Pond Number Two

Pond Number Two is a lake in Teton County, Montana.

Without a dependable size figure for Pond Number Two, weeds, rock, water color, and nearby depth are the best starting clues.

Fish and Baits

Across the firm edge of the first drop, the fish mix here is not confirmed, so check fresh local information before choosing a target or keeping a catch.

Across the outer drop of a creek mouth, begin with one slow bottom presentation and one moving bait, then let bites show whether fish are holding close to cover or roaming open water.

How to Read the Water

Across the gravel lip of a protected bank, make one shallow pass and one deeper pass on the same shoreline; that shows whether fish are tight to cover or using the first break.

Season by Season

Around the first edge of a deep bend, early in the year, protected water and the first warm afternoon can be the best clues; as the water heats up, check deeper edges without assuming every fish is on the bottom; cooling fall water often makes points and firm banks useful again.

A Simple Tackle Plan

Across the channel lip of a protected bank, a medium spinning rod, 8-pound line, a small box of jigs, a few crankbaits, and a simple bottom rig cover most situations; change depth or speed before changing every piece of tackle.

Around the weed line of a windblown shore, record the wind, water color, depth that produced twice, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce.