FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  planet

Another great sunrise.

It has been a fishless week until today.  One mid week trip with a friend never happened when we over heated leaving the ramp at Froggie’s and had to find someone to look at it.  Some of my luck the last month or so.

I did manage to get the plate mounted on the Mako tunnel and it is curing nicely, and should be ready to go Monday.  It says a 7 day cure and I am not going to rush it as it is not a job I am interested in doing again.  Then the Boss wanted to go out of town a couple of days so this morning was the first chance I had to fish this week.

Weather

78/92.  Partly sunny and humid with a 40% chance of showers.  Wind SSE 8 – 17mph.

Lake Level

Today  95.47 msl.   10 days ago  95.79 msl.  (It is really dropping fast.)

Solunar Times

No periods when I fished today.

*****************The Knockin Tail Lure with a built in tail rattle!   Look for it this winter.

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

The morning started off perfect, it was really cloudy and raining off and on heading to the lake.  I dropped it in at daylight and unfortunately it did not live up to the forecast.  It immediately completely slicked off and every cloud in the sky evaporated.  The rest of the morning was hot and humid, in fact for a little bit early I could not wear my glasses as they fogged up it was so humid.

Deja Vu all over again.

The catching is ok right now, considering I fished 5 hours and caught 15 – 20.  But like it has been just nothing with any weight to it.  Though I did throw other stuff they were not interested in any of it.  It is real simple right now –  watermelon red stick worm, 3/16th tungeston slip sinker pegged with a 4/0 hook.

Lots of smalls but most are fat and sassy.

Can you say wood?  Whether it was on flatter banks with stickups, or a couple of deeper points with wood, they were there.  Several places 2 or 3 jumped on, and just going down the bank quickly and pitching to visible wood would get a bite.  So the wood is the pattern, but depth does not seem to be particularly important.  Some as shallow as a foot or two, and 3 or 4 in 15 foot.  Today they were hanging on pretty good and swimming with it.  The ones that were harder to stick were right in the thick stuff.  When you would pick up it was hard to tell if it was a branch or a fish, and if you did not stick them right away they were gone.  Wood don’t shake.

They bit fairly consistently up lake not so much down lake.  The water color is a little darker up lake and there is more wood, which is the key.  One thing about the dropping water the flat around the island is really shallow and I managed to run over it, so be advised things are changing fast.  And I am really concerned about the ramp.  If it keeps this up you are going to have to be really careful as there will be lots of wood, flats, and humps coming out.  So just keep that in mind.

Not a bad morning, hate to complain about catching over 15, it is just puzzling why while I have been catching that number most mornings none are big.  Usually when you work through that many on Coleto you can expect a good fish or two.  But I am reserving judgement until we start cooling down.  Hard to not be concerned about the fish.  Where have all the big fish gone?  Only time will tell but I am worried about the lake.  Killing the grass has turned one of the best bass lakes around into a dink fest.

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Thoughts on last weekends football.

1.  Michigan gives over rated a new meaning.  They were pounded by Wisconsin.  (I had a good friend in the old days who went to college with the Wisconsin head basketball coach and we got some great tickets.  Fun place to see a game.) I don’t know how the ratings are actually done but it seems to be a case of rank them because of who they are, not what they are.  They are headed to total melt down and it will be interesting to see who Harbaugh blames now.
2.  A&M.  Definitely over rated after Saturdays performance.  A&M has become living proof you can spend all the money you want (Jimbo and the remodel.) but it still comes down to blocking and tackling.  And they had way to many killer/stupid penalties.  Mond again looked tentative early and out of his league.  To bad the offense only started playing in the 4th quarter, it could have been a different game.  And when your fans start emptying the stadium when you are only 2 scores down it does not say much for the fan base.  (I am no A&M hater, in fact I like watching their games.  And we have enjoyed going to games there, the fans have been nothing but nice and respectful to us as visiting fans wearing our Arkansas stuff.  But facts is facts.)
3.  Arkansas.  Definitely not rated and rightly so.  First half, we get beat up on the line on both sides of the ball, play no pass defense, tackle like girls,  (No offense to girls.) play no pass defense, and have 2 interceptions.  Terrible.  Not much else to say about that.  Second half more of the same.  No offense to San Jose State but we are in the SEC and there is no way we should not make a couple of 4th and ones.  Man for man they should not be pushing us around.  This 10 year pathetic downhill slide is really disheartening.
4.  Dallas.  What is there to say but keep it up.  A slow start Sunday then they beat the Redskins like a drum.  Looks like they are the real deal but only time will tell.  But the haters are out whining like puppies that they have not beaten “anybody.”  To bad, you are supposed to beat certain teams and they are.  So if your complaint is that, probably says more about what your team is doing.

And a last couple of comments on college football.  If I were a head coach and we are down by 20+ and my player makes a play that he is SUPPOSED to make, then jumps around acting a fool, he is taking a seat.  And one other thing, if a player who after making a tackle does the standing over/walking over the downed ball carrier strutting his stuff he is taking a seat.  It is not all about you.  In the final analysis your program either has class or not.  Houston Nutt may not have been the best coach ever but I loved one of his philosophies.  We knock them down, we help them back up, then we knock them down again.

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

And SA Joe dropped this comment on the last post.

OH DOUG,

I got to comment on the trespass of the hunt lease. Siding with the guys that paid for that lease. If they didn’t have the trail cam, the owners of that land could get angry because deer were being over harvested and the lease guys wouldn’t even know. Good on them.

Thats one reason why i don’t hunt, would love to, but to pay $2500 each for a lease and got to share. Rather spend that money getting some high end beef for the house.

Couple of comments.  The lease thing has gotten so expensive, squeezes out the common man and keeps me from hunting.  In my case I love to eat them, and does and culls are fine with me, they all look the same on the plate.  But at a couple of G’s for the lease it works out to about $50 a pound, a little stiff as far as I am concerned.   And on the cam, you  can not call yourself a sportsman or outdoors man if you look the other way.  It is incumbent on all of us to report bad activity that we witness.  If you don’t not only are you complicit, you open us all to criticism that we face from the anti’s.  Good to hear from you.

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

The Boss will be out of town most of next week so I will be batching it.  Monday the Mako is back in action and with it I intend to fish a bunch.  All I ask is for it not to be 90 (We hit a 100+ heat index yesterday.)  at 11:30 like it was today when I took out.  So a short trip somewhere is in the works next week, just waiting to see how the weather plays out before I make a plan, but there will be a plan.  And I appreciate you all sticking with me the last month as I took a break, but I am sick of the break and ready to put the hurt on them.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  planet

Sorry I have gotten nothing up since Monday but several things got in the way.  Tuesday I was headed to New Braunfels to pick up the plate for the tunnel on the Mako.  And as usual it was not quite as advertised.  I love my boat but dealing Mako sure leaves something to be desired.

*****************The Knockin Tail Lure with a built in tail rattle!   Look for it this winter.

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

So after the struggle just to get the part, it went a little crazy.  I get there and the parts guy goes there are 3.  3?  Hell I was just hoping for 1.  I actually wanted 2, but then the surprise.  In spite of the fact I had multiple contacts with the Mako parts manager at the plant the dealer said the plate was $122 each!  Wtf?  It is a fiberglass plate that is basically 15″ x 30″ and barely a 1/4″ thick.  The problem, the Mako parts manager told me they were $50.  And to make it more interesting laying all 3 plates on top of each other they were not exactly the same.  (Very typical of Mako’s quality control.)  I took the 2 best, paid the $50 each, and headed back to Victoria.

Wednesday I had to head to Austin to get the Boss’s car service so there went that day.  But the traffic, how in the world folks could fight that every day is beyond me.  The Boss and I have traveled to many of the big cities in this country, and quite a few in foreign countries, and nothing, and I mean nothing, tops Austin.  I thought Istanbul was nuts.  We lived in Fort Worth and it did not hold a candle to Austin’s traffic.  The guy who checked me in at the dealer said he lives around 15 miles from the shop and it takes him a good hour to get to work every morning.  What a hassle.  Think about it, 2 hours+ travel time everyday, ends up costing folks 400 hours a year going to work.  That works out to over 16 DAYS a year sitting in traffic.  No thanks, just hope it is worth it for those of you who live there.  But I digress.

So at least I have the part, and then Friday the marina called and the Mako was ready to go after the annual.  It now has 700 hours, which means I am averaging about 100 hours a year.  Everything checked out fine, and the compression is 125 on all cylinders, which is always a relief to hear that.  So I hitched it up and headed to the fiberglass shop to see how much it would be to get the plate mounted.

The owner came out and looked at it, and after I said I wasn’t sure what was used to put it on originally he said he did.  They used 3M 5200 and he showed me how.  And then something so unusual these days, he said you can do this,  (I can.)  and gave me a step by step process to do it, which will save me hundreds over his $120 hour labor.  Like all jobs like this prep is the answer.  So I spent yesterday getting everything I need and will do it in the morning as soon as I get a face mask.  Don’t want to lay on my back and sand fiberglass in my face.  So I will prep a couple of things, lay everything out, and hopefully knock it out early tomorrow morning as it needs to be applied at less than 90 degrees.  (Boy am I sick of that.)  According to 3M it takes a week to cure and I will not rush that.  Boat ownership is a blessing and a curse.

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

Several of the boys from Austin fished POC yesterday and here is Robert’s report.

Tough day in port O’Conner with only two tides and winds gusting to near 30mph out of SE. I caught 4 dink trout, 2 rat reds to 19.99” and a lizard fish. water temp is 88 degrees . No topwater action .Multiple bites but no hookups on drift fishing only. Ran from froggies to Pringle to Fish Pond to JHook to Sunday beach to old coast guard station and back to ramp between 8am and 1pm. Water was trout green in Pringle lake area to murky most other places we drifted. Saturday, we are starting earlier and using trolling motor to work area harder along shoreline. I used red sparkle beetles from H&H with 1/4oz jig head and white bass assassin .Others used artificials with no success. Still nice to be on the water.

Sounds like it was a tough day but the boys know how to catch them and I  am sure today will be a better day.  So keep on keeping on and it will happen.

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I know I might rant to much about posting things on social media when you are breaking the law but there were a couple of prime examples yesterday.  A couple of guys in Florida caught a big Goliath Grouper and ended up putting it in the boat with pictures of the fish and them.  How stupid can you get?  It is illegal, and has been for years, to take one out of the water.  There were immediately comments telling them how stupid they were, and I agree.  Social media played a part in expanding this blog, and also led to meeting lots of great fishermen, but it can come with a price.  So before you hit send stop for just a minute and think about it.  I am sure by now that post has made it’s way to the Florida authorities.

And the other post just chapped my ass.  Someone wanted to know what to do with trespassers on a trail cam illegally hunting on their lease.  I could not believe some of the comments.  Things like if it is just your lease and not your land mind your own business.  Others basically calling them a rat if they shared it with law enforcement.  If that is your opinion you are not a sportsman, you are nothing but complicit.  What is wrong with folks?  It is people like this that give nut cases like PETA and other organizations ammunition to continue their assault on fishing and hunting.  We all have a duty to protect the resource and if you condone this type of behavior you are just as bad, or maybe worse.

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A little Saturday football is on tap.  Texas v. Oklahoma State, Auburn v. A&M, and Arkansas v. San Jose State, all with the potential to be good games.  The Cowboys have Miami tomorrow and if there was a local sports book I would definitely bet on the Cowboys no matter how big the line is.  Should be a butt whipping.

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Then Monday back on the water, and hopefully several other days.  Funny how busy one gets when retired.  How in the hell I ever got things done when working full time I do not have a clue.  So while watching football some new line on rods and some reel maintanance will be in order.  So keep stopping in, I promise there is more fishing to come, and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  planet

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

Red Sky In The Morning…………….

The lake continues to drop and the water color is really nice.  The wind was blowing around 10 – 15 mph out of the NE as I headed up lake.  There was a tiny touch of fall in the air, and I was hoping they were going to bite a little bit, and they did.

Weather

94/76.  Clouds and sunshine with a 40% chance of thunderstorms.  Wind ENE 10 – 15mph.

Lake Level

9/12  95.79 msl.   Today  95.73 msl.  (And the downward trend continues.)

Solunar Times

Minor 8:19 am to 9:19 am.  Major  2:31 pm to 4:31 pm.

*****************The Knockin Tail Lure with a built in tail rattle!   Look for it this winter.

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

I was out before the moon went down, and the sun was not up yet.  So I decided to throw the Whopper Plopper for a little while.  First up was a bank I had not fished lately with lots of stumps and logs which are slowly becoming visible.  Finally after an hour I got 2 bites, boating one and losing the other in one spot.  That would be a theme of sorts today, it was multiple bites when I got them.  But the next 15 or so all came pitching and casting using a 5″ senko style worm in watermelon red, a 1/4oz tonguston slip sinker, and a 3/0 wide gap worm hook.  And I am pegging the slip sinker tight to the head to work it through the cover without getting hung near so much.  I did lose a couple in the brush, but if you do not toss it directly in their mouth right now it can be a little tough.

To make a long story short on numbers, 3 came off one pile, 7 came in another stretch, (That was mayhem for 5 minutes!)  and it went from there.  There were not many stops that when I caught one I did not get a couple of bites.  Deeper banks are definitely the better choice right now.

Fishing is getting better an inch at a time.

The Boss put in an order for a catfish if I caught one.  Of course promising a catfish on lures is generally not going to happen.  But since I brought some ice along I decided to keep a couple of bass for a fish fry, and boy was I glad I did for a different reason.

They have been just picking it up by the tail and I missed quite a few a couple of trips ago so I slowed down on setting the hook.  So of course I did the same today and they were swallowing it.  Again some never “hit” it, they just either started swimming with it or were just on.  So I was lifting it slowly making sure on each twitch there was not one on there, and if there was you could follow them as they swam with it.  And today they were not only swimming with it but a couple I kept for the pan ended up being  bad gut hooked.  They might have made it if released so instead it was release to the grease.

What made it interesting today was that I actually boated a limit of keepers.  Now they would not have weighed all that much, but it was a limit.  It seems like the fish are just like me, they want fall.  Most today were a little skinny with nothing in their bellies.  The bite has gotten a little better each trip and same for the size.  Still haven’t stuck a big girl but that is coming.

When I put in this morning it was just me and a kayaker, and when I took out at 1:00 there was just a guy having trouble with his motor idling.  He crappie fished this morning and caught 20 big keepers.  I saw Mr. Crappie but didn’t get a chance to speak with him but the crappie have been biting all year this year.  With so little folks fishing the lake right now I basically have it to myself.  Makes for a great morning, turkeys doing their thing, a couple of does, and the Whopper Plopper calling in 2 small gators.  Great day to be alive.

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Excited…..For A Second

My phone let me know I had a text.  I opened it and was immediately in the throes of fishing greatness….but…….  Larry and Kyle, a couple of my Chandeleur Island buddies, are headed back to fish the Southern Belle for 4 days in October.  The minute I read the text I was already packing in my mind, but like all good plans there was a hitch.  That is when we are meeting the grandkids at Great Wolf Lodge in Dallas for a big weekend.  There was only one day of overlap but it just would not work out.  Some things are just that important.  But it sure did pop my bubble as I would have gone in a minute.  One of those trips if you are a saltwater guy you definitely need to add to your bucket list.

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No Fixin’ Stupid

The TPWD Game Warden notes had another case this month from social media.  They had posted pictures of an alligator in their pool, and when officers arrived they found 5 baby alligators.  Keep posting stupid shit folks, saves our Game Wardens, and maybe the IRS, a lot of work when you tell on yourself.  One thing I learned practicing criminal law, if you do not have anything intelligent to say  (In other words think before you hit post!)  keep your mouth shut.  But I guess when you are stupid enough to break game laws …..………

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Last Oregon Word

I forgot 2 things I wanted to say about Oregon.  First, it is the cleanest state we have ever visited.  It was noticeable in Bend and especially along the highway.  Guess the littering  fine up to $6200 keeps folks from trashing the place.  Texas not so much.  And last, the beer.  There is a brewery on every corner and I was pleasantly surprised I found a couple I really liked.  In the famous words of Justice Kavanaugh – I Like Beer!

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Tomorrow looks promising on the lake.  The forecast has a 60% chance of rain tomorrow turning into possible heavy thunderstorms and possible flash flooding later in the evening.  As I am kicked out of the house for the cleaning lady if it will not get to crazy outside it will be back to the lake.  The last time we got this weather I had a pretty good day and I would like a repeat.  Otherwise it will be off to New Braunfuls to pick up the part, other wise it will be Wednesday and by then the Mako should be done and I can get the part mounted and be back in action.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  planet

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Bend

Our first stop on the Oregon trip was Bend.  Surrounded by thousands of acres of National Forest and BLM land it has plenty to do if you love the outdoors.  Our primary reason for starting  there was to take a fly fishing lesson, and that worked out just like I thought it would.  (Or hoped it would for the Boss.)

The Boss getting it done!

Of all the choices in fishing in the area I settled on River Borne Outfitters located in Madras.  We met up with the owner at the Deschutes River Fly Shop and Camp for our lesson and for 2 hours he covered all the basics with knots, equipment, and casting.  Then off to the river right down the road for 3 hours of fishing.  They supplied everything needed to fish so other than our lunch nothing else was needed.  Check them out, they did it right.

https://deschutesriverflyshop.com/

Matt, our guide, puts one in the net.

Matt the guide then took us to the Deschutes.  An interesting river it only has the resident wild Rednose rainbow trout, a native whitefish, and summer run steelhead.  The fish are native and no stocking is done to keep the genetics pure.  In an interesting aside, while you can drift or float the river you have to get out of the boat to actually fish.  A pissing match between competing interests, seems we have seen that most places we have fished, resulted in this unusual rule.  But in the long run there are trout in that river who never see a bait.

2 happy fisherpersons – The Deschutes River.

And the fishing went exactly as I figured, the Boss got the hang of it and I sucked.  She managed to get 4 out of the 6 she hooked to the net, though all did not make it in.  I had 4 good bites and hooked 2, but with my well known superior fly fishing skills I managed to screw it up.  There was only one small hitch when the Boss slipped and filled her waders, but she took it like a trooper.

Guess that power fishing I do so much does not lend itself well to barbless hooks smaller than mosquito.  I did not have my readers so I could barely see it but I guess you call that a “hook”.  But the day was a rip roaring success.  The guys were great and I could not recommend them any more highly.  (Nice trip when you hire 2 different guides in 2 different places and both are great.)  Matt was patient trying to help me remove head from rear end, but as far as I was concerned getting the Boss into it was the ulterior motive.  And the Boss took to it immediately and is wanting more,  so another trip to fly water is in the planning stage.

*****************The Knockin Tail Lure with a built in tail rattle!   Look for it this winter.

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

Lava from Crater Lake – 60 miles away!  Muley.

We did some hiking and lots of driving.  As we further explore the mountains in different states I am continually surprised at the amount of available places to fish.  Bass, trout, seaonal salmon, pike, walleye, they are all available somewhere.  I was surprised when we checked the records for Oregon and the largemouth was over 12lbs!  And even though it was the holiday weekend stopping at several lakes most had maybe a couple of boats.  And miles and miles of trout water.  There was also a large area for 4 wheelers to go nuts.  Plenty of room for all.

Cool streams everywhere.  And forest as far as you could see.

These guys were everywhere.  And kids with their spots.

We did not see that many animals other than the pictures but that was just locational on our part.  And the frog thing was crazy.  Of course it is some kind of endangered frog.  The lake where we saw them had some knucklehead put bullheads in the lake which ate all the frogs.  No problem now, the picture does not do them justice, there were millions.  My bigger questions – What would prompt someone to put bullheads in a beautiful mountain lake with bass and trout.  No fixing stupid.

I had no clue they had antelope there.  We were almost a mile away and they hit the road!

The town of Bend was not quite what I was expecting.  The Boss does the planning, I just follow along.  I was expecting a little mountain town, but Bend is a town of 89,000 that is also a big weekend place.  Good eats, walk to most anywhere, the Deschutes running right through the middle of town, it was situated in the middle of untold acres of forest land with plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy.

Ponderosa Pine – One big ass tree.

There are both lodge pole pine and ponderosa pines.  Most of the areas had been logged over and re-growth, which is still going on, but there were some awesome trees.  Even though we kept after it there are millions of acres open to the public and we only saw a small piece of it.  If you like to do anything outside Bend has plenty to offer.  And when combined with Astoria on the coast and Portland it was a cool trip.

A beautiful lake surrounded by cool mountains.

Folks fishing the tail race.  Sorry this is not clearer but these are frogs, thousands of them.

Of course I have forgotten plenty of stuff, but I have slept since then, but suffice to say a great area.  One interesting thing, the owner of the fly shop is starting to think about a “winter” type place and he has been looking at the Texas coast.  When he reads this the offer is still open, email on the way.

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Portland

We finished our trip in Portland.  An interesting big city.  We had one of the better Greek meals ever at Eleni’s Philoxenia.  After a couple of visits to Greece we love the food and this place filled the bill.  Authentic food the way it should be, we told out waiter to compliment the Chef who turned out to be the owner.  And surprise, he came to our table and told us exactly how he prepared the food.  He was personable and you could tell he appreciated the comment and was happy to share his love of Greek food.  If you are ever in Portland put it on the menu, you will not be dissapointed.

We did lots of walking downtown and it is as safe as big city can be.  But one thing, the homeless.  Portland is a progressive city and the homeless, there are lots of them, are basically given a free pass.  Of couurse with that comes a few problems, they camp literally anywhere and everywhere.  And with that comes piles of garbage, little huts in doorways, and just a general mess in places.  It was funny how we were never panhandled, unusual considering.  Of course the businesses do not all appreciate them, nothing like finding a couple of dudes setting up camp in your doorway and leaving a mess.  And of course the occasional mentally ill walking down the street screaming.  But like so many places – Welcome to the big city.

But folks ride bikes, run, walk, enjoying a healthy life style.  And the bookstore, oh the book store.  A square block and 4 stories tall, it is a thing of beauty for readers like me.  While I kept it to a dull roar the book I am reading right now on the Bluefin Tuna came from there and it is a good thing I do not live close!

So after a couple of days we packed up, grabbed the salmon and home we went.  It was a good trip that went as well as it could be.  And to see the Boss fly fishing, much less smacking the salmon, put a cherry on top of that sunday.  Oregon is a great state to visit and I would recommend it to anyone.  Next up on the major travel scene, who knows.  (I am lobbying for fly fishing in Colorado.)   But no matter where it is if it goes as smoothly as this trip I can’t wait.

Good Luck and Tight Lines.

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  planet

Worth getting up for!

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Weather

95/71.  Mostly sunny and hot with a 13% chance of rain.  Wind ENE 8 -14 mph.

Lake Level

Wednesday  95.77 msl.  Today  95.79 msl.   (Just might have gotten a little water after yesterdays rain.)

Solunar Times

No relevant period when I was fishing.

******************The Knockin Tail Lure with a built in tail rattle!   Look for it this winter.

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

I was on the water at daylight and there were several things that were different than they have been.  First, the water did not go down, a plus.  But it was just a little more off color here and there, probably from yesterdays rain.  Second, the wind was out of the East and it had just a little touch of fall in it.  Of course that did not last.  By time I quit it was dead flat calm and humid as heck.

They were eating the Bang O Lure this morning.  The first and last topwater bass.

Today I stuck with the Bang O Lure and the stick worm all morning.  Changing it up a little it was down lake first, then up lake.  Wanted to give the sun time to come out and maybe push the fish to the wood or brush.  And it worked out to an extent.

The first bank, the deepest main lake bank there is gave up 4 on the Bang O Lure.  One thing that is interesting about using a topwater right now is that they are right on the bank, and I mean no later than the second jerk.  Normally I can finesse them to chase the Bang O Lure, but unless it is on their face they are not chasing.  Must be why the buzzbait bite has stopped.  And when you combine the way they are eating the plastic, biting but not eating if that makes sense, they really are not aggressive.

I stuck with deeper banks everywhere today, and like it has been 1 here, 2 there.  And the plastic bite continues to be hinky.  Up lake I stuck with channel banks and that is where most of the bites came.  I used a little more patience today, and boated 7, but you really had to let them have it and I still missed a few.  And like the topwater, all were basically really shallow, even on a ledge leading to really deep water they were in a couple of feet off the drop.  It was a matter of lifting up and if you felt anything, or nothing, holding until you could feel them before setting the hook.  And they were not quite the size, though what is right now, of the topwater fish.

On the other hand 6 were landed on the topwater, and I missed several.  Probably 3 or 4 of them hit it the minute it hit the water, the others on the second jerk.  Topwater is definitely better down lake in the clearer water and I did not have a bite on it up lake.

The plan was to stick it out a while but around 11:00 big clouds with lots of thunder was coming over the hill.  There were only 3 trailers at the ramp and when I hit idle at the buoy and looked back here came the other 2 boats.  Not sure if it got there but looked like it on the radar when I got home.  No matter what not doing that thunder and lightning thing.

When it was all said and done it was 13 boated and I missed at least half that many.  I am starting to see just a slow improvement in the lake.  Numbers are slowly coming up and at least a couple were not flat out dinks.  There are still fish breaking on shad in lots of places, but again putting it right on them is the only way I have gotten any of them to eat.  If we can get at least enough rain to stabilize the fall, then a break in this heat, maybe the fish will get a little more motivated.  I know i will.  But as tough as it has been it is improving.  Hope springs eternal.

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I am really looking forward to the Controlled Descent Knockin’ Tail lure when it comes out this winter.  it will actually be perfect timing, but not for the reason you might think.  Hopefully we will be seeing it near the end of the year which is perfect Alabama rig time.  Take all those swimming baits on the rig, and add in the rattles, and it has the potential to be a big bass killer.  Seems like winter fishing  will never come.

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Still waiting on the Mako.  So that is the priority now, and as soon as the tune up is done it will off to the fiberglass dude to get the plate installed and then I am back in “real” action.  The skiff is an awesome fishing boat, but big runs in this sketchy weather are out of the question. But any chance I have to facilitate the Mako getting down will take priority.  But hey, the skiff has had everything from tarpon to bluegill, the Everglades to Arkansas, and it keeps me on the water.

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So that is it for today.  The fishing will continue and several trips are in the works.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

A Day Of Reflection

My wife and I were both paramedics in our past, and this time of year we pause and remember 9/11.  So many people senselessly murdered, both innocent civilians, and those brave firefighters, police, and medics who responded to the Twin Towers.  Duty called and they answered.

They answered the call!

We actually had a trip scheduled to New York City 2 months after 9/11 but instead of cancelling like so many visitors were doing, we decided to go anyway.  It was one of the best decisions we ever made.  We should never let them win.  This was not: “Somebody did something.”  This was wanton murder done in the name of Allah.  I am not the one saying that, they did.  We should never forget what happened or who did it.

Never ever forget!  This is the “Something somebody did!”

Our trip to Ground Zero is forever etched in my mind.  The buildings were still smoking.  And seeing a large digger against the pile of rubble was like a small Tonka toy next to a mountain.  The size was so massive, beyond what I imagened.  And the smell was something I will never forget.  The walls surrounding the area, if memory serves me correct it was 19 square blocks, were covered with pictures of the missing, flowers, and expressions of grief and remorse.  It was so moving as people stood on the sidewalks clapping as first responders entered and left Ground Zero.  But it was so heartbreaking to see family members walking the streets carrying pictures of their loved ones.

This is what it is all about.  So sad.

As we walked, we came upon a store front that someone rented and was selling pictures of what happened to raise funds for people that suffered that day.  These pictures were donated by anyone who was there.  Walking through that old store, the walls were covered with pictures that left me mad, hurt, but yet so proud. That little store was a shrine to the events of that day and the many others that followed.  It was a moving time and one I will never forget.  So if you get a chance in the next couple of days, if you see a cop, a medic, or a fireman, stop and thank them.  Every day they put on the uniform and head out, willing to lay it all on the line for us, and they deserve our thanks.

God Bless America.

(I comment on this often.  And today going through online pictures I used above really reminded me why we should never forget.  At least the government finally renewed the money for folks who are directly sick from their duty at Ground Zero.  I was appalled when I found out the Taliban was coming to our soil, while still killing our brave soldiers.  Disgusting.  Sad that the world has gone nuts but I for one will never forget and we can not let this happen again.)

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  planet

A big hand squishing the Michelin Man.

The usual Monday morning trip to Coleto was just about exactly like it has been as far as numbers and size.  The lake is dropping like a rock (A trend I hope slows down.) and the water is clear as a bell on the lower end.  The upper end is clear enough, but fishing out of the skiff today not sure on the water temp other than hot!

Weather

96/76  (Heat index 104)  Partly cloudy with a 60% chance of a thunderstorm.  Wind  SE  10 – 25 mph.

Lake Level

16 days ago  96.15 msl.  Today  95.77 msl.   (It continues to drop.)

******************The Knockin Tail Lure with a built in tail rattle!   Look for it this winter.

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I was fishing by daylight way up river and today there were more bites than usual, but the hookups were tough on plastics.  Another day of them eating the plastic off the hook when I tried to stick them, should have used more patience but it is hard when they are swimming with it.  They were on wood and I was just pitching to visible cover and getting a bite here or there.  Before the morning was over 10, give or take a couple, hit the stick worm, a beaver style plastic, and a smaller worm, all watermelon red.   And most of the bites were shallow.

The best of the morning, and what the rest of them looked like.

I ended up fishing from one end of the lake to the other before I quit, and most areas produced a bite or two.  And it was nice that I also caught one on a crankbait, a Bang O Lure, and buzzbait.  No real pattern to it on those baits, though they are still schooling in some of the coves.  They are tough to catch as they are not in big bunches, but I did get the one on a crankbait out of a school.  And of course my nemesis made an appearance.

He smacked it and actually jumped.

Catching catfish while bass fishing has become a regular thing on Coleto.  I do not know what to think of that.  Is there such a thing as to many catfish?  Might be.  The lake continues to be in transition, and I am withholding my judgement on the fishing until we actually get into “real” fall.

But not a bad morning, lots of bites and I caught on 6 different baits.  Of course that does beg the question:  What is the “right’ bait?  I will hopefully answer that as we have rain coming, we so need it, and with that improved fishing.  Tomorrow is some Honey Do things with the Boss off, then it will be another lake day and a bay day before the week is out.  But realistically I am in a semi holding pattern waiting for that first norther to blow in and signal fall.

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But the crappie on Coleto are still biting like mad for those chasing them.  I saw Mr. Crappie and stopped and asked how it was going.  His response: 50!  Now he has been fishing them weekly for as long as the lake has been in existence, but the fact remains they have been biting all year and some are real slabs.  So if you like a fresh crappie fry get some minnows, tight line them on deep trees, there were lots at this level, and catch em’ up.

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Football Chat

It was a big football weekend and being both a college and pro fan I enjoyed every minute of it.  First up was the Army/Michigan game, and it was a dandy.  Losing in overtime, Army has nothing to be ashamed of.  I personally like they way they play, smash mouth so stop us or we eat up the clock.  They fought till the end but it was not to be.  But one great football game.

I was excited to watch A&M/Syracuse, to bad it was awful.  Not sure how the Aggies got ranked so high but they looked out of joint, untimely penalties, and Mond looked pedestrian at best.  Historically A&M is 2 – 14 versus teams ranked #1 and they were clearly outclassed.  They definitely have some work to do.

Next was the Nebraska/Colorado game and it was another dandy.  Colorado was down 17 in the second half and it ended up in OT at 31 all.  Colorado showed some real heart winning in OT.  And congratulations to their new head coach, what a win.

On the other hand Arkansas sucks, plain and simple.  And the switching with 2 quarterbacks is a recipe for disaster.  When was the last time a team doing that worked.  There was a little defense but an unispiring offense.  I project 2 – 9 if they are lucky.  Texas on the other hand looked ok against LSU, who made significant strides in their offense thanks to a new offensive coordinator.  Their prospects look good.  Texas is not out of it but they have some work to do.

And last – “How about those Cowboys!”  Dak has taken a lot of criticism but Sunday he was really solid with 400 yards, 4 touchdowns, and no INTs.  Even Zeke got in on the act.  All the usual Cowboy drama aside, it looks like they are going to be a real handful.  Jerry Jones said in an interview last year that we would not believe the size of the check he would write for another Super Bowl.  And he has done/is doing just that.  They have all the tools on both defense and offense to get it done.  The rest of the league better watch out, they are loaded and the time is now.  I really like football, can you tell?

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Are You Kidding Me!

I went to Ground Zero shortly after 9/11.  It was still smoldering and folks were walking around with pictures of loved ones.  It was a moving trip, and as a former medic and an American it touched my deeply.  So freakin’ sad.  And now the Taliban have been invited to the US this week!  Not sure how our longest war will end, but they supported Bin Laden and let him launch the attack from there.  And our brave men and women have given their lives fighting them.  There is no scenario where any Taliban should ever set one foot on American soil, and if they do a double tap is appropriate.  They are still killing us.  Sorry to get off topic but sometimes I just can not help myself.

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Still waiting on the Mako so I can get it fixed for good and get it back on the water.  Funny how you get used to, and rely on, the electronics.  GPS, downs can, temp, all common these days, so fishing without it takes me back a decade or two.  But at least with the skiff I am still mobile and there is one upside, it had not been used like it should so the next couple of weeks will fix that.  And I appreciate hearing from any of you, good, bad, or indifferent, I love all your comments.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  planet

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Astoria Oregon

How could you not like this?

Our limits of Chinook Salmon.

******************The Knockin Tail Lure with a built in tail rattle!   Look for it this winter.

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Though our trip to Oregon involved 3 completely different places I wanted to start with Astoria.  (More to come on fly fishing and Portland.)  The plan was to stay there a couple of days and maybe catch a few salmon, and boy did that work out.

Astoria is at the mouth of the ocean where the Columbia River dumps into the Pacific.  And that is where the famous Columbia Bar stretches for several miles at the mouth.  It is where the US Coast Guard trains in the winter, braving swells that can reach 30 feet.  Many a mariner has been taken by the ocean, and the memorial is a sobering place testifying to the danger of “crossing the Bar.”

The Boss putting one in the boat.

The town itself is my kinda town.  It is all about the fishing as it has been for a couple of hundred years, and still is to this day.  (And the food and eats, much less the craft beer, are top notch.)  So we hired a guide to take us out, and it was one of the best choices I have ever made in a guide.

From the Great Barrier Reef to the Texas coast I have had the pleasure of fishing with some good, and some terrible guides, but right off the bat I want to compliment our guide, Capt. Mark Charlton of Charlton Deep Sea Charters.  There are guides, and then there are fishermen, and the Capt. is the real deal.  No one trick pony like so many others, he gets it all done and I could not recommend him any more highly.

2 things I did not expect to see today.

With a legitimate 30 years (And that is low!) of experience he crabs in the winter, and yes it is just like the tv show.  He fishes for tuna, crabs, salmon, sturgeon, bottom fish, and halibut to name a few.  He started on this father’s boats when he was 6 y/o and has been at it ever since.  I could tell you more but enough said.  He and his mate Nick went above and beyond and it is the best money I have ever spent on a guide.

The Cape Meares Lighthouse. 

He fishes out of a 50 foot commercial fishing boat, the Ruby Sea, the boat he uses for all his pursuits.  We booked it because it had a head, one of the Boss’s requirements.  He can fish up to 20 but when we got to the dock it was just us.  Nothing like a 50′ boat to yourself!  I am so impressed he took us out with no other fisherman.  Most would have cancelled, but he took us and it was a blast.

There were tons of boats fishing as it was the holiday weekend, including a pontoon boat  (Nuts!) on the ocean.  We started at the mouth of the river and like so many first time experiences we had a few hitches in our git along, all angler inexperience.  I lost the first one, right at the net, then the Boss had an interesting experience.  You have to reel them in at top speed because of the seals and sea lions.  As she reeled in a nice one you could see a big sea lion tracking it and unfortunately it ate.  It was a big one that only got her salmon, it was hooked up.  What a struggle until the mate finally broke it off.  We finally managed to land a keeper, and Nancy did land a wild salmon (Only hatchery fish are taken to preserve the genetics.)  which was immediately released, then the Capt. said lets head to the ocean.  And that is exactly what I am talking about, we were getting some action but the Capt. was willing to load up and run that big boat several miles outside the Bar to get better fishing, and we did.

Our hotel.  Love the early morning walks along the Columbia River.

We were tolling a 3 hook rig with an anchovie following a big dodger and a dipsy style diver, which most were caught in the 25 foot range.  It is interesting to me that they rig the bait to spin, so different from most techniques.  And from then it was game on.  We lost a few, boated a limit, had a few moments of mayhem with potential doubles, short strikes, we had it all.  Capt. Mark and Nick were great, fun, competent, both a credit to the profession.  And to Nick, you could have given us more crap for our start and it was all in good fun.  The dude can handle 20 fishermen at once if that tells you anything about his abilities.  If you ever get out there, and I highly recommend the whole Astoria experience, they are the real deal.

https://www.ifish.net/charlton.html

Astoria was all about the old canneries. 

We stayed on the river and most of Astoria is an easy walk.  I ate clams, crabs, shrimp, and who knows what else.  The breweries were great, everyone we met was friendly, and I really do hope to get back to do it again.

This may sound crazy but I want to come back when they are commercial fishing and act as a deck hand for a day or two.  As a boy growing up in the corn fields of Iowa the ocean was a thing other folks did.  But I have always been drawn to it, and fishing with them only peaked my interest.  So Nick, I really meant it!  (In fact if the incompetent counselor I had in high school who told me I would never got to college had told me if you join the Coast Guard you get a boat and a gun I would have signed up that day.)

Want to see what the Bar is all about.  Cpat. Mark sent me this and it says it all.  And Capt. Mark is interviewed while commercial fishing during the show.  Some crazy stuff!

My kind of town – all about the fish!

The Seafarer Memorial.  Sobering.

Tribute to brave rescuers of the Coast Guard.

The memorial, listing folks who have made the area their life, was a humbling experience.  I went back twice just to take in the hundreds of names.  It really touched me in that fishing place that exists deep in my soul.  So many lost, but all doing what they loved.  It does not get any more sobering, or uplifting, than that.

Paella.  Seafood, followed by seafood, then some more seafood.

And the finishing touch – We had our filets vacuum packed and kept them on ice for 36 hours for the trip home, then TSA took all my ice packs as they were not totally frozen.  But a kind bartender (He got a nice fat filet for his kindness.) filled our bag with fresh ice after getting through security and they made it home as fresh as they came out of the ocean.  It was our first meal at home and we are good for months.  Great fish and great memories, what it is all about.  Thanks guys!

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I could go on and on, and there will be more on our trip in the next day or two, but you get the picture.  But life goes on and it is back to reality.  Still waiting on the service to get done on the Mako, then to New Braunfuls to get the part for the tunnel and hopefully it will be back on the water soon.  With clouds and rain coming I will definitely be hitting the water in the skiff.  It is still hot but with the clouds and drizzle it is definitely fishable on the bay or lake.  I appreciate you sticking with me on this little break but fall is coming and with it back to the serious fishing.  So keeps stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  planet

******************The Knockin Tail Lure with a built in tail rattle!   Look for it this winter.

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I have one great wish for when we get back, that this weather to have settled some, at least as far as the heat goes.  As I get older it gets tougher to handle that 1o5+ heat index.  Cold?  No problem.  Sometimes I get trapped in the old I can go anytime so not today.  When you can go whenever you want it seems easier to blow it off, waiting for the perfect conditions.  But one thing that can be said for that plan, it does work.  Cloudy, drizzle, light rain?  Whether bay or lake it is time to go.  So weather dude, want to see that forecast when I get back.  Who knows, the Mako might be close to ready to go.  And speaking of that, the part is in New Braunfels waiting to be picked up so one more step and good to go.  But the best made plans………….

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RIP Theophile Bourgeois

He was one of the great Louisiana fishing guides and from all reports an even better human being.  He was often on fishing shows, some with Bill Dance, where he flew his float plane to the Chandeleur Islands and they jacked them up.  He was an accomplished pilot and well known guide.  In fact, watching him fishing there made it a bucket list trip for me, one I am fortunate enough to have fulfilled thanks to him.  He left us to young but his memory will live on, all it finally comes down to.  My condolences to his family and friends.

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After Mac’s comment the other day I heard from SA Joe on his early lure.

Doug,
When stationed in Dayton Ohio, my neighbor across the street was talking about the Shyster. I said YEAH right your a Shyster. Don’t hold it against me, Now this was from Google definition, =a person, especially a lawyer, who uses unscrupulous, fraudulent, or Deceptive methods in business. Thought he was pulling my leg

He got me one and it has so much action compared to a rooster tail. Good lure…

Funny you should say that about attorneys, “unfortunately” I don’t take offense.  Watching the disciplinary actions of both the Texas and Arkansas BAR some in the profession leave a little something to be desired.

I have caught tons of trout on the White and North Fork on Rooster Tails, but don’t remember ever owning a Shyster.  One thing about the Rooster Tail, it catches trout, but they sure do not hold up worth a darn.

Lures have come a long way but we often “forget” about the old stuff that still works just fine.  A couple of perfect examples:  Rapala balsa minnow, Hula Popper, and the Jitterbug.  In fact, if you think about it so many baits are simply a variation/improvement on those 3.  Those examples:  Bang O Lure and jerkbaits, Chug Bugs, Pop R’s, and the like, and finally my favorite, buzzbait.   Thanks for the comment.  And if anybody else has a favorite old lure would love to hear it.

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I can’t say it make me want to cry at times, but occasionally I do tend to whine some.  But the picture really does say it all.  As an example over the last couple of years I have spent big bucks to get the Mako just like I like it.  Then the plate falls off and here we go.  At times I think the KISS rule is the way to go.  The more complicated the more issues, it comes with the territory.  Why I have kept the skiff for what is going on 20 years.  Simple, easy to clean and tow, small efficient engine, it is basically jump in and go almost anywhere there is most any kind of water.  And other than engine checkups no need to take it to someone else to do stuff.  And unless we can figure out a way to walk on water  (That is already taken!)  it comes with the territory.  Better have a good wife!

I was living in Arkansas in 2000 when I bought the Carolina Skiff.  At the time you just did not see them up north.  Folks often commented at the ramp that it was a “real” fishing boat.  And it has been.  From tarpon to bluegill it has caught it all.  And no matter how poorly I treated it the hull is still going strong.  In fact it has had 3 engines on it and it will probably outlast this one.  Selling it has come up more often as I slow down in the fishing department.  But then stuff breaks on the Mako and I am still fishing.  Think I will keep it just a little longer as we start getting serious about a place where we will retire.  The diabolical plan, leave it there so until we make the move I have a boat.  Back to ease of use, it is always ready to go.

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And a couple of other comments on fishing lures.  Gulp has always been a hassle for lots of reasons, but Berkley’s new Power Bait MaxScent looks like it is worth a shot.  Unlike Gulp they can stay on the rod without drying out.  They say fish hold on to it 18x longer than regular plastics.  And to prove it they dropped a scent infused cotton ball in the tanks with a bass, and a bluegill, and  they ate it in a second.   Then they dropped the exact same cotton ball without scent in the tank and they did not give it a second look.  (Who knows maybe after the clip the bass, the bluegill, and the Berkley guy sit around having a brew and a good laugh.) If you are a soft plastic guy you might give it a look.  Anything to make them hold on that one second longer has something to be said for it.  And no mess!

I love the Bagley Knocker B topwater and have had good luck with it on both fresh and saltwater.  They also have a saltwater topwater, the Rattlin’ Finger Mullet.  It comes in 2 sizes and 9 cool colors.  Made out of a tougher  material specifically for saltwater fish, it is the tried and true walking the dog style bait.  When I order Bang O Lures this fall will have to add a couple to the list.  Their stuff works and I expect nothing less with the Rattlin’ Finger Mullet.  And the Glass Minnow color looks like a sure thing.

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Finally got the right boat for the Boss when we are in Oregon, she had a bathroom requirement.  (Girls!  That what the transom is for.)  So we will do some salmon fishing on the Columbia River, one of the only fishing things on her bucket list.  The timing is good as a bizzilion salmon are about to enter the river, the Captain’s comment;  “We will get her a salmon.”   Nice to have her going to both the fly fishing class with trout fishing along with the salmon.   And a couple of comments on her fishing ability.  No one I have ever been around mastered a bait caster quicker than she did, a natural.  Though she hates spinning and “those worm” things.  She has whipped sails, marlin, and host of others.  And she has never ever bitched about my fishing.  The perfect wife.  Glad we could add the fishing, along with the mountains and some hiking, things are shaping up quite nicely.

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That is all for now.  Really am excited about Oregon, see what all the fuss is about.  And when we catch a few fish it will be all good.  Remember your kill switch, it starts in a few days.  Time to buy a self inflating jacket, hook it to the switch, and you are good to go.  The life you save may be your own.  And if you get to hit the water this week catch em’ up.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  planet

I was not really planning on fishing today but wanted to be sure the Carolina Skiff was running ok.  It would not circulate water no matter how I tried at the house.  So yesterday I was headed to the shop when I decided to stop by Coleto and just back the trailer in and see if it would pee.  I started it up and it was not peeing when all of a sudden it started.  Yahoo!  Bob thought it might be the thermostat and maybe it was.  As it had not be run for 3 months it proves the old adage –  The worst thing for a boat is sitting.  Won’t let that happen again.  But to the fishing………

Come on clouds!  No such luck but it sure was spectacular!

******************The Knockin Tail Lure with a built in tail rattle!   Look for it this winter.

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Weather

Smoking hot and pool table flat.

Lake Level

Today   96.15 msl.     2 days ago  96.21 msl.

Solunar Times

Major  7:12 am to 9:12 am.   Minor  2:03 pm to 3:03 am.

It was just cracking daylight when I got to the lake.  It is clearly still falling pretty fast and the lower end is clear as all get out.  The color is a little better up lake, and since in the skiff no water temp today, but I do know one thing, it is hot.

The motor was acting right so my first stop was the main lake cove where they have been schooling.  Right off the bat I hooked what I thought was a good one on the Bang O Lure.  After a tussle no wonder, small enough that it was hooked in the mouth and the tail and came in U shaped.  For the first hour I fished that cove but they were not breaking and not another bite so time to get up lake and fish a couple of brushy banks.

The 2 best of the 5 that came over the side this morning.

As I knew it was going to be a short morning I went right to the 2 places that have been consistent and threw the watermelon red stick worm.  The first place 2 jumped on and I missed 2 or 3 more.  One of those deals where you set the hook and there is nothing there and your worm is gone.  Most of the time they are just picking it up by the trail and not actually eating it so when you set the hook off it comes.

The next place 3 came pretty quickly.  Again on the worm.  From that point on not a bite so at 11:00 I called it a morning, happy.  A good feeling to know I was not going to have 2 boats at the shop at the same time.  It would have been a OMG moment if both were down at the same time.  But with the Mako part coming it is going to be back to some serious fishing.

I had another one spit up a small bluegill while I was reeling it in.  The plan was to fish the bluegill swim jig as often as that has been happening but I just can not get them to eat it.  Of course it is a better grass bait, but still I have caught a ton of them over the years on it when the bluegill are spawning and it is a little surprising.  Who knows, maybe should be throwing a bluegill square bill.  The buzzbait got a chance on one bank, and other than a half hearted swirl not a bite, it was just to calm.

Around 9:30 time to fish a couple of deeper points and a ledge in the dam area.  Other than a worm eater that did not hook up the next 1 1/2 hours resulted in not a bite.  It still puzzles me why I can not catch them on a couple of good deep points with serious depth where I have historically caught them.  While fishing those old reliable places changes with conditions, there is no good reason those couple of places do not have any fish on them.   So with it hotter than hell, humid, and not a breath of wind, it time to head to the barn.

The same morning, just a different location.  What a beautiful morning!

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The Mako

A big thank you to Ivory H of customer service and and Shannon R, Pars Adminstrator .  I was getting worried that somehow the part might be hard to find and was having little luck on several fronts.  But within 2 days of speaking with her problem solved.  As you all know I love the boat for the flexibility to fish fresh and salt, along with the easy tow.  And since I just got it rigged exactly the way I want it sure is nice to know it will be back on the water soon.  So hats off to Mako Customer Service, you really do get customer service!

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“Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.”

“And to lose the chance to see frigate birds soaring in circles above the storm, or a file of pelicans winging their way homeward across the crimson afterglow of the sunset, or a myriad terns flashing in the bright light of midday as they hover in a shifting maze above the beach — why, the loss is like the loss of a gallery of the masterpieces of the artists of old time.”

President Theodore Roosevelt.

Hundreds of square miles of floating trash in the ocean, algae blooms killing millions of fish, sea life choking to death on plastics, the clock is ticking and if we do not take a stand disaster is on the horizon.  While we may not live long enough to see the end, we do our children and others who follow a great disservice.  Roosevelt was the greatest presidential conservationist in the history of the US.  He gave us the park system, and knew the value of what is a finite resource, one we should be protecting and expanding.  Sportsmen of all ilk have a sacred duty to participate in conservation.  We have no right to use it without paying it forward.  Each of us needs to give back in some way, no matter how small.  So do “something”, it is not that hard.

This is not to toot our horn, but to show how easy it is to do something small, too at least do something.  In the last year we have gone to all biodegradable cleaning products, no harder than grabbing a different product on the shelf, and we have quit watering the lawn.  My neighbors may not like it all that much but tough, water quality and quantity is fast becoming a huge issue in America and we have decided to not waste it.  And we try to use canvas bags at the store, the last thing the world needs is more plastic Wal Mart bags flying around.  The last thing I am going to do is ween myself from plastic water bottles.  Seeing the water bottle from the stomach of a redfish is enough for me.  It can not go on like this.  And one thing saltwater fishermen should do is help out on the Beach Cleanup next month.  There is no more “outdoors’ being made, help preserve it.

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Our hear wave goes on and we are doing something about that – Going to the mountains of Oregon.  A fly fishing lesson which the Boss is going to do, then fishing on the Deschutes River.  We will be doing some hiking, then to the coast for a couple of days, finishing up in Portland to do the big city thing.  If my diabolical plan comes to fruition the heat wave will be gone, the Mako will be back in play, and I will be hitting it hard.  So thanks for sticking with me during this slow period I promise there is lots of fishing to come.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines