MTBassin

I gotta say I'm thinking Ashley for this one but who knows. There are a bunch of guys I'd like to see win it. That's the thing I like about watching these events. Just a couple good bites can make or break a guy! Being from Montana, there are not many opportunities to go to an Elite event without a lot of travel involved. But I have already made a deal with my wife that we will make a trip to a Classic as a family some day in the near future.

It's not so much that the bass are keying in on those big swimbaits because they want to eat a trout and that they are used to trout as a food source. Its more because it is a big slow moving bait that just happens to be painted in a color pattern that catches their attention and looks like an easy meal.

I hope so. Shouldn't be able to lose a bright green rod and bright orange reel, that's for sure!

New Green rod from 13.

Just ordered a new 7'4" Heavy and a Concept "Z" 7.3:1 to go on it. Cant wait for them to come in. More importantly I can't wait for the lakes to thaw.

Got my preliminary line up set. Going to do some more research so my line up might change some. Added into the BR group also.

Dang I missed it then. Figured that was where they were on sale and when i checked, they were $119. Thanks anyways!

Where did you find them at this price?

So far this year I've been killing them on a Megafrox Hop Frog 4.5 in vintage gray. Anything that reliably draws a topwater bite in Montana, much less in April is a winner in my book. I'd be willing to bet that no fish in the local lakes have never seen one and they are out-fishing soft body frogs 10-1.

You'll need a non-tribal non-reservation fishing stamp. If you have your conservation, I believe all you'll need is a fishing stamp. You can get a 3-day or a season. Just go to a license sales counter and tell them you want to fish the flathead reservation. They will get you set up. Or you can get a license at either Ronan Sports and Western or Westland Seed in Ronan if you want to drive into Ronan.

MT state licenses expire the end of February and I always buy my new one within a week. It goes straight in my wallet and never gets taken out so I always have it with me. I think I've only been checked once and it was by a Federal Wildlife Officer. He was a polite, checked my license, and was on his way in no time at all. I also carry my wife's fishing and hunting licenses with mine so she doesn't get caught without one either.

I am a Costa fan also. I've been wearing them exclusively for the last 15 years. My first pair had plastic lenses and I didn't treat them very well. The inside of the lenses were scratched up bad just from my eye lashes and then the rubber on the ear pieces and nose got gooey. I've had my 2nd pair for the last 10 years.They are 580G amber with green mirror. I have worn them almost daily and have only sent them back once to have new ear pieces put on. Sun screen and bug spray will eat up the rubber. Their customer service was great. It didn't cost me much to have them repaired and they were back within a week or so if I remember right.

Congratulations! Thank you for being there for those children and showing that people care about them even if they have a horrible home life. I work in a K-4 school on a reservation here in MT and see how desperate most kids are for a little attention. Every school could use a few more teachers like yourself!

I quit using Senkos because I was always casting them off when hooked through it. Same with Dingers but they lasted longer than Senkos. I started using O-rings and that problem went away. Still stuck with Dingers because they were cheap and easier for me to get. I found a pack of Senkos in my bag last week and tried one with an O-ring and it lasted a couple hours (since I didnt catch anything) but it never did break in half. So I'd say go with what you like most and just use O-rings. I won't fish a wacky rig without them now.

Good to see another MT guy! I'm an hour north of you in Ronan. Get should of me if you are thinking of coming up this way. Good luck!