FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
“SAVE OUR WATERS”
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The Wade Right Fishing Belt
Brought to you by
Check out the new Madre Sling
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This was one of the worst days in the history of our country. Insane nut cases flew 4 planes into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and the other crashed in a field due to the bravery of the passengers. 2 months after it happened we went to New York City and it really was hallowed ground. Folks still walking around with posters looking for loved ones, walls of pictures and flowers , so quiet, and lots of law enforcement. And the rubble, it was still smoldering. Seeing what we used to call a big steam shovel next to one of the piles put the magnitude of what happened in perspective. I will never forget that sight and smells. Nor will I forget the medics, firemen, cops, union guys, some giving their life, others working till they dropped. With that comes the need to remain ever vigilant so it does not happens again. Never forget what happened that day, the victims deserve that.
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With it looking like it would be cloudy and cool this morning I decided to hit the lake. It was still dark when I got to the ramp and the wind was a steady 15 mph out of the north. The water temp was 72 at the ramp, the cool wind was blowing right on the ramp, and most of the lake was 83 or so. Basically the temp was down in the 5 – 7 degree range. Way up lake where the is a little bit of color coming in it was 72. And though it came up a tiny bit you could not really tell, we need some real rain.
Weather
66/90. Humid with sunshine and patchy clouds. 25% chance of rain. Wind 9 – 13 mph.
Lake Level
Today 93.16 msl. A Week Ago 93.12 msl. (Not much of a raise but it is a raise.)
Solunar Periods
Major 8:11 am to 10:11 am.
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The new Knockin Tail is catching fish all over this country! Ask for them at your favorite tackle store.
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So up lake I went to do the buzzbait. It was blowing right down the pike but 3 did jump on, all really small. That would end up being the blueprint – small. After that it was try it all. First up was a swim jig with a Knockin Tail trailer and of course one jumped on pretty quick, it looked like the first 3. An hour of that produced zip so time to head down lake.
Not a bite while hitting a couple of points working my way down lake. On a longer deep bank a couple back to back smoked the Bang O Lure. So things were looking up – not really. Could not get another to take a sniff. Why not go to where the wind is blowing directly on a deep bank and throw a spinnerbait? Why not? Because it was even worse, not a even a half hearted pass at it.
This would be the size of it.
Now it is 11:00 and only 6 smalls have come over the side, so in spite of the fact I figured no more trolling until spring I gave it a go. Now that was interesting. The shad were non- existent, not sure where they were but the places I have been seeing them were barren. Giving it an 1 1/2 hour go only 2 small bass came over the side. No white bass or other stuff, and did not see many fish on the locator, where before staying anywhere near 15 feet there were lots of fish.
So not sure what changed but obviously they were not liking this cold front. And if you think about it, when that is combined with the water dropping like it has that is not the best recipe for smoking them. But there is a good side on the long term, the falling water temp. If the water level will just stabilize fall will be here and the bite will be back on. At least that is my story and I am sticking to it.
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Anonymous got it right.
You Need a day off👍
Really it is not surprising. This post will be number 1,254, no wonder I get tired. It is really hard to keep it fresh and at times I struggle in the attempt to keep it interesting. So the break has been nice but feeling the urge to catch a couple. But with some things to do next week it will be tough to make it back on the water. (See below.) Thanks for reading.
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And from Metalfish.
Three things.
First, “selling the skiff”…….hmm, how many times have you said that…….lol?
Next, where y’all are going in Colorado, is it anywhere near the fires they are having?
Last, seriously, someone made this reply to you, “The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesn’t disappoint me as a lot as this one. I mean, I do know it was my option to learn, but I really thought you’d have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could possibly fix when you weren’t too busy on the lookout for attention”?
The skiff is definitely on the chopping block. Other than putting it on the muffs and running it in the driveway it has been months since it hit the water. In fact since the last tune up it has not moved. There is someone out there who would love to own it and I hope to be able to sell it to someone who wants to start boating. The compression is equal and good on all cylinders, impellor replaced, along with plugs etc. It may not be pretty, but it has caught a ton of fish over the last 20 years and it should be good for another 20. The engine is 10 years old and has only served as a back up when the LTS was in the shop. Carolina Skiffs are known for being rock solid and unsinkable, and this one has been just that.
The fires are west of Pagosa, and just like it was in Montana last month, the smoke will be around. The last few years as we have traveled the west it has come with the territory. But hey, it is not 100 degrees+ with 90% humidity!
And last, that comment is a spam by a bot, it has come on the site hundred of times. Trolls in whatever form come with the territory. I do not take it personally, how could I, it is not from a real person. Thanks for commenting.
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And I believe this is a first comment from Thomas.
Just want to let you know I enjoy reading your work. I too spend time in Pagosa Springs every year but we go to ski Wolf Creek. I hope they are able to open up this year. Like you, my wife and I consider moving to that part of the world when the Texas heat builds each summer. Funny how it bothers you more the older you get. Not sure if you have done an Alaska trip yet but I highly recommend it for the wildlife and the sheer beauty of it. I spent a month in Haines, Alaska this summer and look forward to going back next year. Anyway, enjoy your time on the mountain and maybe I will see you on the Texas coast in October.
I definitely feel the heat and find myself not that interesting in fighting through it when it is 100+. In fact, right now the nights are in the 40’s in Pagosa, nice change. If all is right with the world at daybreak we will be sitting on a high mountain top near the Continental Divide on a crisp morning listening to the bull elk bugle. Doesn’t get better than that! Hope you checked out the Wolf Creek Pass camera, looks like a good 4 or 5″ snow fall the other day.
Alaska is definitely on our bucket list, probably after we visit Thailand next year. As a side note Thailand has very reasonable offshore fishing prices and I want to fish one of those ponds that Thailand is famous for. I will probably never make the Amazon again so maybe I can catch an arapaima and red tail catfish and knock them off the list. I will be back on the bay now that the traffic is down to a dull roar. If you see the white Mako 18LTS with my logo on the front cushion hollar, always nice to meet folks who read this drivel. Thanks for commenting.
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And SA Joe chimed in.
Doug,
Was that an actual picture of a boat sinking for the Lake travis boat parade? That wake was a bitch…..
I saw a video of a parade on Canyon lake here in san antonio. Sure was alot of boats…
I just plucked that pic off of Facebook and I don’t think that one sunk but what a mess all the way around. From what I read everything from smaller ski boats to pontoons went down. The organizer said the plan was for the parade to take place at 10mph. Really a bad idea and that is probably where the trouble started. Think about it for a minute. What kind of a wake does your boat make running at 10 mph? Big like mine as it plows! Then put hundreds of boats, including big cruisers and house boats, much less the holiday weekend traffic, along with plenty of the inexperienced and it was an accident waiting to happen. Crazy stuff.
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Unfortunately my Monday and Tuesday are off the table as far as fishing is concerned. There is a recall on the 4Runner so it has to be in the shop Monday. It would have already been done last week but they forgot to tell me it should have less than a 1/4 tank of gas. So hopefully that will be done before we head out.
(We are on our 6th Toyota, my third 4Runner. We have dealt with multiple dealers in 3 states over the last 30+ years and Victoria Toyota is not only the worst, they are absolutely terrible. They have tried to pull a couple of fast ones on me, that I know of, and luckily I caught them. I am one of those folks who religiously follows the maintenance schedule, in fact due to lots of towing the drive line stuff gets done early and regularly, so I deal with them a lot. You have to watch them like a hawk so be warned.)
Tuesday is the MRI. After going through the shots in the ear thing it made no progress. So 2 months later nothing has changed. I can’t hear a lick and my left ear still sounds like the roaring of the surf in a seashell. Trust me that is freakin’ irritating. Now they are looking for a tumor/growth on the nerve. I really do not care what it is, or needs to happen, anything to stop the stupid ringing. At least now when the Boss accuses me of not listening she just might be right!
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Finally football is back, and since it is my favorite sport I am ready. And as far as the the teams pregame actions I could care less what any of them do, or anyone else for that matter, short of a felony, before the game starts. They have a right to do it, you have the right to not watch it. If it pissed me off I just would not watch and save myself the aggravation. It is football, not brain surgery or astronaut stuff, the only thing I care about is what takes place between the lines when the horn blows. In the grand scheme of things it is nothing more than a game and is no more important than that.
As far as fishing hopefully the weather will be good Wednesday so I can hit the bay before Colorado. Time to work them over on the Knockin Tail. And a little more fishing with the Four Horsemen Tackle popping cork and then get the review to you. They made it right. So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
