8th Annual Milk River Catfish Classic

[hanson]

Have you ever taken a train to go fishing? Me neither. This weekend will honestly be the first time I have ever taken a train anywhere in the United States. I’m sure I’ll receive some funny looks as I board Amtrack with my 8’ catfish rods, tackle bag, and cutbait cooler!

My destination is the Milk River in eastern Montana for the 8th Annual Milk River Catfish Classic. The story behind my involvement with this tournament started a little less than a year ago when I met the Flatens at the Cat’s Incredible Tournament in East Grand Forks last August. Brady, Brenner, and Jason Flaten (you may know them here as Big Cat Dad, BigSkyCatMan, & Cat Ferret) made the journey all the way from eastern Montana pulling Brady’s new RiverPro jetboat. When I saw the RiverPro, I had to have a chat with these guys. Turns out, they are catfishing fanatics, like me! We talked for awhile about all things catfishing and realized we could become good friends.

The Flatens, along with a few other catfishing friends, have created an organization in Montana called Montana Cats. There goal is to promote and grow the sport of catfishing, specifically within the state of Montana where catfishing takes a very back seat to all other species of gamefish.

Since then, we’ve talked quite a bit and talk turned towards the Cat Classic in eastern Montana. Jason was in need of a partner this year and he invited me to join the team. My first thought was this is crazy, but then I realized how practical this trip could be. Jason sold me on the idea when he said a round trip Amtrack ticket to Montana and back would only cost me $170 and they would provide lodging for me as well. Hmmm… I could not back out now!

Jason is not a stranger to this tournament, he’s actually a 2 time past champion so I think I’m in good hands. We’ll be using his local knowledge of the river combined with my knowledge of catfishing in Minnesota to hopefully win this thing. Our biggest obstacle in the tournament is going to be the high water conditions the Milk is under right now. According to Jason, the river is high, higher than normal so this is going to put the catfish into some patterns they don’t normally see. We think this is good for us if we can adapt.

As long as I don’t miss my train, I think I’m in for a fun weekend!

[harvey lee]

Good luck Chris.

[rushing]

Good luck and too bad you cant count any of them for the KOTC.

[Big Cat Dad]

It should be interesting to say the least. I'm pretty jacked for it even though saying "The river is high....higher than normal" is an understatement.

It's running at over 1000 CFS right now. It's twice the normal average for this time of year and it's still raining and going up.

The triangles are normal.... Should be interesting to say the least. Looking forward to seeing you out here hanson.

Quote:

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Jason is not a stranger to this tournament, he’s actually a 2 time past champion so I think I’m in good hands. We’ll be using his local knowledge of the river combined with my knowledge of catfishing in Minnesota to hopefully win this thing.

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Not so fast my friend.....remember who you will be competing against.

[BigSkyCatMan]

Yeah even with the high water it should be a good time had by all! This tournament has grown by leaps and bounds the last eight years. This will be the first year the classic will ever be fished in high water, which should be interesting to say the least. Because I run this tournament I will not be participating in it. There should be plenty of teams covered from head to toe in mud this weekend. I am thinking with the water levels, it should have provided plenty of opportunity for the big cats to move up the river. Now we will just have to see if someone can come up with the right tactics in these conditions. Forecast is calling for 80 degrees and sunny on Saturday so that would be a positive. I'm glad you decided to take the trek Hanson! Hopefully it can become an annual event for you.

[Fish'n guy]

Wow, When I think of the Milk river in Montana I think of huge whitetails, but I guess catfish never came to mind! That sounds like a good time! good luck!!

[DTro]

Good Luck bud!

Who knows, maybe this is the beginings of a Montana Get Together

[Shack]

Good luck Hanson! Sounds like good times. Take advantage of all the train ride offers.

[DARK30]

In case you ever fish in Montana, follow these rules.

Montana State Department of Fish and Wildlife is advising

fisherman to take extra precautions and be on the alert for bears while

doing any fishing in Montana.

They advise fisherman to wear noise-producing devices such as

little bells on their clothing to alert, but not to startle the bears

unexpectedly. They also advise you to carry pepper spray in the case of an

encounter with a bear. It is also a good idea to watch for signs of bear

activity.

Fisherman should be able to recognize the difference between

black bear and grizzly bear droppings.

Black bear droppings are smaller and contain berries and

possibly squirrel fur. Grizzly bear droppings have bells in them and smell like pepper spray.

[sparcebag]

Lucky You hanson!! knock em dead!

[rushing]

Dark

[hanson]

Quote:

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Wow, When I think of the Milk river in Montana I think of huge whitetails, but I guess catfish never came to mind! That sounds like a good time! good luck!!

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Dude! Did we see deer! And there is absolutely no question why they are there. Miles upon miles of flat, open grasslands everywhere and you have a river bottom full of cottonwood trees. Lots of whitetails, plenty of mulies, pheasants everywhere, all sorts of ducks, and some incredible catfishing as well. Sportsman's paradise, eh?

[hanson]

In case ya'll are wondering...

We took 8th Place out of 60 teams with a tad over 18lbs. My partner Jason Flaten caught our big channel at 9.2lbs.

The first place team had a tourny record 34lbs or so. Thats a 5 channel cat limit that weighed 34lbs, about a 7lb average. Truly incredible considering this team had about 4 hours to fish with the driving involved getting to and from their fishing spot.

I've got a little report that I'm going to post later as well but thats the Reader's Digest version.

[sparcebag]

Is it printanle for the powder room??

I've got a little report that I'm going to post later as well but thats the Reader's Digest version.