FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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I got up early Wednesday to head to the lake and as usual turned on the radar and forecast.  There was a chance of thunderstorms but also a shocker.  The wind was projected to gust over 40 mph.  Now I know I often bitch about the wind, but when they are talking over 40 time to stay at the house.  Of course the front came in way late and I could have gotten 5 or 6 hours in, oh well.  But with only the skiff no way I was interested in a big wave ride back to the ramp. So Thursday it will be.

Buddies doing a little sunning out of the wind.

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Weather

54/71.  Intervals of clouds and sun with a 5% chance of rain.  Wind NE 10 – 15 mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.99 msl.    Monday   94.15 msl.   (A slight drop.)

Solunar Time

Minor  10:12 am to 11:12 am.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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Why?  Because that is what I do.

I almost did not take it off the trailer.  In spite of the wind forecast it was blowing almost 20 mph right in the ramp cove with white caps.  There are times I should listen to that little voice, but I did not listen and off I went.

The water temp at the ramp was down 4 degrees from 69 the other day to 65 and it was murky.  That would be the tone for the day as the water color has deteriorated and gets worse the farther up you go.  And with the NE direction it was blowing down lake and around every corner.   I started on my favorite point and like there has been there were fish there.  That is the part I am having a hard time understanding, where the hell are the rest of them.

And it went downhill from here.

Shad were flipping on the point so I actually made 3 passes.  A good one followed the spinnerbait all the way to the boat and rolling on it when I took it out of the water.  Then I boated a small one and lost one.  With the wind hauling I motored around and made another pass catching a couple on topwater, then a couple more on spinnerbait.  It ended up being 6 off that spot.  I thought we were off to a good start.   But no.

Making my way up and then back down lake, it was maybe another 6, all small.  After the initial point most came pitching a watermelon stick worm into wood and a couple came on swim jig.   Almost everywhere it was to tough to fish anything but a spinnerbait, but they were definitely not on the windy banks.   And as it has been there are coves that inexplicably do not have fish.  The back ends of most have tilapia spawning but with it being so windy and off color I am not seeing any bass on beds.

At 12:30 I was tired of fighting the wind, which is an additional hassle with the skiff and it’s flat bottom.  But that was not really the problem, it was the fishing.  I can honestly say that the 45 years I have been chasing fish this is the worst/strangest/irritating/depressing, or anything else you could call it, fishing down stroke I have ever had.  Not sure what I can do about that on the lake, if I ever get the LTS  back I can start fishing other lakes and the bay even if it stays windy.  Other than that I am flat clueless.

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While perusing the boats for sale last night it raised the following question:  Why, or how, would you actually need a poling platform on a 25 foot boat with the works on it.  Last time I was in a “real” poling skiff the wind was blowing and the experienced guide had to literally work his ass off.  My guess, the majority on a bigger boats have never seen a couple of feet unless drifting or using a trolling motor.  But hey, they probably thinks it looks cool.

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Again thanks to all of your kind words following the death of my father.  One of you, who shall remain nameless, went above and beyond and your kindness will not be forgotten.  The wind will blow reminding me of the good man he was.  Thanks.

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Off Topic

I am left shaking my head after reading multiple articles on how folks arrested after entering the Capital are now claiming they are sorry.  One complains he is entitled to organic food that his momma makes because he is a grown man(?) living at home.  Another saw cockroaches in his cell, another wanted a private cell, among other complaints.  Well boys, welcome to being in custody.  What did you think would happen when you illegally entered the capital, or fought with the police?  In the hundreds of felony cases I have done folks were always “sorry” when they are caught, or in reality, that they were caught.  Then they somehow expect different treatment than those “other criminal.”  Well guess what, you are them.  It may sound corny but there is truth:  Can’t do the time – don’t do the crime.  (Plus should you end up convicted and in jail nothing good will come of your whining.  Trust me on that one, like wiggling a steak at a den of lions.)

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I am currently in a state of flux.  Some kind of a hold up on getting the LTS back from the shop is not helping matters any.  I need to go somewhere and as soon as I get the boat back it will be off.  Now how much I will fish in the next little bit is totally up in the air.  At least I have the Snake River to look forward to at the end of the month.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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A Better Cork built a Better Way

If you fish a popping cork and have not tried the Four Horseman popping cork, or even if you are currently using them, here is a GREAT DEAL.  They have been kind enough to give my readers a discount. It will be a 20% discount so get them while the getting is good.  What a deal.  Use the code 4H6 at check out to save some serious bucks.  No better time to stock up.  (I will leave this up for the time being, you never know when you will need some new corks.)

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