Hello from Montana

[Whatever]

A big hello from Northern Montana! Only 60 miles to the Canadian border (but it is closed)!

I fish Trout (6 species). And Bass (2 species). And Pike. And Whitefish. Grayling on occasion. And Perch. And we have Crappie locally now also (but I haven't caught one).

Primarily I fly fish, but have no problems with spinning gear or bait casting, as well.

I have been fishing for 60 years, primarily  Western North America, the Pacific Ocean, SE Alaska and Prince William Sound, with occasional trips to various other parts of this vast world.

My favorite for bass is Noxon Res, about 2 hours south of me.

If you get up this way, give a shout out, and we can share info.

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

A-Jay

[Whatever]

Thank you, A-Jay!

What rating in the USCG?

(I served 4 yrs as an EN in the USN, before coming to my senses and joining the Army)

Dee

[Bluebasser86]

Welcome!

[jimmyjoe]

1 hour ago, Whatever said:

(I served 4 yrs as an EN in the USN, before coming to my senses and joining the Army)

 

   That is cold. That is straight-up, shoeshine-and-gigline bolt-on cold.

   BUT WELCOME ANYWAY!    ????  

 

   No one here will ever pull your leg ...... especially not me.  ??    jj

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

 

[whitwolf]

Welcome!

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, Whatever said:

Thank you, A-Jay!

What rating in the USCG?

(I served 4 yrs as an EN in the USN, before coming to my senses and joining the Army)

Dee

Thank you for your service. 

I was a Boatswain's mate.

Served and Retired an enlisted man, E7.   Mostly all Search & Rescue and Maritime Law Enforcement on the North Atlantic, also served two tours as a DI.  It was all pretty intense and went by too fast.  Miss the job and especially the high speed people I served alongside Every Day.

A-Jay

[Log Catcher]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

[DitchPanda]

Welcome to the forum and thank you for your service. How big do the bass get in your neck of the woods? I live in northwest Iowa close to the Minnesota and South Dakota borders so I too am used to long cold winters.

[Whatever]

Ditchpanda,

locally, a 5 0r 6 pound LMB is huge. The smallies approach that on occasion, The smallmouths are new here, over the past twenty years. We got pike  here about 50 years ago, and they are a nightmare for the fisheries. Big perch used to run 8 - 10", now they average 5 or 6. The only actual native sport species we have are West slope Cutthroat (20" is BIG), Rocky Mtn Whitefish (generally to about 12"), and Dolly Varden (aka Bull trout-the 20 pounders are gone, 12 - 15# are rare now)). The bulls are mostly off limits for fishing. Everything else is introduced (there are no native Rainbows in Montana, excepting a very small area on the ID/BC.MT border).Between Endangered species and introduced/invasive species, fisheries management is a nightmare.

For the rest of you, please do not thank me for "service". I did no more or less than so many of you. My whole family has served, going back to the first war (and beyond).

And A-Jay, you have a great day, Boats! I am rereading "Monsarrat's "The Cruel Sea"(for the third time), regarding duty in the North Atlantic. Between the Navy and commercial boats (AK) I spent 14 year's at sea. but always in the North Pacific. And I have no love for the "Beaufort Scale".

You gents have a good day! (and go fishing)

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

[Glenn]

Welcome home! We're glad you're here.

[Whatever]

Thank you, Sir!

I am really enjoying the company and wisdom of all of you esteemed gentlemen!

Dee

[KYRANGERMAN]

Welcome to the forum.

[Yakalong]

Welcome