Fish Catching Travel
I had a feeling today would be an epic day, and for me it was. I have caught some big smallmouth in my life, and have had a couple of days where we caught a boat load, but today was both. Lets just get right to the point.
It may not have been my lifetime smallmouth, but if it was I would not be surprised.
This morning we headed to Cedar Tree Lake. It is at the upper end of Crow Lake where Muskie Bay is. Paul has a couple of v hull boats with 15 hp motors on Cedar tree and you just have to portage a little ways and carry your gas and all your stuff. So we loaded up Clyde’s boat and off we went.
Shoedog, John, Clyde, and I as we got ready to head up lake.
We asked Clyde if he had enough gas and he said of course. Well you know if you have read the last couple of days he is not having the best of luck. Of course we ran out about half way there, his gauge does not work. But we had the 2 6 gallon tanks for the boats on Cedar, and he had a 2 gallon spare. So in about 2 minutes we were back on our way.
After portaging and getting all the stuff we loaded the boats and off we went.
Water pouring out of Crow Lake and into Cedar at the dam where you portage.
From there it was in to the bigger arm and we headed all the way to the back. From there we each took a side and for the next 9 hours it was game on. We caught on jerk bait, spinnerbait, Rapala Shad Rap, but nothing even came close to the Strike King Caffine Shad in a neutral color. Using it on a jig head we started catching them just reeling it. Some of them ate it before it hit bottom. They were shallow.
The pattern was any point, with flatter points with grass on them being the best. We had no trolling motor or graph so it was keep the small motor running and working with the wind. We ended up fishing the whole arm and a little more before we quit.
So here is the highlights, but it was an easy 40 fish, with a couple of walleyes and pike thrown in.
A nice walleye headed to the fry pan.
Shoedog gets in on the act.
They fight like a mofo.
This was Shoedog’s biggest.
Last smallmouth I will show you. We probably caught 15 in this category and above and another 25 smaller ones.
A small pike. Though the lake has them in it and I did try for some, I will get that itch scratched on Lake of the Woods were we are heading tomorrow.
It was a real fishing pleasure. Clyde has been going there for years and telling us about how good smallmouth fishing was, and he did not exaggerate. They were biting when we started and biting when we quit. We had to quit about 6 to portage the stuff back and then the long ride to Muskie Bay.
On the way back Clyde’s boat ran out of gas again. We ran out going and coming. But we had plenty in the spare tanks so it was a quick fill and off we went. When we got back Clyde went to put the boat on the trailer, a bunk fell off, and the tires are to big so they hit the fenders. So now there will be more work on the trailer. You have to feel sorry for the guy, but by time we leave his trailer will be in tip top condition.
Tomorrow the plan is Lake of the Woods. The weather is looking a little sketchy, and that is a big lake, so it will be a wait and see deal. Either way I will keep you posted. We just pigged out on red beans and rice and home made sour dough, it is 10 pm, and folks are sinking fast. This hard core fishing is work. So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
