We have a warming trend coming in this week which will lead to great fishing. Father’s Day is this Sunday, so get your Dad and take him Fishing! Sign up for Thompson Chain Father’s Days Tourney.
 
Ashley Lake
Reports of Rainbows being caught in shallower water. Cast a yellow/red dot Kamlooper spoon and a sporadic jig and retrieve pattern.  
 
Bitterroot Lake
The Smallmouth action is heating up on the North end. Jerk baits are a great way to cover a lot of water. Salmon have been good as well.

​Warmer weather had increased fish activity and the bite has been great. Expect slower fishing by the weekend as a cold front will be moving in. Fish will be spread out and close to structure. Downsize your bait presentation.
 
Ashley Lake
Salmon bite has been good. Look for schools using sonar and begin jigging with a Hali jig tipped with corn and maggots. Depth varies so work most of the water column from 15ft to 40ft down.
 
Bitterroot Lake
Troll for Rainbows using a Plug It lure in a purple pattern. Very effective when pulled at 1.5mph using planer boards or let out around 200yd behind the boat to avoid prop wash.

​Pine Grove Pond
Excellent place for the kids to fish for Rainbows. Best results are worm under a bobber.
 
Tally Lake
Good reports of both Northerns and Lakers being caught. Use a white Doodlebug with cut bait and jig deep for Lakers. Use a Husky Jerk for shallow Pike in weed beds.
 
Whitefish Lake
Another good report for Northerns on the NW end. Best lure is a Firetiger Husky Jerk from Rapala. Keep lure just above the weed beds for best results.

​Hungry Horse
Pay close attention to water levels and hidden stumps. Good Cutthroat action close to creek inlets. Royal pattern flies are working as well as nymphs. Panther Martin spinners are a great option as well.
 
Lake Koocanusa
Trolling has been on fire for Rainbows and Bulls. For best results, troll with Cap’t Andy’s Trolling Flies. You can also use jointed Rapalas in a rainbow pattern. 

Bitterroot Lake
Jigging seems to be best this time of year. Random depths from 40-180 ft of water about 8” off the bottom. Troll with planer boards closer to shore. 

Flathead River
Opens Sat the 18th for General Fishing Season. All three branches are running clean and green! Fly fishing – use Prince Nymphs or Olive Scuds for your wet flies. Try a Royal Coachman for dry flies.

​Lower Stillwater
Focus on shallow weed beds for Perch during the spawn. Use chunks of earth worms on a small jig. Pike will be in the area so keep a pole ready with a 5 of Diamonds Dare Devil handy!

McGregor Lake
Try trolling 80ft of water with a red and white Flat Fish. Use a Brooke Trout pattern for the Rainbows in shallower water.
 
Thompson Chain
Perch bite has been slow. Try going shallow and downsize your lure to get more action. Cast jerk baits in a fire tiger pattern for larger Pike.   

All the lakes are open and ready for you to get out and enjoy! Don’t forget your life jackets!
 
Ashley Lake
Trolling for Salmon is best this time of year. Use a Wedding Ring lure behind Cow Bells around 15-20ft below water surface.
 
Bitterroot Lake
Rainbows should be close to spawning cycle, so use a planer board and troll with a flicker shad in 10-15ft of water. 

Ice conditions are changing rapidly with recent rain and wind. Smaller, shallow lakes are open, but larger deeper lakes still have some ice.
 
Ashley Lake
Most shoreline is gone, and rather large portion still has ice.
 
Bitterroot Lake
Shorelines are going quick with rotten top layer on ice sheet.    
 
Church Slough
Open water and water level is low, so launch is muddy. Reports of medium sized Pike.  

​Temps have cooled last couple of days and slowed the ice melting. Some lakes are thawing and opening up, while others are still holding ice. Conditions change daily so use caution!
 
Ashley Lake
Shoreline I still holding solid. Main body is still 12”+. Salmon bite is on fire using Hali’s and maggots 5-15’ below ice. Another setup is a Swedish Pimple with Rat Finke Dropper jig.
 
Bitterroot Lake
Ice and shoreline still intact, but with water on top of ice due to rain. Salmon bite has slowed. Reports of Rainbows on bottom in 15’ of water. 

We have been watching and waiting for Duke and Duchess to come back. Just last night we checked and nothing.... then this morning... still nothing. However at 8:45AM Duchess arrived!

We are off to another year with our Osprey. Can't wait to see what this year brings.