I fished Lake Koocanusa yesterday. We put 6 rainbows in the boat. the largest was 5lbs. most of them were in the 2lb average. The surface temp. started out at 58 degrees, then warmed up to 61 by mid day. We lost another 6 fish as they would strike very hard, usually see them break the surface, then throw the hook. One we lost looked to be a larger fish maybe 8 to 10lbs. We caught most of our fish on a stremer fly and a couple fish hit a Lyman lure. It was a beautiful day, the fall colors and the beauty of the area was fantastic. There did seem to be a lot of fish around as we had fish on the finder all day long. I think the larger fish will get more active as the surface temp. cools down even more. I look for a good fall fishery. You are allowed a 5 fish limit with only one over 22 inches a day. Remember if you want to keep two bulltrout a year, one a day per person, be sure and pick up a catch card at the FWP office in Kalispell, they are free of charge.
See Ya on the water
The fishing on Flathead Lake is holding steady. We are averaging 8 to 12 fish per 1/2 day charter. Nice size fish 3 to 6lbs. with an occasional 12 to 15lbr. The fish are starting to bunch up in the spawning areas. They don’t seem to want to bite to freely right now but they are easy to find. Angel Point and inside Woods Bay are two great spots. The delta is still holding some fish. I am catching them everything that worked all summer long. I still like the pro troll flasher, all chrome with the echip in 8″ and a green or white hochie about 23″ behind the flasher.
I am going up to Lake Koocanusa this wednesday to try for some big rainbows, I will give you an update later in the week.
Just a note of interest I caught 39 bull trout this summer on Flathead, I wonder if they are still that endangered. The biggest bull went 10.5lbs and most of them were in the 3 to 6lb range, interesting.
See ya on the water
Okay, fishing has been just okay. Not much to report , that is why I have been waiting for some thing to happen. The spawn for the laketrout will start in the next few weeks. That means the fish will start to congregate in the spawning areas, and bunch up. I am getting more prepared to start fishing Lake Koocanusa. I have heard that the koocanee spawn is 2 to 3 weeks early this year, so maybe the rainbow fishing might start early. I guess we will just have to go up there and start fishing.
Fishing on Flathead still is good. Today we caught 13 laketrout and 3 bulls.
See ya on the water
It seems that there is a lot of interest in the rainbow fishing on Lake Koocanusa for this fall. It is not to early to start planning. The calender is filling up fast for the month of November. If you are planning a trip this fall, the fishing might start earlier than usual. The surface water temp. needs to get down to around 52degrees for the rainbows to come to the surface to feed. I usually plan Oct. 31st to start the season for me. I will keep you posted on the water temp. and the fishing action. Plan early for this fishing and set your boat up and get the proper gear and tackle. This is a fishery that you need to pay attention to the little things. If you have any questions feel free to get a hold of us.
See ya there
It looks like the whitefish bite is a bust. Lots of guesses what happened, so we shall see? The perch hacth just did not happen, probably due to the low water temp. in the spring?
The lake trout fishing remains to be steady.
There is going to be a seminar at Snappy Sport Senter this sat. at 10am. It will be on trolling and how to fish Lake Koocanusa. This will be about using flies and the use of planner boards to catch rainbow trout. This seminar will be put on by Ron Anderson(captn Andy flies) from Libby. Ron has a lot of experience fishing both Lake Koocanuse and Kootani Lake in Canada.
Se ya on the water
The white fish situation remains to be a mystery. The white fish are not hard to find, we just can’t seem to get them to bite. We snag more than we get to bite the jig.
The laketrout fishing remains to be steady. The wind is the only thing these days. On the calm mornings we do great, if the winds comes up the fish stop biting. This labor day weekend will be a big test for the white fish.
See ya on the water
The whitefish bite has been very unpredictable. One day we go out and catch 10 to 30 of them, then the next day just one or two. It has ben that way for everyone. You have to move around and find the fish. The perch fry is the question. Is there not very many, or where are they? FWP thinks that most of the perch did not make it because the water temp. was very cold durning the hatch. We are all hoiping that best bite is yet to come, I guess we will wait and see.
The laketrout fishing remains to be very good.
See ya on the water.
Okay, it is time to get your whitefish. I was out this morning and caught all we wanted. The Woods Bay area is red hot, also the river mouth the delta area. I am sure some of the other areas are doing well. The lake trout bite is still on. You will probably get some lakers trying for the whitefish.
Its all about the fun
The whitefish bite has been unpredictable. On some charters we have caught up to 40 fish and then the next day just one or two fish. They seem to be moving around a lot because the perch fry are still small and underdeveloped. Also maybe the numbers of the perch fry are down so that is why the whitefish are not as concentrated as in the past years. We still have a lot time to see what happens.
The laketrout bite continues to be strong. Fishing the normal areas, and the fish are still in the thermol at about 35 to 55 ft. down from the surface. The delta and the center bar are fishing well. Also the Wood’s Bay area has been good. Don’t forget to sign up for the jig fest on August 22nd and the 23rd.
See ya on the water
The whitedfish fishing has been on and off. One of my guides put 40 whitefish in the boat last saturday, then today only one. The whitefish seem to be moving around a lot. I would suggest you keep moving and looking for them. First try and locate fish on the fish finder, see if they will bite, if not, keep moving. Stay in the 55ft depth that is just under the thermol. There is enough of us looking for them, they can’t hide for ever.
The laketrout bite has been steady. Get some laketrout while waiting for the whitefish.
See ya on the water.