Montana Fish Report

Cloud cover has locked in warm air. East shore insect hatches are just starting, nothing big , but they have started. Swallows from Canyon Dam cruise the top water picking them off. Fish are mostly holding smelt, with a noticeable mix of insect material as well. Surface temps vary, depending where you are. Currently surface temps are averaging 43 degrees. Clarity has improved to 7 feet, depending where you are.

Most boats continue to troll, however the jigging has been great right in from of the log boom at Rec. 2. Browns, all around the two pounds, are chasing and taking white and yellow feather jigs right to the boat.  Generally in both basins the bite has picked up, several single passenger boats reported five fish limits to 3.5 pounds. All these fish are still very focused on chasing smelt patterns downrigged from five feet to 20 feet. Ripping trolling flies, Needlefish, and shiners, have been effective all day. Also, we increased our trolling speed to 2.7 mph to compensate for the warming surface temps, combined with that energy that bug protein seems to give these fish. By late morning, as the sun gets overhead, the action drops deeper into already dark murky water. Below 25 feet, dodgers or flashes with crawlers are helpful.

Hamilton Branch, Big Springs, Spar Buoy, And along the peninsula. from Big Cove to the A-Frame have poor water clarity. Best Bets: Bailey Springs, Prattville to Almanor West, stay in close to shore.

 Doug Neal (530) 258-6732 http://www.almanorfishingadventures.com