It's a bad day to be a fish.

An idea that began over beer and conversation with friends became a reality last year when Nick Bennett and his 20-something buddies decided to launch a Web site dedicated to posting timely Montana fishing reports.

Maybe it was only lunch and not really beer, but if the builders of "Hatchopedia.com" become the next wonders of the World Wide Web, then their story needs a little embellishing.

"It's going well, and we're trying to do it really grass roots," said Bennett, one of Hatchopedia's founders. "It takes a little while, but we're building a good user base."

Using the mantra, "Don't just fish; fish smart," the group launched their project in Bozeman to correct the "lack of timeliness that currently exists in local fishing reports."

The Web site, Bennett said, is driven by the user, and the reports are as timely and as accurate as those who post them can make them.

"We're all fishermen ourselves, and we're trying to get it up to the minute," said Bennett. "We wanted to tap into other fishermen in other areas. If people come down here to fish the Gallatin, we can share the information we have."

The Web site is simple yet surprisingly functional. A drop-down browser allows users to select any Montana river, stream, and most lakes and reservoirs. Users can also add an unlisted waterway upon request.

Looking to fish the upper Madison River? On Friday, there were 11 fishing reports available. A member named Nate Macheel had posted the most recent suggestion.

Best Fly? Try a wire worm, a crawdiddy, or a soft hackle caddis pupa. Macheel listed the water conditions as "clear" and the sky as "overcast." He floated the stretch between Varney and Burnt Tree.

"Fishing on the upper Madison was good for our group," Macheel wrote on the report. "Others we talked to did not do as well. Take time to fish the braids at the top."

The project was launched last year and continues to see slow, albeit steady growth. To help move things along, Hatchopedia founders are hosting their first-ever "Big Fish" contest, promising the winner Ol' Blue, a 1980s model Volvo (remember, it was founded in Bozeman) packed full of fishing gear and other prizes.

Bennett said prizes will be awarded in two categories. First, he said, for the largest trout, and second for the largest whitefish. Bait fishermen need not apply. The contest is only open to fish caught with fly tackle.

The second portion of the contest involves buying a raffle ticket. Tickets cost $10 with a chance to win the Volvo station wagon "stuffed to the gills" with gear and prizes.

Funds raised from the contest goes to advancing the Hatchopedia site, and of course, paying off the Volvo.

"We're really trying to focus on the customers and the needs we see," said Bennett. "We've received lots of positive feedback. People aren't out there giving away their secrets. It's just helpful hits. It's not like giving up your best hunting spot."

BIG FISH Contest

For more information, call 406-451-3899 or e-mail nick@hatchopedia.com. To view the Web site, log on to www.hatchopedia.com.