FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out the new Madre Sling

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Every once in a while a project that is near and dear to my heart comes along, and helping the St. Joseph Bass Fishing Club get a start is one of those.  As I said in a past post, scroll down on this main page, it would have made a difference in my life if that would have been available in high school.  And now that they have turned it from a dream to reality time to step up and pay some forward.  And guess what?  When I did it was returned to me on the same day.  So get off your rear end and lend a hand.

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The new Knockin Tail is catching fish!  Ask for them at your favorite tackle store.

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A great starter pack for the kids!

We went to Bass Pro and Academy and I tried to get the basics.  Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastics, swim jigs, and a few other things to get them started, and one nice spinning combo.  There are 2 specific reasons why I am showing you this.

First, not to toot my horn, but to attempt to shame you into doing something.  (This is but a small example of all the stuff in my tackle boxes, which is exactly my point.) You do not have to go this nuts, just anything that you can do to help, even a small donation will be appreciated.  If you are tossing a $200 rod and $200 reels out of your $40K boat you can surely help.  We are lucky for what we have and sharing is a duty.  And a reminder, you can even offer to speak at a meeting to spread that knowledge that we all have.  It is great project that deserves our support.  Plus it was really fun shopping for them!  I felt like Santa Claus.  And then what goes around will come around when you least expect it.

Second, what goes around does comes around, it happens.  It did for me.  This is what a received from my buddy Rusty in the mail right as I started working on this.

Hoppers, attractors, midges and a couple of other cool flies.

As we were starting to plan our fishing trip to Colorado at the end of the month I kidded Rusty, our Fayette guru, about tying us a couple of flies and he was kind enough to say he would.  I did not expect this at all.  Rusty is a well traveled fly fisherman and has tied at the Sow Bug Festival in Mtn. Home on the White River.  He definitely knows his stuff.

This is what our sport is supposed to be about.  Enjoying the fishing and sharing with others who love the sport just like we do.  And helping the young learn and enjoy our sport will go on way after we are all gone.  So help in your own way.  And here is what you need to know.

The high school has set up an email for the club as listed below, great for asking how to provide specific help.

stjbassclub@stjflyers.com

Mrs. Ann Brogger is the high school counselor and one of the advisors . I’m the second  (Chago) by default.

The high school will provide a tax donation form.

As for the bass team, other potential options for helping the anglers are some basics on breaking down a new lake, articles about technique, discussions on fishing patterns, or similar.

So please help if you can.  The kids are itching to learn and if we don’t do it who will?  Who knows it might save one kid, keep him or her in school, and motivate them to pass.  There are plenty of other options for kids with sports and clubs, and the Bass Fishing Club is for those kids like us, itching to get outdoors and catch a few fish.  So thanks for listening to me, I have said my piece a couple of times now and it is all up to you.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out the new Madre Sling

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

Another beautiful morning.

When the Boss says “get supper” you get supper.  She really likes my fried fish, and I am actually fairly good at it.  But she says nothing tastes like fresh trout on the bank of the White River, which we did for clients when guiding, and she is probably right.  It was really nice when guiding for a trout dock and everything was packed and ready for lunch.  Good times.  (If you can live on $35 a day.  But I am glad I had the pleasure of fishing the White River regularly, it is full of trout.)  So of course this morning was the lake to troll up supper.

Weather

82/96.  Breezy and humid -Sunny/clouds – 23% chance of rain.  Wind  SSE 15 – 25mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.16 msl.  Friday  93:17 msl.

Solunar Time

Major   12:22 pm to 14:22 pm.

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The new Knockin Tail is catching fish!  Ask for them at your favorite tackle store.

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It was the last light wind as I put the boat in.  The water temp is still basically 90 over most of the lake and the color is so so.  Since trolling was the plan I fished 2 places I haven’t fished, and 2 places I have first.  The buzzbait put one in the boat and I lost a keeper, and plastics was a total of 1 small.  While stuck in a bush and shaking the plastic I reached down and moved the trolling motor and when I looked back my line was 5 feet from where it was and hauling ass.  With my superior skill I somehow missed that one.  About 8:30 time to troll up supper.

Smacked that little shad colored crankbait.

Starting where the white bass were the other day, the big open water before the turn to the discharge, they were still there.  And unfortunately they had not grown any.  So time to troll in the 10 – 18 foot range and head down towards the dam.  Using the mapping is critical but of course it is not the whole story.  No map will show the little cuts and points and watching the locator I have learned quite a bit.  One of the places where there was a big school not only have I not fished it much, they were on a little turn, which only by trolling over it could you see it.

Around 10:00 they started biting and a mix jumped on, and at that point the wind was blowing pretty good with white caps on the lower end.  A couple of keeper white bass, 3 keeper largemouth, and a bunch of smalls.  Interesting how no crappie or catfish have shown up, you usually catch one or two trolling.  A small silver shad looking crankbait, hard plastic that rattles like nuts and runs about 10 foot, was the preferred bait.  Caught a couple on a small Shad Rap, and even caught 2 switching to a rattle trap style bait.  There are not great big schools of shad, at least I have not run over any from the dam area up to about the discharge cove.

One result of trolling is that I have found a couple of banks with some really good fish on them.  Where the big one jumped on the other day produced the nice one above and a couple of smaller  ones.  And I ran over what was a really big school, looked like dozens of  nice ones, and doubled on bass in a second.  I tried to turn around and get a screen shot of the school but didn’t see them again.  Both areas were similar in that the wind was pounding on them, both bunches were in the 10 foot range near a turn in the bank, and both banks had a good drop within reason.  Definitely places to fish later.

There was hardly anyone out at today, think I saw 3 boats, and no one was at the ramp when I took out at 11:30.  The crappie are still biting, when I cleaned fish someone else had cleaned a wad of crappie earlier.  There was some real good ones in the can, and as it has been on Coleto, they are biting.  So for what the plan was the day was a success.  And when they are sizzling in the pan it will be all good.  One thing about trolling, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

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It is easy to see if you are paying attention that boat sales are up and it is a good time to sell on the used boat market.  I see it in the ads and on the water and here is confirmation.

Total new boat sales – from personal watercraft to yachts – in May were the highest in a decade, and June was strong as well, reports the National Marine Manufacturers Association, based on the latest sales figures available.

When it comes to new power boats alone, the 115,000 sold in May and June combined represented a 30% increase over the same two months last year.

Much of the increase is of course the result of covid.  A way to have fun, and keep social distancing, there are definitely more folks on the water.  I saw this years ago during one of the economic downturns when boat sales actually increased in tough times.  And here we are again, and economic downturn and folks are buying boats and going fishing.

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And this comment on Coleto Creek.  When I voiced my displeasure at the rise to $17 for the day user fee and its potential affects on retirees and vets, their response was that the increased revenue was needed for maintenance of park facilities.  Ok, so with the water dropping, and probably continuing to drop for the near future, now is the time to do some real work on the ramp and the approach.  (Be careful putting in just in case, the drop off on the end of the ramp is getting closer.) And along with that, from the minute you turn into the park the road is a mess.  So while they said all the right things it remains to be seen whether it will be followed through on.

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We are starting to get excited as it will be a couple of weeks in the mountains of Colorado.  And I mean in the mountains.  In a perfect world the rivers and creeks will be down and I can fish those places I have scouted the last couple of trips.  And it can only be topped off by the elk bugling.  Should be a good time to be there and a little cool weather will be appreciated.

The next couple of days look like the wind is going to blow some so we will probably take a drive somewhere, want to pick up some stuff for the St. Joe Bass Fishing Club.  Thursday is looking promising for the Gulf.  Though when it comes down to it I am just killing time this week until the holiday is over and dove season begins, which really reduces traffic on the bay.  And with that, if we are lucky, slowly falling daytime temps as we head to fall.  So keep on stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out the new Madre Sling

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

With the weather forecast calling for crazy hot and humid I decided the lake was logical.  And it turned out to be a good choice when I quit around noon and went to get the truck it was 96 in the shade.  And it was the right call as far as the fishing went.

The ramp is looking like it could be a real issue any day now.  The poles mark where the ramp ends and there is a drop off and it is close.  At least they have taken some of the sand off the ramp.  It is getting real shallow around the ramp area.  So if you go just be careful, if you have a big boat it will be tricky soon.  Easy to see this last 1/2 a foot has really contracted the lake.  The water temp was a low of 89 to 92, depending on where you were, and the color is not all that good.

Weather

79/99.  (Feel like 104!)   Partly sunny, very warm and humid with a 20% chance of showers. Wind S  10 – 20mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.17 msl.  17 days ago  93.49 msl.  (The fall continues.)

Solunar Period

Major  9:46 am to 11:46 am.  (And I will be done by then if it is that freakin hot!)

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The new Knockin Tail is catching fish!  Try them today.

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I am not all about getting up early, until I am gliding across the water, then it is all good.

To bad about the spots, but this was the biggest bass I have had my hands on this year.  This girl was a hoss.

I started with a buzzbait as it was barely light and a nice one jumped on.  But over the next hour only 3 other bites:  One blew up on it and missed, one just took a half hearted swing at it, and one the size of the buzzbait hooked up.  I did toss plastic back at the big blow up but no taker.  Then it was a little pitching with plastics.

It was early.

The real reason I went way up lake was to see how it has changed, it has, and pitching plastics was a whole new game.  This water level drop has really pulled off any shoreline cover.  And though I caught 4 they were really small, I mean peanuts.  So that pattern may have just about run its course.  Next up was down lake around 9:30 to do some trolling.  At that point the wind was blowing with small white caps near the dam area.

Still trolling the shad looking crankbaits that run 10 foot deep about 50 feet behind the boat at 2.5mph.  Right off the bat started catching white bass, 6 or 7 on a windy main lake bank, which had not really happened the last couple of trips.  They were really small but at least there are a few around, I was starting to wonder if we had any at all.  Along with that came a few small bass until 10:30 when a couple of good ones, including the big girl above, started biting.

A nice bass and finally a keeper white bass.

For about an hour if there was shad and fish on the locator it was a bite.  It turned out to be about 2 hours of trolling and catching right along.  The best places has wind on them and were 13 – 18 feet deep.  Points and channel turns had the most fish on them.   A simple matter of following the map contours.  And it was one of those days that the bite was dead on with the solunar time.

When the big one hit she just stopped it, I initially thought it might be hung up, but she came up and jumped which made the morning.  Since it was 10lb test took it easy, which you should do when catching fish trolling with crankbaits, they will pull off.  When I lipped her it was one solid fish.  One of those you could stick your fist in her mouth.  It has been a while between big fish, and it was nice to get that done.  Over the years trolling Coleto in the summer I have caught several really big fish but this girl was the biggest.

So today I learned that if a person wants to crank a 5 or 6XD you should be able to catch fish.  And one thing I have been planning to do, the big flutter spoon could work.  And maybe the Knockin Tail pearl swim bait slow rolled.  They are on shad, at least down lake, and they are not all that deep.

Funny how the lake has changed, NOT.  From a perfect grass and weed covered lake to a lake with no live cover or grass.  Trolling was out of the question except near the dam, now unless you hit timber you can troll for miles.  But it works, just like it did today.  A good way to end the week, trout on the Yellowstone, wolves, and the biggest bass of the year.  Can’t wait to see what happens next week.

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 I almost missed this comment from Adam.

Redfishlaw,

I came across your Chandeleur Island post from 2018–looked like a ton of fun. I’m headed there with some buddies in October and was curious about your experience with the Whopper Plopper? I’m also considering your friend’s product (Marker 54). We targeted a timeframe when the tides will be ripping, and will be fishing with Due South Charters. This will be my 3rd trip with them over the last 20 years. Regardless, I look forward to any recommendations you might have (fish the surf or cuts?). My trip 3 years ago did not produce many fish, unfortunately. Regardless, I look forward to your feedback and appreciate your time sir!

First up, our last trip ended up being fairly poor with not a lot of fish and I did not throw the Whopper Plopper.  When I did a couple of trips ago I got some big bites.  I had the biggest one and was ripping and stopping it like I have seen them used in Venice.  They hit it on the stop so give it a second.  While it caught reds there was one really big trout that blew up on it and just missed.  I did catch one good trout in the surf when the tide was slow, but it was better drifting and tossing it in deeper water on the bay side.  I would probably use the medium/small one in a bone color.  And as far as topwater bone spook junior is always a good choice along with a black back silver Skitter Walk.

The Marker 54 hard plastic shrimp got the job done both in the surf and the bay and is amazingly tough.  It will probably last forever as long as you don’t lose it.  He used a popping cork and the reds loved it, and it caught some real bulls in the surf.  And as far as popping corks I can seriously recommend the 3″ Armor by Four Horsemen Tackle, and I would add an oval with the wrap.  I have a long review coming on their popping corks but here is why I would not go back there without one.  They are really sturdy with a heavier wire, the sound is completely different, and the coating that covers the foam can take a licking.  Built by 2 south Louisiana guides they are the proper tool for the proper job.  And of course whether drifting or wading the Knockin Tail under the cork, or by itself as a swim bait, will catch trout.  Just get a couple dark and light colors and you should be good to go.

https://www.4horsementackle.com/corks

https://www.marker54.com/category-s/1825.htm

The surf was awesome 2 trips ago, slow this time.  You never know but anytime I can cross over and fish it I am there.  Not sure the best time but high tide to going out seems the time to be there.   And when it dropped and stopped moving so did the fishing.  Of course anytime the wind is down, it does not take long to figure out if they are up or not.  Sounds like the tide will be good when you are there, it was really weak our last trip and it showed.  If it is up early and running out during the day I would fish the cuts and drift or wade out with the tide.  Love the area of pockets near the red can on the island.  Last trip when the boys found them they were drifting reefs in 4 -5 foot of water, basically in the area the motherships anchor.  But even when it is tough it is still a great trip.  We will be really interested in how your trip goes.  It is one of the cool trips and when it is good it is crazy good.  Good Luck and thanks for reading and commenting.

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So next week it will be back to the bay some.  The Boss is off and it is time to get her on the wade.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out the new Madre Sling

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

The new Knockin Tail is catching fish!  Try them today.

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

Since we began what has turned into a passion a few years ago it has been a great time.  We love the west, fly fishing, mountains, and most of all, the wildlife.  And we have been lucky enough to see much of the big game in the US and this trip was no different.  It is hard to put the park and the experience into words but here goes.

Yellowstone

The North Entrance to our greatest National Park

While a day of fishing was on the schedule the park was the reason for the trip and in 4 forays we saw wolves along with most everything else.  But with the wolves being the main reason we headed to the area where we saw them when there with Yellowstone Wolf Tracker.  This year in the park there was a big bunch of pups and finally on the last morning we got to see 8 join up with three adult wolves and basically act like puppies, which now they are not.

Collared yearling.  Without the 600mm lens this would not have been possible.

Here she came.  Such cool animals and this was close as you can hope for.

On the second morning we could see a grizzly way off and got to watch him a few minutes before he ambled off.  And while watching 3 black wolves all of a sudden a antelope ran out of a draw about 60 yards away and here came the collared wolf.  If I had not had the good camera there is no way I could have taken these, got lucky.  She ran the ridge letting us watch her and then disappeared.  What a moment and everyone there freaked out.

Worth Getting Up For

So we started to move and saw her again a couple time  running a ridge.  Timing is everything there.  As we headed down the road we stopped and watched one harass a bison bull, who had a broken leg.  Nose to nose, apparently he was still to much work to eat so she gave up.  We also saw a couple of wolves on a bison kill, but it only took them 2 days to completely eat the carcass and not return.

We were on the den site before daylight twice and saw wolves each time along with a grizzly and then the pups.  And let me tell you it is awesome as daylight broke and the wolves howled. Understand that these sightings are way the heck out there.  We have real quality binos and could see the same stuff but a spotting scope is needed to see the whites of their eyes at a 1000 yards.  And you can video with your phone with the attachment.  If you go there is a company that rents spotting scopes which I highly recommend for serious wolf or grizzly viewing.  And remember these animals have legs – here today gone tomorrow, it is work to score, but worth every second no matter the weather.   And we were so hoping to run into Taylor who guided us last year and saw her twice in the park.  She let us look in her scope and downloaded a couple of videos for us.

Sorry to break up the story but I have to put in a good, no great, word for Wolf Tracker and Taylor in particular.  She is an awesome woman with extensive knowledge of wolves, along with most else in the park,  you could not find a better person to spend the day with.   Watching her put her Wolf Tracker customers on wolves is a thing of beauty, and she also works with the Wolf Project, so she knows her stuff as does the rest of the crew. Trust me, first class folks and it was great to see her again.  If you want to see the park up close and personal with the best chance of seeing the good stuff give them a call.  Now back to the trip.

https://www.wolftracker.com/index.php

Majestic.

Before I go on to simplify things here is a list of wildlife we saw:  Antelope, bear, wolf, bison, mule deer, whitetail, eagle. osprey, sandhill cranes, mountain goat, big horn, elk, coyotes, hawks, eagle, ducks, and a few other things I might have forgotten.  We saw 3 coyotes one morning, had a full curl bighorn run across the road in front of us, and watched an osprey which was carrying some small rodent fly full blast and dunk him in the river shooting a rooster tail.  My favorite was the mountain goats.  Way up on a rock bluff we saw 5 one time, and 3 another, along with a mom and baby.  And one time there were also some Bighorns down the bluff.  Trust me a spotting scope would have helped but do not go out there without good optics, it made the trip. We love the great outdoors.

Looking for a girlfriend.  Nothing says Yellowstone like Bison.

As usual the bison were around.  They caused assorted traffic jams, one we were caught in a huge heard headed down from high up to the flats in the Lamar Valley by going right down the road.  There was lots of that this trip, right by the car stinking and grunting, it was something.  They have the right of way and seem to know it.  But when you are 8′ at the shoulder and can weigh almost a ton you deserve it.

And the bulls were in the rut and some of them were higher than 8′ at the shoulder, massive as they made wallows, butted heads, and rolled around on the ground making a dust storm.  I should have spent more time for photos, but so much wildlife, so little time.  They seem so serious, calm, and in no hurry.

Yes we see you.

The big boys were still in the high timber, but the rut is on the way and they will be chasing these girls soon.

There were some elk around, in the main area of the park, downtown Gardiner, our motel, the river, just here and there with lots of calves.  We only saw a couple of small bulls with horns, the real big boys are still up in the dark timber.  That is about  to change as the rut is coming.  Still one of my bucketlist trips – to hear the bulls bugle.  As a side note we might hit that just right in Colorado in late September.  Along with bison they are a main staple in the park and on the bear and wolf diet.

Many more antelope than I would have thought.  

There were a few antelope around and we saw them every time out.  I can only imagine what speed does for them.  Lots of stuff out there to eat them, but in a flat out race they survive.  They are a cool looking animal.  And that is the advantage of the park, you can spend time watching lots of stuff if you will take the time.  If you are driving fast through the park you are seeing very little.

A big mule deer in velvet.

These were a bachelor group.  All good until the rut starts.

We saw these guys along the road on the way to fishing.  Still in velvet they are feeding up for the rut and then winter.  Every where you look there was stuff to see.  We had a rental car this time so stuck to the highway, that will change next trip so we can really explore the nearby National Forest lands.

The Beartooth Highway.  10,900 feet of grizzly country.

As you traverse the northern Yellowstone at 6000 feet you keep going right out of the park until you hit Cooke City on Highway 212.  You are now on the Beartooth Highway which goes to 10.900 feet at Beartooth Pass.  It is an awesome drive into Wyoming for what they call “the most scenic drive in America”.  High switch backs to the top of the world.  It is way the heck up there, a little snow left, great high mountain lakes, goats, and along the way serious grizzly country.  Which is just plain cool, unless he is chasing you!  So if you have the time on your trip make the drive, definitely worth it.

These guys were here and there but unsure what they are.  Tried to get the Boss to try one but she was not having that.

One of the many streams in the park that you can fish.  The Lamar, Slough Creek, and the Gardiner to name a few.  A fly fishing mecca.  Just look out for the grizzlies!

And to share it with my best friend makes it the best thing ever.  

I did not take any of the precious time to fish in the park this trip, but will be back.  Funny we have not seen Old Faithful, or any of the other attractions, for us it is the wolves.  From the brink of extinction they have been brought back and helped restore the health of the park which suffered from serious over grazing.  And even with over a 100 in the park they still have to eliminate bison every year.   (Though we heard from a little bird there might be 2 new packs introduced to the world this year.)

While there is some conflict outside the park with the ranchers, here is an important statistic:  A couple of hundred domestic animals are killed each year by wolves, over 2,000 are killed by coyotes and dogs.  The wolves were here first, while we can not ever go back to the way things were, they belong here, as does the other apex predators like the grizzly.  They need wide open spaces.  Our public lands in all forms need to be protected and proposals to sell any of it are short sighted.  There is no more “land” being made and we need to reserve it for the wildlife and our children so they can enjoy the great outdoors.

This trip was an A+  Fishing the Yellowstone out of a drift boat, catching a few on the fly rod, woloves, seeing lots of other four legged and feathered friends, watching elk hold up traffic in town, this trip had it all.  We are getting closer and closer to making the move to that part of the world and I can not wait to get back next month.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out the new Madre Sling

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

The new Knockin Tail is catching fish!  Try them today.

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

The St. Joseph Bass Fishing Club.

This is actually very near and dear to my heart as it sure would have been great when I was a kid.  Trust me, it would have had a real positive influence on my terrible high school experience.  Here is a note Chago sent explaining where they are in the process, and it looks like they are ready to go.

I just wanted to update you on the St. Joseph Bass Fishing Club.  We are now an official club member of the Texas High School Bass Association.  The club will fish the Hill Country Division, including Buchanon, LBJ, Travis, Canyon, Belton, and Palestine Lakes over the upcoming school year. The enrollment is open to interested students, but they must understand bass fishing requires input to produce a good return on investment.  The sport allows everyone to compete on an equal playing field, and the fish don’t care about a particular political stance.

Additionally, we have a strict no pass, no fish policy.

The rest of the story.  The startup cost for such an organization is steep but not ascertainable. We have sent out several letters regarding sponsorships and donations.  Of you, I am asking for a simple request.  If any of your followers have any unused fishing products such as lures, line, hooks, reels or rods, the club would be interested in a donation. Unfortunately, social media sometimes portrays fishing requirements of high monetary value, but we all know otherwise.  I know which push button combo I started with, and boy did I love that rod and reel.  The best thing for these young men and women is to get them out on the water and allowing the “tug of the line” to do the rest.  Please don’t’ misunderstand my comments.  I know times have changed, and so has the industry, but the sense of belonging is part of our program and indeed the beginning.

If this may be to forward for your readers, I understand.  If you believe some of them may be interested, I can provide a mailing or drop off address.  I know we would even cover the shipping if it is from out of town.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity.

Respectfully,

Chago

I did fail to mention one of the more essential items for the club is time.  If anyone is interested in being a captain for one of the tournaments, we would be honored. The club will cover boat fuel expenses and a night’s lodging if necessary.

Thank you for listening and providing the jumpstart exposure.

The high school has set up an email for the club as listed below, great for asking how to provide specific help.

stjbassclub@stjflyers.com

Mrs. Ann Brogger is the high school counselor and one of the advisors . I’m the second by default.

The high school will provide a tax donation form.

Even better – A tax deduction.  Another reason to help.  Please think about it, or maybe someone you know is a big tournament bass fisherman and send this along.  Every little bit will help and the investment in these young fishermen and women will pay dividends for a life time.

The Future!

In only one other time in 9 years have I asked anyone to do anything.  This time I am.  Share this with any local fisherman you know, then give a little.  I know exactly how these kids feel.  Thanks.

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out the new Madre Sling

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

Trout on the Fly – Nathan Anderson

One of the things I wanted to be dang sure I did while I was there was fish the Yellowstone in a drift boat, and was lucky enough to get it done.  With lots of fishing travel under my belt you never know how it will go and in this case the plan came together and it was a good day to be alive.

Never forget to stop and take it all in.  It is not just about the fishing.

The Boss and I met our guide Nathan at the ramp at 8:00 and it was not long before we were on the water.  As those of you who read this stuff know the Boss and I are really fly fishing neophytes with lots to learn and Nathan was a perfect guide and teacher for our day on the water.  He has fished those rivers for 35 years, was patient, technically proficient, and just an overall good guy to spend the day with.

My first Brown on a dry fly.

As I noticed in the park there were lots of grasshoppers and it turned out to be our plan for the day.  In my case catching any particular fish on topwater is the bomb, and we spent most of the day fishing larger hoppers with a smaller floating “something or other” on a dropper around 8″ behind.  And it was so interesting to see the fish react.  A few smashed it, (At least for a trout.)  most barely slurped it under, and others could not resist rolling on it, or just taking a look.  It took me a bit to get the hang of setting the hook like you need to and after a while I managed to toss a couple of small rainbows completely over the boat.  It really was a new way to fish for us and it took a while to get the hang of it but I intend to put those lessons to work in Colorado when I head there this fall.  Since this was our 5 or 6th run at it the Boss commented that each place and method was different, it is all part of the learning process.

Catching on a dry fly is not as easy as you would think.

I probably went about 10 for 20 with one whitefish, the Boss struggled.  So late in the day Nathan put us on a nymph rig with an indicator.  (Or as we regular folks call it, a bobber.)   He wanted to be sure the Boss caught a fish and she finally boated a rainbow and a native whitefish.  But the Boss was happy just sitting in the back and enjoying the day and the view, but I give her credit, she kept casting like a trooper.  He was so patient as we tangled, crossed, casted like the rookies we are, and he just continued to act like the professional he is.  (Except we all laughed like crazy when at one point when we were thrashing multiple messes he said; “Stop casting!”)  Of course I told him I would trash him here so let me do it now – One of the best guides to spend the day with I have had the pleasure to fish with.  So take that homie.  From the Great Barrier reef, Belize, Colorado we have fished with our share and today was one of  the best all around experiences we have ever had.

The fishing was not fast by any means, but the bite was consistent.  I was not surprised by the number of refusals with the traffic and it being late in the season.  Nathan made several fly changes during the day until we finished the day with the nymph rig and put the last couple in the boat.  He worked hard to put me on a little bigger fish and his efforts were appreciated.  Probably if I would have bullshitted less and fished harder I might have boated one of the better fish I missed, but I could have cared less as numbers were not the reason for the day

One of 6 or 7 Rainbows.

Being a Saturday there was quite a bit of traffic, but it is a big river, and when compared to Froggie’s on the weekend no big deal.  Of course we had a few incidents where both guides and the public cut us off, or were just plain were clueless.  (Sound familiar you coastal boys?)  As you know one of my rules to live by on our busy waterways – Be nice, be the bigger man, and just because you have the right of way let them go.  Nathan naturally lives and practices that making our day on the water pleasant and fun and he is a credit to the profession.  I can be pretty hard on guides.

Whether drift boats or rafts, there were lots of folks on the river.

It really was comfortable fishing from the drift boat.  The Boss loved the safe manner he operated and being able to stand up and cast from the leaning post, or whatever it is called.  I learned a lot about the drift boat and how it preforms on the water.  As we accelerate our search for our place in the mountains Montana has made the list.  Of all the places I have fished Montana gets an A+ for the access available to the public. (So thanks Nathan for offering to be my new best friend and take me fishing all the time if we end up in the area.  At least I thought I heard him say that!) 

The end of a great day.

And a big thanks to Johnathan of Captain Experiences, https://captainexperiences.com/ , for booking and following up on our trip.  The home of Damn Good Fishing Guides, they have guides all over the country and they lived up to their name when they hooked us up with Nathan.  Nathan guides for Trout on the Fly, LLC out of Bozeman, Montana, fishing the Yellowstone, Madison, and a couple of other great Montana rivers..  The owner of Trout on the Fly, Nate, kept us informed with a full written itinerary, with constant follow up both before and after the trip.  It was a professional job all the way around.  So if you are looking for a guide anywhere, or wanting to fish the Yellowstone area, give Johnathan a call and he will put you with the best.  Overall a first class trip.

So when it is all said and done it was a great way to spend a day along with our park expedition.  And here is a taste of what is next, as soon as I organize all of the park stuff.

God Bless the mountains, the park, and the great outdoors! 

We saw almost everything we wanted to this trip and were so fortunate to see the wolves everyday along with enough wildlife to keep us happy.  (For a while!)  And to Nathan, I have added the Madison to my bucket list.  And the rest of you keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

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The new Knockin Tail colors are freakin’ stunning! 

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Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out the new Madre Sling

I had the best intentions of fishing on Monday but life got in the way.  And Tuesday the old shot in the ear drum was up first thing, treatment or torture, depending on which end of the syringe you are on.  Today is pack day,  making sure everything is organized and by Thursday afternoon we will be on the wolf/grizzly expedition.  Both are the great predators of the northwest and it is always thrilling to see them.  And word is the Bison are in the crazy rut and very aggressive as the elk will be soon.  Plus wading and fly fishing equipment for our float and maybe another wade or two.  So camera and optics ready, time to get some great shots!

Weather – Or in a few short words why I gave it a rest this week.

Partly sunny and nearing record 104, dangerous heat.  (Are you kidding me!)

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The new Knockin Tail colors are freakin’ stunning!  Order some they are going fast! 

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After posting my POC trip I got the follow comment from Anonymous.

I’m jealous! I have not commented on your site but I enjoy it. Just like reading a book it takes my mind to the coast. If your ever around powder horn and indianola I would love to get your opinion. I usually fish around arransas pass but my wife and I spent a couple months on the weekends there and loved it. Great folks. Stay safe and good fishing to you sir.  Just one more thing. Kids! Wear your ear protection!!!

First, when I get comments like this it keeps me fishing and writing.  I really do appreciate hearing from folks, especially when they learn something, or in this case, like to read my ramblings.  It has actually turned into a long running book, which is now  a 9 year labor of love and the feedback is what keeps me going.

And no better advice on the hearing protection.  My tests have revealed that my hearing in my right ear is down about 25%, the left is completely deaf.  Now they are still not sure what is up with the left, but the right is a product of loud ass rock and roll in my younger days, and of course no hearing protection when shooting guns, mowing grass, etc.  So take our advice and save your hearing or you too can get a shot in the ear drum.  Thanks for commenting and sometime let me know when you will be at Indianola and maybe we can get together for a chat.  And the rest of you love hearing your comments, good, bad, or indifferent!

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And this from Rusty our resident Fayette Guru on his morning the other day.

Got out this morning with y cousin. It was very slow, but caught 8 by 10:00. Then to hot very slow. Water temp 92.

At least he put a Fayette fatty in the boat.  All I have to say is please cool off!  It is hard on us old guys.

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It is time to get a new hunting or fishing license, which went on sale Saturday the 15th.  Remember they expire on the last day of August.  But one word of caution, if you get it at Academy look it over super close,  After my experience a few years ago, along with my buddy Chris and his adventure, you just might get something you don’t want, or nothing that you did.

I rarely complain about the cost of fishing licenses.  Probably the only complaint is when you have to buy an annual on long range trips and it will expire before you return.  But other than that it not only funds our Game and Fish Departments, but in my case the per hour cost is a great deal.

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On the travel front we decided to cancel our Africa trip.  There is way to much money and effort at stake in making that kind of trip, with the way things are we are not ready to risk that kind of commitment.  If I had a crystal ball and could see the future who knows what might happen.  Until this pandemic is over no massive travel plans outside of the US, much to the displeasure of the Boss.

But on that note I am planning what I might call my last great tow job.  I hope to be headed to south Florida next spring as soon as it is tarpon time.  Making that tow is not easy by yourself, but once there staying a couple of weeks makes it all worth it.  The area has lots of good trout and snook fishing, and is a short hop to Boca Grande, where starting in April an estimated 60,000 tarpon stop in for a quickie.   Then the Boss can fly in and out one week and I can hardcore fish the other.

And last it will be a week or two in Colorado come late September or October.  Lots of places we have scouted have me really wanting to get back when the water is down as is the fishing pressure.  As usual. so many places so little time.  But changes of pace instead of the same old same old keeps the interest up.   And it definitely makes you a better fisherman.

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There are a couple of things that I will be posting soon, and one of those concerns the new St. Joseph Bass Fishing Team.  Time to give them a hand as they embark on the program.  So stay tuned, and open your wallet and help out.  And the review of the Four Horsemen Popping Corks is almost ready and will get it up next week or two.  Other than that excited to see the Boss catch a few more trout along with all Yellowstone has to offer.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out the new Madre Sling

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Just Killing Time

Where I caught the last really big fish a couple of weeks ago.  But more than that, I love how the standing timber looks in the morning when the light is right.

I am just killing time as our heat wave continues.  It was just shy of 80 degrees when I hitched the boat up, and it was 92 when I called it a morning at 11:00.  The first thing when off loading the boat at daylight was how the water has receded past the end of the ramp, and there was a clear water line where it dropped.   And to make matters all that much “better”, the water temp was 91.5 at the ramp, and most of the rest of the lake.  So again knowing it was going to be short morning I got right to it.

Weather

79/96.  Very warm with a 60% of late morning showers and an afternoon thunderstorm.  Wind SSE  10 – 20.

Lake Level

Friday   93.61 msl.      Today  93.49 msl.

Solunar Period

Major  6:23 an to 8:23 am.

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The Knockin Tail is the perfect trailer for the swim jig.  They smack it!  

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It really is a matter of throwing it at the right tree.  Today the best one came in 10 foot of water, and the others less than 5 foot.  Still tossing the watermelon red 5″ stick worm on 15lb test with a pegged 1/4 tungsten weight and a 3/0 wide gap worm hook.  Not sure if the wide gap makes a big difference but it works for me better than a standard worm hook.  It was a morning of them swimming with it, I actually only felt 2 tic it, the rest were just there.  One when reeling it in it just kept coming back to the boat with no shake, and finally right beside the boat I realized it was a fish.  It was that kind of morning.

When it is tough I will take this size any day.

The bite was not fast and furious by any means, but any area with brush had a least one on it, and a couple of places 2 jumped on.  As the water falls this will definitely change up lake as it gets smaller.  Down lake not so much as there is plenty of wood out deep that holds fish.

     The only other good fish this morning.  The lake has lots of crappies.

As it has been it was 8 or 10 mostly smalls, and I easily missed that many.  As I said yesterday when they are coming to you on most bites you have to be sure you have enough slack out or they will jump off.  The good thing, until 9:30 when I switched to trolling they bit consistently.

On getting back down lake the shad and fish were a little deeper on the locator today than Friday, most in the 8 – 15 foot range.  It is pretty simple, get a shad looking crankbait that runs around 10 foot or so, toss it out about 50 feet and troll at 2.5 mph trying to fish the edges or breaks off flats and the river channel.  Of course the locator with the map are critical, it is not just dragging a bait around randomly hoping for a bite.  Now that I have trolled the last 3 times I have a better idea of where they are.  If it is a flat, or an underwater hump or point, they tend to gang up there if there are shad.

Today the wind started up and they were on the windy edges in the 15′ to 20′ of water.  The white bass were a little more cooperative, 4 jumped on, but still no size to speak of.  I guess I will just remain puzzled on why the lake does not produce bigger ones.  Also 5 or 6 bass easy, and 2 crappies.  I have always wondered why folks make fun of trolling, or any other specific way to fish that they do not do.  (As a perfect example – various opinions on croaker soakers.)  My only question to them:  Did you catch 20+ this morning?

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You all know that I really like Bighorn sheep.  Have been watching the Big Bend area as the sheep count was scheduled for now and was hoping to glean some info for a trip to see if I could spot some.  Unfortunately the helicopter crashed with a TPWD Vet and 2 TPWD employees who were the sheep guys for the department.  A tough loss for the department, and a much tougher loss for the families.  My condolences.

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The Knockin Tail gets it done on any saltwater fish anywhere they swim.  How about a nice Snook!

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One of our skilled local fisherman won a tournament at POC the other day and that I liked.  It was a jon boat invitational.  It does not take a $65k fancy boat to be a great fisherman.  In fact, often that has nothing to do with ability, simply a matter of who can afford one.  And to go along with that the best trout fisherman I know catches big strings most of us dream about out of his aluminum boat.  Would love to see more of this style of tournament for the average guy.  On that note there was a 90hp limit bass tournament on Fayette this spring.  Would be nice to see more of that in the future.  Not only give some folks a chance to tournament fish and maybe expose a few more younger fishermen.

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Tomorrow I get the hearing test, at this point I am half deaf, just ask the Boss.  So will get that out of the way, buy the hearing aids, and go on about my business.  Finally got a few new things in so the bay is on the table.  Really looking forward to it and reporting back to you.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out the new Madre Sling

Love the morning ride!

POC – Wednesday.

The Boss was wanting to do a little practice with her fly rod before we head to Montana next week so she asked if we could hit the water.  She was good with doing it at POC so we dropped the boat in at daylight and headed to Big Bayou.  The water temp was 86 degrees and the  water color was not anything to write home about.

Weather

81/9o.  Mostly sunny and hot with a 20% chance of showers.  Wind SSE 9 – 15 mph.

Tides

High 10:49 am  1.04.    Low  1:36 pm  0.97.   High  3:13 pm  0.99.

Solunar Period

Minor  9:28 am to 10:28 am.  (Only relevant period.)

When we got to Froggie’s it was just breaking daylight and there were folks everywhere.  The parking lot was full and by time we got in Nancy had to park almost behind the new steak house.  According to TPWD license sales are up 26%, and with folks still having spotty work issues, they are definitely fishing.  The last few times there was as many folks out during the week as a normal weekend.

We fished my old standby’s as it was going to be a short fishing morning, then a little practice with the flyrod.   It was beyond slow.  The Boss tossed plastics and missed a couple in Big Bayou.  I on the other hand tossed a topwater until the sun came completely out, which was a total bust.  So time for a move.

The Boss actually came fishing.  I on the other hand did not do my part.

We headed to the Oil Cut and at least we boated a few, around a dozen or so to be exact, but nothing to write home about.  The Boss was tossing a Knockin Tail on a popping cork, (A whole bunch more coming on that subject.)  and it was the most consistent as far as bites went.  She actually caught a few good ones, and had one break her line in a humorous effort to boat flip it.  I found a Pearl Limetreuse Knockin Tail and put it on her popping cork and it was by far the most productive.   Looking forward to Michael at My Coast Outdoors getting restocked.  Amazing how much of a problem it has been in the fishing industry to keep stocked and you see it in any tackle store.

I stuck with the Red Shad Knockin Tail and caught more fish, but they were smaller.  I did catch the rat red above, but other than that no reds.  Big change from last trip where it was basically all reds.  But it was not a total surprise with the high surface temp  combined with the influx of fresh water.  Really needed to be wading but this was for the Boss, she has been under a lot of stress dealing with the virus at work and needed a mental health break.  It has been tough in Victoria and lots of folks have died.  But I digress.

Around 10:00 we had a little practice with the fly rod as she is concerned about fishing out of a boat on the Montana float, something we have not done yet.  After a half hour of that she had her fill, and it was hot, so we called it an early morning.   Nice to have her in the boat and she wants to go again one more day next week.  We were just drifting in the calmest water I could find for her practice, who knows, maybe try to really catch one next time?

It was awesome watching the sun pop out!

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I want to take a minute to chat about something I saw on Facebook.  A guy posted a picture of a sunrise and was making fun of folks who post them because they probably did not catch any fish.  Sad.  He is really missing the point.  Occasionally I look back at some of the sunrises I have been fortunate enough to experience,  and capture, and they are amazing.  And that it comes with the fishing makes it all the more special.  If it is just about catching fish then you are missing out.  Be thankful for every sunrise you are lucky enough to see, they don’t last forever.

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The Knockin Tail is the perfect trailer for the swim jig.  They smack it!  

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One beautiful morning.

COLETO CREEK – Thursday

Not sure why I went this morning as I was just not feeling it.  Both me and the fish are suffering from the dog days of August.  All I can say is I can not wait for fall.  Occasionally I need something different to keep it interesting, an itch that will get scratched floating the Yellowstone in 2 weeks.  Plus when it tops 90 degrees unless the fishing is great I am headed to the house.

Weather

77/95.  Partly sunny, hot, with a 50% of precipitation.  Wind  SE  9 to 16 mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.61 msl.  Monday  93.75 msl.

Solunar Period

Minor  10:21 am to 11:21 am.

The water level was down a hair, unfortunately looks like it is starting to fall again.  The temp was still in the 88 degree range and the color was just a little off from Monday.  Today’s unmade plan, get right to the point – go pitch the good spots, then troll some, and home for lunch before the Boss heads to work.  I stuck to the plan, with mixed results.  The dink fest continues, which is probably a function of the way I am fishing.

Best I could muster pitching today.

I pitched for a couple of hours, and the results were the same as it has been.  Now today was not all the fishes fault, as I had a big one break me off in a pile of brush.  Not sure what I would have done different, but this time the fish won.  Other than that, same old, same old, pitch it close and be a line watcher.  And if it even twitches set the hook as they have it.  It can be a little tricky getting some of them to stay pinned when they swim right at you and you do not get tight enough on them to make a solid hook set and they shake off.  But it is a fun way to fish.

And one thing I am learning, weight makes a big difference.  As an example pitching a 1/4 vs. a 1/8.  Often times it seems to not make a real difference in the number of bites on each, but with the way it feels when they do.  Using the lighter weight, which obviously falls slower, they seem to eat it and swim, and it is harder to feel the bite but your line swims off the cover.  The heavier weight which falls faster leads to harder bites, more thumps, as they have to chase it down and suck it in.  But no matter what size it is all about the pitch, put it in the right place and you will get bit.  And the plastic can be any color as long as it is watermelon/red.

Trolled up a few.

Around 9:30 time to do a little trolling.  After catching a couple of small whites in one area I started there.  I trolled for an 1 1/2 hours and caught 3 whites, 1 crappie, and 6 or 7 bass.  I think it was a big catfish that broke me off, the 12″ of slime on the end of my broken line was an important clue.  (Sucks to break off the only 2 big fish I did have on today.)  One thing that increased the trolling bite was using lures that ran in less than 10 foot.

Finally caught a white bass that was a keeper, but it was not near any others so still wondering where the good whites are.  And again caught a keeper crappie.  When I posted something about crappie on Coleto a reader who knows commented:  They are everywhere, and I believe that.  As an example today had a couple of bites on plastic that were probably crappie around wood in less than 10′.  And watching some of the regulars who crappie fish they are being caught from 8 – 20 feet, most on minnows.

Much of the activity was in the 8 – 15 foot range and if there was scattered shad it was a bite.  It seemed the fish were a little shallower than they were last trip.  And one good thing for the future there are plenty of bass in Coleto.  Tons of 13″ and smaller, and they are fat and sassy.  So when I complain about the dink fest it is only a half hearted complaint.  The fishing is ok for numbers, and when you can catch 20 before lunch it is hard to complain just because most are small.  And I did have a couple of chances today and it did not happen, not the lake’s fault.

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Under the “Yada Yada” file, or the “Dream On” file.  TPWD is trying to get folks to voluntarily quit trashing the sea grass in our bays.  Sorry TPWD, that is not going to work.  Fishing for 15 years in Florida before I started fishing here I was used to regulations and areas that required idle only.  And if you tore up sea grass you better hope they don’t catch you as there will be big time fines and ugly restitution.  I got used to idle in and idle out and still practice that most of the time.

Once I got here and started fishing with folks I was almost appalled at where we ran and often how we got on plane.  And anybody who tells me folks are going to modify their behavior voluntarily has not spent much time actually looking, wading, and fishing grassy areas.  There are prop scars for miles, some areas are just trashed.  With the prevalence of boats that run “really really” shallow there is no way that any voluntary program is going to help.  Folks are not going to spend $60K plus and not run shallow wherever, and whenever, they feel like it.  All you have to do is be on the water a couple of days on any weekend to see how folks really act.  So as long as there is no teeth to running on sea grass there will be no change in behavior.  But maybe they will make some posters.  Yea, that will help.

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Though no great shakes in the result departments, no complaints fishing 2 days in a row and sharing one with the Boss.  Guess it is just auto pilot for me waiting for fall to get here.  I am no big fan of some of the serious heat we have been having, but it is just a matter of letting it play out and soon enough it will be cool mornings and shorter days.  And Yellowstone, with some fishing and wildlife viewing, will be a nice break and help kill off August.  Hope to see a grizzly and wolf, or two, both amazing animals, along with a few zillion bison and elk.  But of course I will keep fishing until then.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines