FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

Finally after weeks I will be heading to the lake in the morning.  While my eyelids are still not perfect it has been a major improvement.  Not sure if the fishing is worth a hoot but who cares.  And the Boss wants a fish fry so will end the day trolling up some supper.

Weather

88/56.  A few passing clouds, otherwise generally sunny. Continued very warm.  Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.

Lake Level

Today 95.31 msl.  last time I fished 6 weeks ago 96.23 msl.  (Almost a foot, can’t wait to see the ramp.)

Activity Times

Major 7:30 am to 9:30 am.  Minor 2:20 pm to 3:20.

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I am finally starting to get a little relief.  The medicine is starting to work, and while not perfect I can finally drive so I headed to the lake like a big boy.  It would be impossible to tell you how I feel but it looks like I am getting my life back with the least amount of hassle considering.  So the fish on Coleto better look out because we have 6 weeks to go and I intend to make them pay.

The lake is definitely down, but the color is awesome over most of the lake.  The water temp was 77 – 80 degrees and the wind was light and never did get over 5 mph.  It was foggy as all get out when I got there at daylight and it was a little bit before I could leave the ramp.  If the lake keeps dropping the ramp could be an issue at some point to come.

Love the early morning buzzbait bite.

Until the fog lifted at 9:30 5 jumped on the buzzbait including 3 that measured.  They were on steeper banks with wood and were pulling it under.  I preach all the time about holding the rod level and pointing it straight at the bait.  When they do that pull under thing you have a tight line which gives you the chance to stick em.  It was fun so next up time to throw some plastics.

I hit my magic tree and caught 4 off it in nothing flat, one of those was a keeper so things were looking up.  Since I was just wanting to see what was happening I switched to the swim jig and they liked that.

The swim jig did its part.

They were definitely eating the swim jig.  They hit it pretty good and I maybe missed one and boated 5 of which another couple were keepers.  While a big fish did not jump on considering no wind and high sky the results were promising.  As it was getting hot time to do a little trolling on the way to the ramp.  And that worked.

And the Bang O Lure added a couple on the way in.

4 jumped on, 2 on a shad crankbait and 2 on the Bang O Lure.  Trolling gave me a chance to see where the fish were in the water column, and most were shallower than 15′.     It was a little surprising to catch a couple as the Bang O Lure only runs about 5′.  The nice thing about the white bass, besides he is on the plate tonight is it was a little bigger than the average for Coleto.  It just might be a good year for them and the time is coming.

All I have to say about the fishing today is it was so good to be back.  Now it will be watching the weather for that cloudy rainy day, and it will be a killing.

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Jingle Bells

Home Sweet Home.

Thanks to Linda the neighbor across the street for this.  Winter had finally arrived in Colorado and we are so ready to head back for good.  We love our neighborhood walks in the snow, quiet and stunning.  With few folks around it is a winter wonderland but there will be plenty of snow to blow as soon as we get there.  But the snowblower is staged when the garage door opens and in no time flat the drive is clear.

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Wildlife News

Texas –  A new case of chronic wasting disease has been found in a new county in Texas.  I can rant and rave all I want but again TPWD continues to allow captive deer breeding.  Good luck to all you whitetail hunters the future is not a bright as you might think.  When the state says the incubation period might be years remember the inactivity if it goes to shit.

Colorado  –  A voter initiative on the state ballot to outlaw the hunting of mountain lions was soundly defeated.  It had no basis in scientific fact and deserved to lose.  There was never a dispute that there are plenty of lions in Colorado.  Sorry all you tree huggers but lions are not pretty kitties that you can pet when they appear on your porch.  In fact, pet is the operative word, it is your pet they are after.  I always come down on the side of all stake holders having a say, and the issue is dead in Colorado.

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Good Questions – Impossible to really answer.

I’m planning a fishing trip to Alaska next year—dream come true! Any advice on gear or spots I shouldn’t miss? The colder climate will be a new experience for me.

That is not something I can really answer for you but as far as gear there are 2 things I would not go without.  But do your research until you are blue in the face.

1.  A real rain suit.  And I do not mean Frogg Togs, a real heavy duty that will keep you dry and also act as an outer shell so when you layer you do not have to take a big ass coat.  Add a couple of good gloves maybe one heavier set another maybe the wool with open fingers.  And of course, some waterproof boots.  The weather can change in an instant and you can always take it off but wet and cold will spoil the day.  Chances are it will rain one or every day.
2. A quality point and shoot camera with a built-in telephoto lens.  Easy to fit in your pocket, preferably waterproof.  Easy for some quick CPR fish pics.  And be sure to buy a new SD card that you can save your trip on and after downloading to your computer you can save it just in case.  Be sure to label it.  And always have it on you, the wildlife is amazing including in town.
3. Not knowing your where and how plans as far as tackle if I had to cover as many bases as possible it would be a 4-piece 6 weight fly rod and would wait until I got there to buy flies depending on what you are after.  Then a 3-piece good quality spinning rod and reel that can hold 10 – 2olb line depending on what you are chasing.    As most of it is trout or salmon again buy your tackle there.  Might be a little more expensive but at least it will be based on local knowledge.  (Sharp hooks etc are not welcome on the plane.)
4. As far as where just go anywhere and do anything you can, the options are endless.  Big wild rainbows and dolly varden, or salmon depending on which one is on the run.  Do your research on what you want to catch, do, or see at the time you are there.  The fishing is endless depending on your willingness’ to travel or spend money on guides.  Only you can decide how you spend your time.  But no matter what it is a true bucket list trip, good luck.

Here is the link to our trip.  Flossing the Kenai 6/29/2022. | Fish Catching Travel

EASIER TO ANSWER

Nothing beats the taste of freshly caught fish cooked over an open fire It’s a real treat after a long…

You are so right.  I started cooking shore lunch when I guided in the 70’s and 80’s.  whether on an island in the White River when guiding for trou or at a campsite at lakeside I have cooked hundreds of shore lunches.  I always kept it simple, dredge in egg and then shake in a bag with cornmeal, flour, and whatever seasoning sounded good.  It tastes as good today as it did decades ago, as in the fish fry we had tonight.

These questions came from the following site, one of the best places on the planet to catch your fish of a lifetime.  In fact, when I fished that area I caught so many big Mahi I put the rod down and said let’s go back to the sailfish.   Thanks for the comments.

The Dream Girl Charters | Fishing Costa Rica | Puntarenas Province, Playa Herradura, Los Sueños, Costa Rica

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Aransas Wildlife Refuge

As part of the leaving Texas tour we headed to the refuge to see if the Whoopers were there yet.  At the gate they told us only a few were around and not in an area where the public can go.  But with the storms up north I figured they should be there and of all things a giant bunch showed up while we were there.  They should be easy to find now that it looks like the big body of them have arrived.

Here they come.  One of the great birds of North America.

There is very little water in the ponds and consequently nowhere near the number of gators we usually see.  But at least one big boy was in their usual sunning spot.

Not a giant but he had some shoulders.

The big lake is almost dry but the deer and hogs were loving it.

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Thanks

To all of you who commented or texted in my time of woe a big thanks.  I admit it was scary, and it was so hard not to always think the worst.  We are so lucky it has come out this way, not sure I deserve it but will take it.  So life goes on and today I am going to head to the garage and mess around with the boat.  And if all goes well I will be back on the water first of next week.  (Today.) Our life will be taking a big shift as will the blog and I so appreciate those of you who have read this stuff for the last 14 years.  All who know me will not be surprised that I won’t shut up until the bitter end.  Thanks it was good to know you are out there.

The best thing about this morning is the Boss will finally not have to drive me everywhere.  There is still some to go but as the medicine continues to work we are so hopeful.  Plus it is time to fish and by God I am going to fish until I drop which looks like may be later than sooner.  I can never tell you how appreciative I am for everything including you who follow the blog.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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