HUNTING & FISHING MONTANA
May 2017
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FISHING YELLOWSTONE PARK: A SEASONAL PRIMER By Brian McGeehan Montana Angler call 406-522-9854 or www.montanaangler.com
A s a fishing guide in Yellowstone National Park, I am often asked questions like, “Where can I fish close to West Yellowstone in August?” “What rivers near Gardiner The Firehole River is the best bet for early season fishing
fish well in early June?”.
I pick these examples because, frankly, you would be very disappointed with the answer to each one. While Yellowstone Park is justly famous for its trout fishing, it is a very seasonal affair. You can find good fishing in the park every day of the fishing season, but no single river drainage fishes well for the duration of the season. Given that Yellowstone encompasses 2.2 million acres and sees over 3 million visitors per year, you can find yourself facing significant travel time to productive fishing if you do not plan your stay accordingly. The two factors that drive fishing in Yellowstone are snowmelt, which is true all over the West, and the effect of thermal heating and thermal runoff, a situation unique to the park. Streams that are heavily influenced by snowmelt will not be low and clear enough to fish until sometime in July. On the other hand, streams that drain thermal areas will be too warm for fishing during mid-summer. Understanding this dynamic will help you to make sure that you are in the right place at the right time during your Yellowstone fishing trip. Early Season: Late May thru Late June Without a doubt, the Madison drainage is the place to be during Yellowstone’s early season. When the season opens over Memorial Day weekend, the Firehole River will be fishing well, and it is often the only river in the park that is fishable. Both the Gibbon and the Madison River will begin to fish well within about a week of the opener. Good mayfly hatches are a common occurrence in June, allowing anglers to toss dry flies while many rivers around the West are choked with runoff. Around the middle of June, several lakes in the Gibbon drainage like Grebe Lake and Cascade Lake will become accessible and the bite will be hot. The Firehole also offers several tributaries that hold fish, such as Nez Perce Creek, that can provide some variety to a trip. The town of West Yellowstone, MT is the hub of early season fishing activity. From West Yellowstone, you can be on the Madison within 10 minutes and the Gibbon and Firehole within 20. If you wish to stay inside of the park, camping at Madison Junction puts you right in the middle of the action. Old Faithful is a good choice as well, as the Firehole River is just minutes away. Transition Time: Late June thru July 4 The last week in June marks the transition from spring to summer fishing in the park. The waters of the Madison drainage are becoming too warm for good fishing, especially in the afternoons. This can be a tricky time, as the Lamar drainage is not quite ready yet. Fortunately, the Gardner River provides a good option during this time frame. The river will just be dropping into shape and the Salmonflies and Golden Stones will be starting to hatch. Trout Lake, which opens to fishing on June 15th, is a good option during this time frame as well. If it has been a lean snow year, it is possible that the Yellowstone River may be fishable as well. You shouldn’t count on this, but be prepared if the opportunity presents itself. The town of Gardiner, MT makes a good base during this transitional period. You can be on the Gardner River in a matter of minutes and Trout Lake, in the Lamar drainage, is a manageable day trip. The Yellowstone flows right thru town, and you are close to good access if it is in fact clear enough to fish. Mid Summer: July 4 thru August The entire northern portion of Yellowstone Park will fish well in this time frame, giving the angler plenty of options. The Gardner and Yellowstone will fish well early on in July, with Slough Creek, Soda Butte Creek, and the Lamar River gradually becoming fishable in that order. The Lamar is usually fishable by mid-July, but won’t be ready until the end of July after a winter of above normal snow. This is the time of year to fish terrestrials, and hopper fishing is something that serious anglers look forward to all year. During August, the above rivers are still fishing well, but fishing pressure can be high. This is a great time to get out the hiking boots and check out some of Yellowstone’s small creeks and backcountry waters. The best mid-summer bases are out of Gardiner, MT and Cooke City, MT. Cooke City is very convenient to access Soda Butte, Lamar, and Slough. Gardiner provides easy access to the Gardner and the Yellowstone, while the Lamar Valley is a manageable day trip. Early Fall: September September is an interesting month, as it can be warm and sunny or snowing, sometimes both in the same day. This is another time of transition in Yellowstone Park. During early September, the Lamar Valley streams are still fishing, though the fish are quite spooky as they have been fished hard all summer. By mid-month, the waters of the Madison drainage will have cooled enough to fish well again. Both the Yellowstone and Gardner River should fish well all month. If you are visiting in early September, Gardiner, MT is probably the best base. The Yellowstone and Gardner will fish consistently, and you can make the day trip to the Lamar Valley if it is fishing well. Towards the end of the month, West Yellowstone would make a good base as well. The Firehole will be fishing well and some early migrants will be showing up in the Madison from Hebgen Lake. While this run peaks in October, a few fish will be present later in September. Late Fall: October thru early November Just as it was at the start of the season, the Madison drainage is the place to be for the last month, up until the season ends on the first Sunday in November. Large trout push out of Hebgen Lake on their spawning run, giving anglers the shot at the biggest fish of the year. These fish are available in the Madison River as well as the lower reaches of both the Gibbon and Firehole. Target these fish, which average between 16” and 20”, with large nymphs and streamers. On the Firehole River above Firehole Falls, hatches of Blue Winged Olives draw fish to the surface all the way to seasons end. The Firehole provides a great change of pace to chasing the big migrants during the fall. As in June, West Yellowstone, MT and the surrounding area is the place to be in October. We enjoy chasing large migratory fish during Fall
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7 POSTSEASON SCOUTING STRATEGIES TO INCREASE SUCCESS By Stephen Spurlock Originally published at
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T
he next hunting season is right around the corner and now is the time to prepare, plan, and refocus for the...season. Early spring is a great time to get back into the gym and also re-hone your shooting skills in the backyard. This is also the best time of year to start laying the groundwork for success this fall. Integrating postseason scouting into your spring routine should result in more antler inches next fall. Below are some great ways to get going on your spring scouting and why it’s a critical component to success. All of these tips can help if you’re a whitetail, mule deer or elk hunter.
WHY POSTSEASON SCOUTING?
Postseason scouting provides a unique look at your hunting area. The postseason landscape exhibits sign like no other time of the year. Travel corridors, food sources, bedding areas, and rutting sign are all very evident and the locations bucks choose to shed their antlers reveal habitats and tendencies that may of gone unnoticed during the fall.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT POSTSEASON SCOUTING:
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The entire contents is © 2017, 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, Inc. Nor does the printed material necessarily express the views of Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure, Inc. All photo & editorial submissions become the property of Big Sky Outdoor News & Adventure, Inc. to use or not use at their discretion. Volume 13 Issue 12 cover photo: Dec Hogan|Shutterstock Proudly printed at Allegra - Helena, Montana 406.449.2847 www.allegrahelena.com
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1. Shed antlers locations reveal late season hot spots Locating this buck’s shed the year before was a key to successfully harvesting him. Keep track of shed locations! This information may prove useful. I like to keep track of the location of every decent shed I locate. This is useful for the following season because bucks tend to utilize the same late season food sources from year to year. They also favor the same bedding areas. Post rut bucks are extremely worn down and most stick to only the best habitat types during the late season. By noting shed locations, you may unlock some habitat features that you missed during the fall. Keep in that mind that if you’re looking for elk or mule deer sheds in the west, the shed areas aren’t always the best areas to plan to return and hunt. Bucks could be 10 to 50 plus miles away from where they were in the fall, especially if you hunt deer in the velvet. Exceptions would be some of the plains areas where bucks summer and winter in very similar areas.
2. Locate pinch points such as fence crossing, river crossing, food source entry and exit These sign features all represent pinch points that control deer movement year round. Fence crossings typically stay the same year to year. Noting physical barriers and how deer move across them can be the key to your hunting success. 3. Locate the rut sign Communal scrapes, rub lines, and other rut sign can help you identify hot spots for the fall. Communal scrapes are my favorite feature to identify and mark during this period because these scrapes will funnel deer movement like fence or river crossings. 4. Gain access to their bedding areas The late season is a great time to identify bedding cover you may have missed during the fall season. Not all bedding areas are going to be extremely evident on aerial photos. Native warm season grass, old homesteads, and brushy fence-rows may be serving as bedding areas that are under the radar during your fall hunts. These “secondary� or out-of-the-way bedding areas may be critical to your fall success. During the rut, bucks gravitate to less active bedding areas to seek out does. If you find sheds in an obscure area, it’s likely that you have stumbled upon one of these secondary bedding areas. 5. Reevaluate glassing points and access points Glassing locations can be a critical component of hunting western whitetails. Identifying these locations and the best ways to access them is key. The late season is a great time to reevaluate how you approach your in-season glassing and scouting. Finding non-invasive locations to glass can help you unravel movement patterns in the fall. The key to glassing location is access. Being able to move to and from your glassing point without being detected is important. There is no better time to map out your glassing strategy than during the postseason. 6. Start habitat improvement projects For the whitetail or even some mule deer areas, the postseason is the best time to evaluate habitat quality and look at prescribing habitat improvements. Throughout the western range, the winter can be the most stressful season. Identifying your habitat thresholds during the postseason and addressing them can spell success the following fall. 7. Make the most of your time: Mapping it out Postseason scouting can provide you with a plethora of information. How do you manage this information in a way that results in antler inches in the fall? Using an aerial image and Google Earth to mark important locations from postseason scouting can help you keep track of the information you gain in the offseason. CASE STUDY: THE SYMMETRICAL 10 The Symmetrical 10 is a buck I have had my eye on for the past few years...By keeping detailed notes, I have hopefully established a good game plan to keep tabs on him before the hunt even begins. By preparing for the coming fall now, hunting season may be that much easier... CONCLUSIONS The postseason is a great time to initiate your fall hunting strategy. Identifying locations for ground blinds and trees for treestand location (and hanging treestands in anticipation of the coming fall) should all be part of your postseason scouting strategy. The number one factor that prevents whitetail success each fall is human intrusion and pressure. By getting things set up in the off season, you can avoid unintentionally pressuring the bucks you intend to hunt in the fall. Try an aggressive approach to your off season scouting and the result may be more antler this fall!...
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WESTERN BIG GAME
By Tayler Michels, Passion for the Hunt TV
W
ith the sheer amount of public land that is available in many of the western states, there are opportunities for hunters who are willing to put in the effort. Yes, there can be a lot of hunters on many public land parcels but because of the sheer size of this terrain, it is possible to out maneuver other hunters and don’t kid yourself… massive elk and mule deer get harvested on public land each season. As a hunting guide in North Eastern Montana, I get many questions about what it takes to be successful hunting out west. I’ve narrowed down a few important tips... For starters, the best advice I could give anyone is to be optimistic each day of any hunt you ever decide to participate in. Stay positive that at any moment you will find that big trophy buck and get that shot of a lifetime. This sounds simple but the size of this country can be intimidating. What also adds to the drain on mental toughness is the overall fatigue. When you are tired, sore and uncomfortable, staying mentally prepared and optimistic can be challenging but it is the simplest task that separates great hunters from people who come up short. As great as tagging out of the first day of a hunt can be, I can tell you for sure that doesn’t happen very often. On a large majority of the hunts I have guided or been hunting myself, the back half of the hunt is often most successful. A hunt is far from over after the first couple of days. There will be physical, mental, and emotional adversity on every hunt and far too often I see my clients react negatively to this pressure instead of embracing it... The amount of glassing and hiking it takes to get on a bruiser mule deer buck in the open sage covered canyons can be tremendous. Staying positive is important when you are faced with such daunting tasks. After a few long days of glassing and hiking, it is easy to give in to the fatigue and lose focus. Another tip that can pay dividends on a western big game hunt is your choice of clothing. It is imperative that you understand what the elements can bring and a poor choice of outerwear can make for a miserable week of hunting. In Montana’s Missouri River Breaks, this part of Montana’s deer rifle season runs from late October through Thanksgiving in November. We see average temps below freezing with wind speeds daily above 15 mph. Frigid cold can sometimes hang below zero degrees for multiple days. In an effort to stay positive and motivated while hunting in cold and windy conditions, I’ve found the Heat Echo Light Pant/Jacket combo from Arctic Shield to be a great choice for an outer shell. These rugged clothes protect you from the elements and give you the option to dress in layers for all day warmth. This system also keeps you flexible and quiet which is essential in the final moments of any stalk. Wool base layers and compression shorts are a must along with fresh socks for each day of hunt...Use mole skin to combat hot spots and blisters on your feet...Always have extra socks in your pack and change out frequently. Take most of your clothes off when you climb into your sleeping bag at night... Plan to hunt in the worst conditions. Days with harsh weather often see some of the best deer movement throughout the day. Besides dressing for success, a GPS is another must have piece of equipment. Obviously, a GPS keeps you from getting lost or from trespassing on private property in which you don’t have permission but there are other advantages. ...
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Technology has come a long way in recent years, with advances in GPS software and topography mapping capabilities I believe a GPS provides valuable information that can be used when planning a stalk. Accurate contour maps let you gauge distances, allows for careful stalking routes and reveals crevices, ridges and terrain features for planning a stalk that might not be noticeable from the perspective when first spotting an animal. Planning the stalk is often the most important element of a hunt besides the obvious of finding the animal in the first place. When observing the area, look for land formations that you can identify with topography lines on your GPS, this will allow you to accurately narrow down the specific spot that buck is occupying before you make a move. Use the topo lines to better understand the hills, slopes and coulees that surround the area. With that information, you can be confident planning an effective stalk. As a guide, I hunt expansive country. I could walk the area every day for the rest of my life and not learn every nook and cranny. With GPS capabilities, I can confidently hike through deep canyons, cross creeks and move fast through other rough country without losing track of where the buck is and I can expect what the distances to be when I get in position. Rangefinders and optics are also crucial pieces of equipment for any western hunt. Good rangefinders that can read out to at least six hundred yards are crucial not just for accurate shooting by adjusting your scope turret but also for fine tuning stalks as you close the distance. A good spotting scope and tripod is obvious but even with good optics, I feel that many hunters have the tendency to move too fast. Set up over good areas with good visibility and be methodical. Be patient. Look at the terrain in front of you as a grid and slowly work through each square on the grid so that you can look over everything good. Early in the day when we expect deer to be on the move, you can pan through areas fast but during midday when deer bed down, slow down and pick through every bush, ever juniper and simply look for deer. Mule deer are seldom alone and where there is one deer, there are usually more in the vicinity so slow down and look for antlers. Good spotting is paramount. If you miss deer, not only do you miss a potential stalk but you will bump deer as you move through the area. Bumped mule deer will pick up more deer as they vacate and one running deer might be joined by a dozen other deer you were unaware of a half mile over the hill. Western big game hunting does take some good equipment to increase success. A good attitude and physical endurance is also required but what makes this hunting so special is that western big game hunting is something anybody can do because anybody can find access somewhere whether you choose to hunt BLM, National Forest or other large public parcels. As a rule of thumb, you start seeing a big increase in game about three miles in from any road or trail. The harder you are willing to work to get away from access points and pack an animal out, the more of a chance you have of finding that “mature” elk or mule deer.
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OPENING DAY TACTICS
By Jason Mitchell
www.jasonmitchelloutdoors.com
A new season of optimism awaits. In many states, the inland walleye seasons open in May. Even in states where there is no closed walleye season, the kickoff on many natural lakes and some reservoirs begins in earnest during the same
time. What has always amazed me is how patterns and locations can sometimes vary from year to year. No two years are quite the same. Ice out dates flux, surface water temperatures can vary and seasonal weather patterns can be all over the board. Looking back, I can remember one specific year when we could get on the ice in early May. There have been other years where we were bundled up in boats, finding fish in over thirty feet of water. Of course, there have also been times when we found fish shallow. Nothing surprises me anymore but there is often a method to the madness. The following are a few observations. Deep Fish Factors So often when we look at early season walleye fishing, much of the talk revolves around finding fish using shallow water. Shallow water is warmer and finding walleyes early in the year often revolves around water temperature but there is a big exception. Traveling fish often run deep and unstable weather along with wicked cold fronts that crash water temperatures will also send fish deep. Whenever environmental factors cause fish to move multiple miles, these fish often follow the deeper contours as that is often the least amount of distance to travel. Especially during periods of frigid and brutal weather, don’t be afraid to look deep and fast forward ahead to locations offshore that you wouldn’t expect to catch fish until much later into the season. Speaking from experience, it took me many years to learn that lesson. Stable and Able Steady progression of rising water temperatures and stable weather typically sees the classic patterns unfold on many fisheries and this predictableness works in the angler’s favor. Each body of water has a unique personality. On some bodies of water, the norm would be to find walleyes relating to 15 to 20-foot gravel bars while fifty miles away on a different body of water, you might anticipate fish in five to ten feet of water along emerging weed lines. On big bodies of water, find bays and other protected pools of water that are warming up at a quicker rate. Look to see if wind is stacking warmer water along a shoreline. Big water often demands finding these pockets of warmer water which can make these larger bodies of water more challenging. Because water temperature can be so important to early season success, a tried and true strategy is to focus on smaller and more protected bodies of water that are a step ahead in warming up. You can sometimes fast forward by a week or two into the biological clock by shifting to smaller lakes. Double Down As a rule of thumb, cold water is usually much clearer. As the water warms up or get churned up by wind, the water will develop some color. This stain in the water often coincides with water temperature. Too much wind can hurt some bites when the water begins to get turbid from wave action but some color or stain is usually good. Look into the water with polarize glasses and gauge the visibility. A good general rule of thumb I like to use for starting out on a lake is to double the depth that I can see. If you can see down to five feet, start fishing in ten feet of water. This rule of thumb often gets me pretty close most of the time during stable weather but of course there are always exceptions especially in regards to what we discussed earlier… wicked fronts carrying a lot of wind that crash water temperatures and send fish deep. Location Dictates Presentation So often, many anglers assume that they must fish slow and methodically early in the season. In fact, on many bodies of water, many anglers will be slinging a rig or perhaps a jig. Don’t always assume that time of year or water temperature dictates the presentation. If fish are clumped on a small location or holding on a “spot on the spot,” use a presentation that can be surgical like a jig or live bait rig. If fish are fanned out over large spots like channel edges or flats, don’t be afraid to troll crankbaits or even a spinner harness. The key to catching fish is matching up the presentation to the location so that you can efficiently fish through the spot. Multiple Personalities Typically, on most fisheries, there will be several patterns happening and this variety of location types and patterns is further exaggerated by the fact that walleyes will typically be just wrapping up spawning come May. Thus, anglers can often target male walleye that continue to linger in current and hard bottom areas. Classic spawning locations like bottle necks, rip rap areas and rubble or rock shorelines often hold male walleyes for an additional month at times… long after the females vacate these locations.
In reservoirs where fish will sometimes move several miles during this time of year, a population of fish can often be found deep as they follow the edges of old river channels. As the water temps continue to climb, post spawn females will often slide up onto shallow sand flats to warm up. Because these productive patterns and locations can often be a moving target, don’t get affixed to just one pattern or type of location. Be flexible and take samples of different locations and patterns until you get into the groove. Fifty Shades of Gold Because of the amount of distance some fish move or travel during the spring, there are different populations of fish living completely different lives on most top walleye fisheries. Some fish won’t travel far over their entire life while some fish put on several miles. As a rule of thumb, fish that have not been traveling great distances will have darker and more robust coloration while fish that put on a lot of miles appear pale and washed out. Fish with the dark and robust colors have been hanging out in the same location while the paler fish are transition fish. Both fish can be targeted and caught but having that understanding and grasp of what these fish are doing can make you much more attune to the patterns. Note that on some fisheries, the fish are constantly roaming, moving and on the go and are typically always pale. Each body of water also has its own characteristics as some lakes produce green and gold walleyes where as other fish look almost black depending on the water in which they live. On many fisheries, however, you will have what many would consider a normal looking walleye and then there are much paler fish. Some anglers believe that shallow fish get darker coloration and deeper fish get pale and this change in color is a result of sun penetration. My personal belief is that this change in color is caused by slight stress. You can take a dark colored walleye and put it in your live well with the lid open and so often, the fish will lighten up in color within an hour‌ caused by stress.
2017 SPRING MACK DAYS
LAKE TROUT FISHING EVENT on FLATHEAD
LAKE
March 17 th May 14th Up to $225,000 -
in
Fish The Entire Lake
CASH & PRIZES
Tuesday through Sunday: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are for the contests, bonus amounts, and tagged fish. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will be for bonus amounts and tagged fish only. (1)-$10,000 & (3) $5,000 & (5) $1000 + over 6,000 $100 to $500 tagged lake trout Lottery Prizes-35 prizes will be awarded Top ten angler prizes $800-$300-best 18/26-days count last day is separate Captains $250-(4 prizes), Smallest lake trout $250-(2 prizes), Largest lake trout-$500 - see rules for entries Top lady anglers $300, $200, $100 - $100-totals used Youth anglers - (17-13) 1st-$200, 2nd-$150, 3rd-$75, 4-5th-$50 (12 & under) 1st-$100, 2nd-$75, 3rd-$50 will also be entered in the lottery drawing Weekend Prizes-$300 and $200 will be announced each week Golden Angler Award (70 & older) $200 & $100 Bucket Competition - (3/31, 4/22 & 5/7) - weigh in your 4 heaviest lake trout under 30” Last Day: $300, $200, $100 PLUS heaviest lake trout under 30” - 1st $200, 2nd $100 BONUSES: Your total at the end of the 51 days determines bonus. YETI Cooler - 1 ticket for every 10 lake trout entries. (Fri.-Sun.) See www.mackdays.com for complete rules
Fish Fry for participants & families May 14th at Blue Bay 3:00 Awards Ceremony at 4:00 Entry forms will not be mailed out.
Enter online at www.mackdays.com
or pick up entries at local sporting good stores or you can even enter when you check in your fish at the check in stations during Mack Days. It is easier if you enter before the event begins. We remind you to follow all fishing regulations. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have a special $13 fishing permit for the south half on Flathead Lake that is available wherever fishing permits are sold.
Sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
SWINGING FLIES FOR BULL TROUT By Zach Lazzari Lazy J Bar O Outfitters
http://www.lazyjbaro.com
The Flathead River system, including the Bob Marshall
Wilderness, is one of the few places where you can legally target bull trout in the U.S. You must purchase a catch card from the state and you can get busy chasing these monsters. It’s no secret that big streamers are the ticket for bull trout but you must have a strong strategy for approach and presentation. Fishing blind with a streamer will get the job done in the early season but the fish tend to migrate less as flows drop and temperatures increase. Shifting your focus to specific water types and swinging techniques will increase your success rates. Best Water Types Focus on the deep pools for bull trout. You can fish the deep water almost exclusively during the hot summer months. Bulls love sitting low and will often hug canyon walls. They will also sit below the heavy drops where the pool begins. The turbulence creates a cold, oxygen rich environment for them. The ideal scenario involves fishing for cutthroats through the pocket water and long runs, and then stopping to swing the big water for bull trout. You will also see cutthroats feeding in many of the pools. The bull trout will sit down deep immediately below them. They often coexist in this fashion. Pick off a few cutthroats on your dry fly then switch rods for the bull trout.
Teamwork Work together to locate and target the bull trout. Wherever possible, have one person climb high and gain a vantage point. Use that elevated location to spot fish. Once spotted, direct the angler on where to stand and cast. Watch the fly and note the depth. Make depth adjustments until the fly is close to the fish.
Making the Swing Position yourself well upstream
of the fish. You will need your entire shooting head/sink tip and a good amount of running line to get the fly down. Cast across the river and make a big upstream mend so all the line is above the fly. Leave some slack and pause for a few seconds while the line sinks. When the line goes tight, point the rod tip down river and maintain contact while the fly swings through the water column. Make adjustments based on your partner’s recommendations. This may involve taking a few steps up river and letting the line sink longer to gain more depth. Placing the fly within a few feet of the fish will increase your chances of getting a reaction. At Lazy J Bar O Outfitters, they offer summertime expeditions into the Bob Marshall Wilderness to pursue incredible fly fishing opportunities, including swinging for bull trout. For more information, see their Fly Fishing page http://www.lazyjbaro.com/fly-fishing/ or give them a call at 406-932-5687.
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W ith the walleye spawn behind us and the fish in transition, pinpointing the strike zone can be a challenge. But there are tricks to shortening the search. For example, veteran guide and Lindy Fish Ed host Jon Thelen looks for areas that perennially produce May walleyes.
He explains that walleyes spawn in April and early May...often in shallow water over wave- or current-washed gravel, rubble or other firm bottom. “They quickly disperse from these areas, but many fish often hang around the vicinity — especially the males,” he said.
One of Thelen’s favorite spots for post-spawn fish is the first major breakline near the spawning grounds, typically in depths of 15 feet or less. “Large female walleyes can get pretty dormant for a short time after the spawn, but males are usually active and ready to eat,” he said. “These shallow, aggressive fish can make for some pretty interesting fishing trips.” When targeting these post-spawn sweet spots, Thelen often employs a Lindy Rig. The iconic rig comes in a variety of configurations, but a 42-inch Lindy Rig X-Treme (which comes packaged with a red hook, colored bead and painted walking sinker) is a top choice for May walleyes. Thelen also likes a long leader, such as the 72-inch tether of an Original Lindy Rig Snell, over smooth bottoms. In many situations, the standard sliding, bottom-walking sinker is ideal. But the banana-shaped Lindy No-Snagg reduces snags when fishing rocks or around woody cover. When dialing in sinker weight, Thelen isn’t afraid to downsize to ¼-ounce sinkers to get the rig away from the boat in shallow water. Deeper scenarios call for up to 3/8 ounces or more. As for bait choice, Thelen likes minnows in May. Leeches often come into their own in June, but crawlers are a wild card that can tempt hungry ’eyes almost anytime. “Whatever bait you go with, keep your speed down until the water temperature hits the mid 60s,” he cautioned, noting that .3 to .5 mph is plenty fast for hooking up with feisty May walleyes just about anywhere in Lindy Land.
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Hunting & Fishing News | 13
SPOT AND STALK VS. AMBUSH HUNTING: What’s The Best Option? By Josh Kirchner
Originally published at
www.goHUNT.com
TO SPOT AND STALK OR AMBUSH HUNT — THAT IS THE QUESTION
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14 | Hunting & Fishing News
dilemma ever since I started down this venture we call hunting. Growing up, Josh Kirchner making we always still hunted or ambush hunted. a stalk on a mule deer. I really wasn’t exposed to spot and stalk hunting until a few years ago. When I did go down the spot and stalk path, I couldn’t help but just want to find somewhere where I could sit and wait for that bear or buck to walk by though. In turn, when I was ambush hunting, I couldn’t stop thinking about what I could be seeing if I was glassing at that time. It was definitely a “grass is greener on the other side” scenario for me and, sometimes, it still is. SO WHICH IS BETTER? I feel like there really isn’t a concrete answer for this question. Everybody is different and different situations call for different types of hunting strategies. For instance, it wouldn’t be the best idea to spot and stalk hunt in country where you couldn’t see 10’ in front of you. This would call for more of a still hunting/ ambush hunting approach. The whole idea behind spot and stalk is to spot the animal from a good distance away and plan a stalk in order to get close enough for a shot. Could that be done in dense country? Yes, it could. Is it the most productive way of hunting there? In my opinion, no. Let’s take a look at both applications.
SPOT AND STALK
This is by far my favorite way to hunt. Sitting on a high vantage point and overlooking vast open country with my binoculars brings a calming feeling to me. It’s like a never ending puzzle that is begging to be solved. Where will you see the animals? What animals will you see? Will you even see anything? If you do, how are you going to make your approach? I have learned more about deer hunting this way than any other animal. It is such an added benefit, in my opinion, to be able to sit there and watch animals from a long ways away act like themselves and do their thing. What part of the hill do they tend to walk on? What facing slope are they choosing over the others? Where are they bedding? That one is the most important, especially for a spot and stalk bowhunter. If you can glass a deer up and actually watch where it beds, now the game has really begun. Being able to do this is going to give you a lot more time to get over to where that animal is because you really don’t need to worry too much about that animal moving its position. Also, if you have never experienced the rush of sneaking up on a bedded deer or herd of elk, you are missing out. This is where our natural predatory instincts kick in and they are put to the ultimate test. Try it out sometime.
AMBUSH HUNTING
This type of hunting brings its own set of adrenaline rush. I can remember being a kid and sitting up against a tree with my dad. It was the first archery hunt that I had ever gone on. The day before we saw two or three amazing mule deer bucks and found a prominent trail leading up a fence line right towards where we were positioned for the morning. Just as the sun was peaking over the hillside in front of me, I saw antlers along with it. A beautiful old buck with a gray patch on his back slowly worked his way down towards me. I was so shaken up, I literally couldn’t pick up my bow. The old warrior walked right past me at 10 yards without an arrow to his name. That deer still haunts me. Ambush hunting can be the most boring experience known to mankind, especially if you are a little kid. I have had the thought of bringing an audio book with me into the blind or perhaps a podcast. The hard nose in me says that this will take away from my experience and that those things don’t belong in the mountains and maybe they don’t.
The plus with it, though, is that if you do see something, chances are you are going to be presented with a shot. I will admit that it is a very exciting experience hearing something walking towards you and not being able to see it until it comes into view. There is no better way to get close to game than letting the game get close to you.
WHICH METHOD IS THE BEST WAY TO GO?
I am afraid that only you can answer that question. How do you prefer to hunt? If you don’t care, then take a look at the country you will be hunting. What application do you think is going to lend success? I myself prefer to spot and stalk as I have stated above. Because of this, I try to find country that allows me to do so. The past few months, I have been fighting with myself on how to approach my next spring bear hunt. In the past it has been a constant battle of spot and stalk or ambush hunting. In the end, I decided to do what makes me happy and plays to my strengths, successful or not. If you like sitting in a blind or treestand, then do it! If you’re like me and enjoy looking through your optics and playing “Where’s Waldo?” with the quarry you seek, then do it! You write your own story.
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16 | Hunting & Fishing News
Checking Cover for Early Bass
By Jeff ‘Gussy’ Gustafson www.northlandtackle.com Touring FLW bass pro Jeff Gustafson is also a longtime guide, and offers up his go-to approach for big bass in May and June. “At this time of year,” says Gussy, “most bass are in or close to spawning habitat. Largemouths like to spawn in the backs of bays and other protected areas. Key on the north side of the lake, looking for shallow water that’s a bit warmer. Look for cover they can hold on, like laydown trees, clumps of pencil reeds or bulrushes. Could be docks.” If bass are pre-spawn or post-spawn, “they’re probably hanging on cover that’s on the way in or out of that back-bay, shallow stuff,” Gustafson notes. “Use your eyes. Do you see bass on beds, or are they a bit deeper, on the next level out from the spawning areas?” Search, then pitch To quickly search vast areas and figure out what type of cover bass are favoring, Gussy relies on a spinnerbait during the pre-spawn period. “I love the 1/2-ounce Reed-Runner,” he says, and I start by fishing everything I see. Trees, docks, bulrushes, whatever. I use white in clear water, and in dirty water, chartreuse skirt with gold blades.” Hot tip: if bass seem lethargic, and few strikes come on the spinnerbait, suspect they are done spawning. To search for post-spawn largemouths, Gustafson chooses a wacky-rigged Impulse Dip-Stick Worm. “It sinks very slowly,” he says, “so cast it past your target and slowly move it in there. It’s a bait that largemouths don’t pass up very often, if it floats by them. You have to fish it slower than a spinnerbait, so take your time.” After a pattern begins to emerge, he slows down and pitches to the winning cover type. For this, Gussy favors a 3/8- or 5/8-ounce Jungle Jig, a bass jig with a weed guard. Using a 7 1/2-foot rod and 20-pound-test line, “I can pitch it into pretty much any cover and muscle the fish out.”
Gussy’s pitching secrets
Practice pitching the Jungle Jig, landing softly as possible, directly into clumps of cover. Let it fall straight to bottom. You must let out a little slack line just as the jig hits the water; a tight line will pull the jig off the target as it sinks, also resulting in more snags. When the jig hits bottom, shake it a couple times, moving it no more than about 2 or 3 feet, then quickly reel it in and pitch to the next target. “This bait selects for big fish,” says Gussy, “and most bites come within five seconds of the bait hitting the water.”
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BUCKET LIST HUNT: RIFLE ELK IN THE BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS By Zach Lazzari www.lazyjbaro.com
V isiting the Bob Marshall Wilderness in any capacity is a check mark on the bucket list. But a rifle elk hunt here during the
rut is a very unique experience. The BOB is over 1.5 million acres that connects to the greater Glacier ecosystem, extending north into Canada. It is a massive wilderness complex that hosts large elk and deer along with many other iconic Rocky Mountain species. Photo Lazy J Bar O Outfitters A Unique Elk Hunt The Bob Marshall rifle hunts begin in September and you have the opportunity to hunt elk in the rut. There are very few elk rifle seasons that coincide with the rut. Partnering with an outfitter means you can access very remote country via horseback. There are dense, high elevation drainages where you will listen for calls then bugle and talk to elk until one moves within range. You can work parks and treeline zones and where longer shot opportunities are available via open space as well. You are likely to see and hear quite a few elk on this hunt. If you manage to take a great bull, having the ability to pack it out on horses makes life that much easier on you. Bonus Species If packing into remote wilderness for elk isn’t enough, consider a combo hunt. There are some large high-country mule deer along with opportunities for big whitetails in the lower elevations. Very few hunts come with the bonus of adding a trophy deer to the list. The extra tags are often filled when an elk is dropped early, or when a hunter lucks across a sizable deer. Preparations This isn’t a spur of the moment trip for most hunters. Preparing means training physically to hike at high elevations and on difficult terrain. You must apply for tags in the spring, coordinate with your outfitter, sight rifles and prepare equipment. Being in good shape is very important. A guide and horses can shoulder a good amount of the load but hiking and navigating terrain is inevitable (and also part of the fun). Call 406-932-5687 to book your Montana wilderness elk hunt with Lazy J Bar O Outfitters.
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Elk Hunting In Wyoming-Some Of The Best In The West
Wyoming Game & Fish Department
Wyoming hunters harvested the second-highest number of elk in recent history. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department forecasted that the 2016 hunting season would be a good year for high hunter success, and that prediction rang true last fall. Wyoming hunters harvested the second-highest number of elk in recent history. “A mild winter in 2015 and good moisture during the growing season bolstered plant growth providing great habitat for Wyoming’s wildlife,” said Doug Brimeyer, Game and Fish deputy chief of wildlife “The 2016-17 winter had localized impacts on some elk herds but overall elk numbers remain very strong statewide and hunters can expect another exceptional hunting season this fall.”
During the 2016 elk season, hunters reported 44.5% success with a total of 25,852 elk taken. Bull harvest was the highest within the last ten years among both resident and non-resident hunters. “The last few years have seen hunter success levels continue to be at or among the highest in the west,” said Brimeyer. “This years harvest survey is further evidence that Wyoming is a great destination for hunting because of the quality hunting experience our state offers.” Harvest reports for all species for 2016 are available on the Harvest Report webpage https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Hunting/Harvest-Reports/ and on the Hunt Planner https://wgfd.wyo.gov/hunting/hunt-planner. Harvest reports are detailed to the area, sex, and age class for each species, and can be useful for hunters planning their 2017 hunts. Game and Fish thanks hunters who returned their harvest surveys. Game and Fish personnel are available to assist anyone with questions about these reports or questions about hunting in the fall. Deadlines for resident elk, deer, and antelope and non-resident deer and antelope are May 31. Contact a regional office or call the Sportsperson Hotline at (307) 777-4600.
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Rocky Del Superline VS Antigua Van Mono By Trevor Johnson Kit’s Tackle and KT Sportfishing www.kitstackle.com
W ith the month of May upon us, comes some of the best post spawn fishing opportunities due to that magical fifty degree water temp. I thought I would take
the time to talk a little bit about presentation and gear rather than species and spots. Although I am a little worried about talking about fishing lines though..almost like bringing up politics at a family gathering. Trust in me that I am just sharing my personal experiences from both and the data that I have found. I have spent countless hours testing and talked with hundreds of advanced anglers to come to these conclusions. Ladies and gentlemen, in the left corner, we have Rocky Del Superline and in the right corner we have Antigua Van Mono. As Rocky moves in he delivers a series of lightning fast blows, then comes a block from Antigua and he delivers with a heavy slow hay maker that drops Rocky on his butt. As both contenders are shaken up, they square back up for more action. Braided super lines are known for their high level of feel and sensitivity and very direct (no stretch) properties. Monofilament on the other hand is known for its stretch and forgiveness along with its clear properties. In the next couple of paragraphs we will finish the boxing match between the different line types and situations for both. ROUND 1 Since May is one of the best months of the year for the shallow water pitching bite I will start with that. After all the testing and analysis I am going to give the TKO to Antigua Van Mono on this one. Despite the fact that braid has incredible feel, no matter how hard I try on short line applications I give mono my vote. It has notably clearer properties and allows for no use of a leader for certain fish in clear water. And I myself have caught 30’’ walleye on bright white fire line tied direct..but you can argue until you’re blue in the face about getting bit by a big brown. The biggest winning factor about mono for me is the forgiveness. If you hook a fish on 20 feet of line you need the cushion. The couple years I used braid exclusively I lost dozens of huge fish either at the hook set or close to the boat when they would give those famous head shakes. Even if a 30” walleye is barely skin hooked on the lip you can generally always land them with the forgiving stretch in mono. With braid, even with a perfectly set drag, you are connected so direct to the fish it will tear out most every time. For this application we recommend Our client with a Canyon Ferry hen caught casting a Glass Minnow 6-8lb Stren Magnathin. at dusk with 8lb Stren Magnathin Monofilament.
Mike Howe (Owner of Howe’s Fishing/A Able Charters) on Flathead Lake Montana with a big lake trout he jigged up. Mike exclusively uses braided applications when deep water jigging or trolling for big lake trout.
Stay in one of our four creekside cabins on the ranch or our Lodge in Augusta
ROUND 2 The next application I will talk about is the deep water jig bite. Not that we do a lot of this, but from time to time we find ourselves in 25-30 FOW. Especially when fishing the Columbia River or summertime jigging for eater size walleye and perch; or the epic lake trout bite on Montana’s massive Fort Peck or Flathead Lake. For this folks, ol’ rocky Del Superline has the KO punch in my opinion. The first and most paramount reason is the direct, no stretch hook sets. When you are setting the hook on a fish in deep water it is important to connect with the fish. My dad (Kit) still tells the story of jigging for huge lake trout on Flathead Lake in the days before superlines. Trying to set the hook in over a hundred FOW was like a big rubber band; by the time it connected with the fish there was nothing left. He could literally see the big arcs attack his jig and he would heave with all his might and never hook the fish. Even in deep water, braid is so direct you will have much better contact between rod and fish. The other huge consideration here is the importance of maximum feel. When you are working bottom structure in deep water you want to have all the advantages of feel on your side. No matter how fancy of rod and reel you are using you will still get a bit better feel with braided superlines. Here is an example of how critical it can be: When fishing vertical on the Columbia River for monster walleye there are times you might fish for
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20 minutes without reeling in and checking your jig. I have found that it is easier to detect a small piece of weed of grass on your jig with braid. And if you have a fouled jig...you ain’t fishing! You can see that it is not as important when taking short casts to shore when you are visually seeing your jigs every minute or so. Lastly, using braid in a continuous deep water jigging pattern creates no line memory or twist. With mono, you will have to use a ball bearing swivel and still fight line twist especially with jigs that spin on the way down like the Erie stand up jig. This not only weakens your line, it creates a frustrating nightmare for the angler with the line tangling around the rod tip on every jig up. For this application we recommend 6-8lb braid. ROUND 3 Another important situation I will briefly touch on is trolling cranks. This is a no brainer for me and again Rocky Del Superline comes out the heavyweight champion. Although, there are a few circumstances where I would recommend mono over a braided application when trolling. •Trolling with a short leash (meaning less than fifty feet of line). •Trolling for sockeye (kokanee) salmon or other soft mouthed fish where maximum cushion is needed. •Trolling shallow in clear water for weary fish like monster brown trout. Once you get 75-150 feet of line behind the boat it becomes critical to have braid to ensure the fish gets hooked. Braided lines will also give you a deeper turnout and truer running crank. Always use a 10ft mono or fluoro leader. With extremely long distances of line over 150 feet braid is a must to feel or visually see a strike. The other VERY NICE thing about braided line when not using planer boards is the ability to rip on your rod to get weeds or debris off your crankbait. Mono has so much stretch that it does not work and you would have to reel in every time. With braid you can dip your rod back and give it a few quick rips to clean your crank. For trolling we recommend 15-20lb braid. ROUND 4 The last subject I will briefly touch on is casting cranks. We do a ton of casting cranks at night in the summer and fall months for big walleyes and brown trout. Antigua Van Mono delivers too many devastating blows for Rocky to stay on his feet in this round. Casting cranks on a flat or to shore is usually not more than 50 feet or so. You will get way better hook ups and fish that hit the net with the forgiveness of mono. We recommend 10lb Stren Magnathin for this application. You are all probably wondering why I didn’t mention Merciless Led Fluorocarbon?? Again, in my opinion, fluoro is a lightweight defender in a heavyweight championship. It has a specific use as being used as leader material. Fluorocarbon directly spooled to a reel is a mess of memory and tangles. IMO Here are a few more tips for getting the most benefit out of your line: ** Always loosen your drag when fishing with braid so it is not solid. With mono, we usually fish with a pretty tight drag. **Major league hook sets with mono, braid not as much. **Always use leader with braid. We prefer a 6-10ft fluorocarbon leader. The double uni knot is a great connector from braid to fluoro leader. **STREN MAGNATHIN IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO IN MONO!!!!!!!!!! It gives you the closest application to a braided superline in a mono-filament by being a much finer diameter while still holding the same breaking strength. **Change your mono every few trips and keep it out of the sun. **When spooling new mono on a rod I usually tie the line to a tree and walk off 50-75 yards and pull on it with the drag tightened. This clears the memory and helps with tangles. Also run the spool under warm water for a minute or so before each trip.
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Hunting & Fishing News | 23
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Outfitting Montana Anglers for 100 Years
Say Hello to Success: Where to Catch the Fish this Month
It’s an exciting time of the year and the anticipation is high
for Western anglers as we head into the prime fishing time here in Montana. The next few weeks are an excellent time to chase big fish all across our great state and the West. The most productive trout waters are filled with browns, rainbows, and cutthroat trout, along with the tasty mountain whitefish in some of the most celebrated rivers in the American West. Spring is also prime time for low-elevation reservoirs where warm-water fish are feeding actively. Most lakes and reservoirs are full in the spring season, which makes prime habitat in shallow bays and coves available to anglers. Big bass, northern pike and walleye will all be prime targets as the water temperatures climb above the 50o mark. As we head towards the end of May and around Memorial weekend, fishing conditions should be ideal and catch rates high. Thanks to a prolonged winter, you can expect spring run-off to be a bit later in May or early June, unless we get a big warm up sooner. Here are a few attractive areas to set-up camp and take some time to enjoy our great outdoors. Choose your quarry... Upper Missouri System: Trout - Browns - Rainbows - Walleye The Missouri River system will be stacked once again, and any angler fishing from the bank has the opportunity to land a trophy. Rainbow trout colors or brown trout imitations will bring the attention of a big rainbow or brown here. Spinning gear will get the job done. Panther Martins in a holographic rainbow pattern, a Thomas Colorado minnow spoon or a Mepp’s Aglia #2 in gold are all good bets from the bank. The river is a massive insect producing factory. Fly anglers can hook up with big trout using egg patterns or dry flies drifted. The caddis hatch begins in May. Trout feed aggressively on the entire life cycle of these bugs, so having a box filled with larva, pupa, emergers, diving egg patterns and caddis will do you well most of the season on the Missouri.
Trout hideaway - Yellowstone back country. ©woodkern|depositphotos
Campsites include Craig FAS, Holter Lake, Vigilante Campground or the Townsend/Canyon Ferry Lake KOA (406) 266-3100. Bitterroot River / Skalkaho Creek: With its many hatches, the Bitterroot River offers up great fishing opportunities in a stunning mountain setting. Fed by the cool waters of Painted Rocks Reservoir, the West Fork of the Bitterroot winds its way through ponderosa pines and open meadows. Rainbow trout are dominant, but many cutthroat and brown trout are caught here as well. Mountain whitefish are also very abundant in the Bitterroot system. This winters snowpack should help to prolong good fishing throughout the season. Fly rods are the popular manner of fishing the Bitterroot, with dry flies taking the majority of trout. Traditional spinning gear also takes its share of big trout in the deeper holes near the many inlets and logjams that exist in this river system. Skalkaho Creek: (tributary of the Bitterroot River) A hidden jewel in the Bitterroot Valley. This creek lies southeast of Hamilton on the Skalkaho Highway. Anglers will find a nature trail about 11 miles up the road and the Black Bear Campground another 2 miles further. Both provide good access to the creek. The campground is small and primitive, but nice. Cutthroat trout here average 10 inches, but are catch and release on this system, which includes Daly Creek. Bring your fly gear here for a fun day of fishing. Little Blackfoot River: As temperatures begin to rise before runoff, the fish increase activity and anglers can see some fantastic fishing here in May. The Little Blackfoot offers the kind of shady banks that nice sized brown trout love, plus there are very good populations of mountain whitefish. While nymph fishing will always catch a hungry brown, dry flies on the surface are another fine option, as the bug life here is so good. Spinning gear like cyclones or a nightcrawler with a small splitshot will fool hefty browns in the obvious holes and pools. Sometimes “little rivers” can have big surprises.
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Southwest Montana Lakes: Another great Montana fishing adventure is to fish the lakes south of Bozeman in the Madison valley. Hebgen Lake: Hebgen is formed by the Hebgen Dam. Angling can be good from shore, float tube or boat. Rainbow and brown trout are the preferred game fish here. Fish near and around one of the mouths of Hebgen’s several tributaries. Big trout can be taken on a variety of tackle; nightcrawlers fished off the bottom, small to medium spinners, spoons, and crankbaits, leech patterns in brown, black or olive or dry flies on warmer, calm days. Quake Lake: Submerged timber, snags and numerous other obstacles make this lake a fantastic habitat for fish. A small boat or canoe will be perfect here for mobility and increased opportunities for light-tackle anglers looking to catch a bruiser trout. Tackle options are similar to those on Hebgen, but bring several spare lures as tackle losses are common due to the sunken forests in this lake. Ennis Lake: Rainbows and browns can be stalked in shallow flats now. Crawlers tipped with “Flavored” marshmallows can be good or leech patterns and small spinning gear. Harrison Lake: (aka Willow Creek Reservoir) You can chase trout around this lake from a boat or fish from the bank. Fish numbers are good here and can be taken easily dropping a worm and jig combo or small Mepp’s in gold and red. You can camp and fish and have a great time angling these lakes in May. Fort Peck Lake: “Big Water, Big Fish - Wake Up A Giant” Big populations of warm water fish have thrived in Montana’s deepest lakes and reservoirs, and May is your month to catch a trophy. To locate spring walleye and northern pike, find warm water, cover and baitfish. The warmer the water, the more the fish will eat and be active. The classic early-season spot is a shallow bay protected from colder main-lake waters.
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Once waters hit the magical 52 to 60 degree mark, it will be game on in these bigger lakes. Newly emerged weeds will be ideal for baitfish, and this is where you’ll find the big fish as well. Focus on the points and inlets tossing your favorite spinner to the shorelines and back. Top producing lures should be: • In-line spinner such as Mepp’s and Blue Fox 1/6 to 1 ounce sizes. • Spoons - Are particularly effective along drop offs, because you can precisely control the depth - try Dardevles, Thomas Buoyants or blue/silver Mepp’s. • Spinnerbaits - Work well to draw big fish from sprouting weeds - stop and retrieve - white or chartreuse are your colors for a big northern. • Jig and worm - Pike and walleye will begin to set-up shop in 6 to 10 foot drop offs - fish often take the jig as it drops; the strike may feel like a perch bite - it’s not. Use Bucktail and marabou jigs in 1/4 to 1 ounce range. • Surface Plug - Rapala’s and Smithwick in late spring, fish topwater lures over weedbeds in the calm waters of early morning and late afternoon. White, yellow and chartreuse are great walleye and pike colors, probably because they resemble the belly of a struggling baitfish.
Hunting & Fishing News | 27
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28 | Hunting & Fishing News
Big Snowpack Should Pay Dividends For Anglers By Roger Phillips, Public Information Specialist Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Fish and Game’s fisheries biologists explain how big water years benefit fishing
Fish need water, and Idaho’s mountains are full of water
in the form of a giant snowpack. According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, mountain ranges throughout the state in early March had snowpacks ranging from a 90 percent of average in the Couer d’Alene and Priest drainages to 175 percent of average in the Big Wood drainage. Most areas were running between 120 and 160 percent of normal. After about five years of mild to average winters, this snowpack will have rivers at high flows and some at flood stages, and nearly all the lakes, reservoirs and ponds should have ample water. Overall, that’s good news for fish and anglers, but there’s some bad news as well. The bad is rivers will likely be difficult to fish until late spring and early summer, unless dam controlled, so prime fishing time will be delayed. But big water years tend to boost natural fish production, so benefits from this year will be seen for several years, and in the case of sturgeon, possibly for decades. Idaho Fish and Game’s fish biologists Jim Fredericks, Jeff Dillon and Martin Koenig provide some details about what we can expect this year, and in the future. Q: We’re looking at the biggest snowpack we’ve seen in years that’s now starting to melt off the mountains. Let’s start with the obvious. How’s that going to affect river fishing? A: River fishing will still be good, but it won’t happen until later than normal. Generally speaking, rivers are going to be high and off color from April through at least mid-June. That of course varies depending on the particular drainage and whether or not flows are regulated by dams. In the short term, high water makes fishing tough, but big flows benefit fish populations in the long run by remodeling the habitat. The good news is that, unlike some recent summers, flows will likely be higher well into summer, and the good fishing will likely extend further into July or August than it normally does. (continued on page 32)
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There’s More Than One Way To Open Private-Land Gates By Mark Kayser Gaining access to quality hunting property close to home is as challenging as
getting bipartisan support on Capitol Hill... Landowner relationships are becoming more complicated and difficult. Absentee landowners, corporate farms, leased land and exploding liability all provide roadblocks to gaining permission to hunt. You can always consider going all public (www.huntinggpsmaps.com), but even those lands can be crowded, pressured and oftentimes unproductive. If you’d still like to combine private-land hunting with your public-land options, consider these strategies. Let’s start with the basics. If you currently have land to hunt and are not showing your appreciation at the end of the season with a gift or thank you, your days are numbered. At the very least buy your property owner a gift certificate to a high-quality restaurant or online megastore. In the past I’ve taken notice what equipment of mine the property owner has admired and dropped off a new binocular, knife or even a used firearm. Products like these may seem like a high price to pay, but what’s the cost of not having a place to hunt? Paying to play is another path to take, but it’s a slippery slope and one that tends to increase in cost with others eventually bidding you out of opportunity. If you want to avoid this dilemma consider the ancient tradition of bartering. Bartering is nothing more than exchanging goods without money and we all have goods we can exchange. Put some ingenuity into your thought process. The easiest goods to exchange are labor. An aging, rural population fueled by an increased migration of youngsters has left many farms and ranches in short supply of help. You might just be able barter your labor for hunting rights. Fixing fence, painting buildings, cutting wood, haying, spraying weeds and even cleaning stalls can lead to hunting access. These chores don’t take a rocket science degree, just sweat. One of my friends has run into hunting roadblocks for the past decade. Instead of sulking his solution was to look out for many of the landowners in the area and plow their driveways after a heavy snow. He’s quick to turn down payment, but simply asks them for the privilege to hunt. So far he always has a place to hunt. Odd jobs around the ranch are not the only way to gain hunting access. Unless you draw unemployment you are skilled in some professional trade. Think about offering or bartering your professional talents for hunting privileges. A professional skill costs money for landowners to purchase on the open market, but by trading everyone gets what they want. In my humble opinion mechanics have some of the best talent to offer in exchange for hunting. There are few landowners that would turn down a tune-up on a car or tractor. Offer to fix a farmer’s truck, tractor or his wife’s car and you might have access to a hayfield to ambush an elk. Maybe accounting is your forte. When it comes time for spring taxes offer to balance the landowner’s books and prepare taxes for free. A dentist I know has provided free dental care in the past for the landowners and their children of the property he hunts. I even know a contractor that re-roofed a barn for the chance to whitetail hunt. We’ve all heard of the old adage “there are no free lunches.” Well, the same goes for hunting privileges. Unless you solidify your landowner relations you’ll lose all of your access to private land. Montana is fortunate to have nearly one-third of the state under public ownership. You can hunt that, but it’s helpful to have a few acres of private land to roam as well.
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Hunting & Fishing News | 31
Big Snowpack Should Pay Dividends For Anglers (continued from page 28)
Q: Big snowpack seem to fill every lake, reservoir and pond. How will having more waters available affect Fish and Game’s trout stocking. More specifically, will there be enough fish to go around? A: Yes, there will be fish to go around. In some places, anglers will actually see more fish stocked. That’s because we’ll be delaying stocking in some waters where high flows have put a damper on fishing. Once things settle down, we’ll actually have more fish to work with. For example, high flows will keep us from stocking the Boise River for several weeks, so we’ll either hold them for stocking later, or reallocate them to ponds or lakes where the runoff isn’t affecting fishing. Q: Warmwater fish can be trickier because there aren’t hatcheries devoted to Photo Roger Phillips IFG them like trout. Will there be warmwater fish restocked in some waters that were drained in recent years? A: We are looking at re-establishing bass, bluegill and crappie populations in some of the reservoirs where populations disappeared in the drier years. Because these species are fully capable of populating lakes on their own, we generally just stock enough fish to serve as “parent stock”. Building up a fishable population takes a few years, so anglers may not see the benefits immediately. In the next few months, Southwest Region fisheries staff will collect adult bass and bluegill from nearby waters and transfer them into Indian Creek, Blacks Creek and Paddock reservoirs. Q: Overall, it seems big water years have paid a lot of dividends down the road. Natural production just seems to do better when there’s lots of water. Can you give some examples of what species tend to flourish after a big snow year? Any that might surprise us? A: One of the benefits of a good water year is high, flushing flows in rivers and streams. The high water helps flush away fine sediments and leaves clean gravel. The result is improved spawning habitat for wild trout and other species, which translates to better fishing in the years to come. Small to medium size reservoirs often benefit when refilling floods shoreline vegetation. This usually creates a bloom of new food and creates good spawning conditions for bass, bluegill and crappie. Higher reservoir levels and wet spring weather can improve carryover of trout when reservoirs might otherwise get too low. And for Snake River white sturgeon, flows near flood stage are exactly what they require for successful spawning. Young sturgeon produced this year could contribute to fishing for the next 50 years or more. High flows seem to benefit crappie production in both Brownlee and C.J. Strike reservoirs. For reasons not completely understood, there’s a strong connection between high Snake River flows and numbers of crappie a few years later. (continued on page 46)
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32 | Hunting & Fishing News
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MAY BEAR HUNTING TIPS By H&F News Pro Staff
©wulfespirit|dreamstime.com
“Now is the time to plan, organize, gear-up and get ready to hunt.”
M ay is prime time to hunt spring black bears in Montana. The weather has now warmed and grasses are sweet to the taste of roaming bears. Your best May tactic here in Montana is to follow the snow line down and hunt in mountain drainages where bright green vegetation is prevelant. To help you in your quest to fill a spring black bear tag, (which only around 8 percent of bear hunters in Montana each spring are successful), I offer these quick tips I’ve learned on my last few spring bear hunts.
• LOCATE prime bear country. The mountains of the west and southwest part of Montana hold plenty of black bears. • HIKE from gated-off logging roads up into timbered areas that these bears live in and that have cover all around them. Slowly walk these roads still hunting your way up. Many times, you will spot a bear feeding on rich, green grasses that surround both sides of the road. It will be a quick decision on your part to judge a bear and to make sure it’s big enough and not a sow with cubs, before the bear spots you, as black bears do not generally hang around too long, once they have spotted or smelled you.
• LOOK for the greenest of green grasses in the open patches that are surrounded by timber.
(continued on page 38)
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36 | Hunting & Fishing News
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Very Smart. Hunting & Fishing News | 37
MAY BEAR HUNTING TIPS
(continued from page 34)
Focus on north facing slopes where vegetation is bright green. It’s best to set-up high where you can look down on these areas and glass.
• LEARN to judge sign as you hunt these roads and timber patches. Scat piles will generally let you know a big bear is in the area. Also, look for pad prints, as a five-inch pad will likely mean a six foot bear; definitely a keeper.
• HUNT right to the end of legal shooting time. The biggest bears often roam right at the edge of darkness. Using the best optics you can afford will help you locate and judge the quality of a late-roaming bruin, and will help you to place your shot with accuracy.
• THINK fast and keep your wits about you. A lot of your spotting of bears will be in a timbered surrounding,
which means a quick decision might be required before you attempt a shot. Remember, no shot is better than a bad shot. Also, make sure that it is a black bear and not a grizzly you are targeting, as the grizzly bear range is expanding here in Montana.
• CHOOSE the right gun. Standards such as the .308, .30-06, .280, 7mm mag or .300 mag all make excellent black bear guns. Bullets should range from 150 - 210 grains, with 165 or 180 grain bullets particularly good weights for most calibers.
• QUALITY hunting gear is helpful. Layer up so you can hunt in the elements. Be ready for the often changing weather in high country, as thunder storms are quite normal in the late afternoons. Wait out the storm, as after all the commotion is over, it can be prime time for a great bear hunt.
• NOW is the time to plan, organize, gear-up and get ready to hunt. Most spring bear hunting districts close at the end of May. Very few hunting districts are open (mainly in southwest Montana), in June.
• FUN times can be had hunting in May. Setting up a camp with your hunting partners and enjoying our great outdoors in Montana - campfires, good food, and good times await those who venture out. Happy hunting.
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Our expert doesn’t change his decoy strategies during what hunters refer to as the Midseason Lull. Striking up a hot bird during these periods simply requires covering more ground.
Season-Long Turkey Decoy Strategies
Ten questions with expert turkey hunter, Matt Morrett By Josh Lantz
Along with good calling and proper concealment, most
turkey hunters agree that employing decoys is one of the most effective strategies for coaxing a gobbler within range. But decoying a fickle longbeard isn’t as simple as putting out a phony bird or two and pulling the trigger. There’s a correct time, place and way to do almost anything. Matt Morrett is one of the most experienced turkey hunters in the world....has hunted turkeys for over 35 years, is a World Turkey Calling Champion, and co-host of Avian-X TV on Sportsman Channel. I recently asked Matt ten of my own burning questions about hunting with turkey decoys.
40 | Hunting & Fishing News
How and why do turkey decoys work? Decoys give turkeys a strong visual attraction to go along with and reinforce what they’re hearing when we call to them. It’s a powerful tool, because it completes the illusion. Before decoys came along, birds responded to hunters’ calls but would often hang up when they didn’t see what they were looking for. It still happens today. Decoys work through visual attraction, but the best ones work because they tell a story. Whether it’s a feeding hen, a hen that’s ready to breed or a young gobbler that’s challenging the pecking order, every Avian-X decoy tells a story. An experienced turkey hunter can put them together in a spread that greatly increases his or her chances of fooling a tom. Do you always hunt with decoys? I do now, but I didn’t in the past. I didn’t have a lot of faith in them. I became a firm believer when I started using real, taxidermy-mounted hens about 10-15 years ago. It became clear that real birds made a big difference. Realism is what makes a decoy a valuable hunting tool. Realistic paint schemes and molding detail are important, but the overall pose is just as critical. Wing position is a big deal, because when done right it simulates a relaxed turkey. Relaxed and natural helps sell the illusion. Avian-X uses other small details like head position and tail posture to send specific messages to the birds that see them. Do you have a go-to decoy set-up? Day in and day out, it’s hard to beat an Avian-X Quarter-Strut Jake and a Lookout Hen. A Quarter-Strut Jake is a threat to any gobbler’s dominance, but he’s approachable and looks like an easy fight. He has near-universal appeal. A Lookout Hen is the same. She can attract any turkey because she’s dominant. Her upright posture also makes her more visible. She’ll attract other hens better than a breeder, and can bring any tom or jake running. That said, a Breeder Hen can work well, too. Decoys are like golf clubs; different ones may work, but there’s always something that’s perfect for the conditions.
How do you decide how far away and how far apart to set your decoys? I think 20 yards is about the best distance. It’s far enough that you’re not calling attention to yourself, and it’s about half the effective range of just about any shotgun. If they hang up at 40 yards, you can still feel great about killing one. When it comes to placing them, look at the situation at hand and make the scene look realistic. Think about a gobbler’s likely approach path and show him the full picture. Give him the best view of all the decoys and make sure you are at least slightly off to one side. This is more important than how far apart the individual decoys are. One last thing… if you are using the best and most realistic decoys, for heaven’s sake, take the time to put the stakes in the ground straight! Crooked decoys look funny. Does it matter which way the decoys are facing? I don’t know. I understand why some people think it does but, personally, I haven’t seen that it makes any real difference. What I do try to do is suggest a realistic direction of travel. I may face them towards a certain direction that makes sense for them to be traveling… like into a field, along a tree line… something that just looks right. Do you have a favorite decoy set-up for the early season? The pecking order is being challenged at every moment during the early season, so I think anyone who doesn’t use some kind of a gobbler decoy is missing the boat. I like a jake… either the Avian-X Quarter-Strut or the new Half-Strut Jake. These are relaxed decoys that will challenge a gobbler’s dominance without appearing intimidating. You can use a Strutter if you like… I’m not sure gobblers really notice the difference between a jake fan and a mature tom fan… and both are visible from long distances. The key with any strutter is that it displays dominance, so you do run the risk of spooking other gobblers that may not be in the mood for a fight. Whatever you choose, put your gobbler with a good hen – either a Lookout or a Breeder. How do you use decoys during a mid-season lull? I don’t really change my decoy strategy at all. What’s different is that the birds have changed their behaviors and locations, so hunters often have to cover more dirt to find a hot bird. Nesting hens prefer different areas and toms may be in different areas, too. Find out where your birds went by moving more. But be ready to deploy your decoys fast when you finally do get a hot gobbler to answer. Do you have a favorite decoy set-up for the late season? I usually stay away from gobbler decoys late in the season; they have the potential to cause more alarm or concern than attraction, and aren’t really necessary. A lot of times late in the season, subdominant gobblers may not be totally done, but they sure do seem to shut down. The older, dominant toms are experienced enough to never stop looking for hens, so sticking with a hen decoy to attract a long-spurred bird in the late season is a good strategy. I had a turkey behind my house all year last year. The last time I heard him gobble was June 28 – over a full month after the hunting season closed. He was a big, dominant bird and was still looking for receptive hens in late June. A two-year-old gobbler quits the game early because he doesn’t fully understand it yet. When and how do you use strutting decoys? There’s two things I look for. The first is if I see or hear a particular old turkey who’s gotten the best of me in the past; maybe I see him actually running other gobblers off. If I know I’m hunting a truly dominant bird and it isn’t too late in the season, I know he won’t tolerate the sight of a Strutter. The second case is if I see three or four longbeards wadded-up together. These are toms that share a bond, and they’re likely to respond aggressively to an outsider. If you could only use a single decoy for the entire hunting season, what would it be and why? I’d choose a Breeder Hen, because sex sells anytime throughout the season. A Breeder Hen depicts a turkey whose body language says she’s receptive to mating. (continued page 42)
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Hunting & Fishing News | 41
Hunting & Conservation News Proudly Sponsored By
Republic Services of Montana
Some Region 6 Block Management Areas Open For 2017 Spring Turkey Season
MFWP
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and participating land
Season-Long Turkey Decoy Strategies (continued from page 41)
Sex sells anytime during spring turkey season. For this reason, Morrett says a Breeder Hen may be the most productive single decoy a hunter can own and use. The low head, relaxed wings, slightly ruffled back feathers and tail position of this Avian-X LCD Breeder Hen is telling gobblers she’s receptive to breeding. The show of dominance by the LCD Strutter decoy in the background tells prospective suitors that they’d better hurry.
That’s always going to catch a gobbler’s attention. But a Breeder Hen is also an intrusion to other hens, which means she can attract them at any time. More hens means more appeal to gobblers. I also wouldn’t be scared to use a Quarter-Strut Jake for the same reason. He’s a danger to other gobblers and an easy fight, so he’s also got a lot of universal appeal. Even though I’m calling making hen sounds, the illusion is complete with a single Quarter-Strut Jake, because he appears to be looking for the hen.
What are the most significant observations or conclusions you’ve made over your 35 years of turkey hunting concerning hunting with turkey decoys? First, use the most realistic decoys you can find, or they’re not going to work to their full potential. Second, set your decoys up at an angle so they’re at least slightly off to one side. If they’re in-line with your location as the birds come in, you’re severely increasing your chances of being made. Finally, try to avoid calling to a gobbler that has already seen your decoys. It has to be done sometimes, but calling to a turkey that can see your decoys is usually a mistake. Chances are good that he’s either going to bust you or hang up and want you to come to him.
42 | Hunting & Fishing News
owners will open some Block Management Areas (BMAs) for spring turkey hunting along the Milk River and one area south of Zortman. Twelve areas will be open for the spring turkey season... Most of the properties are located along the Milk River between Hinsdale and Nashua. One additional property is located just south of Zortman in Goslin Flats, which is a portion of the Square Butte BMA. “The BMA spring turkey hunt worked well for both landowners and hunters the last few years, and landowners are looking forward to opening their property again this spring,” said Tim Potter, Jr., Region 6 FWP Hunting Access Coordinator. “We are very pleased that we are able to provide this opportunity again. Just remember that many of these properties are in the middle of calving and other farming activities during the spring... Last year, there were 218 hunter days recorded on the 12 participating BMAs. Normally, the BMA season runs from the beginning of September (opening of upland bird and archery) until January 1 (the closing of upland birds). BMA access will be granted through a traditional sign-in box on the properties, and will be advertised by a green sign titled “2017 Spring Turkey.” Signing in will allow hunters access only for turkey hunting. Other activities such as shed hunting, fishing, or small game hunting are not allowed. Permission for such activities must be separately allowed by the landowner. All BMA rules and expectations in place during the general season will still apply. These include, but are not limited to, leaving gates as they are found, areas of walk-in hunting only, parking in designated parking areas, using caution around livestock, taking care not to drive on muddy roads, and more. Hunters should refer to the individual rules associated with each BMA, found on the back of the BMA maps. Property boundaries may not be well marked, so hunters need to be aware of their location. “For this opportunity to continue to move forward, we need hunters to respect both the landowner’s wishes and their property,” said Potter. As a reminder, prospective turkey hunters can also hunt on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), such as the Hinsdale and Vandalia WMAs, other public land, and on other private land with permission. Hunters must also be aware that there are several BMAs that are not participating in this spring hunting opportunity, and permission would be needed to hunt on these properties...
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Grizzlies Expand Habitat Range Across Montana, Wyoming And Idaho
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Grizzly bears are making a major comeback, expanding
their habitat range thanks to federal protections, branching out beyond the Greater Yellowstone Area. This comes in the wake of the push for Wyoming, Montana and Idaho to take over management of the bears from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). As goHUNT previously reported, all three states are prepared once FWS makes its final decision.
Bull of the Month Montana State Record Non-typical
“We’ve seen an 11 percent change in increasing range in just a couple of years,” Frank van Manen, head scientist of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, said last week, the Cody Enterprise reports. While grizzly bear population counts have dropped within the designated “demographic monitoring area,” decreasing from 750 animals to roughly 690, van Manen believes that bear numbers are actually higher than they’ve been in decades. This is because, according to the Cody Enterprise, 27% of the grizzly range falls outside of this monitored area. The expanded range is a result of more young boars and their need to establish their own territories. Van Manen says that sows will follow, possibly adding to the range expansion, adding, “Given what we’ve seen in the Wind River Range (with male bears), I wouldn’t be surprised if females were close behind within a matter of five years.”
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Score: 429 1 8 Length: 48 6 8 ” Circ: 7 7 8” Points: 10 Inside Spread: 46 6 8” Location: Granite County Date: 1971 Hunter: John Luthje
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FWS should make the final decision whether to delist the Yellowstone grizzly bears or not in June. Stay tuned to goHUNT for further details.
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The Wind River Range is in west-central Wyoming, southeast of Yellowstone and the expansion will likely continue into the Wyoming Range, creating an increased probability of human-bear and livestock-bear confrontations. Directions: Take I-90 to Exit 101 in Missoula. Drive 1/4 mile north to 5705 Grant Creek Road. accessible with RV parking. Open year round. For information, call (406) 523-4545 or 866-266-7750 or visit www.rmef.org.
Hunting & Fishing News | 43
3 PIECES OF GEAR I HAD NEVER USED BEFORE – BUT WILL AGAIN – AND AGAIN AND AGAIN By Mark Boardman www.vortexoptics.com
L
... et’s face it – when it comes to North American big game, we are doing one of three things – Looking back at last fall’s hunts, looking forward to next fall’s hunts, or hopefully planning a super sweet spring bear hunt. Whatever non-actual hunting thing you are up to now, you can curb your shakes by analyzing your current gear set and buying more. That’s exactly what I did last spring and it worked out great. Below are three essential pieces of mountain hunting gear I had never used before, but most certainly will again. Black Diamond Whippet Ski Pole: I’ve confessed my love affair and pronounced the benefits of trekking poles many times. The Black Diamond Whippet Ski pole is a next-level item – adding even more security, safety, and confidence on the mountain. Simply replace one of your trekking poles to make the ultimate mismatched set – or carry as a single. It is essentially a high-quality trekking pole with a small pick built into the handle. Works great for plunging into soft earth for increased purchase, or heaven forbid, stopping in a self-arrest scenario. Even if you’re conservative when it comes to sketchy spots (like I am), the reality is, we just sometimes end up in places we would rather not be in. I found it super handy, easy to pack, and relatively lightweight. And it still worked to erect my emergency shelter. I’m not saying it is a replacement for an Ice Axe, but it will be a lot better than your fingernails if you end up needing it. Pop Tarts: Hell yeah, I said Pop Tarts. I was chatting with Remi Warren prior to heading up to POW last August for an Alpine Sitka Blacktail hunt. He has much more mountain-hunting experience than I – which is why I was peppering him with questions. While talking food options, he recommended Pop Tarts. They make sense. It’s no secret – Calories are key for any high-output, multi-day activity. Lucky for us, Pop Tarts are loaded with them, taste great (if you have a sweet tooth) and fall right in line with many bar-type choices more commonly associated with backpacking. Averaging more than 100 calories per ounce, they aren’t the only thing to keep in your pack, but do provide a welcome break from more standard choices. They do tend to crumble over time, so maintaining their structural integrity can be problematic. Now I’m not recommending them for your pre-hunt fitness regimen, but they are a dang solid choice on the mountain. The Razor HD LH Riflescope: If you haven’t looked through one – look through one. Better yet, just get one and hunt with it. You won’t be disappointed. I’m that confident. Now I know I always sit in my “Vortex Chair”, but these scopes flat out rock. They are optically off the charts, lightweight and tough as nails. Essentially, they are the best mountain scope there is. They aren’t cheap, but when you consider what you are getting, they are more than worth the cost. They are the perfect complement to any mountain or sporting rifle. I mounted the 1.5-8×32 on a Kimber Montana in .308 for the same POW hunt referred to earlier. After getting my ballistic data and confirming it at the range, I was consistently using the BDC drops to make lethal hits on steel out to 540 yards. I ended up shooting a buck right at 200 yards. The target dot is super intuitive. Pin that baby in the pocket and your confidence is through the roof. The HSR-4 Reticle available in the 2-10×40 and 3-15×42 is ideal for those who want to get exact ballistic data and hold more precisely off their reticle for longer shots. I used the 2-10×40 on another deer hunt later in the year. I ended up killing a buck on that hunt at 80 yards, but it was nice knowing I could have executed shots at much greater distance. Any way you go, it will be a lethal combination. Spring is a great time to evaluate gear, confirm what worked great, what didn’t and make additions. If you don’t currently use any of the items mentioned in this article, I suggest you consider them. They may just become some of your new favorites too.
44 | Hunting & Fishing News
Big Snowpack Should Pay Dividends For Anglers (continued from page 32)
Q: Salmon and steelhead seem to do particularly well when we have a big run off, but there are many other factors that affect salmon and steelhead runs. Do you expect a bump in returns in the next one to three years? A. Certainly the high flows make for a faster trip to the ocean, which means higher survival for salmon and steelhead juveniles (smolts), and that will certainly help with returns in one Photo Roger Phillips IFG to three years. As you note, there are lots of other factors that play into how much of bump in returns we’ll see, such as the number of smolts going out, ocean conditions and predation on the return trip. Another factor is the high total-dissolved gas levels in the Snake and Columbia rivers associated with water spilling over dams. While high flows are generally good, the volume of spill and associated dissolved gas levels can potentially be lethal to juvenile salmon and steelhead smolts on their way to the ocean. Smolts are able to avoid impacts by staying deep, and the faster trip to the ocean means less time exposed to high gas levels, so hopefully the benefits of the high flows outweigh the potential negative side effects. Q: A lot of water is going through the dams, and in the past that’s taken some reservoir fish downstream as well. Any concerns about that this spring? A: Fish passing downstream over or through dams (what we call “entrainment”) is always a concern in really big water years, but impacts to fisheries are highly variable. It’s not a concern for all species, and it’s also very reservoir specific. Some fisheries can really be hurt, but in other instances, entrainment can actually be a good thing. Species with an instinctive urge to migrate downstream like kokanee (which are actually landlocked sockeye salmon) tend to exit reservoirs during high water years more than species like smallmouth bass, which stay put. But even when we see high kokanee entrainment, it’s not always a bad thing. In some reservoirs, such as Anderson Ranch, fewer kokanee mean better growth and much larger fish. Another thing we’ve seen is that even though some reservoirs like Anderson Ranch or Arrowrock Reservoir may lose fish, downstream reservoirs like Lucky Peak may benefit. Q: OK. Time to really peek into the playbook. Where are anglers likely to see some exceptionally good fishing this year thanks to the snowpack? A: The big snowpack will help late-summer fishing the most in undammed trout rivers like the St. Joe, Lochsa, Middle/South Fork Boise (above Anderson Ranch), but that benefit won’t happen until July through September. Small and medium-sized reservoirs that suffered during the drought should benefit as well. Places like Little Camas Reservoir, Mountain Home Reservoir, Magic Reservoir, or Roseworth Reservoir should see good fishing for newly stocked trout and hopefully better carryover for next year.
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