Fishing Flathead Lake Montana Mackinaw!

Parker graduated from UVU this spring and for part of his graduation trip we took a guided fishing trip with Capt. Mike Jousma and Captain Norm's Fish~N~Fun. We met up with Capt. Mike at Sommer's State Ramp on the North end of Flathead Lake. This trip was an evening trip from 3-8 pm. We got to our designated area for fishing about 3:30 pm Flathead Lake is a huge lake and deep blue in color. There was still debris in the lake from run-off and Mike had to be cautious at times not to hit the bigger logs. He had us set up and fishing before 4 pm. It started a little slow I think due to the time frame and it being unseasonably hot for Montana.

The first fish hit and Parker took the reel and started to bring it in and lost it a few feet from the boat. This was our first time with Mackinaw, Lake Trout, so there is always things to know when reeling different fish species and Mike gave us tips to remember for the remainder of the evening. We told him we were wanting to catch and release as many as we could and find the state record so he could have it tagged to his boat. The boat was a well-equipped 20 foot troller with electric down riggers. He ran his big engine and steered with his trolling motor in the front, the trolling motor wasn't running just using the fabricated rudder he had built for that purpose, nice set up and yes I took pictures to have one fabricated for the Fish Steeler. In fact there were a number of things about his set up that will be used on the Fish Steeler. Mike had planers running as well, which for us was another first for us. We did like the idea and the technique he was using with them. Mike was setting two poles on the planers and putting them out about 30 feet from the boat and then running a clip and the line out about 20 feet putting the lure out away from the other lures. We were running plugs, rapala's, flashers and squids, and spoons catching fish on each type of lure used through the evening.

Back to the fishing I got the next fish online and again tried to work it in but lost it! A few more tips from Capt. Mike and then another fish hit and Parker brought in for the boated fish, a nice Mackinaw and his first ever. The next fish was mine and I got it boated, my first Mackinaw, bucket list checked. We fished all evening losing track of time and enjoying each other’s stories and ideas. Mike is working on getting his outfitter license for Montana which is quite the process. He has been guiding trips for two years and has logged hundreds of hours to meet the standards for Montana. He kept us moving and searching for the nest hit.

We fished for about two hours catching fish here and there and most were nice 20+ inch fish with nice girth and shoulders. I was helping Mike with another fish and then the second pole got hit. I grabbed it started reeling and handed the pole to Parker so I could finish what I was helping with. Parker gave out a holler and started listening to the reel sing and line started flying off of it. The drag was signing as the big Mackinaw took line fighting to get away. Parker played it like a pro! He would take in line and then let in play out line then take in line and repeated this for about 20 minutes as he brought the big Mackinaw to the boat. Mike was excited for us and new it was big when it first took line and ran. Mike netted the big bruiser and Parker started hollering again seeing what he had brought in. Parker's largest catch in his life. A nice 30 inch 20+ pound Mackinaw. Parker was elated at his catch and rightly so it was sweet! Pictures were taken and then good amount of time was taken to ensure that it would return to the depths without harm. Mike released the beautiful specimen back to its habitat unharmed. We could have stopped right there and been content, but that isn't us now is it.

We fished until the sun was setting and then looked at the time and our phones seeing it was after 8 and text from shore asking us where we were. We got back to them and told them we would be in shortly and then two poles hooked up and we had a double up finally. That made our evening complete and after pictures and releases we readied the boat for the return to harbor. We had a great fishing trip Capt. Mike Jousma and Captain Norm's Fish~N~Fun and recommend them for your next outing to Flathead Lake, Montana. We want to thank Capt. Mike for great adventure and memories!!