BACK UP!  We climb the temperature scale once again as things warm toward a fantastic-looking weekend.  We’ve got more on the conditions and what’s happening locally, nationally and hopper-ly (not a word) in today’s Outdoors Roundup.

Featured Photo:   Hopper patterns are a favorite fly to tie as the winter season winds down. Simonson Photo

WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today:  Thu 2/27 – Warming – Hi 36, Lo 18, Wind NW@10, G18
Tomorrow: Fri 2/28 – Forty! – Hi 40, Lo 26, Wind W@8

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):

Sunrise        Sunset
7:26AM        6:25PM

Moonrise         Moonset          Overhead                Underfoot
9:28AM           10:33PM         3:55PM            3:35AM
Moon Phase:  Waxing Crescent (13% Full)

EDGE HOUR:  9:00-10:00AM.  Extend your morning bite in the Edge Hour with moonrise and lighter winds.

DAY RATING:

OUTDOORS ROUNDUP:

FISH HOUSE REMOVAL.  Hard to believe, but March is almost here and the warm weather will serve as a reminder that ice anglers must remove unoccupied houses from the state’s lakes by midnight on March 15.

PUBLIC PAYOFF.  The National Wildlife Federation reports that two southwestern senators have introduced the “Fair Returns for Public Lands Act” which would increase bid rates and royalties received by the federal government from oil and gas companies developing public lands for extraction purposes.  If passed, the legislation could raise revenues by up to $38 million.

HOP TO IT.  Late winter at the vise means thinking of late summer on the water and our favorite fly pattern for summer trout and panfish is a hopper.  Check out hopperfishing.com’s archives of great hopper and hopper-like flies for all of your fly tying and fishing fun this season!