Dan Spence - Canyon Ferry fishing
Guiding walleye anglers on Canyon Ferry Lake, Montana
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Guide services
Canyon Ferry is known
for its chunky walleyes. |
Every good fisherman tailors his tactics to the day and time of the year. In that regard, Dan is no exception.....except, that you have to mention that he loves to troll crankbaits. There is a good reason for this. Most fishermen want to catch big ones. Crankbaits on Canyon Ferry tend to target the bigger walleyes and bigger rainbow trout, too, for that matter.
Dan's guide rates
Rates for one person
Half-day: $200
Full day: $300
The price increases $100 per person with a limit of three people per trip.
All fishing rods, reels, tackle and bait is provided.
Lunch is provided on full-day trips only.
These are standard
Steinmetz Outfitters rates
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In addition to targeting larger fish, this method of trolling favors beginning and intermediate level fishermen. They can succeed without the years of experience and finely-tuned touch that's often needed when fishing with jigs or bait rigs. As a result, it's simply a more successful way to fish.
Beyond that, Dan knows that Canyon Ferry Lake is something of a tale of two waters tied to differing times of the year. In the spring, fish tend to gather on the flats on the south end of the reservoir. They'll often hang there for weeks in a situation where it's a shallow water bite. But as the calendar rolls through June, more and more of the walleyes will drift north toward deeper waters and more varied underwater terrain.
To cover more water to target active fish, Dan likes to use crankbaits like Rapalas, Shad Raps and other lures in varying sizes to run varying depths. He also employs planer boards when trolling to spread his lines out and cut a wide swath down the lake.
If crankbaits aren't working, he's also effective using bottom bouncers and bait rigs or spinners. This technique allows beginner and intermediate fishermen to keep their baits close to the bottom, where the walleyes are most often found. And, reluctantly, Dan will admit that he resorts to jigs -- but only as a last resort.
As Dan puts it, "I find that I catch more larger fish with cranks than anything else. Bait fishing can produce a lot of fish but most are too small to keep. I also have a slot in my boat, kept fish are between 15 to 21 inches long with one fish over that length allowed for a trophy mount."
The good fishing on Canyon Ferry starts in May and remains good until the end of July when it begins to tail off in the heat of August. It picks up again in October until ice covers the lake.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call or e-mail Dan and ask them. Belive me, the only dumb question is the one that's never asked. If you have a question, we'll do our best to answer it.
With the boat, motor, rods, reels, tackle, bait and ice in the cooler provided, all you need to bring is your personal items, rain equipment, sun screen, camera and any snacks or beverages you may want. To book your fishing trip with Dan on Canyon Ferry Lake, just call or e-mail us.
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Dan Spence
Montana Guide license # 6868
9121 Bridger Canyon Rd.
Bozeman, Mont. 59715
Phone: 406-586-3705
E-mail: Dan Spence
Booking agent for
Josh Steinmetz
Steinmetz Outfitters
License Number 9388
3197 Holmberg Drive
Helena, MT 59602
406-439-4366
Copyright, 2009-10, Dan Spence
Web work by BigSkyOutdoors.Net
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