Whitefish biting at bridge
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Fishermen,
The bite is on.
I had a great beginning to fall whitefish at the Armed Forces Memorial bridge west of Polson Saturday evening, Nov. 7. My dog Molly and I rowed my little boat out from Riverside Park. The night was dead calm. I generally like a mild chop to break up the surface; the fish seem to be more active and less spooky under those conditions. Nonetheless, it was the best start I’ve had in several years. I landed 17 whitefish and two mountain whitefish. No lake trout yet. The whitefish seem to be running longer than in the past.
I ended up with close to two-and-a-half gallons of fillets.
Fishing light is the rule. Light and super ultra-light rods, fluorocarbon leaders attached to eight or 10-pound test braided line, size 10 to size six flies above a small bottom weight and maggots for bait, often changed, is the formula for the best success from a boat.
To fish from the bridge I like to use a nine to 11-foot crappie rod and a heavier bottom weight of one-fourth or one ounce. Everything else is the same as from a boat.
Because they came in later and their numbers seem to be up, I’m thinking this could be the year when a cooler of whitefish isn’t unusual, especially as water temperature drops and they become more active.
For more information call us at (406) 675-0068 or email us at macman@ronan.net
Check our product line at www.zimmertackle.com.
Good fishing,
The Macman
