Montana Still Biting: Lots of weather closing my season. A little bit of fresh snow during the night, then started again as I was pulling my rig out of the boat garage. Cloudy, snow...

JB134 Loc: Montana

Lots of weather closing my season. A little bit of fresh snow during the night, then started again as I was pulling my rig out of the boat garage. Cloudy, snow and breezy had me re-thinking going… but, just couldn’t say no as the extended forecast suggested this could be my last dance… so, you don’t know if you don’t go. Right !
Air temp at launch was 29. Water still holding at 45, and only one on Flathead Lake. Perfect 👍
Well, despite the challenging conditions, fish wanted to bite. Only managed about 10 smallmouth up to 3 lbs, but the big lake trout went wide open. Landed & released 14 nice lake trout between 10-15 lbs in about 90 minutes before strong winds finally blew me off the water. Also snuck in a couple rainbows during the hook sets. Just a lot of fun which might be my last day on the water. Tight lines to all, and thank you to everyone that viewed and commented on my posts this season from beautiful Montana. Be safe

nutz4fish Loc: Colchester, CT

Third photo looks like a new species: LM Trout. Great catching man.

Blackdog Loc: Round Rock, TX

JB134 wrote:

Lots of weather closing my season. A little bit of... (show quote)

No, Thank You JB!

I for one have definitely enjoyed you posts and your Pics, Great Stuff for everyone.

Today's details and pics are just awesome. Aside from the cold weather, you couldn't have asked for a better time.
I don't know if you are strictly C & R, or if you keep a few, but I hope you have a freezer full of the trout that you have caught.

Always look forward to your posts.
You take care as well.

BD

PS. This mornings low was 60, right now its 75. Beautiful day in Texas.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

JB134 wrote:

Lots of weather closing my season. A little bit of... (show quote)

Wow JB. Beautiful day, beautiful pics and beautiful fish. However, I just can't get excited to go fishin or huntin in 29* temps. Have suffered frostbite in my younger days and now my fingers just can't handle the cold for very long. Congrats to ya brother for showin us all how it's done in Montana.

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

JB134 wrote:

Lots of weather closing my season. A little bit of... (show quote)

Man o Man JB YOU had quite the season this year haven't you I bet you made a lot of the Stagers jealous myself included👍Now do you fish in the winter or is the season closed? You have yourself some great Holidays thanks again for the great photos you are a legend in my books🇺🇸😁👍🐟🎣

JB134 Loc: Montana

HenryG wrote:

Man o Man JB YOU had quite the season this year haven't you I bet you made a lot of the Stagers jealous myself included👍Now do you fish in the winter or is the season closed? You have yourself some great Holidays thanks again for the great photos you are a legend in my books🇺🇸😁👍🐟🎣

Probably won’t do any ice fishing as it’s just not my thing. I’m gonna try a get my fishing fix from all of you nice folks from your days on the water. Plus, I fly back to Tulsa next week to be part of the Major League Fishing (MLF) in order to attend a 2 day training program to be one of their boat officials. I figure, what’s the next best thing to actually going fishing ? That’s watching fishing of course. Even better, watching it live while in the boat. This will give me an opportunity to meet some of the best bass guys on the planet, and to visit a lot of your beautiful lakes that I have never been before… should be fun

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

JB134 wrote:

Probably won’t do any ice fishing as it’s just not... (show quote)

Do they pay you to do that or is it strictly volunteer?

bknecht Loc: Northeast pa

JB134 wrote:

Lots of weather closing my season. A little bit of... (show quote)

Nice lakers JB, should be turning on here in the next 3 weeks or so. Water temps still up in the 50’s. I’ll say nothing else about a sm.le.

JB134 Loc: Montana

saw1 wrote:

Do they pay you to do that or is it strictly volunteer?

No, not a pay position. They cover gas mileage, hotel and food. For me, it’s a negative as they won’t cover my airfare as most of the folks live driving distance from headquarters. Many will think I’m foolish, but I’m looking at it as vacations during my winter months. Plus, I’m totally interested on how they approach unknown body of waters and figure out a game plan… I’m a mere rookie compared to these guys in totally reading a lake. Hope to up my game. Should be fun

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

JB134 wrote:

No, not a pay position. They cover gas mileage, hotel and food. For me, it’s a negative as they won’t cover my airfare as most of the folks live driving distance from headquarters. Many will think I’m foolish, but I’m looking at it as vacations during my winter months. Plus, I’m totally interested on how they approach unknown body of waters and figure out a game plan… I’m a mere rookie compared to these guys in totally reading a lake. Hope to up my game. Should be fun

I agree totally. Would/should be a great learnin experience for sure. Keep me posted brother, and have a ball.

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

JB134 wrote:

No, not a pay position. They cover gas mileage, hotel and food. For me, it’s a negative as they won’t cover my airfare as most of the folks live driving distance from headquarters. Many will think I’m foolish, but I’m looking at it as vacations during my winter months. Plus, I’m totally interested on how they approach unknown body of waters and figure out a game plan… I’m a mere rookie compared to these guys in totally reading a lake. Hope to up my game. Should be fun

Lol another great post JB thanks for sharing. That gig sounds awesome I'm sure you will learn quite a bit astuff. Have fun man 👍

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

JB134 wrote:

Lots of weather closing my season. A little bit of... (show quote)

Thank YOU JB, you have provided us with a view, in my opinion, fishing heaven. Large populations of hungry, unpressured fish, in a greeting card quality surroundings. Have a great winter, and I'll be watching for you on the MLF. The famous non-smile will come in handy when a fish hits the carpet,LOL.

JB134 Loc: Montana

Fredfish wrote:

Thank YOU JB, you have provided us with a view, in... (show quote)

Hahaha. That’s hysterical 😁😁😉

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

JB134 wrote:

Probably won’t do any ice fishing as it’s just not... (show quote)

Sounds like quite a plan JB good luck and stay safe keep us posted on how ya doin🇺🇸😁👍🐟🎣

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

JB134 wrote:

No, not a pay position. They cover gas mileage, hotel and food. For me, it’s a negative as they won’t cover my airfare as most of the folks live driving distance from headquarters. Many will think I’m foolish, but I’m looking at it as vacations during my winter months. Plus, I’m totally interested on how they approach unknown body of waters and figure out a game plan… I’m a mere rookie compared to these guys in totally reading a lake. Hope to up my game. Should be fun

All I can say JB is look out to the fishes when you up your game👍