Conditions, conditions...

In one of the mildest winters I can ever remember in my 22 years in Northwest Montana, I really am wondering what this will mean for our spring and summer conditions.

I have looked back through my journals, and about the only thing they have revealed is that I can be doing much better in my journaling! Point taken…

One thing I do know is that, with most of our area snowpacks well over 100% of “normal” (stats that can be found daily in the Inter Lake on the weather page) there is going to be some impressive amounts of water with somewhere to go once the days start warming in the high country.

Of course, if this mild weather continues, a lot of that water will come down quite slowly; a best case scenario in some instances, but not necessarily in all cases.

Last year, our rivers never really ran as high and as muddy as is often the case.

In fact, very little flooding of the sloughs of the Flathead River occurred in time for the normal spawn window for the Northern Pike, a fact that I am sure many in the valley were happy to see. But those of us who target Northerns noticed many of the few females we did catch, were still carrying eggs well into July.

I am sure that other spring spawning fish, like perch, may have suffered the same issues, and a second year in a row could really knock the numbers down. Northerns do not need to seek out food when their body is re-absorbing their own spawn.

Flathead Lake is currently about 2.5 feet above LOW pool, and it typically reaches its lowest level around mid-March. When there is a lot of water to run off, dam operators typically draw it down farther, and keep it down longer to avoid flooding if it comes off fast.

So, we have quite a bit of time yet before we will know what to expect once the runoff begins.

Ice conditions around the valley have improved, and despite the warm evenings, some local lakes are actually making ice.

I have heard reports of Ashley, McGregor and the Thompsons ice actually IMPROVING, although one would be wise to treat these lakes as if it is still December, and not assume anything.

Reports of Lake Mary Ronan ice being hard as rock after almost two months of slush, and the same on all the lakes north of Whitefish and west of Kalispell are encouraging.

This weekend sees the last Wild West Panfish Tournament of the season out on Echo Lake, and if you check in at Snappy’s today, you can probably still sign up! Then, in two weeks, the final Perch Assault on Lake Mary Ronan happens March 6, when the season championship will be decided.

A great time was had by all at the 21st annual Snappy’s Derby on Mary Ronan last weekend, and a GIANT 22-pound lake trout won the McGregor derby last weekend as well. I believe it has been a while since the 20-pound mark has been bested out there.

Since boat season is sneaking up on us, I was invited to go and speak about boat rigging at Bretz RV and Marine in Missoula last Saturday, and there were plenty there to hear me discuss items such as fish finders, down riggers, trolling motors and more.

If you have a club or organization that would like to have me come and talk about fishing, boating, tournaments or similar, let me know.

I truly enjoy talking about fishing to anyone who will listen! We also always get invited to give seminars at local tackle shops each spring, and I will keep you posted about those as we get closer.

Lastly, I hope many of you will swing by our booth this weekend at the annual Montana Sportsman’s Expo at the Fairgrounds.

This year’s show is shaping up to be another good one, with both local and out of area vendors displaying their specialties. Look for the special insert in the Inter Lake or go to montanasportsmansexpo.com.

I’ll see you at the fairgrounds, and then on the water!

Howe is the owner/outfitter at Howe’s Fishing, A Able and Mo Fisch Charters. Call 406-257-5214 or at www.howesfishing.com