning dun nymphs become active at about 58 degrees, at 59 or 60 a few will begin emerging, at 61 degrees emerging nymphs patterns are seriously needed, at 62-63 dry dun imitations are super, at 64 it slows down considerably, and at 65 degree water the hatch is usually over.

Though every angler can benefit by keeping key records over their fishing career, Stuver said only a minority go as far as he does. (For more turn to page 20)

BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 13

14 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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JUNE 2009

Mo nta n a Fis h i n g Rep o rt

CHRIS MADSEN

Western Montana Fishing Report Brought To You

By The Missoula UFA Sportsman’s Warehouse

BY CHRIS MADSEN, (406) 532-9000 e-mail: fishing-115@live.com

B

reak out the sandbags. With the amount of water flowing in our rivers and amount of snow still in the high country of western Montana it would be hard to believe summer is just around the corner if it weren’t for the warm weather we’ve had lately. While the high water is putting a damper on the fishing for the near future, it bodes well for the late summer fishing. We should have plenty of water to keep our reservoirs full and to keep the rivers cool. That being said make sure you take advantage of the fishing opportunities that Mother Nature does give you this June. There are still a plethora of options available to the adventurous angler.

For fly fishers salmon flies are the name of the game in June. The sight of these three inch long orange bugs clinging to the bank side brush will make your eyes glossy and your casting arm sore. We are lucky enough to have a handful of rivers within a short driving distance that have some of the densest hatches of salmon flies any where. Rock Creek and the Blackfoot are known through out the fly fishing world

as “destination” rivers for this hatch. And the Clark Fork and the upper Bitterroot also have excellent hatches of these bugs.

The high water we are having this spring is going to give wading fisherman a fit. With the amount of water coming down, walking around in a river full of slippery rocks is a dangerous proposition to say the least. Floaters are definitely going to have the advantage when it comes to fishing this hatch. Start doing your sit ups now to strengthen your back muscles.

There’s going to be a lot of back rowing if you’re on the “sticks” this spring. Casting big bushy dry flies tight to the bank, under over hanging bushes and around river obstructions will get you lots of looks from hungry fish. If you’re ahead of the hatch try a large black or brown stonefly nymph with a San Juan worm dropper under a strike indicator.

Salmon flies aren’t the only option you have to catch fish on top in June.

Golden stoneflies, yellow sallies, caddis and my favorite, the green drake, all make an appearance during the month. Yellow sallies and different species of caddis will be hatching during the whole month.

Golden stones begin to appear in strong numbers toward the end of the month when the salmon fly hatch starts to slow down.

Green drakes should start to show up around the second week of June. This large may fly is present in greater numbers on cloudy humid days and can over shadow the giant salmon fly. Be prepared for anything and have your fly boxes full.

While the big rivers get most of the attention during the summer the small streams in the area offer an excellent diversion from their crowded big brothers towards the end of the month. Although the fish average a smaller size the numbers you catch usually make up for it. Streams are great places to take beginners. The fish generally take any fly, lure or bait that comes their way. They are opportunistic feeders and are generally just happy to get a chance at a meal.

On Flathead the perch fishing has been fair this spring with a few 12” perch being caught in between all the little guys. Try a small spoon, jig head or twist tail grub tipped with a maggot or night crawler.

Target bays with shallow flats and weed beds. Macs have been providing the usual

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steady fishing. Try vertical or drift jigging through the schools once you’ve located them. Trilobites, Lead-a-gators and Rattle D-Zasters are the jigs of choice. This usually produces smaller fish but your catch will be higher. Trolling with shad raps, flat fish and hoochies behind a dodger will catch some of the larger fish.

Georgetown will finally be thawed by the time this report comes out, which will make many people happy. The fishing should be good from the moment it’s open enough to fish but it should steadily improve through June as water temps and aquatic life wake up from their winter sleep-in. Those fishing from shore can use a standard worm and marshmallow combo or power bait and do well. Trollers should use small sets of cowbells or lake trolls followed by a wedding ring, triple teaser or needle fish. Fly fishers can catch good numbers of fish in June on leech, scud and damsel nymph patterns. Callibaetis and midges can provide some top water action as well.

The pike fishing at Salmon and Seeley has been slow this spring so far. The ice came off later than we’re used to and the Clearwater has been dumping in some color. On the plus side, the off color water will warm faster in the sun and bring the water temps up to a more favorable level.

Once run-off settles down these lakes should be in prime shape for fishing. Try throwing husky jerks, spinner baits and sluggos to the edge of the weed beds and the drop-offs. Fly fishers should throw perch or kokanee colored patterns.

Fishing for bass has been fair this spring so far. The cool spring had the reservoirs starting out the season cold, and now the large amount of run-off that has been coming down has muddied them up. The large flows from the rivers can also carry in a lot of debris to the reservoirs so beware of floating logs and such if you launch a boat. Ninepipes has been producing some nice largemouth on crankbaits and soft plastics during warmer days. Kicking has been slow with the reservoir being really low but it should pick up with an influx of water from run-off. Noxon has been giving up some good fish this spring too. Reports have been coming in of bass being on their beds. Anglers are having the most success

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with soft plastics but crankbaits have been picking up a few nice fish too.

If you’re into fishing for Chinook salmon the Clearwater River opened on the 25th of April and the Lochsa opened on the 23th of May. The large numbers of fish Idaho had been touting never showed up and as a result the limits have been reduced and the Middle Fork of the Clearwater has been closed. The fishing has been more consistent around the Lewiston area but the high run-off has fish moving fast.

Back trolling plugs seems to be the most productive method but drifting roe, bobber and jig and casting spinners can catch Chinook too.

There is no shortage of options in June.

With all the lakes and rivers within a short drive there’s no excuse to miss out. Be safe on the water and I’ll see you out there.

RYAN ONGLEY

Southwest Montana Fishing Report Brought To You

By The Bozeman UFA Sportsman’s Warehouse

BY RYAN ONGLEY (406) 586-0100

Waiting For The Big Bugs!

J

une is a month in which the flyfishing fraternity anxiously waits out the end of spring run off. Knowing by mid to late June the big bugs will arrive on most of our area rivers. With this arrive anglers from around the world for a chance to land a huge trout feeding on the

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JUNE 2009

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 15

surface. And as waters clear Caddis and Pale Morning Dun emergences just add to our excitement. Let’s look at some tips for our area waters.

UPPER MADISON RIVER: With the long winter the Upper Madison should be in fine shape at the end of run off. Look for Salmonflies to emerge beginning around the third or fourth week of the month. Caddis generally also will emerge at the same time. A large adult Salmonfly with a #12 - #16 elk hair or x caddis dropped of the back would be an excellent way to fish the hatch. Or go sub surface with a small mayfly nymph or caddis pupae as well. Nymphing will be excellent near the banks with large Stonefly nymphs pitched near the banks just before and throughout the hatch.

LOWER MADISON RIVER: This stretch of the Madison is definitely due for a better emergence of Salmonflies.

The last two years fell way short of expectations. After two good winters hopefully this will be the one. I usually find the best fishing for both Caddis and Salmonfly emergences to be up into Beartrap. Good nymphing will also be available throughout the entire stretch as well. Remember with it warming up to be on the lookout for rattlesnakes up in the canyon.

YELLOWSTONE PARK: The waters of Yellowstone Park fish very well throughout June. The Firehole, Madison, and Gardner Rivers all offer opportunities to throw Salmonflies. Here the hatch will start in Firehole Canyon and work downstream through the Madison to the Park Boundry. The hatch here is very short lived so timing is key and it’s a good idea to call ahead. Thick emergences of caddis, and pmd’s will generally bring fish to the surface most days on the Firehole in the park. And some of the best soft hackle fishing you could ask for. And of course there is no better scenery anywhere.

HYALITE RESERVOIR: With the general opener just past. Hyalite offers up some of the most reliable fishing opportunities around for both the Fly angler and traditional fisherman. All the standard Mepps, Panther Martin, and Rooster Tails will be good bets. Fishing small leech patterns and buggers are great for subsurface activity. And small chironomid patterns will keep the trout busy. Midge emergences on the surface can me imitated well with a variety of sizes of parachute adams.

GALLATIN RIVER: The Gallatin will have a good emergence of Salmonflies from the mouth of the canyon up to the Park waters. And caddis activity will be available at the same time. Depending on how fast runoff subsides will tell the tale on this drainage.

Have a great time on the water.

JESSE FLYNN

North Central Montana Fishing Report Brought To You By The Helena UFASportsman’s Warehouse

BY JESSE FLYNN (406) 457-7200 CANYON FERRY: Walleye fishing can be expected to be as good as or even better than in May. As post spawn takes place one can expect walleye to move back into deeper water to hold during the up coming warm days. As the night cools the lake many of the fish will ease their way back into the shallows to feed. What does this mean for anglers? Well, during the hottest parts of the day try fishing deeper water; jigs, bottom bouncers, and deep diving crank baits will prove to be most effective.

The north end of the lake will more than likely be the best place for bank fisherman seeking trout. Night crawlers will prove to be productive.

HAUSER LAKE: Hauser is full of steep structure that drops off in a hurry in many places. These steep embankments are all great places for fish to hold. Try parallel trolling the banks using appropriate depth cranks, depending on the depth you are fishing in. Or pitch jigs up shallow and slowly work them into deeper water. This goes for bank fisherman as well; instead of casting straight out in front of you try paralleling the bank with your bait as best you can. Waders are at times helpful for a bank fisherman as they help you get a better angle because as we all know presentation is clutch.

HOLTER LAKE: Has and will be the hottest lake in terms of trout fishing.

Holter is a dream come true for all of us fly fishing anglers. Below Hauser dam and below Holter dam are the best places to be for these aggressive and powerful trout.

Fish midges, eggs, scuds, and copper johns; and as the summer goes on bwo, blue duns, and caddis flies will be a fun morning and evening bite. Weighted wooly buggers and streamers will also produce trout, as they allow anglers to fish deep holes in the Missouri river system. Switching gears, boaters should be getting geared up for jigging and bottom bouncing (tip with leeches or worms) in order to produce walleye out of this lake.

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The “HOT SPOT” PRESENTED BY BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS “Where to go, what to take, maps, and more.”

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park MFWP

While the park trails, rental cabins, and campground are open year-round, tours of the caverns are only available only from May 1 through September 30. Plan to spend a minimum of two hours to hike two miles on a guided tour through the caverns. The park also provides hiking trails, a visitor center, an amphitheater, several picnic areas, a large campground, showers, RV dump facilities, tipi, and three rental cabins. You can use this park as a “base camp” while you enjoy several nearby state parks, attractions, and the adjacent Jefferson River.

PHOTO COURTESY MFWP

J

Locate A Children’s Fishing Pond MFWP

M

ontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has taken the guesswork out of fishing with kids by designating certain ponds for youthful anglers and in some cases stocking them to promote positive angling experiences for the young.

To locate children’s fishing waters near you go to the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov on the Fishing page and go to the Montana Fishing Guide and look on the left under Resources for Children’s Fishing Waters, or call the FWP regional office nearest you.

Please check your 2009 Montana Fishing Regulations booklet for limits and restrictions, or the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov under Fishing, before setting out.

Kids Fishing Days Scheduled; Area Ponds Planted With Trout MFWP Saturday, June 6 Shady Lane Pond, Kalispell, sponsored

by FWP and Sportsman and Ski Haus, Hooked on Fishing and various clubs Triangle Pond, Noxon, 9-12, sponsored

by US Forest Service, Avista, Clark Fork BASS Club, and FWP --The fishing days often include fishing instruction and possibly loaner rods and some fun or educational activities. Watch for news releases on specific events.

AREA PONDS PLANTED W/TROUT: A number of kid’s fishing ponds in the Kalispell area have received catchable-sized trout from FWP hatcheries in recent days. Buffalo Head Pond near FVCC received 800 westslope cutthroat trout in the past week or so. Shady Lane pond near the Old Steel Bridge site received about 2,000 cutthroat trout and 1,000 rainbow trout. Drybridge Slough on Woodland Drive received about 2,000 rainbow trout. Kids under 15 can keep the posted limit at these ponds.

une is the perfect time for your family to tour these spectacular caverns.

Take advantage of the special family value tour rate of $20 to explore the colorful limestone formations with a knowledgeable and friendly guide. While you’re at the park, you might also want to hike or bike the extensive trail system, attend an interpretive program, or purchase a unique item in the gift shop. Print out a coupon from http://fwp.mt.gov/content/getItem. aspx?id=37852 and bring it to the park in June.

Montana’s first and best-known state park showcases one of the most highly decorated limestone caverns in the Northwest. Naturally air conditioned, these spectacular caves, lined with stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and helicitites, date back through time. See the geologic development, the history of early exploration and gain an insight into the delicate ecology of this world without light.

Directions: 22 miles west of Three Forks on Montana 2 or 18 miles east of Whitehall on Montana 2.

Phone: (406) 287-3541.

CABIN RENTAL INFORMATION: Maximum capacity: 6 people Maximum stay: 14 days in a 30-day period For Reservations, call: Lewis & Clark Caverns - (406) 287-3541 CAMPSITES INCLUDE: One double bed and one set of bunk beds Table and 4 chairs Electrical outlets Lights Electric heat Grill for outdoor cooking WHAT TO BRING: Bedding Cooking utensils Personal toiletries Flashlight Container for water and Charcoal

18 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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JUNE 2009

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Grizzly Bear Managers Monitor Bear Deaths And Review Options To Reduce Future Conflicts WYOMING GAME & FISH

A

t their spring meeting in Bozeman, Mont., managers of member agencies that make up the Yellowstone Grizzly Coordinating Committee (YGCC) heard the results from a special task force created to study the factors leading to grizzly bear deaths in 2008.

As part of the requirements for removal from the threatened and endangered species list, the YGCC set maximum targets or “quotas” for acceptable numbers of annual grizzly bears deaths throughout the Yellowstone Ecosystem. Both male and female mortality quotas in the Yellowstone Ecosystem were exceeded last year.

“Although we work very hard every year to reduce bear mortalities and over the long term mortalities have remained low, we felt it was important to review our efforts as a precautionary measure in light of the increased mortality in 2008,” said YGCC member and WGFD assistant wildlife chief Bill Rudd. “Despite the observed spikes in mortality that we have observed over the past 15 years the population continued to increase.”

The YGCC also heard a review of preventative steps proposed by a similar task force in 2004 after a spike in bear deaths. Along with the 2009 and 2004 reviews, the committee was also presented with a list of potential actions that could help reduce mortalities.

Caribou-Targhee forest supervisor and YGCC chairman Larry Timchak said it was clear that a wide

range of factors contributed to he mortality limits being exceeded.

“While bear managers were watching what appeared to be a typical year, review of climatic data and information regarding the availability of key grizzly food sources shows that by the fall elk seasons, the bears were poised for conflicts with humans because of the delayed negative impacts of lingering winter snows and a poor whitebark pine cone crop,” Timchak said.

The team also noted another reason more bears have died is simply because there are more bears in the ecosystem than at the beginning of the recovery efforts. “We have used a very conservative approach to our bear management over the past 30 years and it has produced the desired results.

We now have a recovered population and there are bears in places they have not been for a long time “ said Rudd.

In addition to discussing the variety of ways that bears died, the task force also provided the committee with ideas to serve as starting points for reducing mortalities in the future. Last year an abnormally high number of bears deaths were linked to big game hunters, so many of the suggestions dealt with educating hunters about safety in bear country and encouraging those heading into the woods to carry bear spray. Mark Bruscino, WGFD grizzly bear conflict specialist, said the WGFD added a number of suggestions to try and reduce mortalities as part of the

review conducted by the YGCC. “We will add these to the score of practices and recommendations we have already in place. Unfortunately, as densities of grizzly bears continue to increase, the likelihood for human-bear interactions also goes up. Our goal is to create an environment that is safe for bears and people.”

Chuck Schwartz, leader of the interagency grizzly bear study team, has observed spikes in mortality before. “One year does not a trend make,” cautioned Schwartz.

Timchak added that bear mortality numbers will be monitored closely and said: “We will do whatever possible to prevent grizzlies from dying needlessly.” The YGCC will review the report and recommendations for decreasing mortality. It will be up to individual agencies to decide what solutions are workable within the framework of their particular governmental unit.

A component of all the state grizzly bear management plans accepted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was that some

form of limited hunting opportunity could eventually occur.

Committee members are carefully monitoring grizzly bear mortalities and their causes to assess the potential for hunter harvest.

A copy of the initial draft of the 2009 Yellowstone Mortality and Conflict Reduction Report can be viewed at http://www.igbonline. org/YellowstoneMortalityReport20 08draft1.pdf.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department assumed management of grizzly bears in 2007, after the bears were removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species. Today, Wyoming is managing grizzlies in cooperation with the Yellowstone Grizzly Coordinating Committee, a group of state, federal, tribal, and local representatives overseeing grizzly bears throughout the Yellowstone ecosystem.

For more information about grizzly bears in Wyoming, visit: /wildlife/ grizzlymanagement/index.asp.

JUNE 2009

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RMEF Praises Wolf Delisting in Idaho, Montana RMEF

Absolutely The Easie Easiest st Way To Move Game, Pa Packs, cks, Traverse Rough Country and Go Around Gates I have used ‘Neet-Kart’ during the past three Montana hunting seasons. The cart easily allowed me to transport three 150 pound plus elk halves on three 2-mile round trips in one day by myself. The cart when loaded is a breeze to balance and walks right over downed trees and rocks with minimal effort. On eastern Montana hunts for deer and antelope, the sealant-filled tire tubes performed in cactus and thorn country without any flats.

Big game animals can be hauled cross-country faster with ..Neet Kart.’ than with a horse. I wish I had the cart 30 years ago. - Doug Bolender. Kalispell. MT “The Easy Way Out...& Back”

Continue To Your Favorite Hunting Area Area Behind The Gate & Carry No Weight

A

merica is well past the day when keystone predators can be left unmanaged. That’s why the May 4 formal delisting of gray wolves in Idaho and Montana is drawing praise from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, as well as encouragement for the same action in Wyoming.

“We’re pleased with the partial delisting and glad to see wolf management authority turned over to state wildlife agencies in Idaho and Montana.

Management is a modern necessity‹ we don’t live in a zoo and this isn’t the old West,” said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO. Allen explained that conservation today means managing habitat, prey and predators together, on balance with biological and cultural carrying capacities, rather than a piecemeal mishmash of independent components and objectives.

It’s all tied together. Delisting wolves brings true conservation a step closer to the northern Rockies.

“We must work together to ensure that Wyoming also gains the ability to manage wolves in concert with its other species and habitat programs,” said Allen.

In March, the RMEF board of directors updated and added urgency to the organization’s longstanding position on wolves, which supports state regulated, ethical hunting of restored wolf populations.

Allen said wolves are an organizational concern because of their impacts on local elk herds, elk hunting success and participation, livestock and landowners, rural economies and the Elk Foundation’s own ability to facilitate collaborative conservation in the future.

Since launching 25 years ago, RMEF has helped protect or enhance more than 5.5 million acres of habitat for elk and other wildlife. Elk populations nationwide have increased dramatically, but over the past 10 years have not fared as well in parts of the northern Rockies. Authority to manage predators will give state biologists another tool for better conservation in the future.

BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 19

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Beckman Wildlife Management Area: The Man, The Land, The Plan

BY TRACY WATT

Just outside the small town of Denton, Montana lies a sportsman’s dream – over 6,500 acres of pristine mule deer habitat that is open to the public.

And there are stories behind it – at least three. The first is the sportsman with the dream, LeRoy Byron Beckman; then there is the land itself, the Judith River breaks in central Montana; and finally, there is the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP), entrusted with the care of both the land and the dream.

The first story, that of LeRoy Beckman, has been told in numerous Montana newspaper accounts since his passing almost a decade ago. In short, he was the type of man who would probably be mad that his story is being told. But it is one of such character and inspiration that it cannot go unwritten.

Beckman was a hunter

who he kept an old deer head mount on his wall, even though one of the eyes had popped out. He also was a shrewd investor, though he kept his stocks and papers in old orange crates around his small Great Falls home. An intelligent fellow, Beckman enjoyed reading and arguing politics. He led a frugal life, indulging only in hunting and oil expeditions.

According to Jim Luoma, a friend of Beckman’s for over 20 years, “LeRoy’s favorite thing to do was chase mule deer. His last deer was a four-point buck about 22” wide. Petty good buck for a man in his 80’s.

“In his younger days, LeRoy liked to go to Alaska for a month or two in the spring or fall. He got quite a few bears. He wanted me to go to Africa with him, but I’m kind of a family guy and,” Luoma added, laughing, “I’m not a millionaire.”

That’s right, although very few people knew it, LeRoy Beckman was a millionaire.

When he was in his mid to late 80’s and beginning to wane, Beckman approached Jim McDermand to help make connections and work out the details of what must have been a long thought out dream. At the time, McDermand was a member of the Montana Public Lands Access Association and the Montana Wildlife Federation. His story of their first meeting seems to typify Beckman: “He drove up to my house in an old green forest service truck with a spare tire bolted to the roof, wearing greasy overalls. He was hard of hearing so you had to shout. We talked about all his plans right there in my living room Beckman wanted to leave his money to help perpetuate conservation for mule deer so that sportsmen could forever continue the pursuit. Beckman not only wanted to leave his liquid assets, but also almost 1,000 acres of land he owned just north of Great Falls, Montana.

Part 1 of a 2 part series. Part 2 of this story will be published in our July issue.

20 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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JUNE 2009

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How The Montana Fishing Log Program Helps FWP

BY DIANE TIPTON, MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS STATEWIDE INFORMATION OFFICER

S

ince 1951, some anglers have kept diaries of their angling experiences for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

In the beginning, about 350 dedicated anglers took on this volunteer job. Today, nearly 850 anglers participate in the Fishing Log Program.

Their fishing trip statistics are available on the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov on the Montana Fisheries Information System on the Fishing home page.

Fisheries biologists use the fishing log information for a variety of purposes.

“With 450 lakes and more than 3,000 miles of streams in FWP Region 1 alone, there is no way biologists can get to every water body and monitor it. But anglers spread out across the region and the state to fish. Records of their trips and what they caught are invaluable to us,” said Jim Vashro, FWP regional fisheries manager in northwest Montana and a 33-year participant in the Fishing Log Program.

For example, at one time anglers said they were concerned that fishing was declining on the South Fork of the Flathead River. Vashro turned to the fishing log data and combined with

FWP monitoring from the mid-1980s he documented a decline in the average size of cutthroat trout. The fishing log data played an important role in the rationale for more restrictive regulations and improved FWP management of this popular fishery. “ Angler log data on some water bodies goes back more than 50 years. It gives us an historical view of angling on these waters,” said Vashro said.

In another example, anglers that fish Georgetown Lake reported that the fish they caught seemed much smaller. By examining the fishing logs back into the 1950s, Vashro established that the average size of rainbow trout caught at Georgetown Lake had dropped from 14 inches down to 12 inches. But there were more four-pound rainbows caught before fishing pressure picked up and, of course, any good angler is going to remember the big fish more than the average fish caught.

Fishing-log keepers record their fishing activities in a small bound booklet issued by FWP that fits easily in a coat or pants pocket. Anglers note the date, locations fished, species, average size and number of fish caught, and other miscellaneous information such as the weather, water quality and more. Each

fishing log participant has a number that identifies his or her contributions. Vashro notes that his old fishing logs help him identify successful past dates, locations and techniques so he can better plan future fishing trips.

A new Web application makes it easy for FWP biologists to access fishing log information and use it to supplement the formal monitoring and data collection efforts of the agency.

FWP recalls the logs annually to record the anglers’ data and process it. In exchange, participants receive a personal computer summary of their previous year’s data, their previous year’s log book is returned and they get a new decal, logbook and the current FWP Annual Fishing Newsletter.

To enroll in the Fishing Log Program, go to the FWP Web site at fwp. mt.gov on the Fishing Guide page and select Fishing Log Program. Or, submit your name, address and phone number to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Fisheries Division, PO Box 200701, 1420 East 6 th Ave., Helena, MT 59620-0701, or by e-mail:fwpfsh@mt.gov ; or phone: (406) 444-2449.

Fishing Log Fun Facts •The 10 fish-log participants who recorded the most fish caught during the summer of 2007 averaged 859 fish each.

•The 10 fish-log participants who recorded the most fish caught during the winter of 2007 averaged 522 fish each.

•The Missouri River was the waterbody most frequently fished by fish-log participants throughout the summer, followed in order by Canyon Ferry Reservoir, Fort Peck Reservoir, Holter Reservoir, Bighorn River, Flathead Lake, Yellowstone River, Big Hole River, Rock Creek and Tiber Reservoir.

•The Missouri River was most frequently fished by log participants throughout the winter, followed in order by the Bighorn River, Pishkun Reservoir, Nelson Reservoir, Canyon Ferry Reservoir, Little Bitterroot Lake, Bitterroot River, Holter Reservoir, Madison River, and Flathead Lake.

•

ON-LINE AT WWW.OUTDOORSMONTANA.COM •

BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 21

Fishing With The Captain MARK WARD

J

une is here and the kids are ending another school year time to be thinking about a summer vacation destination. With family and kids fishing trips, there also should be educational trips as you all learn about the area you are going too.

There is one area in Montana that you might not readily think of for that, but is a great place to head and probably not too far a distance from where you live. That place is northwest corner of Montana.

The scenery in the northwest part of the state is as breathtaking as you will see anywhere in the world. The US Army Corp of Engineers dammed up the Kootenai River, whose headwaters start in Canada approximately 42 miles, then flow into Montana and hit Libby Dam, which was completed in 1971.

The dam, located north of Libby, formed a 90-mile lake called Lake Koocanusa. The name Koocanusa came about by combining the name of the Kootenai River, Canada, and the USA. As you might imagine this reservoir holds a lot of water with depths as deep as 300 plus feet at its deepest point. Lake Koocanusa is home to small silver salmon 6 to 12 inches in length, burbot, and a variety of trout.

Bull trout, which seem to be abundant in the lake, are catch and release for anglers. The rainbow trout of the Kamloops strain are probably what attracts most anglers from all over to the lake because of their size and beautiful color.

Kamloops will run as big as 20 pounds out of the lake but a more common catch can be expected to come in at 8 to 10 pounds.

Boat anglers use planer boards to get the lure or bait offering away from the boat. Many anglers use smelt or a variety of rapalas that resemble a kokanee salmon. In fact while you are trolling as you look out over the water it not unusual to see kokanee salmon jumping out the water trying to escape being eaten by a Kamloops trout.

Last month, the annual Trout and Salmon derby was held and the winning angler caught a Kamloops trout that weighed just over 8 pounds. The two-day trout and salmon derby was held out of Koocanusa Resort and Marina.

The derby boasted more than 200 boats entered and all the anglers had a great time thanks to the friendly and helpful folks at the marina.

Fishing, sightseeing, and boating Lake Koocanusa is a great place to spend a family vacation.

Then, on your way back, if you still have the urge to explore check out all the lakes on Highway 2 between Libby and Kalispell. From Bitterroot Lake to Ashley Lake to the Thompson Lakes and McGregor Lake, you will sure to find good campgrounds and some great fishing during the month of June.

For more information to plan a trip to this beautiful area call 406-293-7474 or log onto www.koocanusaresort.com.

Mark Ward is known as the Captain of the Montana Outdoor Radio Show heard statewide every Saturday from 6am - 8am.

GET YOUR 2009 FISHING LICENSE AND REGULATIONS HERE!

Log onto www.montanaoutdoor.com to find a radio station in your area. You can also read his weekly column in the Thursday Missoulian Outdoor section.

SPORTING GOODS, MONTANA STYLE STAN WOLF, GEORGE EARLE, AND RYAN COMER WITH THE WINNING FISH AT THE LAKE KOOCANUSA DERBY THIS YEAR PHOTO COURTESY MARK WARD

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22 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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JUNE 2009

Montana Pheasants Forever License Plate Available July 1st PF Proceeds from sales of PF license plates go to Montana PF State Habitat Fund

Conservation Corner: “Where’s A Hen To Nest?”

BROUGHT TO YOU BY PHEASANTS FOREVER

W

“

here’s a hen to nest?”

Look around the farm and roadsides. See any standing grass from last year? The hen pheasant is looking too for an idle grassy area. If last year was dry, or nearly every blade of grass was cut, where can the hens nest? Alfalfa fields may be the only cover available.

But the alfalfa’s peak nutritional value is reached during the last few days of egg incubation, so swathing will destroy 90% of the nests. Thanks to the federal CRP program, many acres of residual grass are available to the hens this spring, and fewer hens will have to rely on the alfalfa fields.

But as our CRP acres have aged without management, they provide little to attract a hen to nest. Mid-Contract Management preformed on CRP acres in the form of controlled burning, mowing or chemical treatment, followed by inter-seeding a legume mixture return these grasslands to optimal nesting and brood rearing cover.

Contact your local NRCS office to learn more about cost-share opportunities to turn your CRP field back into a pheasant honey hole!

Hens prefer grass fields that 1) are 20 acres, 2) have been idle for less than 5 years, and 3) have last year’s dead grass standing upright. In South Dakota more hens will nest (per acre) in a 20 acre field than anything smaller or larger. As the idle stand ages, dead grass lodges and becomes too thick. Mow or graze the stand every 5 years to get rid of the dead litter. Mow or graze more frequently if the grass does not stand well under winter snows. Brome grass falls easily under snow, and must be managed more frequently than native grass which stands well under snow.

“Incubate a Full Nest” A pheasant hen will begin laying one egg in the nest each morning. The hen will NOT start sitting on the nest until it is full (12 to 14 eggs). So for 12 or more days the eggs are not protected from the weather. Temperatures over 92 degrees or near freezing will kill the eggs because the hen is not protecting them. So why doesn’t the hen sit on her nest earlier?

Skunks, raccoons, and foxes, that’s why!

You see, spring weather that is too hot or too cool threatens nests only once every few years, but predators threaten nests every year. If the hen did sit on the first egg laid in the nest, that egg would hatch 12 days before the last egg laid. That gives a raccoon 12 days to find the nest and chicks. So the hen waits until all eggs are laid before starting to incubate, so they all hatch at the same time. Then she can quickly take the chicks away from the stinky nest before a predator can smell and find them.

To learn more about Pheasants Forever in your area, visit: www.montanapf.org or contact Jon at 406-396-135

B

eginning July 1st, Montana residents will be able purchase a new specially-designed Pheasants Forever (PF) Montana license plate. Proceeds from sales of the PF license plates will go directly to that Montana PF State Habitat Fund The Montana PF license plates, which feature a ring-necked rooster and PF’s logo, are available through the Montana Title and Registration Bureau for a renewal donation fee of $35. The license plate design can be seen at www.MontanaPF.org.

By purchasing a PF license plate, individuals will show their support for PF and make a financial contribution to the organization’s wildlife habitat mission. In fact, since the first Montana PF chapter formed in 1987, the state’s 18 chapters and 2,000 members have raised and spent over $2.3 million to complete nearly 1,000 habitat projects, conserving, restoring and enhancing 33,000 Montana acres for pheasants and other wildlife. Individuals who purchase the PF license plate and complete an on-line form at www.MontanaPF.org in the first year will be placed in a special gun raffle.

“The secret is out that Montana is home to some excellent upland hunting opportunities,” said Jon Lee, a Missoula, Montana resident who serves on PF’s National Board of Directors, “But none of that is possible without quality habitat, and the Montana Pheasants Forever license plate is another unique way to provide the funding necessary to preserve, restore and enhance upland habitat in Big Sky Country.”

For more information about Pheasants Forever in Montana, contact Jon Lee at (406) 721-9919 or via e-mail at Jon@MontanaPF.org Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

Missoula Resident Named To PF’s National Board Of Directors PHEASANTS FOREVER

P

heasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever announce Jon Lee of Missoula, Montana and Dick Bell of Omaha, Nebraska have been elected as new members to the organization’s National Board of Directors. The 18-member board meets quarterly and oversees the operations of Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF).

Lee served as the president of the Five Valleys Chapter of PF in Missoula from 2003 until earlier this year. He serves as chair of PF’s Montana Grassroots Conservation Campaign leadership team, and he helped develop a Montana PF

license plate – coming this July – that will raise funds for PF initiatives in Montana.

Before relocating to Montana, Lee was a member of the Anoka County Chapter of Pheasants Forever near the Twin Cities.

Serving as banquet chair of the Anoka chapter for six years, he helped the chapter become one of the largest PF chapters in the country (in total members) and earned Minnesota PF’s Dedication Award in 2001.

Lee is the president and owner of Lee & Company PC, CPA’s in Missoula and has been a certified public accountant for 19 years.

JUNE 2009

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ON-LINE AT WWW.OUTDOORSMONTANA.COM •

BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 23

2010

2-GUNS-A-WEEK RAFFLE Brought to you by the Montana Habitat Fund

Total Value Of Prizes ~$70,000

1 GUN FOR EVERY 29 TICKETS! 104 guns in 52 weeks!

Your raffle ticket costs just 48¢ per drawing!

100% of funds generated from the raffle will remain in Montana to be used to support the Pheasants Forever mission (public land acquisitions, habitat development, youth education, etc).

Tickets Available from your local PF chapter or by sending $50 per ticket (payable to Pheasants Forever) to P.O. Box 2157 Missoula MT 59806.

Visit www.montanapf.org for mail-in form.

Phone Jon at (406) 396-1350 for more details.

www.montanapf.org Every raffle ticket sold will be included. 104 separate drawings for the listed firearms (2 of each on the list). Each week starting 1/4/2010 there will be 2 drawings.

Maximum of 3,000 tickets to be sold. You could win several guns on a single ticket!

24 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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ON-LINE AT WWW.OUTDOORSMONTANA.COM

JUNE 2009

Hunting And Conservation News Hunting & Conservation News Proudly Sponsored By

Allied Waste

Montana Inventory State Trails Advisory Committee Members Of Waterbirds Needs Your Help Sought MFWP MFWP MFWPs is seeking eight new State Trails Advisory Committee members for three-year terms. Applicants must have experience in at least one the M ontana, in cooperation following activities: cross-country skiing, with many other western states, is doing a survey and study of breeding waterbird populations and where they are located.

The survey, to be carried out by volunteers and paid technicians, will be used to develop long-term monitoring of the population size, trends and locations of popular birds such as Clark’s grebe, Franklin’s gull, the white faced ibis, and great blue heron colonies.

“In the western U.S., including Montana, we need to determine how our waterbird populations are doing overall, what conservation issues the birds face and what actions will be the most effective in the coming years,” said Catherine Wightman, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks avian biologist and all-bird conservation coordinator.

The two-year, priority avian project is being coordinated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and implemented in the state by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks during 2009, 2010, and 2011.

“We need volunteers to conduct one day surveys around the state, and we will train them and reimburse for mileage,” Wightman said. “Volunteers and paid technicians will visit nesting areas once during late incubation, primarily during June.

Montana Audubon and the MT Bird Conservation Partnership are partners in the project.

Wightman said those interested in volunteering can learn more on the Montana Audubon Web site, or by e-mail to: cwightman@mt.gov ; or by phone: 406-490-2329.

hiking, snowmobiling, or off-road 4X4 truck driving.

The State Trails Advisory Committee advises the agency on the expenditure of about $1.2 million of Recreational Trails Program funds, discusses recreational trails issues and recommends solutions to trails issues.

Committee members represent interests including: hiking, cross-country skiing, bicycling, horseback riding, off-highway motorcycle riding, ATV riding, snowmobiling and 4X4 truck driving.

To apply, send a letter or e-mail that includes: your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address if available, a description of the types of trail activities in which you participate and how often, keeping in mind that FWP is seeking individuals with broad recreational trail background, your involvement with trail projects and programs, the names of trail organizations to which you belong, other talents and experience you would bring to the committee, and your philosophy and perspectives regarding recreational trails use.

Applications may be mailed to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, State Trails Programs, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701; or e-mailed to: sgilbert@mt.gov.

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. July 3. For more information, call: 406- 444-7642; or e-mail: sgilbert@mt.gov.

Region 6 Citizens Living With Advisory Council Wildlife Grants Seeks Members Available MFWP MFWP Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is offering $65,000 in funding Fish, Wildlife & Parks is for projects that address seeking applications to fill five volunteer positions on the Region 6 Citizen Advisory Council (CAC).

The panel of volunteers typically meets three or four times a year.

The group provides input and guidance to FWP on a diverse array of issues -- from wildlife and fisheries management to access, recreation and law enforcement.

Members can serve for up to two consecutive, three-year terms, and meals and travel expenses are provided. The public meetings are held in various communities around the Region.

Applicants are being sought to fill five potential vacancies created by members currently serving from Glasgow, Fairview, Malta and Dagmar. Although applicants will be considered from across Region 6, residents of these communities are encouraged to apply.

Applicants will be asked to provide an overview of their interests and involvement in natural resource issues and write a few sentences on why they are interested in serving on the CAC. To obtain an application, either call FWP at (406) 228-3700, e-mail Judy Elletson at jelletson@mt.gov, or stop by the Region 6 office at 54078 U.S. Highway 2 West in Glasgow.

Completed applications must be received by FWP by June 15, 2009.

Candidates will be selected by a panel comprised of FWP managers, members of the public, and incumbent CAC members. Successful applicants should be prepared to attend their first CAC meeting in the fall.

The Region 6 CAC’s next regular meeting will take place from 1 to 5:30 p.m. on June 2 at the Fort Peck Fish Hatchery. A pre-meeting tour of the hatchery will be offered from 12:30 to 1 p.m.

Agenda items include a presentation on statewide prairie dog research, new laws stemming from the 2009 Legislature, program updates from FWP managers, and a roundtable discussion. As always, the public is invited to attend.

human-wildlife conflicts in urban and suburban settings.

Project proposals are due in Helena by June 30, and the grants will be awarded in July.

FWP’s “Living With Wildlife” grant program promotes the successful coexistence of people and wildlife. The program emphasizes local involvement, partnerships, cost sharing, and prevention, or solutions designed to address human-wildlife conflicts.

“FWP administers the grants, but other agencies, local governments, organizations, and private citizens will be asked to develop and implement most of the successfully funded projects,” said Joe Weigand, FWP’s landowner/wildlife resource specialist.

Weigand said communities are encouraged to team up with FWP on projects that seek local solutions to often complex situations. Projects may involve: -Identifying specific “Living With Wildlife” needs.

-Encouraging local partnerships with other agencies, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, teachers and private citizens.

-Developing information that helps individuals and local communities make informed decisions and responsible choices.

-Preventing problems from occurring.

-Reducing current demands on other FWP resources for responses to situations better managed through “Living With Wildlife.”

Grant applications are available by writing to: “Living With Wildlife” Attn: Joe Weigand, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 1420 East Sixth Ave., P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.

Applications are available by e-mail at joweigand@mt.gov , or by going to the FWP Web site at fwp. mt.gov under Living With Wildlife.

JUNE 2009

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 25

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Go Online To Help Monitor Elkhorn Elk Populations MFWP observations visit With the coming of spring, FWP’s WebTo submit site at fwp.mt.us . Click “ MFWPs and the Elkhorn Working Group are inviting landowners, hunters, hikers and others who enjoy the Elkhorn Mountains southeast of Helena to help monitor the area’s elk and other wildlife.

“We’re specifically asking the public to provide information on the numbers and location of elk they see to aid in FWP’s official winter-trend counts,” said Quentin Kujala, chief of FWP’s Wildlife Management Bureau in Helena.

The Elkhorn Working Group specifically hopes to get elk numbers and distribution information from landowners and other members of the public in Hunting District 380. The effort won’t replace the official census wildlife managers take in January and February, but it is intended to enhance or assist that information. Observations and comments related to other wildlife, weeds and forage conditions are also welcome.

For Hunters ,” then click “Report Elkhorn Observations” to answer 11 questions and submit an observation report.

FWP will collect public observations for a full year and share a final report next spring with the Elkhorn Working Group, a committee formed to recommend and advise natural resource agencies on wildlife and livestock management strategies.

The area encompasses National Forest lands, BLM lands, Montana school trust lands, and private in holdings. Well known for prime big-game habitat, the Elkhorn Mountains also provide grazing lands for livestock within a landscape that attracts a diverse range of recreational uses—from hunting, fishing, hiking, and climbing to camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, skiing, motorized recreation, and wildlife viewing.

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n Archery & Bowhunting Camp Experience like no other.

This camp is designed to develop and strengthen archery, bowhunting, and outdoor skills, and to see each participant draw closer to God through their camp experience.

3-D Archery, Shooting Form & Technique, Bowhunting Skills & Tactics, Hunting Safety, Treestand Placement, Novelty Shoots, Game Calling Clinics led

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Dates: June 28 – July 1, 2009 Location: Thompson Lake Baptist Camp – Libby, MT *The camp is available to boys ages 10 – 14 The cost is $150.00 per camper.

Space is limited. Call Brodie Swisher for more details at 406-214-9535, e-mail brohunts@yahoo.com or visit www.BroOutdoors.com.

FWP Seeks Information On Whitetailed Buck Poached Near Whitehall MFWP

M

ontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is asking for the public’s help with the investigation of a white-tailed buck shot on the night of April 26 on Highway 2 east of Whitehall.

FWP received information about the incident from an area landowner.

Anyone with any information about this poaching incident is encouraged to call FWP Warden Justin Gibson at 406-439-4017 or 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800- 847-6668 ).

Callers can remain anonymous or confidential and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1000, upon conviction of the individual(s) responsible for these crimes.

26 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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ON-LINE AT WWW.OUTDOORSMONTANA.COM

JUNE 2009

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JUNE 2009

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 27

2009 Fishing Regulation Changes Of Note MFWP

M

ontana’s general fishing season officially opened the third Saturday in May. Eager anglers have been digging out their tackle boxes, throwing out dried up bait and scouting for new lures at sporting goods stores.

This is also an excellent time to pick up a copy of the 2009 Fishing Regulations.

If you don’t have your copy yet, here is a quick preview of some notable changes.

When fishing for bull trout under the special limited opportunity available in Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 1 anglers must now select only one of two areas to fish—Lake Koocanusa or Hungry Horse Reservoir, and the South Fork of the Flathead River. This is a regulated and experimental bull trout angling season. Swan Lake is still open to angling for bull trout without a special permit.

To fish for bull trout anglers must have in their possession at the site a valid bull trout catch card for the specific water

they intend to fish. The catch cards are free of charge and available at the FWP Region 1 office in Kalispell.

Applications are at the FWP Region 1 office or available online at fwp. mt.gov. Federal rules prohibit the attempted take of bull trout unless specifically authorized by a state or tribal regulation.

On the Blackfoot River, new regulations to protect spawning bull trout require that artificial lures be used when fishing the mouths of tributaries to the Blackfoot River.

On the Yellowstone River the only catch and release snagging for paddlefish is at the Intake Fishing Access Site. Harvest snagging of paddlefish on the Yellowstone River and the Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam is allowed only on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from May 15 to June 30—or until the season is closed by FWP. The 2009 fishing regulations book is available at FWP offices and license providers and in electronic format on the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov.

Join Triple W Equipment As They Celebrate The Grand Opening Of Their New Missoula Location T

riple W Equipment of Missoula invites you to celebrate their Grand Opening Celebration on Friday, June 12th and Saturday, June 13th from 10am to 5pm.

Activities during the celebration include lunch from 10 - 2, a Ride and Drive event, drawings for door prizes, a kid’s ride and drive event (with pedal toys), and factory representatives on hand to answer questions.

Triple W Equipment now has over 50,000 sq. feet at their new Missoula location. 10,000 sq. feet of the space is devoted to their show room and sales.

Triple W Equipment is proud to represent a broader line of John Deere products than any other

dealership, which is why their motto is “If it’s a John Deere, it’s at Triple W.” Triple W Equipment carries Agricultural, Construction, Forestry, CWP, C&CE Golf And Turf And Hitatchi products.

Triple W Equipment representative Glen Richards says, “This facility represents our commitment to the future of John Deere here in Western Montana and we intend to do another new facility in Kalispell in the next 5 years.”

Please join Triple W Equipment as they celebrate the Grand Opening of their new Missoula location.

28 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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ON-LINE AT WWW.OUTDOORSMONTANA.COM

JUNE 2009

Rocky Mountain States Gearing Up For Kokanee Fishing

BY MARTIN KOENIG, IF&G

The warm weather may finally be here to stay, and to many anglers across the state, warm weather means kokanee fishing.

With kokanee fisheries scattered across the state, opportunities abound for anyone to experience these exciting game fish. But before talking about catching kokanee, let’s review the basics of kokanee biology.

Kokanee are land-locked sockeye salmon and are found in many lakes and reservoirs across Idaho. Their native range spans from the Columbia River basin to Alaska and includes Idaho. They are also one of the state’s most colorful game fish.

During spring and summer, kokanee have bright silvery sides, blue-green shiny backs and lack spots entirely. In the fall, as mature kokanee prepare to spawn, they become bright red with green heads. Males develop a humped back and a long snout with prominent teeth.

Kokanee often migrate into rivers and streams to spawn, but some populations build their nests on gravelly lake shorelines. They prefer cold, clear lakes with water temperatures from 50 to 60 degrees.

They can be found near the surface early in the summer, but they tend to move into deeper waters as temperatures rise. In mid to late summer, kokanee are often found at 30 to 60 feet or more in their search for cold water and the best supply of zooplankton. Kokanee feed mainly on zooplankton, which are microscopic invertebrates that drift in the water column.

Fish and Game stocks kokanee annually in lakes and reservoirs that do not produce kokanee naturally or in places where natural spawning may not produce enough fish to sustain sport fishing demands.

Yet managing kokanee fisheries is tricky. Kokanee size and catch rates in each lake must be monitored. If numbers are too low, kokanee size may be great, but catch rates will be correspondingly low.

High kokanee numbers can result in short food supplies, meaning kokanee don’t grow well - average size declines, though catch rates can be high. A balance between too few and too many kokanee is needed to maintain a quality fishery.

Kokanee are typically stocked as 4-inch fingerlings and often grow rapidly.

For example, in Lucky Peak Reservoir near Boise, kokanee reach 10 to 13 inches after just one year and 14 to 17 inches after two years, at which point they typically spawn.

Some fish will live a third year and reach 18 to 20 inches, but these fish are rare.

Near Idaho Falls, Ririe Reservoir kokanee grow more slowly and typically reach 12 to 14 inches after two years. They often live to three years before spawning.

Kokanee fishing starts to turn on in the weeks approaching spring and continues to be good through early summer. Kokanee are caught mainly from boats while trolling. Finding the fish often requires a depth finder to locate schooling kokanee. Look for kokanee around large points, across the face of dams and off the mouth of any major spawning tributary.

Typical kokanee lures include a variety of spinners and spoons, in colors such as reds, pinks, fluorescent orange and others. Visit your local tackle shop for recommendations on the best lures for the water you plan to visit.

Two of the most important aspects of trolling for kokanee are depth and speed.

Getting your lure to the depth of the fish is best done with the aid of a downrigger. This can also be accomplished using colored lead-core trolling lines or varying amounts of rubber-core sinkers in front of your terminal tackle. Adjust the weights for the given trolling speed until you get the right depth. Experiment to get the right speed depending on your lure and line setup - 1 to 1.2 mph is a good place to start.

Most folks like to troll their lure with some flashy pop gear or a dodger to attract fish and increase strike potential.

Adding some scent or bait to your lure - white shoepeg corn is a favorite - may also increase odds of hooking a fish. Later in the summer, kokanee form tight schools in preparation for their spawning run, and vertically jigging spoons can be productive.

Kokanee are prized for their hard fight and because they make excellent table fare. Once you’ve caught your first kokanee, you’ll know why they are so popular with anglers.

Martin Koenig is a research fisheries biologist in the Southwest Region.

Spotlighting Grangeville Poacher Sentenced With the white-tailed deer in his spotlight, William Gerten, 24, of Grangeville, shot it several times with a .22-caliber rifle on a cold night about a week before Christmas in 2008.

He hit the deer, but he didn’t kill it. Using the rifle as a club, he beat the deer to death, breaking the stock on its head.

Nearby, an off-duty Idaho Fish and Game senior conservation officer was on a hunting trip. As he peered out of his tent near the South Fork of the Clearwater River, the officer, Randy Martinez, noticed spotlights working a hill.

He alerted George Fischer, the district conservation officer in Grangeville of the suspicious activity. Fischer contacted Idaho County Sheriff’s Deputy Zack Nichols, who was closer to the area, and asked him to respond.

Meanwhile, Martinez drove down the remote road and got a license plate number from the suspect vehicle as it passed through the area.

Gerten must have realized he was in trouble. He threw the deer, spotlights and rifle off a cliff to get rid of the evidence - too late.

Nichols arrived a short time later, and he and Martinez discovered a fresh warm gut pile in the 10-degree night near the area where Martinez had seen the spotlights.

Fischer knew the vehicle and the residence where it was usually parked in Grangeville. He coordinated with Grangeville Police Officer Wes Walters to watch for the vehicle.

Shortly after 1 a.m. Gerten’s pickup truck was located at the residence.

He denied any hunting activity that night.

But Fischer noticed blood spatters in the back of the truck and shortly there after obtained a full confession.

Fischer, with Gerten’s help, located and salvaged the deer and the evidence shortly before the sun came up that morning. Gerten was cited December 16.

On January 9, 2009, Gerten pleaded guilty in Idaho Magistrate Court in Grangeville to killing a deer during a closed season, using a spotlight and exceeding the bag limit.

His sentence on the three charges included: -$1,799.00 in fines and restitution.

-Hunting privileges revoked for 10 years.

-90 days in jail, all but 10 days suspended.

-4 years probation.-Forfeiture of the firearm and spotlight used in the crime.

Chinook Season, Late Or Weak?

Ask Fish And Game: Q. Spring Chinook salmon fishing seasons opened April 25 on the Clearwater, the lower Salmon, Little Salmon and the Snake rivers.

So where’s the fish?

A. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission sets spring Chinook seasons based on preseason forecasts. But forecasts are just that. The actual numbers may be higher or lower. Salmon managers have not revised their forecasts yet, but some do not expect the run at Bonneville Dam to meet preseason predictions.

Others say the run is simply late and predict it will still come close to earlier expectations. As of May 3, about 240 Chinook salmon have been counted at Lower Granite Dam on their way to Idaho - the 10-year average for this date is more than 17,000. And about 38,396 fish have crossed Bonneville Dam- the 10-year average is about 107,389 fish. The preseason forecast predicted about 105,600 hatchery origin and almost 23,000 wild Chinook would return to Idaho. That would translate into \estimates of 13,341 fish available for nontribal anglers in the Clearwater River, 9,700 in the lower Salmon and Little Salmon, and 1,365 in the Snake River.

For an online preview of the Chinook salmon season on YouTube go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S86yoxrI9Wk.

JUNE 2009

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 29

Rocky Mountain States The Utah Wildlife Board Approves More Deer, Elk And Pronghorn Permits Lottery Held For Moose, Bighorn M ore cow elk, doe deer and “After flights this past winter, we doe pronghorn permits will be available estimate Utah’s elk population at 67,805 Sheep, Mountain Goat Licenses for hunts in Utah this fall. animals,” Aoude says. “That’s up about Members of the Utah Wildlife Board raised the number of permits at their May 7 meeting in Salt Lake City.

Their goal is to balance the number of elk, deer and pronghorn on various units in the state with the amount of habitat that’s available for the animals on those units.

You can apply for an antlerless big game permit starting June 1. You’ll know by July 14 whether you drew one.

DEER The DWR has conducted range trend surveys across Utah for decades.

Those surveys show that the habitat on most of the state’s deer units is in poor shape.

Four units in southern Utah — the Panguitch Lake, Paunsaugunt, Pine Valley and Zion — face an additional challenge: the number of deer on the units is over the population objective.

Those two factors — poor habitat and too many deer — could lead to a future decline in the number of deer on the units.

“We look at several factors when we set population goals for the state’s deer units,” Aoude says. “One of those factors is the amount of habitat that’s available.

We also look at the condition of the habitat.

“If the number of deer on a unit gets too large, the deer can damage the habitat, especially if the habitat is already in bad shape.”

The board approved a total of 1,775 doe deer permits for Utah’s 35 deer units and subunits.

DWR biologists recommended 500 more permits than the board approved.

ELK The number of elk in Utah continues to grow.

“Each winter, our biologists fly over different elk units to estimate how many elk are in the herds,” says Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

2,000 elk from the 65,880 elk we estimated during the winter of 2008.”

Aoude says the elk herds on the some of the state’s units are at or above their population goal.

PRONGHORN Just like the elk herds on many of the state’s units, the pronghorn population on the Plateau unit in southwestern Utah is also above its population objective.

After surveys this past winter, DWR biologists estimate the unit’s pronghorn population at 2,700 animals.

The goal for the unit is 1,500 pronghorn.

“The habitat on this unit can actually support more pronghorn than the population objective for the unit allows it to,” Aoude says. “That’s why this unit is always over objective.”

The board approved a total of 1,107 pronghorn permits for Utah’s 12 pronghorn units and subunits.

MOOSE Concerns about the public’s safety and damage to habitat are among the reasons the DWR has tried to reduce the number of moose in Utah.

Those efforts, and the harsh winter of 2007–2008, appear to have worked. Because moose are close to their population goal, the board approved fewer cow moose permits this year.

“We’ve offered more cow moose hunting permits over the past few years,” Aoude says. “We also worked with the Colorado Division of Wildlife to move 60 moose from the Ogden Valley to Colorado over the last few years.

“Surveys our biologists flew this winter show these efforts worked.”

For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR’s Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.

N

early 850 resident and nonresident hunters hit Wyoming’s version of the lottery jackpot last week with the completion of the annual drawings for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat licenses.

License draw coordinator Aaron Pelto said of 585 moose licenses were issued this year with 483 licenses issued to residents for overall drawing odds of 4.8 percent. Nonresidents received 102 licenses for a total drawing percentage of 7.4 percent.

For bighorn sheep, 240 total licenses were issued with 180 going to residents, resulting in drawing odds of 3.7 percent. Nonresident sheep hunters bucked even more difficult odds with 1,961 hunters putting in for 60 licenses with three percent drawing odds. Odds for individual hunters vary depending on hunt areas and number of preference points each hunter had before applying. Drawing odds for individual hunt areas and the quotas and numbers of points needed to draw for each area are posted on the Game and Fish web site.

By far, the most difficult license to draw was for mountain goat with 3,132 residents putting in for 15 licenses with a .47 percent chance of drawing.

Nonresident goat hunters fared a bit better with 439 hunters vying for five licenses for a 1.1 percent chance of drawing.

For moose and bighorn sheep, preference points have been available for 14 years, and hunters who have accumulated a number of preference points have a significantly better chance of drawing licenses. Wyoming issues 75 percent of moose and bighorn sheep licenses to those who have highest preference point totals and 25 percent of moose and bighorn sheep licenses are issued in a random drawing without regard to preference points. Preference points are not available for mountain goat licenses, but goat licenses are limited to one in a lifetime.

Hunters who did not apply this year still have an opportunity to purchase a preference point. Points are available on the Game and Fish Web site or through the mail between July 1 and Sept. 30.

30 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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Exofficio Men’s Long Sleeve Detour Shirt

Recommend Yes...Buy Highlights: We tested products from Exofficio a few seasons ago and liked the fishing outerwear. We contacted them this spring and are excited to have them back. The Men’s long sleeve Detour shirt is one of the pieces we received. Chris Stinson brutalizes every product we give him to test and fishing shirts are on the front lines. After 100 days on the water with approximately 30 to 40 days wearing the same shirt with washings in-between, the inside collar and inside cuffs began to stain so badly, it’s almost impossible to get them clean. In high temperatures, shirts absorb sweat, are continually wet, and then dry. The Detour is quick drying, ventilated in the back, and has 30+ for protection against UV rays. These features are standard on better fishing shirts and the Detour passes because it works and looks excellent.

Drawbacks: None Rating: Good Water...Great Tester: Pat Stinson, Chris Stinson Suggested Retail: $74.00

La Sportiva Hiking Shoes.

Recommend Yes...Buy Highlights: Last spring and summer, we received an assortment of looks and comments when we wore our La Sportiva hiking shoes. We tested the LYNX, EXUM River my personal favorite, and the SANDSTONE GTX-XCR. Each pair in both men’s and women’s has exceeded everyone’s expectations for comfort and durability. The EXUM and now the EXUM PRO were my personal favorites and the pair that received the most perplexing looks. La Sportiva, built its reputation in the climbing, mountain running shoes, and hardcore hiking boots categories. Many that observed our hiking shoes did not know they make great light hiking shoes for folks like us who do not consider climbing safe or sane. We are your typical short hikers and walk for exercise. The EXUM PRO new for 2009 and the one we are currently testing, maintains the technical advancements incorporated in the climbing and mountain running shoes and in a light hiker. The comfort and durability is outstanding, synthetic leather, UreTech reinforcements for high wear areas, and 14.3 oz per shoe. The EXUM PRO is running shoe technology in a hiking shoe.

Drawbacks: None Rating: Good Water...Great Tester: Pat Stinson Suggested Retail: $95.00

Coleman’s New Elite Weathermaster™ 6 Person Screened Tent

Recommend Yes...Buy Highlights: Coleman’s new Elite WEATHERMASTER™ 6 person screened tent has extraordinary features we have never seen in other tents tested. A remote controlled light, powered by 8 “D”cell batteries, hinged doors, and self rolling windows, just begin to give you an idea what the WEATHERMASTER™ offers the camper. This is opulence living for a night or week at your favorite campsite. We set up, and rain and snow pounded the WEATHERMASTER™, and not a drop of moisture entered the tent. The remote light had all our testers intrigued and from a distance of approximately 20 yards, and with a quick click the light came on. This is a 350 lumen light with 22 hours of light on low power. We were leery of the light, but it was unwarranted, 350 lumens are plenty of light and no need to leave the sleeping bag, just a quick click on the remote. The WEATHERMASTER™ measures 17’x 9’ with a screened area for a get away from annoying mosquitoes.

The sleeping area has plenty of room for three cots, no crawling in on your knees to sleep on a pad, good stuff, and outstanding price.

Drawbacks: None Rating: Good Water...Great Tester: All Suggested Retail: $289.99

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32 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 33

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’m just going to say it: For as much fun as prairie dog shooting can be, it should never be confused with hunting.

First, you don’t stalk these prairie rodents.

Instead, you rain down bullets from long distances. Second, because you don’t normally consume their meat or take their hide, it can’t be called hunting.

With that understanding, know that it’s a barrel of fun to shoot prairie dogs, and consistently hitting these open-country targets will make you a better shot come the fall’s big-game seasons.

But dwindling numbers of dogs and tighter restrictions on where and when you can shoot them means you’ll have to prepare for a destination shoot with all the planning and resources that you would devote to an October antelope or a November elk trip.

GO EAST If you want to shoot in Montana — Wyoming and South Dakota are better destinations for numbers of dogs — then you need to head east of Lewistown, and you should do it after July 1, when restrictions on federal land expire. You’ll find decent numbers south of Malta in Phillips County, but many dog towns on BLM land are in a population spiral, thanks to lethal outbreaks of plague.

Consider finding private landowners who will allow you to shoot, or head south of the Missouri River to find pockets of dogs on public land as far southeast as the Custer National Forest and BLM land around Broadus.

GO HEAVY Once you find good densities of dogs, you’ll want to set up for a weekend, at least. Most serious dog shooters bring a traveling armory of small-caliber rifles, and a minimum of 500 rounds of ammunition (some serious shooters will

shoot that in the first morning), swapping out rifles as their barrels heat.

The best shooting is in the still, clear air of morning. If you have to shoot later, hope for overcast skies and a slight breeze, both of which dissipate heat and minimize accuracy-eroding heat waves that turn Montana’s prairies into blurry mirages on hot summer afternoons.

Bring good optics and trade turns at the rifle with a spotter who can tell you where your bullet hits and how to adjust your hold to center punch the next dog. Because some shots are out past 300 yards, you need the ability to judge distance and wind speed.

USEFUL TOOLS If you do much prairie dog sniping, consider investing in a portable shooting bench. Caldwell’s Stable Table retails for around $200 and is a great aid to long-distance accuracy. For less than half that you can pick up a Shooters Ridge Portable Shooting Bench.

Also consider a handheld wind meter. The wind exerts an exponential effect on all bullets, but lightweight bullets are especially punished by the wind, pushing them far off the point of aim at long distances. Both Brunton and Caldwell make good wind-doping instruments for around $50.

Lastly, invest in a shooting rest.

Your old sandbags will do in a pinch, but for the price of about five boxes of shells you can get a rock-solid tactical rest that you can fine-tune for small changes in elevation.

After all, prairie dog shooting is fun, but it’s a lot more fun if you can consistently hit your targets, even those in the next ZIP code.

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FWP Reports More Prairie Dog Acres In Montana MFWP

B

lack-tailed prairie dogs inhabit more acres in Montana than previously thought, according to a report state wildlife officials recently submitted to the U.S. Fish and Widlife Service.

Information gathered from 36,000 miles of aerial surveys conducted last summer estimate that Montana has more than 193,800 acres—about 300 square miles—of active black-tailed prairie dog colonies.

“That’s a significant increase over a 90,000-acre estimate for Montana submitted to federal officials earlier this year by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ prairie dog conservation team,” said Lauri Hanauska-Brown, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ nongame bureau chief in Helena.

FWP submitted its information to the USFWS in response to a 2008 petition to list the black-tailed prairie dog as a threatened or endangered species.

Montana’s information will be considered among other states’ estimates as the USFWS determines if the black-tailed prairie dog warrants federal protection.

“FWP used the best science available to develop the statewide estimates of active and inactive areas of prairie dogs,” Hanauska-Brown said. “It’s a rigorous and accurate estimate that shows Montana’s

black-tailed prairie dog populations are secure.”

Hanauska-Brown noted that plague, a flea-borne wildlife disease known to affect prairie dog colonies, has been reported in Phillips, Garfield and Custer counties with suspected plague events in other counties. She also said that legal control of black-tailed prairie dog colonies continues to occur in Montana.

“While such conservation concerns exist, they appear to be limited in scope in Montana today,” Hanauska-Brown said. “All told, only about 32,000 acres, or 15 percent of Montana’s total black-tailed prairie dog colonies are vacant for various reasons at this time.”

“Montana has made great strides in grassland conservation including prairie dogs.” said Hanauska-Brown. “We want to be sure to continue that tradition and prevent the potential listing of other prairie species.”

In Montana, black-tailed prairie dogs are classified by statute as an agricultural pest by the Department of Agriculture. FWP considers them “species of concern” and continues to explore options to address the black-tailed prairie dogs’ conservation needs.

34 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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Early Season Kokanee

NEAL M. COTE BITEMEFLIES

Late May and early June is prime time for cashing in on one of the

FLATLINE Flatlining is used to describe a tactic where a lure or lure tipped with bait is worked in the top 10 feet of water the water column with none or very little weight. It is particularly adaptable to light tackle where 6- to 8-lb. test main line is common and is a method where the lure is let out behind the boat and trolled close to the surface.

Most anglers find trolling with one or two split shot up the line from a small Dodger with a short leader to a Jeweled Bead Spinner, Needlefish, Kokanee King, Midge Wobbler, Super Duper, or Wedding Ring Spinner a very effective kokanee technique when the fish are near the surface in the spring.

The flatline technique can also be used with good results in conjunction with floating or slow-sinking fly lines, utilizing 15 to 25 feet of 6 to 8 lb. test mono as leader and the same lures and split shot arrangement as suggested above. The most popular lure colors are Nickel/Red Head, Fire/Pearl, Rainbow and Pearl/Red Head. Trolled spoons, spinners or small plugs behind lake trolls such as the Beer Can or Ford Fender should be tipped with a small piece of worm, maggot, or white or yellow corn kernel.

out over the main basins. If that doesn’t pan out, try the face of the dam or off the mouth of a spawning tributary. More often best Kokanee bites of the season. Many than not, you’ll find fish in those places, but don’t ignore deepwater humps or lakes in Western Montana are great

destinations for these hard to catch fish. Here is a break down of the tactics and lakes that will fill your cooler with some tasty salmon fillets that are making my mouth water as I write this.

Salmon, Seeley, Placid, Mary Ronan, Lindberg, and Swan lakes are the top of the list, with many more around Kalispell.

Kokanee prefer water temperatures of 50° or colder, which is why many anglers fail to catch them later in the summer. Spring allows for these cooler water temperatures to attract Kokanee closer to the surface and closer to your offerings. Once you’ve located the right water temperature layer and a school of fish within that zone, kokanee can be caught with a variety of lures.

The key to successful trolling is, of course, to find the fish. Fortunately, kokanee salmon run in large schools, so they are pretty easy to locate with electronics. When you’re on an unfamiliar body of water, start your search in the main body of the lake

large points that extend well out into the main lake.

KOKANEE TROLLING TECH Trolling is the most consistently productive method for catching spring kokanee as you are able to cover a large area in a short period of time, locating the schools of fish most efficiently. In spring when kokanee are near the surface, flatlines without added weight and slow-sinking or floating fly lines often are used. While there are times when you can do well without them, I always begin the day kokanee fishing by running a small dodger ahead of my lure. Due to the popularity of kokanee trolling, many companies now make small trolling dodgers – Sep’s, Vance’s Tackle, Luhr Jensen and Shasta Tackle to name a few. As a dodger moves through the water, its flashy, side-to-side action will draw fish to your offering. That same motion can also add action to your lure, depending on how long your leader is.

a wire cable or shaft and a swivel on which to tie a leader. From the end of the troll a 4- to 8-lb. test leader should extent 18 to 36 inches back to the chosen lure.

These rigs appeals to several fish feeding instincts, providing flash and visual attraction and in the case of kokanee, the flash represents other fish feeding. When trolled, the blades act as attractors, kokanee follow the sound and flash to the source, spot the trailing lure and attack it.

Remember Kokanee have very delicate and tender mouths. Care must be taken in making sure the shock of the initial strike is absorbed by using a rubber snubber or a rod having a sensitive tip. Make sure kokes are played carefully and are landed with the aid of a net to prevent hooks from tearing out.

TROLLING THE CURVES Trolling in a straight line between two points is the least successful path you can take.

Consistent trolling results require that you do everything possible to keep from running that straight line. An “S” pattern between those two points will produce many more strikes and kokanee. Every time the lure or troll is on the inside of a swing of the boat, it YARD AND A HALFS will slow down and drop deeper in the Especially effective for kokanee in water. Each time it is on the outside medium to deep water or on days with of a curve it will speed up and rise in overcast skies. These can be flatlined the water. With each turn of your boat with the larger models geared for you will produce different speed and deeper running. The Ford Fender troll, vibration patterns from the lure you snubber, leader and No. 1 Rainbow are trolling. This will interest kokanee Needlefish or Beer Can and Dave more and get them to strike. Speed can Davis trolls are deadly for kokanee. be really important one day and just These rigs consists of a rudder at the so the next so experiment with slow front end which prevents line twist, a speeds and speeding up slowly until series of free-swinging blades on you find what the fish want.

JUNE 2009

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Blackfeet Nation Fishing

BY JOE ESPARZA

In the nearly fifteen years I’ve lived in Montana, one of the

were stocked in 2008 to much higher levels than in the past years, in some cases doubling the number of fish that things that’s been on my to-do list were stocked. This should pay off was: “I should go up north and fish handsomely in the future given the on the Blackfeet Reservation.” Like fish growth rate is approximately one many of you, I’ve heard of the moninch per month for the first two years ster rainbows that inhabit the lakes in the fishery. on the Blackfeet tribal lands. As the The day I fished with Joe I years have gone by, I just never got it landed four fish, ranging somewhere done. During this past winter, I vowed this year was going to be different, so in the 2-3 lb. range. As Joe said to me, “You don’t travel this far to catch 2 I contacted Joe Kipp of Morning Star lb. fish. Let’s go look for some bigger Outfitters. ones”. This fisherman was very happy Joe is member of the catching fish in the 2-3 lb. range!

Blackfeet tribe and guides both One of Joe’s clients who fisherman and hunters. Yes, nonfished the day before landed 50 of members can hunt on tribal lands, these rainbows! Why do I always hear, too—contact Joe at 406-338-2735 “Should have been here yesterday!” or Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife at He had a tough time casting as his arm 406-338-7207. Only members of the Blackfeet Nation are allowed to guide was still fatigued from fighting those on tribal lands. Joe was one of the first big rainbows.

Hiring a guide for one or two guides when the program was set up days can be a great way to learn the in 1985. He has a lot of experience lakes and how to fish them. This can and knows intricacies of fishing the also save you time and in the long run, lakes that will put you in the right money. It may also send you home place to catch these monster fish. with some fish instead of a stringer The Blackfeet Fishery took a of frustration. I know the day I spent hit during the drought years that led with Joe Kipp will be a memorable to many lakes being unfishable due one for me. The fishing was great, to low water conditions. The drought but so was the opportunity to explore kept pressure on the few lakes that were open and impacted the amount of the Blackfeet culture and visit some beautiful parts of the nation. Thanks trophy fish in the lakes.

Joe! However in 2007, a full If you fish without a guide, time fisheries biologist, Toby Taber, be prepared to bring all your gear— was hired to more closely monitor tippet, leader, weight, hooks, etc. the Blackfeet Fisheries. There are as the local IGA has a very limited more than 1,200 miles of streams amount of fishing equipment. There and 11,000 acres of lakes occurring are no fly shops located in Browning. on the tribal lands, so Toby has his hands full. One of the items on Toby’s However, Duck Lake Lodge has a agenda was to conduct a fishery popu- good assortment of locally tied flies and is located three miles from Duck lation survey on thirteen of the lakes on the Blackfeet Nation. As a result of Lake. Visit their website at www.montanasducklakelodge.com . this survey, many popular lakes such as Duck, Mitten, Mission, and Kip (continued on page 38)

BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 35

36 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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JUNE 2009

Hunting Public Land: Proven Strategies, Essential Skills

BY JACK BALLARD

AUTHOR’S SON WITH ANTELOPE TAKEN ON SMALL PIECE OF PUBLIC LAND

F

or hunters bumped from private land by changes in ownership, the prospect of conducting their sport with throngs of other folks on public land is often depressing.

Despite assumptions to the contrary, though, excellent hunting occurs on state, National Forest and other properties that host public hunting such as those participating in the Block Management Program. Here are some essential skills and proven strategies to improve your prospects no matter where you hunt.

1) Orientation and map skills -- Knowing exactly where you are can make a huge difference between filling an elk or deer tag or going home with nothing. Populations of both species are often migratory, descending from the heights of the mountains to winter in the valleys.

In many cases, these seasonal movements take animals from National Forests or other public lands to private holdings.

Oftentimes, targeting public acres near a public/private land boundary is an excellent strategy when animals are on the move or drifting back and forth. However, it’s the hunter’s responsibility to stay on public land. Many hunters avoid these areas as their fear of straying onto private land makes them leery.

But, with current maps and good orienting skills, there’s no excuse to trespass on private lands -and no reason to avoid the edges.

2) Bigger isn’t always better - Last season my son and I set out on a deer hunt. Wanting to try some new country, I studied my maps at home, then picked out a spot on National Forest land where I figured we’d find the doe I needed for venison jerky.

About 10 miles from our destination, we veered from the highway to a gravel road. Pulling to the side, I whisked out the map to re-check our route. As I did, I noticed the road passed through a section of state land en route to the mountains.

We bounced down the gravel, admiring pale cottonwood trunks and snow-capped peaks looming above dappled swatches of emerald forest on the mountains ahead. Suddenly I spied three deer screened by willows not far from the road.

One carried the rack of a dandy buck, so we stopped to peek. In the binoculars we admired his glossy coat and shining antlers. As we did, I realized we must be near the state land I’d seen on the map. In fact, we were right in the middle of it. Those deer bounded away, but we decided to hike up the hillside, to at least take a look around. Less than an hour later we were packing a doe to the pickup.

In general, it seems the closer small segments of public land lie to large blocks of acreage, the more likely they’ll be overlooked by hunters heading for bigger real estate. When entering such places, I park discreetly and head for terrain out of sight from the road to avoid advertising my presence to others. The goal isn’t so much to be sneaky as to minimize pressure in a location that could quickly become overrun with hunters.

3) Lose the crowds - Two simple facts of public land hunting are well documented by numerous research projects. The first indicates that most participants are unwilling to travel much more than one-half mile from their vehicle. The second shows that most game animals (especially elk) avoid locations where they’re disturbed by motors.

Detective Sherlock’s deductive skills certainly aren’t needed to link those conclusions.

Some folks, when advised to lose the crowds, immediately envision long hikes into roadless areas and quickly figure they’re not physically capable of the trek. As much as I enjoy that type of hunting, it’s not always necessary to find an elk. Even in well-traveled locations you can distance yourself from others if you put a new twist on your travels.

Almost without exception, hunters launch their forays from established trailheads and informal “parking” areas where vehicles tend to congregate year after year. However, there are always pockets of timbered habitat not far from the roads where elk hole up and few humans track the forest floor as they habitually hunt in other areas. Even if it means dropping a partner off in a spot where it’s not convenient to park and meeting later at another location, begin your hunts in places others avoid. Big, tan bodies dodge company in these niches of habitat as well -- with some luck you should find them.

4) Compete with classDepending on how you look at it, hunting is very much a competitive sport. Not only are you trying to best your quarry at a hide and seek game, your success may also depend on your ability to outperform other contestants.

One year, my older brother and I tramped the hills on a splendidly snowy morning, deer-hunting in a setting to which the words “winter wonderland” scarcely did justice. Not long into the morning, Jon jumped a buck. With an easy trail to follow, he figured he might catch up and get a shot. Sure enough, after a mile-long chase he spied the animal ahead. As he crept into position, a rifle cracked from just over the hill. Now he could see the deer plainly -- a large 5-point buck lying motionless with someone else’s bullet in its chest. Of course he was disappointed, but what could he do? Like any good competitor, he waved, straightened his shoulders and went back to hunting. His “win” came a few days later.

Liken hunting to competition and some folks get downright uneasy.

Competition in other sporting arenas brings to mind hot tempers, cutthroat tactics and other aggressive, antisocial behaviors that have no place in town, let alone in the outback where the “contestants” are carrying firearms.

Nonetheless, consistently successful hunters are keenly aware that others are also pursuing the same quarry. Those who succeed on a regular basis are those whose skills exceed their fellows. Hunters who hone their shooting abilities, learn everything they can about the animals they’re pursuing, and develop intimate knowledge of their neck of the woods have a decided advantage.

With a foothills ranch in my family and connections to other properties, I could hunt almost exclusively on private land. However, over 95% of my hunting occurs on habitat held in trust by fellow citizens.

On it I’ve met wonderfully helpful strangers, nurtured friendships, maintained family ties and brought home dozens of animals my household has eaten with thanksgiving.

Public lands are a great blessing to sporting citizens of this nation. The “greatest” hunters in America are those whose success on public land is only surpassed by their commitment to preserving its resources for the next generation.

JUNE 2009

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 37

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38 • BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE

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JUNE 2009

RIVER VIEW ESTATES LAND AUCTION TOWNSEND, MT. - JUNE 1 - 10, 2009

10.09 ACRES Starting At $29,900 Minimum Bid

Don’t let This Fish Get Away!

Lot A-2 36.2 Acres MLS#268797 Minimum Bid $59,900 Lot A-3 43.18 Acres MLS#268798 Minimum Bid $59,900 Lot B-1 10.09 Acres MLS#268799 Minimum Bid $29,900

Janet Sheffield Cell (406) 439-4521 Julie Millam Cell (406) 461-0871 Janet Sheffield Julie Millam

3 Lots Will Be Auctioned Off

Closed Bidding. Qualified Buyers Only.

Offers will be taken by a Buy Sell Contract which then will be presented to the Sellers at the end of the Auction June 10, 2009 where qualified bids will be awarded.

SEE VIRTUAL TOUR AT:

http://onlineforinfo.com/jj/river/

e-mail: janet@thelandmarkcompany.net e-mail: Julie@thelandmarkcompany.net

Blackfeet Nation Fishing Be sure to allow for time to purchase a tribal fishing license. These can be obtained from guides, Teeples IGA and Duck Lake Lodge.

If you plan on fly fishing take a sinking fly line. Not only will it help get your flies down to the fish, it

will also help you cast easier in the ever present wind. For flies, look at bringing black and brown leeches in sizes 2-6, scuds, and wooly buggers in an assortment of colors.

One thing is for sure: this country is wild, open and beautiful.

(continued from page 35)

It’s hard to find a better view than when fishing in one of 20 lakes that this area has to offer. So take the time to head up north and spend some time fishing on the Blackfeet Nation. I’ve never fished someplace I had a harder time leaving.

Joe is the owner of SportsmensAccess.com, a membership website that provides members with the most comprehensive database and mapping service in the state of Montana for hunting and fishing on public and private land.

South Fork And Upper Salmon Chinook Fishery Set T

he Idaho Fish and Game Commission Thursday, May 14, adopted Chinook fishing seasons on the South Fork Salmon and Upper Salmon rivers, and changed the limits on parts of the lower Salmon, Little Salmon and Snake rivers.

South Fork Salmon River On the lower South Fork, the season opens June 20 and runs through July 5 or until further notice, whichever comes first. On the upper South Fork Salmon River, the season opens June 20 and run until further notice.

Fishing hours for Chinook salmon will be from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time.

The daily bag limit is six Chinook salmon, no more than two may be 24 inches or more in total, whichever comes first. The possession limit is 18 Chinook salmon, no more than six may be 24 inches or more in total length, whichever comes first.

Affected waters open for Chinook fishing are: South Fork Salmon River mainstem - Lower: from the bridge on Forest Service Road 48 (Lick Creek/East Fork South Fork Road) where it crosses the mainstem South Fork Salmon River just upstream of the confluence with the East Fork South Fork Salmon River, upstream about 16 river miles to a posted boundary

about one mile upstream from Fourmile Campground (about two miles downstream from Poverty Flat Campground).

South Fork Salmon River mainstem - Upper: from a posted boundary about one mile upstream from Fourmile Campground (about two miles downstream from Poverty Flat Campground) upstream about 17 river miles to a posted boundary about 100 yards downstream from the Idaho Fish and Game South Fork Salmon River weir and trap.

Upper Salmon River The season opens June 20 and runs until further notice. Fishing hours for Chinook salmon will from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time.

The daily bag limit is two Chinook salmon 24 inches or more in total length. The possession limit is six Chinook 24 inches or more in length.

No jacks may be kept. Only Chinook salmon greater than or equal to 24 inches total length with a clipped adipose fin (as evidence by a healed scar) may be kept.

Affected waters open for Chinook fishing are: Upper Salmon River - Town of Salmon to Pahsimeroi River: from the cable car crossing at the USGS flow gauging station, about 150 yards downstream of Island Park in Salmon, upstream to the posted boundary at the mouth of the Pahsimeroi River.

Upper Salmon River - Pahsimeroi River to East Fork Salmon River: from a posted boundary at the mouth of the Pahsimeroi River, upstream to a posted boundary at the mouth of the East Fork Salmon River.

Upper Salmon River - East Fork Salmon River to Sawtooth Hatchery: from a posted boundary at the mouth of the East Fork Salmon River, upstream to a posted boundary, about 100 yards downstream of the weir at Sawtooth Hatchery south of Stanley.

Lower Salmon, Little Salmon and Snake rivers On the lower Salmon, Little Salmon and Snake rivers, listed below, amended bag and possession limits will take effect May 18 until further notice, if approved.

The new daily bag limit is six Chinook salmon, no more than two may be 24 inches or more in total length, whichever comes first. The possession limit is 18 Chinook, no more than six may be 24 inches or more in total length, whichever comes first.

Affected waters: Lower Salmon River - Hammer Creek: From a posted boundary about 200 yards downstream from the Hammer Creek boat ramp upstream to the U.S. Highway 95 Time Zone Bridge.

Lower Salmon River - Park Hole: From the U.S. Highway 95 Time Zone Bridge upstream to a posted boundary

IF&G

at the mouth of Short’s Creek (about 1.4 miles upstream of the mouth of the Little Salmon River).

Lower Salmon River - Vinegar Creek: From the posted boundary at the mouth of Shorts’ Creek upstream to the uppermost boat ramp at Vinegar Creek (about 25 miles upstream of the mouth of the Little Salmon River).

Little Salmon River - Lower: From the mouth upstream to a posted boundary about 200 yards upstream of the mouth of Rapid River.

Little Salmon River - Upper: From a posted boundary about 200 yards upstream of the mouth of Rapid River upstream to the U.S. Highway 95 Bridge near Smokey Boulder Road.

Snake River - Hells Canyon: From the Dug Bar boat ramp upstream to Hells Canyon Dam. In all these waters, Chinook salmon anglers may use only barbless hooks no larger than five-eight inch. Snagging or attempting to snag salmon is unlawful.

Only Chinook salmon greater than or equal to 24 inches total length need to be carded (applies only where jacks may be kept).

Only Chinook salmon with a clipped adipose fin (as evidence by a healed scar) may be kept.

Visit http://fishandgame.idaho. gov/cms/fish/salmon/.for rules.

JUNE 2009

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BIG SKY OUTDOOR NEWS & ADVENTURE • 39

FIVE VALLEYS ARCHERY CLUB & MONTANA BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION

2nd Annual Montana State Bowhunters Championship JUNE 20 , 2009

40 3-D Targets : 2 – 20 Target Courses FIVE VALLEYS ARCHERY CLUB BEAR SHOOT 2009

JUNE 20 & 21 30th ANNUAL FAMILY FUN SHOOT 80 3-D TARGETS: 40 each day.

Four separate loops of 20 targets.

Shoot two different loops of 20 targets each day.

These two shoots are at the same location for a weekend full of archery fun.

Primitive camping available on site.

Contact: Paul Roush @ 406-544-2169 or montanaarchery@hotmail.com This will be the BIGGEST ARCHERY EVENT OF THE YEAR. Come have fun with friends, family and other Bowhunters.

Two days of nothing but shooting your bow.

FREE SEMINAR SATURDAY 7:00PM GLENN BERRY FROM BERRY’S GAME CALLS You don’t want to miss this event.

You will be sorry.

BOOTH SHOOTS

SAME TIME SAME PLACE Don’t Miss The BARBECUE BANQUET Friday Night the 19th 7:00pm Members $10.00 Kids $5.00 Non-members $12.00 Special Thanks To Pards Tummy Teasers