The snowpack we have received in the last week has been fantastic for alpine and cross-country skiers as well as snowmobiles.It has been a few winters since western Montana has had this kind of moisture in the mountains. For every inch of snowpack we receive it could very well give us one more day on the rivers this summer fishing, and hopefully reduce the fire season in western Montana.
Yes, the snow is good, but then try ice fishing with the snow on the ice and the temperatures rising into the 40s like they did this past weekend. It makes for deep slush and water on the ice.
“A four-wheeler fell through the ice, but didn’t totally sink,” said Gene Fincher. “They brought in a helicopter from Idaho to lift it out; it was interesting to watch but we felt sorry for the owners of the ATV.”
The owners of the ATV had come from Nebraska to fish the derby so that mishap cost them some money and, of course, some aggravation as well.
First place went to Aaron Eystad in the lake trout division. He caught a 10-pound, 8-ounce lake trout. Second place was taken by Robin Jenks who caught an 8-pound, 10-ounce trout, and Jim Chilton captured third place with a 7-pound, 12-ounce lake trout.
The rainbow trout division saw Joe Rudolf capture the first-place prize with a 7-pound, 7-ounce trout; Herb Shuck was a distance second with a 4-pound, 4-ounce rainbow, and Kathleen Meeks caught a 4-pound, 3-ounce rainbow trout to take third place. In the kids division Zoi Zundel won first place with a 2-pound, 15-ounce lake trout, and Ryonna Vondrich caught a 1-pound, 15-ounce rainbow trout.
The third week of the Perch Pounder is under way.
Last week’s winners were Terry Riley with a 2.014-pound perch. Second place went to Mac Vinnedge with a 1.450-pound perch.
Because of his efforts in the first two weeks of the Perch Pounder, Terry Riley holds down the two biggest perch for the tourney. Mac Vinnedge is in third place, with Wade O’Lexy in fourth and Jeff Farnum in fifth.
“There is lots of time to fish, the Pounder ends Feb. 23,” added tourney organizer Fincher, “There is plenty of time to register and fish the derby, and remember, it only takes one fish to win.”
Call the Scoreboard Pub and Casino in Kalispell, 756-8888, or Fincher at 261-6445 to enter. The tourney has weekly winners as well as the top five overall winners that will be awarded prizes on Saturday, Feb. 23. They are weighing fish seven days a week at the Scoreboard Pub.
Ice fishing derbies are still going strong, but open water derbies will soon be the focus of Montana’s boating anglers. The Montana Walleye Circuit Tourney dates are set. One popular tourney is the Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival held the last weekend of June on Canyon Ferry Reservoir.
“We have already filled this year’s tourney and have a waiting list,” said Doug Breker, the tourney director. The tourney, which is sponsored by the Townsend Area Chamber of Commerce, is celebrating its 10th year. The 150 two-person teams who compete will go after a $10,000 first-place cash prize. The tourney this year filled up on Feb. 6.
Also on tap early this summer on Canyon Ferry will be the Camp Mak-A-Dream Walleye Benefit on May 31. The one-day event, sponsored by Walleyes Forever and Montana PikeMasters, donates all of its tourney entry fees to the cancer camp at Gold Creek. Entry forms will be available on Feb. 16 online at www.walleyesforever.com and www.pikemasters.com.
Mark Ward’s statewide Montana Outdoor Radio Show airs Saturday from 6 to 8 a.m. in Missoula on KGVO 1290 AM. E-mail Ward at captain@montanaoutdoor.com.
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