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August 22, 2008 Fishing Roundup
#1
This is a brief synopsis of fishing conditions and reports from select waters across the state. For more detailed information, contact a fly shop, bait store, or boat marina for the particular water. For detailed information on river flows, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow

Montana anglers have enjoyed much more cooperative weather for fishing this summer than the past few years. As summer comes to a close, several factors will begin to influence fishing success. Coupled with shorter days and less intense sunlight, the longer, cooler nights have lowered water temperatures to the point where some stream water temperatures are beginning to decrease. For lake anglers however, water temperature plays an entirely different role when it comes to locating fish, as fish can find suitable temperatures simply by moving to deeper, cooler water. Fish in this deeper water may not be actively or aggressively feeding though, so anglers must be able to quickly and efficiently determine which fish are feeding, and which are not. One scenario commonly seen later in summer is that fish move up into shallower water to feed on growing numbers of young baitfish, then drop back into deeper water to rest. An angler who has located fish in deep water and concentrates their efforts their efforts there will have little success compared to an angler who spends time where the fish are actively feeding. The key to this later summer lake fishing is to move fast and often until cooperative fish are found.

Some of the best fishing bets right now:

Blackfoot River - Terrestrial time is here on the blackfoot, so break out the hoppers, ants, and beetles.

Flathead Lake - Whitefish bite is inconsistent, but the excellent fishing for lake trout can help round out the day.

Flathead River - The main river, as well as the north and south forks are all producing some good trout fishing right now.

Fort Peck - Salmon are showing up in better numbers along the dam, and walleye and smallmouth fishing is decent as well.

Holter Reservoir - They may be small, but both Holter and Hauser are producing a lot of walleye.

Missouri River (upper) - If you're a flyfisher, you need to experience the trico hatch on the Missouri. Not the easiest fishing, but it's still a must-see.

Nelson Reservoir - The walleye bite is picking up once again.

Stillwater River - "Hoppertunity" might be the best way to describe the fishing right now.

Tiber Reservoir - Keep moving until you find the active fish- the fishing for walleyes has been decent.

Yellowstone River - Dry fly and terrestrial fishing on the upper river has been excellent.

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