luckycraft

A buddy and I had a great idea to go chase some crappie and whites at night on Stockton lake. Put in the Cedar ridge high point area at around 10 pm and fished up the little sac river arm first trolling flicker shad. Switched to small jigs, small spinners and even small alabama rig. Made it all the way to Aldrich up the river arm. There was plenty of traffic in this area with several fires blazing and shore fisherman trying there hand. There was definately activity as you could hear and see shad blowing up with whites in persuit. Although the activity was all around us I couldn't buy a bite. I finally hooked what I assume was a white bass but managed to lose it right before the boat. Gave up at 2 AM and motored to our starting point to take a little nap. Woke up at 6 AM and my buddy wanted to target black bass. We fished both directions both toward the main lake as well as up the river. Again, no surprise chunk rock banks and points seemed to be the place to throw the Wiggle wart. Great morning to be out, caught over 25 fish, with a lot of fish measuring at the 14.5" to 14.75 range. Did get into a larger fish measuring 19 inches that I assume weighed in the 3.5 pound range. Got tired of fighting the wind and off the water by 11.

Did you throw any clousers their way?

The part of montana I was referring to was pretty global. The may-June 2012 issue of Montana outdoor illustrates the wide spread flooding that occurred to include the upper yellowstone, missouri and mussel shell. The yellowstone, and please correct me if I am wrong, begins in the absorka range forms yellowstone lake in yellowstone national park and is at the heart of the wolf and elk conflict. Like any issue that people are passionate about, there are radicals that want to protect the wolf and radical wolf haters. I hope I am somewhere in the middle and label myself as a conservationist. The wolf is a reason for elk decline, and we would be naive to think different. Here is the link to Montana wolf numbers and articles provided by the state FYI http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/management/wolf/default.html#aboutWolves

I should send you the article on the wolve population and exponential growth in the Montana outdoor magazine. If you don't get this magizine I encourage you do so. It is very cheap but very educational, and they have an outstanding pictorial edition that is breath taking every year. I am interested in "drought since 2000" I relize that the early 2000s were dry years in montana, but recent years there has been ample rain. Most recent publication "Peck is Back" in Montana outdoor magaizine illustrating the revitalizing of Fort Peck resivoir and the flooding in the confluence of the Missouri river. I believe it was the first time they opened the spill way at Fort peck resvoir since 1950s. Again elk numbers declined in this year. I am not a wolve hater, but have watched many documentaries on them and their re introduction into yellowstone park. Wolves are prolific hunters, and some have called them killing machines. Interesting enough studys are suggesting that some Cows will miscarrage their calf when run to exhaustion escaping predation. Montanan's don't care about numbers in the park, however care about numbers that are in there favorite hunting spots. This is topic is much similar to the reintroduction of the otter in Missouri and their predation of small mouth bass. Very contraversial

This is a pretty contraversial topic, but being a Montana native and avid reader of Montana outdoors I will shed light on this topic. Since the introduction of the wolve in Yellowstone park, Montana has seen the wolf go from being a federally protected animal to openning limited hunting on it. In recent years more liberal hunting has been opened and now trapping. Correlations have been made with the exponential growth of the wolve with the rapid decline of the elk population, expecially seen in the calve population in the bitter root valley. Montana recieves a large chunk revenue from hunting, and this revenue affects many small business owners. When Elk populations have been reduced due to predation and hunting success rates decline, Many will not make their annual trips. This will affect many business that theses folks need to put food on their tables as well. I believe there is a place for the wolve in Montana, but I also am a supported for active management through trapping and hunting. I foresee when numbers of elk reduce, populations of the wolve with reduce as well and a "balance" will be achieved. Just my 2 cents.

I tip my hat to you, Great gesture.

Wow, from the looks of things, you guys really know how to camp. Great report thanks for sharing.

Good to hear that you had a good time with your family. No White bass action going on? Maybe this warm rain they have predicted will turn them on. I read that you were camping Friday night and thought of ya when I looked at the Temp. Great report. Thanks

Anyone got a water temperature range? Great looking fish

No worries there, Paritally beached. I don't worry about 1-2 foot water, more of the 20 foot depth when its 16 out. I wouldn't trade that day for any other. I had a great time with the woofer

It worked out fine at the launch, She decided to stand up when we were in about 20 foot of water. It was her first time aboard, but she is obedient. A command and tone on her collar sat her down. She rides like an old pro now.

Yeah, I put all my gear and my 6 year old lab on the back of mine earlier this year in persuit of ducks. Made my but pucker when she was standing up wagging her tail in 16 degree weather. Good times.

That should be on a stamp

Good to see those green heads. You log on to the DU website and they make it sound like the migration is over for MO. Guess not. Good job Mrs Billet.

Kudos to you duane, Very impressive.

you can trap them

I like the plumage of that green wing teal drake. Very nice

Thats some fine Dining to what I am used to. Usually whatever is available at the gas station, and of course Coffee to get the ducks to come in

I just hope In a few years after the Fad of this DD wears off, I will be able to pick up some cheap decoys from others dropping out, But yes I would be quite upset if others pass shot off birds working my decoys, Not cool

Just got back from Montana, and the migration is in full effect up there. I haven't seen so many tundra swans in my life. Sand hill cranes were flying out by the thousands. Seems like when the cranes are migrating, the duck hunting is good. Spent all week hunting ducks in the morning and geese at night. Mostly puddler ducks but did have a sweet night feild hunting mallards. It was a great week. Got it out of my system for awhile, but looking forward to the Thanksgiving opener

That there is a pretty spread. For not being "a real goose hunter" you sure are getting limits. Your posts make me long for retirement. Keep em comin

Good Job, Headed to eastern montana on Friday for a week. Hopefully a low pressure system will be coming through to blow those ducks and geese out of Canada. Good luck to all. The Migration is begining up north, I love it.

Wish we did.... Sounds like a solid plan on paper.

check out joe bass

It is my understanding that Fellows Lake is produced by water pumped from stockton lake. You can clearly see the pump house and pipe line heading to fellows from stockton. Would highly doubt that a muskey would swim through the pipeline, or over the dam. Correct me if I am wrong, I could be way off on this but just my oppinon