Author Topic: frenchtown pond (Read 10190 times)

tjstackle · « **Reply #30 on:** Jan 15, 2011, 07:06 PM »

the slush was maybe a half inch at most the ice was in good shape i was surprised when we walked out to fish

flyfisherman83 · « **Reply #31 on:** Jan 15, 2011, 10:36 PM »

We hit it today for about six hours. Took some time to find the fish but when we did we couldn't keep em off the hook. Lots of small ones but some good ones.four perch 8-10"

cjflorence88 · « **Reply #32 on:** Jan 15, 2011, 11:23 PM »

any bass? heading there tomorow afternoon

jiggin365 · « **Reply #33 on:** Jan 16, 2011, 09:41 PM »

Got about 8-10 small bass, quite a few p-seed, and a few perch this afternoon in the rain. fished 12fow. 8 inches of ice, half of it is good ice. bout 2-3 inches of water on top of ice.

flyfisherman83 · « **Reply #34 on:** Jan 20, 2011, 12:40 AM »

yea we gotr into bass and today same deal it seemed the larger the pimple the bigger the bass. it was great

Old Man Winter · « **Reply #35 on:** Jan 20, 2011, 02:55 PM »

I know of an 18 lber from Frenchtown pond caught over 10 years ago. People who fish it a lot say they've seen them, but I don't know anyone who's caught one. I would think with all the weeds and food they'd reproduce but evidently not well. Seems worth it to put out the second line while messing with the dinks.

cjflorence88 · « **Reply #36 on:** Jan 20, 2011, 02:59 PM »

oldmanwinter are you speeking of bass or pike??

JayHelfrich · « **Reply #37 on:** Jan 20, 2011, 08:52 PM »

Is this an early ice only fishery or can it be good later in the year? I would like to get my daughter on some panfish but can't get over there till February.

Jay

MTviking · « **Reply #38 on:** Jan 20, 2011, 10:04 PM »

Quote from: JayHelfrich on Jan 20, 2011, 08:52 PM

Is this an early ice only fishery or can it be good later in the year? I would like to get my daughter on some panfish but can't get over there till February.

Jay

What's up Jay? nice to see you on the site. You should be able to get your daughter into fish any time during the winter on Frenchtown. But just like anywhere else some days are better than others. If you are just looking to get your daughter into some fish, you ought to try Upsata. It is probably a little closer drive from Butte and she is guaranteed to catch a ton of perch. If you're like me and little perch don't get your blood pumping, the lake also has some nice pike and bass. They are usually pretty challenging however.

Old Man Winter · « **Reply #39 on:** Jan 20, 2011, 10:08 PM »

Quote from: cjflorence88 on Jan 20, 2011, 02:59 PM

oldmanwinter are you speeking of bass or pike??

Pike. Likely the one at Wholesale Sports.

Old Man Winter · « **Reply #40 on:** Jan 20, 2011, 10:08 PM »

Used to be at Brady's Sportsman's Surplus.

MTviking · « **Reply #41 on:** Jan 21, 2011, 10:52 AM »

If I am thinking of the same Pike mount, I was told it came out of the Clark Fork near Thompson Falls. Plus I highly doubt Frenchtown would be capable of growing a big pike, In fact I am quite certain about it. It has nothing to do with lack of food but rather lack of cold water. Young pike do well in very warm water but large pike cannot tolerate very warm water. That is why you do not see pike in the southern states and your best and largest pike out of the canadian shield.

PyroZuki · « **Reply #42 on:** Jan 21, 2011, 12:02 PM »

It's possible that someone had planted it there, and then was shortly caught. There is way more than enough food in the pond, but MTviking raises a valid point. I know a few people who live in Frenchtown, and have fished the pond their entire lives (soft & hard) and have never seen or heard of a pike comin out of the pond.

Pyro

Old Man Winter · « **Reply #43 on:** Jan 21, 2011, 10:28 PM »

John Holt mentions it specifically in Fly-Fishers Guide to Montana.

Old Man Winter · « **Reply #44 on:** Jan 21, 2011, 10:29 PM »

Tons of springs in that pond.

griz247 · « **Reply #45 on:** Jan 22, 2011, 09:35 AM »

What does John Holt mention specifically?

Lamnidae · « **Reply #46 on:** Jan 22, 2011, 12:37 PM »

I saw the biggest pike I've ever seen in the wild one afternoon on Frenchtown about two summers ago. There were a ton of large bass sunning themselves on the shallow west end of the pond that were occasionally taking a plastic bait hopped on the bottom. Suddenly, a pike that I'd guess was probably approx. 45 inches in length came slowly cruising through the area. He made big circles for probably 30 minutes, but I couldn't get him to touch a thing. That thing's girth was like a basketball.

Another day I found what was probably a 10 lb. pike or so dead on the shore at Frenchtown.

PyroZuki · « **Reply #47 on:** Jan 22, 2011, 01:09 PM »

Quote from: Lamnidae on Jan 22, 2011, 12:37 PM

I saw the biggest pike I've ever seen in the wild one afternoon on Frenchtown about two summers ago. There were a ton of large bass sunning themselves on the shallow west end of the pond that were occasionally taking a plastic bait hopped on the bottom. Suddenly, a pike that I'd guess was probably approx. 45 inches in length came slowly cruising through the area. He made big circles for probably 30 minutes, but I couldn't get him to touch a thing. That thing's girth was like a basketball.

Another day I found what was probably a 10 lb. pike or so dead on the shore at Frenchtown.

Have you been back to try and catch these fish?

Pyro

Old Man Winter · « **Reply #48 on:** Jan 22, 2011, 02:02 PM »

Quote from: griz247 on Jan 22, 2011, 09:35 AM

What does John Holt mention specifically?

18 lber from French Toast Pond

tjstackle · « **Reply #49 on:** Jan 23, 2011, 04:48 PM »

we hit the pond today around noon til two thirty got a bunch of pumpkinseeds and a few perch two bass and a rainbow the four year old got the rainbow she was excited all in about ten feet of water . all four kids got some fish so was a succesful trip.

tom1234505 · « **Reply #50 on:** Jan 23, 2011, 09:05 PM »

Quote from: tjstackle on Jan 23, 2011, 04:48 PM

we hit the pond today around noon til two thirty got a bunch of pumpkinseeds and a few perch two bass and a rainbow the four year old got the rainbow she was excited all in about ten feet of water . all four kids got some fish so was a succesful trip.

any slush? and how thick was the ice?

tjstackle · « **Reply #51 on:** Jan 23, 2011, 09:14 PM »

no slush ice was around 10 inch maybe a foot but good ice used rat finkes and demon jigs and rockers maggots and wax worms

tom1234505 · « **Reply #52 on:** Jan 23, 2011, 11:17 PM »

Quote from: tjstackle on Jan 23, 2011, 09:14 PM

no slush ice was around 10 inch maybe a foot but good ice used rat finkes and demon jigs and rockers maggots and wax worms

cool! thank you for the info!

joshy3006 · « **Reply #53 on:** Feb 18, 2011, 06:52 PM »

Any body know ice conditions for the pond?
my son is begging me to take him out for his first trip but he is to young to stay warm on a full day trip somewhere. I figured the pond would be good for him and i can justify only a hour or 2 since it is so close to town. Im just not sure if the ice is still safe.

cjflorence88 · « **Reply #54 on:** Feb 18, 2011, 08:57 PM »

went out yesterday. the ice is about a foot thick. several inches of snow on top. little slush unter all that. fishing was a little slow caught a few decent perch. and lots of punpkin seeds.

joshy3006 · « **Reply #55 on:** Feb 19, 2011, 05:31 PM »

Thanks, what part of the pond is best for more fish, don't care about size, just want the kids to catch lots

HVFD14 · « **Reply #56 on:** Feb 19, 2011, 05:38 PM »

Gonna take the wife out there tomorrow. Stop by if you see us.

joshy3006 · « **Reply #57 on:** Feb 26, 2011, 10:40 AM »

taking the kidos out tomarrow to yhe pond. Will be my boys first trip ever. Is the ice still good to go? were is a good spot close to the parking area?
thanx!!!

oldschoolben · « **Reply #58 on:** Feb 26, 2011, 11:53 AM »

Quote from: joshy3006 on Feb 26, 2011, 10:40 AM

taking the kidos out tomarrow to yhe pond. Will be my boys first trip ever. Is the ice still good to go? were is a good spot close to the parking area?
thanx!!!

try the south east side good for perch and might get some bass as well good luck

joshy3006 · « **Reply #59 on:** Feb 26, 2011, 08:31 PM »

Thanx, are you talking about the highway side, east of the entrance?

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Author Topic: frenchtown pond (Read 10190 times)

oldschoolben