FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

It is 9:00 Thursday night and I have decided to get up really early and be at the gate when the lake opens at 6:00.  If I am having trouble catching fish later in the day the only answer is go as early as possible.  The weather is going to be a little to nice, but maybe one more big fish, worth getting up for.

Weather

69/85. Periods of clouds and sun with 0% chance of rain.  Wind ESE 10 – 20 mph.

Lake Level

Wednesday  95.18 msl.    Today  95.15 msl.

Solunar Times

Major  10:37 am to 12:37 pm.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

It was dark when I got to the ramp.  No real change in the lake conditions other than there was not a cloud in the sky.  As I got my stuff together I decided to retie the buzzbait.  Usually I just grab and go and think about it way to late.  Then it was off to the good place.

Not quite what I was looking for.

I made on pass on the point without a bite.  So turned around and refished it and caught a short.  Then the one above.  What makes me happy about this one is the size.  I have caught very few in this mid size, so was good to see one.  Two casts later it happened.  The bait was about half way back and one just literally blasted it.  I went to set the hook and nothing, including no bait.  The line was broken clean, not an untie, and there is no reason in this world that it would break.  Obviously somewhere on the 2 prior fish something happened to the line.  Ouch!  And what made it so weird is I actually retied before starting and since I rarely do it, kind of a reverse karma thing.

From that point on fished way up lake, and caught a couple flipping wood on the watermelon stick worm, but it is still almost muddy the farther up you go.  Then like I have been doing it was a variety of places, some I have not fished, some I have, with the same result.  2 in this cove, 1 on that bank, never any more, no better fish.  Specifically went to the clearest cover I could find and threw the Controlled Descent Pearl Jerk Shad and could not raise a fish.  Actually threw it on a couple of other spots without one even taking a pass at it.  If there are shallow fish they will always take at least a swipe at it.   And so far the new grass does not have them, at least none I have fished.

A couple more fell to the buzzbait, but they were small.  The swim jig continues to put fish in the boat, and if was going to tournament fish would buzzbait 1 or 2 places early, then the swim jig the rest of the day.  But even that is slow.  Just can not figure out a specific pattern.   But no complaints on my part, caught some nice fish this week.  When a big fish blows up on the buzzbait it is a thing of beauty!

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The Lunker Lure

You have heard me rant on folks who say things like this lure is a copy of that lure.  That misses the point, and shows their complete lack of historical lure making.  The Lunker Lure is a perfect example.  I do not know who was the original designer/maker, but it was used the first time by a pro winning a BASS tournament, I believe in 1975.  In fact I had my tackle store at the time so I  ordered a dozen, immediately hit the lake, smoked the bass, and have been hooked ever since.  Since then everybody who makes spinnerbaits makes a buzzbait.  But in my opinion, and I have used many different brands, nothing beats the original Lunker Lure.  They all make different sounds, but none have improved on the original.

A buzzbait is a great big fish bait.  It is by far one of my favorite ways to fish.  What it imitates is open to interpretation, which is exactly what you want the fish to do.  Is it a duck, bird, shad, it really does not matter, you just need to put it in front of one and hold on.  It shines from post spawn  all the way into whatever winter your area has, water temp 65 degrees and above seems to be the ticket.  And the best thing, it really is simple to use.  Cast and reel.  The key is speed, a steady medium retrieve is usually fine, and lure placement.  Good casts make for big fish, and it should be moving when it hits the water.  I generally point the rod straight at the bait, which will increase hooking percentage.  Big bass often hit it way off the bank, and will come quite a way for it at times, so do not give up on it to soon.  And like they are doing right now, they will smash it.  Little fish will pull it under, nip it, but once a big fish commits she is going to eat.

And one thing you hear all the time is it should squeal.  Folks go so far as to put them on the car antenna or console so it will spin on the way to the lake, just to get them to make “that” noise.  Now companies have added clackers and such, which I have found to be of no help.  When you throw one as much as I have you learn that they will wear out fast, usually the spacer at the end of the blade, they only have so many rotations in them.  It needs to spin freely so it makes the perfect sound at slow to medium speed.  Cast, get it up,  and keep with it.  So with the Lunker Lure, take it out of the package, tie it on, and go to fishing.  Do not complicate something as simple as fishing it.  And when they are eating like they are right now it will hook you, and them.

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And this question from SA Joe.

Doug, I wonder if those big ladies are smashing the baits even earlier than when your getting on the lake?…

Believe me that question has crossed my mind a bunch.  The problem?  The gate does not open until 6:00.  And it closes at midnight.  Now you can get out anytime but I would try it around 4:00 if I could get in,  Not sure I want to go at midnight and stay all night.  But who knows, it might be the trip of a lifetime. especially with this moon.

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Get ready all of you with an outboard that has a drinking problem.  Oil has hit over $62 a barrel and is projected to go even higher.  And just today in Victoria gas went up almost .20 depending on where you shop.  Of course the rise in gas prices would not have anything to do with the reopening of the economy and what looks to be big summer travel on the way now would it?  But either way get ready, it is about to get expensive to feed the beast.

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And did I mention that I actually had the net out?  I rarely use one but for the first time in a couple of months there was actually a few fish that could not be boat flipped.  Plus, it really is easier on them if you have the rubber one.  Easier to get the hook out of the net, and it keeps the fish wet.  So here is hoping there is some more of that in my future.

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We all need a little reminding occasionally, the internet is a dangerous place so do not trust anyone, period.  My sister-in-law and her husband are selling their camper.  They put it on an internet selling site and got a quick response.  The guy,  or shall I saw a piece of excrement, set up an appointment, then a little while later texted wanting a copy of the title.  The answer is not only no but f’n no!  Of course they have not heard from him since.  The easiest way to transverse the internet is NEVER provide any information to ANYONE.  End of story,  One thing you learn as a defense attorney is there are lots of criminals out there who want your stuff.  Probably the same guy from Nigeria who is holding her 100 bazzillian $$$$ inheritance.

And on that note saw a picture of a tournament fisherman with his trophy and check, and he had blockked out the amount.  Smart guy.  See way to many guys flashing the check, which, get real, how often is that reported as income?  Okay to brag, but why exposure yourself to thieves or the IRS.

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And on the LTS the mess continues.  Mercury finally sent the parts last week, only problem one of the bushings for the lower motor mount was for a 4 stroke and not the Opti.  They contacted them, so sorry our fault, and we will get the right part out, in 2 weeks.  I have been a Mercury guy for the last 40 years but this is getting ridiculous, we all know if I was somebody the part would be overnighted and my boat would be long fixed.  So talking nice about them is over.  Try getting your crap together, it should not take almost 6 weeks to get the parts from the factory.  Who do they think they are with poor customers sevrice, Bass Pro.  So the skiff party goes on.

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On the travel front back out west we go in a weeks or two.  Headed back to Pagosa Springs, which is one of our happy places.  Last year at this time the elk migration was in full swing, we ran into the grouse doing their thing, and the rivers were to blown out for wading.  So who knows what to expect from this trip.  But we will be covering the miles, doing some hiking, and putting some fresh trout in the pan.  May even do a little real estate looking.  And Chago will go by the house and makes sure it is still standing.  And isn’t it about time for you to get out there yourself?  They say all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, jsut saying.

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Hope you all have a good weekend.  Of course I will leave it to all of you have to work, hope you get out and catch a few fish.  Now unless it is perfect time to do a little bay fishing, hope we get a day or two with light winds, but rain is coming again, so we shall see.  No matter what I will be fishing so keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

All I have to say, I have a  bad case of the big bass.  So tomorrow I will be on the water before the sun is up and looking for that big bite.  Not sure where I will start, figure that out when I leave the ramp cove.  And more grass cover is going to get a work over, maybe with sun they will move in it as the day progresses.  The only way to know is to go, and I will not have any trouble getting up.

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Weather

75/84. Pleasant, sunny with patchy clouds and 0% chance of rain.  Wind NNE 10 – 16mph.  (Wrong, it was mile high sky and blowing almost 20 at daylight.)

Lake Level

Yesterday  95.18 msl.    Today  95.20 msl.

Solunar Times

Major  9:10 am to 11:10  am.   

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Worth Getting Up For!

I do not know what to say.  It was early as you can see, and when this girl smoked it she hit with some serious bad intentions.  This was one of my top 5 bites bass fishing ever.  It was dead quiet and it sounded like s gunshot, POW.  And then reality set back in.  This is one of the weirdest patterns I have ever encountered.  Smash it at daylight, and then they are gone.

The wind was out of the NE blowing right on the ramp.  It was cool, see sweatshirt, but the water temp remains in the high 70’s and the color seems to be getting a little worse.  With the pounding wind I started on a bank out of the wind with a good point where there has been a shad spawn.  It was a little bit before I got a bite, then wham.  And what came next?  Exactly what I have been seeing, it was another 7 or 8 smalls the rest of the morning.

Half came on the buzzbait, and half on the swim jig.  Try as I might fishing the grassy areas with a Controlled Descent Jerk Shad, they should be blowing up on that thing but they were not having it.  And occasionally the plopper when the cover was not to bad, but no body was interested.  I have a thought on that, the water is still coming up some and the color is working it’s way down lake.  As a side note when I cross the Quad on the way to the lake it is still as high as it has been, muddy, with lots of trash, which is an indication what is coming down lake.

Again today I fished some of my old spring favorites I have not fished in a while, and as usual it was one here, 2 there, all smalls.  In fact did not have another big bite all morning.  But with a cool north wind and mile high sky it was not surprising,  Monday when I got 2, it was cloudy all day and light wind, the next two days as soon as it cleared off in the morning they slowed way down.  In my wildest dreams we will have a day or two coming up with clouds, drizzle, and a light breeze.  Then it will be all day.  The big girls are up, it is all a matter of timing.

Tomorrow will be a honey-do day, which includes mowing the lawn.  This is one of those neighborhoods where once someone mows it turns into a mow-a-rama.  Fishing will be all weather dependent now.  Good light wind day will head to the bay, otherwise it will be back to the lake.  If the wind would give it a rest actually thinking about night fishing,  who knows, that may be the ticket.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Being gone for a week, and then us getting that big rain, had me thinking just maybe it helped the fishing.  I even drove out to see the ramp yesterday.  On the way in stopped a guy leaving with a bass boat to get a report.  Said the water was up and not to off color, though he did not go way up lake.  He reported he caught fish until 9:00 and then it just died.  So I was ready to go this morning.

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Weather

75/88.  Breezy, partly sunny and humid with 0% chance of rain.  SSE 15 – 25 mph.

Lake Level

Today  95.18 msl.    11 days ago  94.01 msl.   (Up over a foot and it shows!)

Solunar Times

Major  7:31 am to 9:31 am.   (And could not have been any more accurate.)

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

I definitely got out to late this morning and did not make a cast until 7:30, which I guarantee cost me a few.  The plan was to throw the Whopper Plopper and I stuck with it until around 11:00 when it definitely quit.  But when they did bite, it was a thing of beauty.  And the grass, there is lots of new in the water, and it looks great.  The water temp was high 70’s every where.

Talk about flushing it, there was no missing her!

The first place had to much wind, I am fishing the small Whopper Plopper.  It was already light white capping so headed to any cover which wasn’t just rolling.  Caught 5 smalls and missed one that looked pretty good.  Next up was my favorite early cove and I tossed it between 2 stumps with the perfect cast and the one above slammed it.  After a good tussle in the net she went.  I rarely use a net unless they deserve it and this girl did, no boat flipping this size.  As usual not a clue what she weighed. it just qualified as big.

I calmed down and made a cast.  Reeled it in, then made the perfect cast in a small pocket and it happened again, 2 cast later.  It was another absolute smash, and she proceeded to get wrapped up in some wood.  But guess I am living right because I was able to get to it and get her untangled.  Cool, but scary, to see them jump on the other side of the snag.  Slipped her in the net, admired her a second, and back in she went.  Like the one above no clue what she weighed, could care less, it was big.

It happens occasionally and today it did.

I think maybe one more small jumped on, and I missed another on the swim jig, and that was the  size of it the rest of the morning.  In fact, after about 11:00 not a touch.  So a little past noon I called it a morning.  I probably missed a good hour of the morning bite, will not make that mistake tomorrow morning.

The lake is looking seriously good.  It is clearing, there is a ton of new grass in the water, along with other cover.  It has not looked this good in a couple of years.  So the question – Is the fishing that much better?  To early to tell, but I did put 2 big fish in the boat today, on the other hand, only caught 7 or 8 and when it quit, it stopped.  But for me, and the way I like to fish, it is gong to be fun.  Whopper Plopper, buzzbait, trick worm, Jerk Shad, and what I will be throwing a lot the next few days, frog.  There is now lots of water for these style baits.  And since neither of the fish were spawned out, their placement indicates they were on the bed or going there.  There is also a mass tilapia spawn, they are bedding everywhere.  If you are a bow hunter get out now, easy pickens.

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Still no word on the LTS, and not sure when it might appear.  So until then unless there is a calm day it will be the lake for the time being.  But with the lake fishing like it is would be there anyway.  With the the activity today it might be a rush to the bank with a round of spawning.  So for the next little bit I will be chasing the bass, it was a couple of awesome bites.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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I could have/should have done a little better keeping up with the photos this trip but it did not happen.  It was all about seeing the wildlife and burning the candles at both ends.  Up and gone before daylight, then 10 hours of searching.  And when it happened it was a thing of beauty.  So instead of some story I have decided on letting the photos tell the story.  The earth will give it up if you try, and this trip was a solid.

As you look at the photos be aware that these are taken with a hand held camera, and most are from a distance.  I do not edit or modify in any way.  They are what they are, no manipulated I Phone pictures, they are what they are, the real thing.   When it comes down to it the focus or the composition is what it is.  I do not take them for that reason.  I take them for the memory, and every time I see them it triggers the real picture in my mind, the reason I do it.  My mind goes back and I see it in my mind perfectly.  So instead of spending tons of time on choosing only the best here is our trip.

Our second grizzly.  The king of his domain.  The coat color was amazing. What an animal.

The park is full of things with hooves, and it was especially good for moose.

They were out and about.

And lots of cool things with wings.  Osprey and Trumpeter Swan.

And my personal favorite, the Rocky Mountain  Big Horn.

There were a few left on the winter range.  Just had to go where they were.  Would love to go there in the late winter.  Thousands of Bighorns come out of the hills and the opportunity to watch the rams fight is a bucket list thing for me.

We had a good day that day.

Decided to pass on this hike.  Sounded like a grizzly encounter on the trail!

On the nest.  Had to look up this one – I believe it was a Sandhill Crane.

And do not forget to pause and take it all in.  Good for the soul.

Molting Blue Heron and mallards on the nest.

Now before we go on a word from out sponsor.  To the folks in the park driving like you are in the city, what is the point?  Here is how our trip went, what did you see?  Crazy.  We work at spotting stuff, it is a learned skill, and it takes time but when it comes together it is so exciting.  So slow down and enjoy, you just might be surprised.

We see you.

Want to become an excellent elk watcher one word says it all – Butts, as in big white ones!

Get up and gone in the morning, and you might get lucky.  It looked like fire!

Stunning.

Then it happened.  Here she came with her cubs.  And for an hour we saw them come from the woods, swim the river twice, and just generally act like bears.  Made the trip!

This happened the morning I was to meet the guide.  I can not tell you how cool it was to watch them.  Little do the cubs know they are about to be pushed out, time to grow up.  And what made it all the better – I knew that fishing later was going to be off the chain.  Before the day was over I was so thankful that I am lucky enough to get to experience this.

This may not be the best but we were just like him, busy as a beaver, and this is the result.  Words do not adequately the parks in the west.  It never fails to move us at some point.  And spending the time to search out the great animals of the west has become a real love for both of us.  We have learned, do not keep your eye in the view finder, the pictures will take care of themselves.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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The Snake River  –  Never forget to  appreciate the beauty.  Stop fishing, look around, it might be your last day on this earth.

When heading out on a great trip where fishing might play a part I do my research.  From great companies like Captain Experiences,  game and fish websites, fishing reports, guide services, always trying to maximize my chances, especially when only fishing one day.  As you all know, one day could be a bust, or a great trip, it can be a crap shoot.  This time I hit a home run for a couple of reasons.

A native wild 18″ cutthroat.  My PB on a flyrod and it made the trip!

I choose to fish with Grand Fishing Adventures who describe themselves as the Premier Fly Fishing Outfitter in the Jackson area.  Now I don’t know about all that, and definitely not the reason I chose them.  Everyone in the fishing world is “all that.”  In this case they definitely were.

My choice came down to one question:  Water levels on the Snake at this time of year, which could be fine, or might be blown out with melting snow.  One thing they offered was other choices, from private small stream wading to lakes, so that should part being messed up, there would be options to save the trip.  And all I have to say is thanks to them for hooking me up with, Ian Leinbach!  So check them out, if you love trout it will get your blood going.

Jackson Hole & Grand Teton National Park Fly Fishing Guides | GFA (grandfishing.com)

My first 2, then the smack down began and only a couple of pictures after that.  A dozen at least of these and a few really nice ones. Time to forget the camera and fish!

I met Ian at 10:30 at the Wilson bridge just outside Jackson, and we trailed up to a private access ramp and put in.  Being situated as it was it reduced the traffic on that stretch of water, which is a perfect day float with little pressure.  Luckily the water level was perfect with just a hint of color.  We got situated, put in, and he filled me in on the day.  The plan was to first up fish nymphs on droppers, then dry flies depending on the fish, and maybe little dose of streamers.  The first hole I was a native whitefish slayer on the nymphs.  And then it happened, a hatch.  From that point on it was a beatdown, at least as far as I was concerned.

Did the damage.

You could see the hatch, and with it the trout started rising to beat the band.  They were in the “usual” trout places, but riprap was best, where the current pushed the hatch on to the bank.  On almost every stretch with rising bugs it was multiple bites.  I would catch one or two and Ian would row back up and drift it again.  He definitely manned up to put me in position.  Some were barely slurping it, others blasted it.  As a real neophyte with the noodle rod I missed a bunch, but still managed to end the day with double digit numbers of wild native Cutthroats making the net.  Not sure how many fish it was, but it was nonstop action for about 6 hours, and in spite of my beginning  casting skills they were happy to help me out.

A couple of the better ones.  A day to remember.

Ian was a great guy to spend a day with in the boat.  And not only that, he is a teacher.  All day long instructing, teaching, sharing, which I guarantee you has made me a much better fly fisherman going forward.  It is a journey learning a new skill and one way you can cut the learning curve is to fish with a pro no matter your target fish, and this trip was an A+.

Now a small rant as I am want to do at times.  No matter what guide you hire to catch what fish, listen to him and do what the heck he tells you.  Of course over the years I have hired some real losers, but most of have been great.  Ian was one of the best and by listening to him, and applying what he was telling me, I had an epic day.  If you “know it all” then pass on the guide and do it yourself.  But if you want to learn a skill, fish new places, guides are the way to go.  Plus, don’t listen and try to apply, then don’t bitch when it goes bad.

Once it got going the pictures became irrelevant, it was one of those take advantage of it while it lasted.   So no pictures of Ian, but he ain’t that pretty anyway.  (Just kidding.)  He has extensive fly fishing experience in the West and was happy share his knowledge.  The company was top notch, and I appreciated their life jacket rules.  The old attorney side of me have always wondered why any guide with a even a couple of working brain cells in his head would not require life jackets on anyone in their boat.  Not only for client safety but for their own financial good.

The weather was great, the water lovely, and the fish were willing to go, all you can ever ask for a day on the water.  And to do it in such a great place, on famous water only added to the trip.  Do not know if I will ever get back there,  but some of the rivers and creeks sure looked inviting, and would love to spend a day wading some of them, and Ian would be my guy.  So if you ever get out that way ask for him, and tell him I said hey.

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We got home late last night and I am still recovering.  Next up will be a big photo dump of wildlife and a few comments on the Jackson area, which I should get up tomorrow. Occasionally a trip comes together and this one was great.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

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.

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

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.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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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

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

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.)

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

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.)

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

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

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

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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