FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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What cool creatures they are.

A youngster shedding his winter coat.

Definitely moose on the loose!

And this is what makes it happen for the moose and everything else in the marsh.  Beavers, and I do not mean Buccees.

Everybody get in on  the marsh action.

Mallards on the nest.

He was not liking our presence.

Everybody getting a new coat.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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Day 2

We were out at daylight and on the hunt.  It snowed all morning, then rain/snow off and on the rest of the day.  In the morning stuff was on the move.  We have been a few places with moose, but this place takes the cake.

A big boy.

It was moose on the loose!

We had others but it was snowing to hard and pics just ain’t happing.

He was growing new antlers.

We saw lots of herds of elk.  They were in the valleys getting ready to head up the mountains.

This a couple of bulls just starting to grow some new antlers and they were giving us the business.

And this little spike’s antlers were to small to fall off yet.

Plenty of girls out and about.

Everybody is shedding their winter coat.

Mule deer are generally not all that excited when you stop and take a picture.

Until it quit snowing we saw plenty of wildlife.

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This is a small part of the stuff we saw today, it was a good day. We drove north towards Yellowstone until we hit the road closure.  We did see a couple of bison with a really little baby.  And a little later we saw the big bunch on the move, but all were to far for even a bad picture.  We came across several cars in one place and we just missed seeing the oldest most famous grizzle in the park with her 4 cubs.  One thing about driving around and looking, timing is everything.   Tomorrow I fish the Snake and am getting excited the river looks great.  The Boss is going to pass as it will be a little chilly, but at least no snow.  But looking at the stores in Jackson she will make do somehow.  As usual we really enjoyed the day and who knows what else is yet to come.  Off to happy hour then supper, Jackson is a cool town.  (I do know one thing, would not want to be here when the season starts in a week or so, crazy!) So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Weather

55/75.  Mostly cloudy with a 25% chance of rain.  Wind  ESE 12 – 17 mph.

Lake Level

Yesterday  94.01  msl.    Today   93.99 msl.

Solunar Periods

Major  9:43 am to 11:43 am.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*****************

While the fishing today was not great, from daylight until about 11:00 they bit.  The water is really clearing and the temp was 70 – 75  degrees depending on where you where.  The wind was blowing about 10 mph so not a real factor today.  Of course I started with the swim jig, but today they were not all that interested, at least the bigger fish.  But I put 4 or 5 smalls in the boat before I finally made a change.

Best I could manage today.  But no complaints.

The best area did not produce a bite, which really surprised me so I picked up the watermelon read stick worm with a 1/4 ounce pegged tungsten and got a bite right away.  So for the next hour or so I just pitched to wood up lake and every once in a while one would jump on.  It ended up being the better bait, but it seemed they still were not in a real chasing mood.

Weird, but wanted to show you the blue/blue swim jig which has been catching the good ones.

Most of the fish on the swim jig were right on the bank.  Basically just reeling it slow and giving it the occasional hop or jerk. whenever the moods strikes me.  It does seem that most of the bites do come after some extra movement.  And when reeling it off the bank if you do not get a bite in the first 5 feet give it a hop, then let it fall just a little on slack line.  The stick worm, just toss it as close to the wood as you can.  Make sure your hook is skin hooked or you will stay hung up, same reason I peg the sinker.  If you can bump it all the better.

I think that the cold front had them just a little off their feed, but I did catch over a dozen anyway, just lots of smalls.  Normally you expect them to move to the wood when the sun comes out, but they were tight today.  Around 11:00 it was back down lake, fished 3 places without a bite so called it a day.  Not sure why I am having all that much trouble down lake, but seems like once I leave up lake the fishing deteriorates the farther down I go.  But at least there is a bite.

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Not sure what kind of snake this is.

The Boss got surprised by this guy on her walk the other day.  Not sure what it is, maybe some kind of rat snake?  But cool looking never the less.

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Next time you hear from me it will either be from the Snake River or back home.  Hopefully some good fish and wildlife pictures.  And it will be snowing!  Tomorrow the weather looks like it will suck so no more fishing until we get to the river.

And last the LTS.  The parts have been on back order, not surprising considering what it is.  They have arrived at Mercury but with the Covid they are not shipping anything for at least 2 weeks.  So it will be a couple of weeks, but at least they exist and are coming.  Need the LTS as I am feeling a case of the Louisiana and just maybe Florida as we are probably headed there next 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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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

I almost left it on the trailer.

Weather

49/76.  Sunshine and patchy clouds with a 2% chance of rain.   Wind  NE 10 – 15 mph.

Lake Level

2 Days ago  94.01  msl.    Today   94.01 msl.

Solunar Periods

Major  8:51 am to 10:51 am.  Minor  2:18 pm to  3:18 pm.

*******************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*****************

When I got to the ramp it was immediately apparent it was going to be tough, not only the catching, but the actual fishing.  The wind was blowing almost 20 mph almost straight out of the north and white capping right on the ramp.  It was 34 degrees colder than yesterday, and it was clearly apparent it was one of those cold fronts, north wind and mile high sky, that just makes it tough.  And fishing out of the skiff when the wind is blowing around every corner and in every cove just makes it tougher

First up was the point where I have been catching them, it was somewhat out of the wind.  Not a touch, one pass with a spinnerbait and one pass with the swim jig.  So I bit the bullet and headed up lake, all the way into the wind.  Once I got there it was tough, nothing like a bow in your line using the swim jig, but I did manage to get one good bite.

Worth toughing it out!

The water color was a little worse so I stuck with the blue swim jig with a blue trailer.  For some reason they have liked that color this year.  The one above just swam up, ate it, and kept swimming.  That was about 8:00 in an area I have been catching the big ones, and then 4 more smalls jumped on and I missed a couple, all on the jig.  I spoke with the Boss about 9:45 on her way to work and little did I know I would fish another 3 hours without so much as a touch.

So to switch things up I gave a bluegill swim jig with a watermelon red Rage Craw a go.  But it turned out it was not the color, they really shut off.  So to test went down lake to a couple of places I have been catching them on spinnerbait and not a touch.  Fished one more bank with the swim jig without a bite so at 1:00 I called it a day.  If it had been just a tiny bit better would have stuck it out.  The big fish are up, need to get em’ while the gettin’ is good.

It was a good thing that I carry snow suits, rain suits, different sweatshirts, along with assorted gloves in my day bag, needed them this morning.  And really missed the LTS today as a little more weight with the boat would have helped some.  But no matter what it was hard fishing.  An old man (Funny how I call someone an old man, said the guy who is 67y/o.)  put in right after me, saw him crappie fishing, and he was still out when I quit.  Other than that not a soul around.   But all in all put a good one in the boat, making the effort worth it.

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And this report from Rusty.

Doug, good to see you at Houston show. Fished Bastrop lake today and what a nice change. Didn’t see another boat for first two hours. Water temp was 68 and clear. Started with swim jig and caught a couple. Then switched over to Zoom fluke in Smokin Shad color with no weight on 10 lb line. That was the ticket!! Couple hours later changed to light colored swim jig with pearl Knockin Tail and boom they were hammering it. Ended up with 30+ in 4 hours. Weather was perfect. Have a good trip out west!
Tight lines
Rusty

Nice, not many days like that on the water anymore.  And will have to give the jerk shad a try over here. I am really looking forward to the Snake River, and just maybe seeing a bear or two.  Good to hear from you and to see you at the show.

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My buddy Clyde was in Arkansas this week, and I would have joined him but of course wanted to do the show.  He sent along some pictures of him with his crew of “knuckleheads”.  Like herding cats!

Now that is a crowd.

They were fishing the Dry Run catch and release area on the North Fork for trout.  One of our friend’s boy caught 3 by himself.  Nothing like passing it on!  Way to go, that is a handful.

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Have some stuff to do tomorrow with the Boss, but looking at the weather might try to get out tomorrow as Friday looks really sketchy.  The forecast, severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail, flooding, think I will pass on Friday.  Then it is off to the Snake River for a few days.  So we shall see, but a good cloudy day with lighter winds could easily produce a multiple big fish day, a real improvement for Coleto.  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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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Glad to be headed back to the lake tomorrow.  The weather looks good, which can only help.  Will be up early and on the water at daylight.

Weather

51/73.  Rather cloudy and warmer with a 10% chance of rain.   Wind  ENE 7 – 1o mph.

Lake Level

6 Days ago  93.94 msl.    Today   94.01 msl.

Solunar Periods

Major  6:13 am to 8:13 am.  Minor  11:25 am to  12:25 pm.

*******************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*****************

It was non stop gobbling all the way until afternoon  Lucky to get this shot.

The area that I fish the most has lots of turkeys, and I see them regularly.  Today they were in full strut.  The gobbling was steady, and the one above came to the bank to strut in the area I see them fly down, or fly across the lake.  Cool creatures, I can see how folks like to hunt them, something I have avoided as it takes place during spring fishing.  But I digress, on to the fishing.

The lake is definitely up, the water was off color in most places, probably from our rain, the temp dropped 4 – 10 degrees, and the fish bit just like they have.  My regular hot point was fished when I got to the lake so I just got it over with and ran all the way up river.  The first couple of places produced zip pitching and spinnerbait, so I headed into a cove and started catching them.  And then I got the good bite.

This was a freakin’ beast!

With the water color like it was it made sense to throw the blue/blue swim jig, and when she hit it there was no question.  Then she was kind enough to thrash on the surface, not sure she could actually jump, making for a great fight.  From that point on, which was about 9:00, it was all about the swim jig.  It kept producing those ones you have seen here, which is why I spared you any pictures of the smalls today.  The good thing, I got a bite everywhere I tried.  I actually came back down lake and fished a spawning cove and only caught one, so time to head back up and make a stand.

I started down a flat bank with lots of wood and it was not 5 minutes before I had another good bite.  This one was the same size, big, and she managed to get under the boat and just pulled off.  Really disappointed, but when you already caught a big one it is not quite as bad,  but it was a big fish.  It has been while since 2 big fish in the same day, but that was not the end of it.  They slowed some around noon so I headed down lake to fish coves close to the ramp.  The wind had picked up and I switched to buzzing a spinnerbait in the little clearer water.  One just took a big run at it right by the boat, (No trailer hook, my bad.) and came off.  Dang it, it was another big fish. The 3rd big bite of the day.

And what made it interesting is 5 or 6 jumped on over the next hour, all on some really flat stuff.  One literally almost ripped the rod right out of my hand when I stopped it by the boat and when I went for the trolling motor.  And several chased it, I could see them flash at it.  So here is the punch line.

Maybe just maybe the bite is on.  It was steady until I quit at 2:30 and I had my chances.  It seemed the water color has helped things, and once the wind blew they were definitely interested in the spinnerbait.  And though I did not toss the Bang O Lure it would have worked in the clear stuff.  If I had managed to boat all 3 of them it would have been a great day.  It was definitely fisherman error but nice to finally feel like you have a shot.  (Here is what it seems like right now.  We have some big fish, and tons of smalls, but I am still having trouble catching those mid sized fish.  We seem to be missing a couple of year classes, but that remains to be seen.)

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I was pleasantly surprised at the number of kids who are fishing nuts, especially the young girls.  My favorite was Isabella.  Maybe 6, going on 21, she had her fishing hat on backwards, tournament shirt with her name on it, and the picture of her big flounder.  It has taken a while for women to invade what has been a male dominated world, but look out, change is coming and it is a good thing.  (You young guys, there is an outdoor girl for you out there somewhere. )  Another young man was just waiting to finally be old enough to get his captain’s license.  His dad makes custom rods and guides in the Toledo Bend area.  Like I told him, do well in school, and good things will come.  So many of the kids were ate up with it, I remember that feeling like is was yesterday.  So take your kids fishing.  But the best thing, was the open bins of Knockin Tails were irresistible to anything in the 5 years old and younger group.  Nothing like grabbing a handful and shaking away.  And when they got a say in the color choice it was always one of this and 2 of that.  Really gives me hope for the future of fishing.

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Really enjoyed meeting the Line Cutterz guys at their booth, you might remember them from the Shark Tank show.  Great folks, I enjoyed trading fishing information with Darran Greene, their Director of Sales, who also fishes the walleye tour and guides for muskies.  It was really interesting to hear his technique with the Knockin Tail, which has been wearing the big walleyes out on the upper Mississippi River this spring.  Some of the upper pools have been on my bucket list for a while and he will be a great resource if I make the trek.  Will send along a little of his technique to my buddy Clyde to use if they actually make it in to Canada this year.  So take a minute an peruse their website, cool product.

Line Cutterz – Patented Fishing Line Cutters & Innovative Fishing Gear

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It was really nice to see the reactions to the Knockin Tail.  Folks who purposely came straight to the booth, they have already been fishing them, and another group that heard about it at the show and searched them out.  A couple of cool things happened, one of them Thursday.  As I was walking in a young guy saw the hat and said he caught his first Texas Snook on one.  The next day he stopped by the booth and scored a hat from Michael for his comment.  Then yesterday a guy stopped by, picked up a Red Shad Knockin Tail and said:  “My customers and I limited out on reds with this yesterday.”  Dropped it back in the bin, then just walked off without another word.  No my name is, love your baits, etc.  Neither of us knew who he was.  No matter what, the Knockin Tail is catching on with more and more guides, along with the rest of us, which says a lot.

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And this from SA Joe.

The only bass boat capable to handle 450hp is the BASS CAT !!! All others are junk !!!!   hahahahhahahahaaa..

I have a 19ft Pantera Classic Bass cat with 200 Merc. Fast enough for me.
Joe San Antonio

After watching them grow when I was living in Mtn Home they are now one of the premier boat manufacturers.  So I do not blame them for building a quality boat that can handle that big a hp.  My complaint is just basic, we do not need to go any faster.  Most bass boats, and many bay boats, will make the hair on your head stand straight out, which is fast enough if you get tossed.  As usual enjoy hearing from you.

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The countdown begins.  A week from now we will be in Grand Teton National Park and I will be lucky enough to spend a day floating the Snake River, one of those bucket list trout streams in America.  And we are really excited about the grizzlies being out with their cubs.  There have been tons of sightings almost daily and it is so cool to see a really big ass bear.  Sadly a guy was mauled last week and they had to kill the grizzly.  Then yesterday an experienced guide who was fishing was killed, and then the grizzly charged the wardens when they came to investigate and they were forced to kill it.  Both probably related to them have a kill close by, which you never know.  This time of year they are really out and about and we will not be hiking any trails this trip.  It is their house and not ours.  The elk have begun to migrate out of the wintering area back into the mountains and the parks.  There is also a possibility of seeing a Bighorn.  The trip has real potential and it is getting hard to wait.

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Tomorrow will find out what the hold up with the LTS is.   I try not to bitch, but we are headed to 7 weeks, which is long enough.  So that is priority number 1, ready to get knee deep on some shell on the bay.  But no matter what it will be hard at it this week.  So keep stopping 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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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Michael selling lots of baits.  If you like the Knockin Tail like I do he has a deal worth driving for.  Buy you favorite colors in bulk, what a deal.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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Tim and Jack, off with them again to the Chandeleurs Islands.  Check them out for all your wading needs.

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Rex and his Action Hat.  A hat built for the Go Pro, and so you won’t lose your Go Pro. So get you one and you to can be an internet fishing god.  Plus he has cool shirts.

ACTIONHAT.COM | FishFRSH.COM | LIVELIVEGEAR.COM

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Captain Experience, home of “Dam Good Fishing Guides”.  Book Em’ Dano!

 Fishing Charters & Deep Sea Fishing Near Me: Captain Experiences

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Both hard and soft plastic shrimp lures.  I have seen them smash redfish and trout, and they have only gotten better since then.  Popping cork candy.

Marker 54

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And last but hardly least.

2 Louisiana fishing guides needed a better cork and they designed the best one on the market.  Trust me, as many fish as they boat a year they needed the best.  Of course I hit him up for some info, love the Grand Isle area.

A Better Cork built a Better Way

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Always enjoy the fishing show and catching up with folks.  Everyone reports business is good.  So if you have any free time in the next couple of days head that way.  You never know, there is probably something there you can’t live without.  And I will be working the Controlled Descent/Knockin Tail booth tomorrow.   Nothing like talking about fishing for 9 hours without stopping.  Then as soon as I am done talking fishing with a few hundred folks it will be back on the water.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Houston Fishing Show

If you like the Knockin Tail Lure, and will be anywhere near Houston this weekend, bring your wallet.  Michael has a great deal for the show so time to stock up.  The Knockin Tails will be available in bulk, which is the only way to go and will save you big bucks.  You can also get a deal on bags of  his other great bait, the Controlled Descent Lures.  In deference to the stores that carry his baits you will have to hit the booth to find out how great the deal, but trust me what a deal!   So stop by the booth and say hi, and buy some baits.

And be sure to stop in and say hi to the Wade Right boys.  They have some new stuff this year and you never know, there just might be something you can’t live without.

Weather

71/88.  Humid with variable cloudiness; a thunderstorm this afternoon with a 50% chance of rain.   Wind  ENE 7 – 12 mph.

Lake Level

Yesterday  93.94 msl.    Today   93.96 msl.

Solunar Periods

Minor  8:04 am to  9:04 am.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*****************

The bite I was hoping for.  One of the last 2 spinnerbaits from Tad’s Fishin’ Machine Lures, where I toiled over 40 years ago.

Up early and turned on the radar, nothing to speak of, but when I looked outside it was drizzling and really warm.  Perfect!  So got organized and was on the lake as it was cracking daylight.  Basically conditions were similar to yesterday and the water temp is creeping to 80 over most of the lake.

I started on the same point and just as they have been for the last month they were up chasing shad.  Both spinnerbait and topwater caught fish, (See below.) and I think it was 7 over the side by time I left and headed to a different bank.  From that point on I committed to the spinnerbait.  I rigged up my last 2 from the old days and waked one for most of the day.  As it has been the smaller fish hit the minnow, the better ones the spinnerbait, and I am willing to keep after it for the big bite.

A good start to the day.  There are lots of these up right now.

One thing that was really interesting was while I caught the big fish in the wind, it really was more a matter of being around fish.  As an example in the back end of one cover I caught 4 buzzing it, and there was not a breath of wind, but the big fish came out of a pocket with the wind blowing straight in.  And that bite was why I keep after waking the spinnerbait.  She absolutely smoked it half way back.  There is no way to adequately describe the bite, but she literally stopped it.

There is a little period every spring, and it appears it is happening now, where big fish will chase it.  It has to be up on top, making a wake, but not crazy speed with a high speed reel, and it needs to be running straight up and down.  Over the years I have learned to cast, switch hands while the bait is in flight, and have it waking the minute it hits the bank.  Of course you catch most of them that way, but the big fish usually come off the bank, clearly a reaction bite.  It is never a sure thing but make the right cast and they just can’t stand it.

They were more than happy to hit the Bang O Lure today, and it would not surprise me if a person sticks with it all day it is just as likely to catch a big fish.  And I did catch a couple off wood pitching the watermelon stick worm.  And it also will put them in the boat if you stick with it.  The only complaint, I just can not find the preferred bait as they hit them all.  And it is still a little puzzling why some of the coves just do not have any fish in them, at least 3 that I keep checking which are historically spring coves are not producing.

It was a good morning and they bit fairly consistently.  The numbers are good, and the size is creeping up.  It will be interesting to see how things progress, but no matter what the lake is changing.  Of course that won’t stop me, love catching bass on spinnerbait.

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It is all well and good, but I sure hope that I get the LTS back this week.  I am trying to remain hopeful, but who knows, it is out of my hands.  And when that finally happens it will be bay time,  and the few reports I have seen online look pretty good.  It is still not time to post big strings of trout and folks seem to be keeping it to a dull roar.  (Plus if you want to look like a horses rear end post a bunch of dead trout.)   Until the net surveys are done in June the real status of the trout is up in the air.  Plus trout spawn multiple times a year and every nice one you put back will make more trout.

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No plan at the moment other than the Houston Fishing Show.  The one purchase I consistently make is jig heads.  There are good deals to be found at the show and with the cost of them in stores I always stock up.  Plus it is nice to see some folks, and will be looking for Rex to learn a little more about where he fishes in Louisiana, the time is coming to head that way.  And how knows, might even fish again in a day or two.  Nice to finally be catching fish on the lake.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

******************

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.

******************

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

From the looks of things it will be cloudy, or at least increasing clouds during the day as a front moves in.  Of course my favorite day to fish, but the real reward is maybe, just maybe, we are going to get some rain later in the day into Tuesday.  We are in drought conditions, on the edge of severe, and badly need the rain.  Rarely do I wish to get blown off the water with hard rain but in this case bring it on.  But it should be good so it will be on the water at daylight.

A real beast.

Weather

67/86.  Mostly cloudy with a 25% chance of rain.  Wind  SE 10 – 16mph.

Lake Level

Today 93.94 msl.    One week ago  93.84 msl.

Solunar Periods

Major  1:59 pm to 3:59 pm.  Minor  7:33 am to  8:33 am.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*****************

Same result, different day.

It was cloudy with a light wind at the ramp and stayed that way until I quit at 2:00.  The water temp was 75 to 80 over the whole lake, and today I fished from up the main arm then back and all the way to the plant.  There are some areas where the water color is really murky, and a lot of that is the tilapia.  If you ever wanted to bow hunt them now is the time, they are literally all over the place.

Starting on the same point with the fish, 6 jumped on both spinnerbait and balsa minnow, though today the minnow caught smaller fish.  The spinnerbait was better on the “bigger” shorts.  They were smoking the spinnerbait, and it was an easy dozen plus during the day, not a one of them a “good” fish.  3 or 4 came on the swim jig, and same or more on the senko style 5″ watermelon pitched to cover.  In fact it is probably the best bait right now.  (As far as I am concerned the senko style plastic is maybe the best all around lure ever invented.  It catches all varieties of fish, year round.  Take it to any lake, you will catch fish.  Not that many baits are that consistent, year round, no matter the conditions.)

They were not missing it first thing.

I did switch it up a little, instead of the slimmer Rapala went to the Bang O Lure spinner tail, switched from blue/blue swim jig to a white with a Controlled Descent prototype tail, which by the way you may see at some point.  And it ended up being a different spinnerbait as one of the them tossed the arm off the one that was working.  That is a constant problem with the Booyah spinnerbaits, broken wires.  So time for a little information.

What I like about the Booyah is the wire is a little bit thinner than some, which of course accounts for a better vibration.  It also helps it run a little truer, which when you wake it as much as I do makes it real important.  The downside, they break.  I actually sent some back once, and they sent me some, so no complaints in that department.  But the wire does give out, but after catching several dozen who are stopping a fast spinnerbait hard to complain.

Plenty of this size.

They did not hit the spinnertail Bang O Lure after the first pull.  It was twitch and a bite, but move it off the bank and zip.  The stick worm was a little different, several came off the bank, but of course there was one constant, wood.  And it did not matter what bait you tossed to it, which is kind of depressing.  With conditions as good as it was, there is no reason I did not at least stick a real one.

And I covered lots of different types of water, 4 or 5 places that I have not fished in a while that are normally good spring spots, along with 2 deep points.   There just does not seem to be a particular pattern, at least not one I can decipher.  I keep thinking it will change, and of course there is always a chance to stick a real one, but I am beginning to wonder if they are even there.

Buddies.

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I saw a crazy picture on Facebook, and it goes straight to one of my pet peeves.  It was a new Bass Cat with a 450hp engine.  Just what we need, bigger and faster boats on increasingly crowded waterways.  Sorry folks but as far as I am concerned this is nothing but nuts, and asking for trouble.

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So though I caught 20 plus today it was uneventful.  Was not planning on going tomorrow but now that I looked at the weather it will be back to the lake.  Not sure the plan other than it will be daylight.  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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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

After the Boss came back from her walk the other day much to my surprise she wanted to head to Canyon Lake and the river for some fly fishing.  Her ulterior motive, she just wanted to practice her casting before we hit the Snake River at the end of the month.  So not having a clue about the Guadalupe trout fishing I quickly got a rundown from my buddy Dan Oko, she found a place, and an hour later we were on our way’

Thrashing away!

We stopped at a fly shop near where we were staying and got some flies and a little advice.  Give the store one thing, helpful would not really be a good description of his demeanor, but whatever.  The bad news, Canyon Lake is down quite a bit and they are just not releasing any water to speak of.  Luckily when we got to the motel it was right on the water with a good hole, and after driving along the river quite a ways it really was low so we got lucky there.  And just to add to the conditions the wind was blowing right up river, which really affected the drift when combined with no water.

To make a long story short we fished a couple of hours on both days and had one bite, and that was one who smoked my indicator.  Great bite but hard to hook up when they hit the indicator (bobber).  This morning that changed.  It was cloudy and I finally saw some feeding action.  I had thrown the works at them and this morning I had a fly dropper under a hopper style that I was using as my indicator.  (Thanks to my buddy Rusty for tying them.)

One came up and actually looked at it, and then 2 actually hit, but with my superior skill I did not get a hook in them, but at least there was sign of life.  So I switched just to a hopper but did not get any other bites.  It was getting close to check out time so for last call tied on a San Juan worm, which I  have used a time or two out west without any real success.  Also switched to a foam indicator, which I like, and right before quitting time it went under, I set the hook and a nice rainbow jumped.  It jumped again and took off, and unfortunately pulled off.  (Probably fisherman error, you forget how hard they pull on the fly rod, and how small the hooks on those flies are.)  And that was the end of our short trip.  I am at best a novice fly fisherman but watching that rainbow launch leaves me wanting more.

It really was good to get in some casting practice, and I definitely will come back for more of the Guadalupe, but earlier in the year.  The place we stayed had good access and even this late in the season there were still some trout to be found. As usual on a new place it took a while to figure it out, and the old “if we had one more day”  applied.  But it was a good time and got my blood flowing for the Snake.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*****************

Think there is not a problem on Fayette, or the problem is not as bad as they say?  Check out this comment from our Fayette guru.

Hello Doug! Happy Anniversary! I know you are a lucky and blessed guy to have a wife that supports your passion! It just makes our lives so much better
I’ve been fishing Fayette Lake last couple weeks with mixed results. When I can find a quiet seclusive spot, I catch a good bunch of fish. But that’s getting rare. Imagine you find that spot and you start fishing and a recreational type boat with the motor sputtering blue smoke come in full speed right on top of you with 6-8 people onboard and starts letting individuals out with cast nets every 50 yards with total disregard of you fishing there. It’s changing the fishing dynamics of the lake dramatically. I don’t know where it’s going to end up but right now it’s headed in the wrong direction.
I’m going over to Bastrop Lake this week to get away and hopefully catch some fish(and peace). These winds have not helped either
Tight lines
Rusty

That is just plain sad.  Like the petition said, time for some rules, especially during spawning season.  I can not imagine the damage done by netters on beds and just the general disruption of the spawn.  (And of course none of them would keep a gamefish, sure.)  I would suggest that they come over to Coleto and take a couple of million, but wading the shoreline could be life threatening with the size of our gators.  Not sure how it will get resolved on Fayette, but as usual I have absolutely NO faith that TPWD will do anything, unless some of the rich board members were directly affected.

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And speaking of gators, in the 10 years I have been fishing Coleto regularly I have never seen so many baby gators.   There are at least 3 coves with babies, some who are still hanging around.  In fact, I almost caught one when I thought his little nose by the shoreline was the tip of a piece brush, made the perfect cast, and he took a run at my topwater. Yesterday in one of the coves there was a big gator when I came around the corner in the area where the small ones have been.  While I am sure some have moved on, I think big gators like gator bites as much as I do!

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Well there is good news and bad news as far as the LTS goes.  The bad news, it will be late next week (Hopefully.)  before I get it back.  The good news, it is what they thought and they are just waiting for parts.  And interesting while there is some play in the steering, I am getting the cable replaced, the problem actually was one of the bushings that allow the motor to steer back and forth.  So guess it will be the skiff for a while, at least I am not shore bound.

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If you have not checked out the Knockin Tail Group on Facebook check them out.  Cool fish pictures from around the country, videos, articles, and the occasional give away, what is not to like?  So check them out, share some, or just lurk.  All the cool kids are there!

(1) Knockin Tail Lures Group | Groups | Facebook

And as a side note will be able to fill you in on the deal that Michael will have at the Houston Fishing Show next week.  There is no better time to stock up on your favorite Knockin Tail.  Hope to throw a few myself this coming week on the bay.

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Next weekend is the Houston Fishing Show which I always look forward too, especially this year.  As we slowly get back to normal please use at least a modicum of caution.  The Boss is still seeing cases in the ER, it is far from gone.  So wear a mask, it is the least you can do.  And if you don’t want to, your choice.  But it would really suck to be the last person to die from Covid in your town.

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Really looking forward to the coming week.  The weather, ie: winds, look good and it will be fishing until I drop on lake and bay, then topped off with the fishing show.  So I will save my allowance and get ready to do a little shopping, never know what will peak my fancy, but I have never made it out without spending some $$$$.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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Happy Anniversary!

That’s my girl!

32 years filled with adventure and all the highs and lows of life.  But through it all the Boss has stuck with me in thick and thin.  It has been the joy of my life to share my life with her.  And what man in this world does not want a wife who says:  “Go fishing.”  Thanks for being my buddy.

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On the fishing front I still do not have the LTS back from the shop.  Not sure what the hold up is, will find that out tomorrow after I get back from the lake.  Amazing how getting a boat motor worked on is always an adventure, and the only person in a hurry is me.   But if they are that busy I have always wondered why there are not more shops or mechanics. No matter what my fishing has been somewhat curtailed without it, maybe I will get lucky and get it back this week.

The weather has potential tomorrow, and I am looking forward to catching some bass.  Hope springs eternal in all fishermen.  (Obviously I am a glass half full guy as far as the lake goes.)  And looking at the weather mid week we have high winds decreasing mid week to fishable in the skiff, so Thursday the bay it is.  Have a new bait that is not released yet and am anxious to feed it to some trout.

Will be interesting to see how the fishing is post freeze.  And on that note, hope folks are giving the trout a little rest until the true numbers are known.  I will be catch and release until then, but if you want to keep a few, keep what you are going to eat and not one fish more.  Now is not the time to have a freezer full.  (But when is it a good time?  They never taste better than the day they are caught.)

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Weather

61/77.  Times of clouds and sun with a 45% chance of shower in places.  Wind  SE 15 – 20 mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.84 msl.   Last Thursday  93.99  msl.

Solunar Periods

Major  8:42 am to 10:42 am.  Minor  2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*****************

Not bad for the second cast!

Though I have been let down more than happy with the recent results, today just had that feel about it.  Clear but clouding over fast, occasional drizzle, wind light first thing, it checked all the boxes.  The lake still has areas of really off color water along with nice clear places, but it is definitely dropping.  The water temp was 68 – 70 degrees over most of the lake.

First up was the point where they have been, and low and behold 8 jumped on, including a couple of good ones.  The topwater balsa minnow twitched right along right on top was did the damage.  From that point on it was just as it has been.  Some coves had nothing, others had 3 or 4 willing to bite.  Sticking with what works it was a bunch on topwater, several on spinnerbait, a few on swim jig, and a couple pitching the watermelon stick worm.

It was a steady bite today on spinnerbait and topwater minnow.

The first ones have been chasing shad there for a month and will hit the topwater off the bank, the rest of them except that last one were literally right on the bank.  If there was any thing, a little grass, stump, brush the bites came within a foot or two.  But as it has been really tough to pick a go to bait.  As long as the wind stayed down they like the minnow but you had to wade through lots of smalls.  In fact 2 points during the morning had them chasing shad, there just were not better ones like the best place.

And not bad for my last cast.  My favorite bite, smashing a spinnerbait right beside the boat!

And as far as location today they were up on the main lake, coves, and points, with none being absolutely the ticket.  But points did produce the most bites.  And going back in coves just did not work out all that well.  And as the wind came up the spinnerbait was the better bait and it was nice to finish off the day with a good one smoking it right by the boat.  Love it when they come out of nowhere and crush it.  A prefect way to head to the ramp.

I don’t want to get to excited but this was a real spring day of fishing.  Hard to tell if the lake is coming around but catching an easy 20+ is a good start.  One thing that stills annoys me is the number of tilapia beds in the back ends, seems like if they are there the bass are not.  I did see a bass on a bed, the water has dropped just a little and they are somewhat easier to see.  Only time will tell if the bite is on, but at least they bit on the kind of day they should.

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A couple of reports from Grand Isle LA have me wanting to head that way, which incidentally is the home area of Four Horsemen Tackle. Some of the reports had big strings of trout which is a good sign for the early fishing, much less the ever present reds.  A couple of years ago fishing with the Yankees we had our 200 trout and 40 red limit, it was nuts and not something I will probably do again.  But as long as it is the limit have at it.  The amount of fish the marshes of Louisiana produce is just astounding.  So trying to see where a 3 day trips fits in with the coming schedule.  Love that place.

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There are 2 big threats to water quality, development and mining.  And the situation in Florida with a phosphate retaining pond is a perfect example.  Long story short, the holding pond is leaking and about to rupture, flooding homes and heading into Tampa Bay.  It is nasty radioactive stuff and a potential ecological disaster.  The time has come for the mining industry in all its forms be required to post a bond/insurance that covers decades after they are gone.  Like so many of these situations the company is bankrupt and gone.  In other words, took the profits and when it was no longer profitable hit the road.  So here we are, a big mess that the taxpayers will end up footing the bill for, and one of the great bays in the country potentially trashed.  We can make more mines, we can not make more bays.

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So progress.  But as I type this the weather guy just said it was going to blow, and then blow, and then blow some more.  Some of it in the 40mph range, typical early spring on the Texas coast.  Now I will be wind/weather watching for better days to hit the coast.  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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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.

*******************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*****************

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

********************

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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