Deer Creek, dear on Fri. - notes to self

I haven't been out recently, but my son and I were able to hit Deer Creek on Friday to be able to make a worthy report. The Berry seemed a little far to go, since my best intel efforts left me with tepid expectations due to the recent weather conditions. But, we really wanted to get out on the water. We arrived at the at the island ramp brisk and early. OK, I lied, it was at 11 AM, well... actually, it was more like 2 PM... But man, the extra sleep felt good!!

The thought hadn't occurred to me of just how the low water levels might affect launching. It was significant. I've never seen the lake so low and I was surprised there was still cement ramp that far down! Some fellows were launching their pontoon boat as we arrived, and the ramp leveled out and their large truck had to back 8-10 yards into the water. (They said they'd been to the Berry, but weren't catching so they thought they'd try DC. Gotta love it when my own guestimation on location has merit. Hopefully we made the right choice the first time.)

I backed my van in up to its doors and even taking in water in the back, and I still had to push my small boat off the trailer... (First note to self: "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea...") Fortunately, the prop wasn't hitting bottom, but it may have if I pulled the boat up to the side of the dock. I went to park and my son had his head down hooking up the sonar and making preps in the front of the boat when I jumped in the back. The weight shifted and my feet splashed. Well... that was unexpected. The cooler, tool chest and gas tank were floating. (Second note to self: "You really should have put that plug in the boat back in the driveway when you thought of it..." Third note: "Maybe this trip wasn't such a good idea... part deux")

After some bailing we were on our way to the west of the island where we caught a grundle of perch last year in Nov. It wasn't long before the glassy conditions we arrived turned to some wind. Bearable, but more chilly. This might be a cold short trip for a guy with wet feet. (Fourth note: "It's not summer anymore, pack some extra socks and shoes in case you get wet.") The sonar showed fish like markings suspended at 22'. Too deep for our trolling rappalas perhaps, and our casting of spinners wasn't getting any action after a few passes. So I anchored up and we tried jigging with some custom jigs with crawlers. No more love there either. But as I was rigging up some deeper trolling raps, one pole bent all crazy. My son pulled in this very active bow.


We hung around for a while longer and continued jigging, but to no avail. I added some larger (black and white) deep divers raps in the tackle box that were meant for wipers... juuuust in case. "What have we got to lose?" my son said. So, we put them in action and trolled again. We headed north and got another bow about the same size as our first. As we got shallower (11-14 ft) the only action was some small trout that came near the surface and tried to smack a white spinner unsuccessfully. (A handmade panther martin, "rooster tail" type.)

Heck, we were just grateful to not catch a skunk, but there wasn't much of a congregation anywhere in the area, fishkind or other. There were a few bank tanglers on the North side of the island, but their poles stayed inactive as far as we could tell. The same with the pontoon boat (that seemed to be trolling "pop gear") in the area for a while, then headed south and out of sight. There was only one other small craft in the area that trolled around, also having no luck as far as we could tell. So, we sought out another area I've never fished. Again, the sonar was blank until we found more fish markings again suspended at 22'. The deep trolling raps worked on just about every pass. The second in the area was this brown that hit like a freight train. We waved back happily to the folks on the real train that passed by on the west.


Couldn't help but notice lots of green algae in the area, like I often see at the Berry, whem BAM! I had one bow that obviously came up from lower to hit a shallow black and gold rappalla. The silly fish ran out of water and continued 4' into the air! Fun, fun, fun. We ended up with 5 in the 18" range for the day. Too bad we didn't find this area sooner.

As much as we'd have liked to fished more, we didn't want to take any chances and be dealing with issues getting the boat on the trailer with flashlights... (Final note: "Sometimes things that don't start our well at all, end up to be a great day!)

Will someone please tell me if there have been any challenges getting your boats on the water at the Berry cuz of low water? I'd like to get up there this year, but I need to make sure I don't pull my boat up there and have to fish from the bank!

White bass redneck video in instructions

Another killer day at Utah Lake for Conner and I.  Some don’t believe what we’ve been doing at Utah Lake – so here is proof with our lessons in fishing.  In order:

http://youtu.be/DmQJqrT04oY

http://youtu.be/hH-UtKYUpSc

http://youtu.be/MpOU8sBl6Ms

http://youtu.be/mkQUw5BV9wc

This year we’re running out of ways to cook white bass.  J  We stopped counting at about 75.  We got tired of that after about an hour, so we then went for catfish and this nice 23” lady joined us in the boat.  We kissed her on the forehead then released her with commandment to multiply and replenish the lake.   

BUBBLE UP CAT

I've been rather fishing deprived this summer... But a trip on Thurs to UL produced a worthy story that might be useful to someone. (Sorry, no time for clever verbiage or Photoshop entertainment THIS time. Just the facts ma'am. )

I owed a good buddy a BIG favor and he decided his payback needed to be a fishing trip. I figured this typical trout chaser would enjoy what UL had to offer. The water was a water skiers dream in the morning, glassy smooth and 74 degrees at 10 AM. (I bet that average temp starts dropping soon....)

Figger'd Provo would have good options for bass, figger'd rightly. Trollers didn't do as well as those that just anchored up near the inlet. With the bright sun, the bass seemed to use the boat as something to hide under. My buddy had a great time pulling in one after another. Note, I didn't say reeling in - the fish were often just a jig vertical jig away.

Other boats figured what we were doing and joined very nearby. The crowding was understandable enough, but now if I could just find a way to remove the image of one fellow bending over in his boat to reveal a deep butt crack that had been seared into my brain....

The sun disappeared behind clouds, and so did the fishies desire to congregate under us. But we had our fill, so we headed South to see if I could get us into some cat action. I'd found some willing mudders many weeks ago outside some thick reeds in less than two feet of water, but our poles got no love this time.

BUT we did see some small carp boils, so I got out my bow and we had some fun with that. Man, they were skittish... just the sight or sound of us was all it took for them to disappear. And for other bow hunters, small boils were all OVER the place just South of the Airport tower. That was, until some fellow drove by slowly with loud mariachi music playing. Once the chap opened his car door and REALLY let the sound out, all the carp decided to take their siesta somewhere else. Guess there's no counting for taste!

Noting recent reports of cats in no less than 5 plus feet o' water - we boated over to the Bubble Up. I have NEVER figured out how to get cats out deep there... but I'm an eternal optimist - or is it masochist?

The water was only 5.5' deep at the last buoy. Fortunately, my buddy had a mudder that wanted to play out past all the buoys. So perhaps it wasn't my typical Indian spirit guide (a Skunk) that prompted me to go there. I don't usually find channels with mudders, so I shifted shallower. A veeeery slow drag of some bass meat and I had a willing channel on the line. Passed the pole to my buddy who brought in a nice 22 incher. Confidence rose about the location.

We near pulled the heads off a couple more whities with some strong hook sets meant for channels. Guess they didn't know the table wasn't served for them. They'll never do THAT again.

It was interesting how our bait ended up nowhere near where we chucked them in, so there was a definite under current going on that we found, Then, something else besides current took my bait as line started disappearing from my reel. A click of my bale and a hook set worthy of Thor and I was VERY grateful that I had strong line. My pole looked more like a horseshoe as line kept zinging off the reel. Had to let whatever it was wear out a bit, but still keeping the line taught. Much fun! The last few feet were the toughest.

The whoop and holler of my buddy at seeing this near 28 incher in the net was worth the day. I TRIED to let him take the pole, but I was only too happy to oblige as I took a turn this time. Definitely one o' the biggest I've caught.


The gods were kind to us today, and speaking of Thor, that was about when storm clouds opened up and the thunder and lightening commenced. Wind came out of nowhere and it was a pretty bumpy ride back to Provo for my small craft. It definitely reminded me to respect that lake and be prepared and cautious.

What a great day! To each his own, but I'll let the dedicated trout chasers enjoy their own efforts and I'll stick to mine.

ECHOES OF BATTLE

Fellow knight Icerman asked if I could head out Fri the 9th and I was happy to join him. I hadn't crossed swords with any fishkind in ages, and I was really needing to get out in nature and keep all residing in my little kingdom happy with me. Sorry if I disappoint thee with no attempt at Photoshop proof of a 100 lb (2") perch, this time, but the weather forecast sure wasn't a disappointment. There were nary a cloud in the sky nor did I need gloves all day, and later on no need of coat of arms.
I parked my trusted steed on the east side near the point. Sir Icerman arrived earlier fishing in about 35' of water, he said he had some early challengers, disgruntled peasants perhaps, but he'd been lone ever since. By the time I was ready to join the battle at 8:30 AM, we headed out west for deeper water and worthy adversary.
I had a couple very strong hits quickly, but swords glanced off each other to no avail. I wondered if I was coming up against some short biters, unlearned in the ways of gobbling their food as true men. So I switched my long sword for something more suited to close quarters, from a jig head dressed with small tubes, to a small white gizzie bug. (My experience this year has been that the trout respond best to plastics with some wiggle.) Wisdom indeed. And as to the efficacy of Knight TubeDude's "wobble jigs" - yea, and verily be.
Before long we both had a couple foot longer bows laying at our feet. Nay, they shall not ambush again. Not enough size to challenge the mighty, but provided ample skunk repellant and satisfying as my armor of pride groweth too thick to remember from whenst last time be. We kept spoils of early triumph, hoping others seek pursuit. Alas, lest they wished they'd fared better. Oh yes, there would be blood.
I had one pole on the bottom at over 50', hoping for perchkind - but they must have cowarded off in some hole, unbeknownst from hence they may be... Thine enemies sent out larger combatants hither. Seemingly in two classes, of peasant an knighthood. Of naught were their efforts and fell before our might.

All were suspended between 6' - 10'. It made for short battle. The fish came thru somewhat steadily from 9 to 11 morn. Between two warriors, perhaps ten score and 8, be thine best guess for the day. (Perhaps Sir Icerman will contribute and speak true.)
The ice be 14" thick in the lake proper, but ahh the edges. Solid to walk on early, not as much mid day 6 feet to shore. Where there were sticks, the ice doth melted. Evidence of some lads getting wet with ice breakage. With the increasingly warm days ahead, best ye walk the plank!
Fair the well, yon lads and maidens. 

ROCKWELL PRESIDENTIAL RACE

After the latest storm, my wife wanted to head to the mountains so she could actually feel like it was winter. So she suggested we have our "once-a-year-everyone-in-the-family-goes-ice-fishing-trip" on Presidents Day. The potential political landscape of lakes had not really excited the masses, so I was unable to offer any campaign promises of many panfish for every pot. Upon consulting with the pundits, Rockport was selected to represent. My expectations were conservative but hopeful.
My first family arrived bright and early (just after lunch) to some slight breezes and sunny conditions. There were many others with their voting tents set up on the west side, but their thinking was rather shallow to me and we headed deeper for our debates as we battled rather thick ice.

I got my youngest set up first (Ninja style) and before the others of us could even start raising funds, he got his first response from the rainbow coalition. The size was moderate, but the support was welcome.

Soon to follow with political action was my first lady, but someone in the field offices didn't set her drag properly and her support was lost at the poling location. I was next to speak at the podium, but my argument was way too small to accept the endorsement. My first lady responded again with excited shouts and a hollers from her exit polls.

I told her she had her position upside down, but "Not when I hold it up to look at myself" she responded. Fair enough I suppose, from her perspective.

My oldest son still had yet to win a majority in any state, so I took that as an opportunity to jump ahead in the polls with some well planned clever rhetoric (as obligated by the act of congress of 1996 stating that parents are duly obligated to verbally challenge their offspring with sarcasm to toughen them up and prepare them for the unfairness of fickle voters) - "I guess you just suck." I needed to have a chat with my speech writers, because my number one son's quick response was winning the vote of the largest state of the day.


The other fishing constituents in the shallow voting booths closed up earlier than we, and as things cooled off my related parties became adversarial and ran negative campaigns. One son bet the other $10,00 that he could win the nomination, but the other side didn't like his "theology." The only honorable thing for two young gentlemen to do was wrestle in the snow.

The sun went behind clouds and it became rather chilly in the afternoon - as were the receptions of any others open to our positions on their death penalty. So we closes up our petitions and headed back to our home states and loving supporters.

We didn't catch many, but we each got a few for our efforts. From what we could tell, others political action groups didn't do better. As reported by others previously, we found fish in water 50-60 ft deep, and about 15 feet down. We sent down tandem rigs with small homemade "rat finkie" and spider types on top and white cutterbugs/gizzilla plastics with glow jig heads.
We were satisfied to just get out, and it was all the more so for me to not have my wife an youngest come home disappointed. Without regard to election results based on patriarchy - sometimes it's great to feel like a king.

A Very Merry Berry Xmas Eve Eve

 Twas the day before Xmas eve day and all through my house, was the desire to go ice fishing much larger than mouse.
The bait was stored in the fridge with great care, in hopes that fish morsels they soon would lay bare.
I was early nestled all snug in my bed, while visions of rainbows swam through my head.

When soon the alarm I arose with such clatter, I sprang from my bed, no more sleep would much matter. Away, to mirror I flew like a flasher. I opened my eyes – and threw up – I LOOK LIKE TRASH! (ER...)

Arriving at Wal-mart “The_Coach” did appear, with a big red truck willing to drive, and no jeer. We drove up the canyon so lively and quick, we knew in a moment it must be Soldier Creek.
Still early for me, my first “comfort break” came, Coach whistled and shouted called me a name. On Rainbow, on cutthroat, to the top of the ice. We didn’t much care if the fish were naughty or nice.
The fish were all dressed in scales fin to jaw, all covered with slime and cold our hands did need thaw. Limits of trout we had slung in a sack, my son looked so happy, just needed a snack.

His eyes how they twinkled, his pimples so merry. He landed a cutt, biggest he’d caught at the Berry.


Coach’s pole went all bent like just so, but he’d caught this dinky rainbow… He spoke not a word, lines straight to his work, as I’m sure he was thinking – Roghet is a JERK!!!

I lay my finger just under my nose, and with a quick twist, up my nostril it goes. I was pleased and content, no skunk on the shelf, I laughed merrily, in spite of myself.
We caught 3 cutts and lost count of the bows, but smaller ones were shallower this day shows. The cutts were hanging near the bottom, 22’ feet deep, along with larger bows mid depth they did creep. Cutter bugs worked, didn’t much matter if waxies or crawlers, but white was thus favored as to the colors.

The ice was at least 10 inches thick, we found out the hard way it could be quite slick. And as nice as it was that it be so clear, the cracks of expansion made us cry, “Oh dear!”

We loaded our sleds and walked back to the car. As fishing trips go, this beat others by far! Away we all flew, and to end this epistle, I took this last photo of our big fishcicle.

If you are like me, you want Santa to bring, many opportunities to go catch THIS big thing!

We were heard to exclaim, as we drove out of sight, HAPPY FISHMAS TO ALL – AND ‘MAY YOUR LINES THEY BE TIGHT! (‘THIS POEMS COPYRIGHT’)
Anyways…. I lack the time to make this all rhyme… The ice at Soldier Creek was as clear and solid as I’ve been on. It was very hard to hand drill thru. We thought there was still a big patch of open water to the South East, but we drove on the dam road a bit to see and it was frozen clear ice except for a small patch of open water right in the middle. We turned around there, but the road was passable with 4WD. Folks were fishing in pretty much every bay we saw.

DEER CREEK ON THANKSGIVING EVE

My son and I hit DC on Wed. With more than a dozen absolutely stellar fishing trips in a row for me in recent months at different locations, I was quite overdue for a good humbling… There were quite a number of bank tanglers that were just outside the ramp fee area by the island when we arrived after lunch time, but we never observed any fish in the skinny water. There were a half a dozen boats in the area, and the trollers were picking up a few fish here and there out in the middle of the bay. But not having any luck ourselves quickly at that, we continued on with our mission.

When we went out the week before and the weather conditions were almost exactly the same, mid 40's and windy. We anchored up and caught about 50 perch vertical jigging before darkness and the cold sent us home. Man… the wind was really howling that day, but we were dressed well and didn’t notice cuz we were too busy pulling in fish after fish!

The water temps had dropped a couple degrees though to 48, and the gusty wind wasn’t nearly as strong as the week before. It would have been fine if it was consistent…. but it kept changing in strength and direction within minutes…. We’d locate what seemed to me as the same perch like markings as we saw last trip on the sonar, but by the time I got anchored over them the wind would shift… With as much rope as we had to have out to get the anchor to hold in 35’- 40+’ deep of water, the boat drifted position so much that the depth we were at varied as much as 10’. If those were fish we saw, we sure couldn’t get them to bite on anything…

As we moved around we’d see a few single fish like markings at the bottom, but the challenge of getting us situated on a spot caused us to shift tactics. We trolled all around the island looking for trout, unsuccessfully. So, I figured I’d make it a boat trip and learn the lake a bit more and watch the sonar. We went over to the West side and saw NOTHING on the sonar. Then we went over to Rainbow Bay. Generally, we’d see a fish marked at mid depth in about 30’ of water here and there, but I guess they were waiting till Thanksgiving for their feasting….

Fortunately, just as it was getting dark we found a few trout that wanted to play and averted a big fat skunk. I can’t remember the last time we had one of those for dinner. However, my bruised sense of pride served up with stuffing and basted with not having any more tricks up my sleeve, this particular day did make me even MORE grateful for the great trips in the past.

Anyway, I can’t complain, I’m still learning the ropes at DC only having fished in on open water a few times. Every time I’ve gone people mostly troll out in open water in rather random patterns. I’ve never fished the west side of the lake and I’ve never heard reports of catching there. Anyone got any intel about those areas on the North end of the lake? And, does anyone know how deep your typical “rooster tail” spinner goes when trolled at slow speeds?

Lastly, have a great Turkey Day everyone! For those that watch the local news, two can play at this game P.E.T.A. And yes, I will be enjoying a fine bird today. But, lest I offend those of the vegetarian inclination – I wish you a very happy TOFUrkey Day!

Roghet
pixel murderer

White Bass Video

People wanted further proof that we were catching in such high numbers, so here’s a video.  It’s not that hard, you just do this for about two hours.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIJV4VK_5CA

UTAH LAKE BASSAPALOOZA!

I’ve been derelict in my posting lately… I figure I’ve not much to add with my version of “Hey, I dun catched a nudder hundert white bass!” Since a few others feel differently, I’ll do some catching up on some recent trips to Utah Lake. One might believe that unless a report is extremely recent it is not very useful. However, for me the fishing at Utah Lake has remained about the same for the last month. Even with the drop in temps recently, every trip has been a 100+ fish day.

I was hoping to pick up where I left off last Summer and I could go for cats outside the reeds on the North East end with some confidence. But… the cats have proved elusive for me throwing bait under a bobber in the shallow water. (Oh wait, even shallow water has been harder to find this summer! ) Each time I’d hope to catch cats, I’d catch bass… “When in Rome” I suppose, glad to go with the flow.
Each trip I’ve tried to take a young boy – or someone not so young - that had never experienced the thrill of catching fish in such numbers. We’d usually catch our first slow electric trolling with some kind of spinner before we got 20 yards out of the Lindon Marina. I’m not sure if it gives the parents or the child the bigger smiles. (Talk amongst yourselves and get back with me.)


We’d then head along the edge of the reeds bordering the lake proper, and if I found a little “bay” of reeds where there was some protection from the wind, I’d usually find fish. If one was caught, others of us would cast in the same spot and eventually we’d be lucky enough to find a school. It never ceases to amaze me how large numbers of bass will be bunched up in a 10 square foot area, but cast two feet away from that there would be zilch!
Interestingly, while I’d often see bank tanglers catch fish, it sure seemed to me that the schools were just out of reach where a boat was needed. As we’d have triples, one good natured tangler was heard to shout “You’re screwing your kids up you know. They’ll think it’s like this all the time!” But I think we are all due for some spoiling once in a while with stellar fishing conditions.
Staying in one spot and waiting for the fish to come to me doesn’t make much sense. Or maybe that’s not my fishing sense but a rationalization for my attention deficit. However, once the boat was anchored over a school, the fish seem to take shelter under the boat. No casting in those situations was needed – or even reeling in! My brother remarked "This is like fishing in a bath tub..." Maybe the fishies would think twice if they were smart enough to realize that it was causing their friends to disappear, or, maybe they could tell of their survival story of a harrowing experience when we returned so many back to their schoolmates.

It's gratifying to see brothers cooperating and helping each other on a great fishing day.


On sunny days and clearer water, I’ve tended to go with a white lure. Curly tail grubs have been a good choice along with spinners. But given that some afternoons have had some monster high winds the water has been as murky as I’ve ever seen it. Then I’d go with red and chartreuse. Also in murky situations, sometimes the bass hug the bottom, and bouncing my lure off the bottom back to the boat is what wakes ‘em up.
If the previous days have had calm weather, a few cats could be had in the same areas. Nobody will ever convince me that cats only go for horrifyingly smelly things soaking on the bottom. I have several busted spinners with bent hooks reeled in at a fair pace that have fooled some channels

OK, anyone that’s ever been to a rock concert knows that there is one thing that is inevitable. It’s never a matter of if, but when a drum solo WILL happen. The same thing goes with young boys and a dip in the lake when there’s a lull in the fish action.


Once the school thinned out or skedaddle elsewhere we’d move on and troll again. One time a cloud cover set in and the wind kicked up and my pole bent like I just hooked a log. “Back up the boat!” I shouted to my brother quickly loosening my drag so my line didn’t break. He said “It’s just a snag,” but I knew otherwise. I was fortunate to bring in this nice 24” walleye.

I tell ya, these little homemade pony head lures can catch anything. The flash and the vibration make it my go to lure quite often.


I wonder, would you kiss your mother if you had a mug like this? (Boy, someday I hope to catch a musky and see firsthand how their teeth compare. But I digress…)


On the cuter side, cats to me are the “Barney the Dinosaur” of fresh water. “I love them… they love me…” I might find myself singing as I fill up the smoker… (Hmmmm, what rhymes with smoker?)



One afternoon my brother and I found a spot that I’ve never experienced fish so numerous or ravenous. I felt like we were fishing for piranhas. It didn’t feel very sporting, so we’d cast out and as soon as the lure hit the water we’d reel in as fast as we could to try NOT to catch a fish. Man, it was hard! So, we did our own “Mythbusters” test, and yep – we both caught bass on bare hooks. Yes, really! The ONLY thing that didn’t catch fish was to hold the lure out of the water and try to get the fish to jump for them.
Each trip I’d head out and I would wonder how lightning could possibly strike yet again and have another good white bass trip. I’d hope for the best for my fishing guests and feel some internal pressure not to disappoint, but still preparing them for anything. It takes some hunting, but fortunately we haven’t been let down yet. The only question was if there would be cats that wanted to play too. This time they did.


Funny how in any group there is an oddball, (I’ve oft been accused of being one myself), and amidst the bass this rebel individual allowed my oldest son to finally catch his first bluegill.

Most trips have provided enough fun that we’ve been off the water before rush hour, but a few days ago my youngest son was also experiencing his best catching day ever, so we stayed till later. But once the sun went behind the West mountains it was like someone turned on a switch and as well as the tables. We went from predators to prey. Aaaaaaaugh!!!! I’m so allergic to mosquitoes!!!! (Note to self, pack extra clothing for the boys that provide mosquito protection cuz they don’t always remember to do what I tell them. However, it did provide for some interesting and creative fashion options with a flannel checkered shirt. Doubtful this will become a hot trend, unless it’s by Lady Ga Ga.)


Lastly, another thing that never ceases to amaze me is how very small bass go for very large lures… Maybe the desire to over achieve spans across species and at times we are not so different...

Cheers everyone!

FIRST HANDI-WIPERS OF THE YEAR

Took advantage of the one day this week that the TV weatherman said would be the best, with high pressure and no clouds. (I wonder if they say “30%” chance of thunderstorms when they have absolutely no idea what the weather is going to be...) We decided to give Utah Lake a break from our weekly assaults since she had become such a fickle mistress to so many and try something else until the channel cats complete their nurseries. Given some encouraging reports, I thought that maybe this was the year I take a few more lumps at Willard, which had rewarded my inexperience with unkindness the summer before last.


We got there early (for us) as the sun was bright as it lit up the higher ramp fees with cheer, along with the awaiting hordes of mosquitoes that we were obligated to feed. The water coming from the channel of the South Marina was like chocolate milk, but the main lake was glassy smooth and barely a breeze. "Niiiiiice…." I thought to myself as I checked off the box next to weather on my list of hopes for the day. It seemed that 4 – 5 other boaters had read reports suggesting the South dike. (Boy, I sure hope one of ‘em had a fire extinguisher in his boat, as we watched smoke billow out of the engine compartment. (Note to self, check fire extinguisher and be ready to help.)

We headed North to avoid the crowd. (I'm sure many a wiser fishermen would raise one eyebrow at my "logic" of where to fish...) The sonar pretty much showed nothing once we got our lines out… One deep diving Rap "tail dancer" in black and white, one lipless shad Rap in blue and a white, and fire tiger homemade lure completed the buffet, rigged up like I’d been taught. We snaked around at various depths for quite a while, but not an inquiry was to be made as we trolled all the way thru Freeway Bay and to the North Marina. (Note to self: Even the lipless lures will be destroyed on the bottom in water more shallow than 8’).

So…. we headed west to some spots that I marked on my GPS when I went out two years ago with a past BFT moderator who was showing me the ropes. Nothing... The water was colder than I expected when we started, not yet even 65, my son remembered it as being colder. But it had warmed several degrees as we neared the light pole. Still nothing… Does that mean I should go deeper, or shallower, or to another area? (Note to self: Find out what you are doing, cuz a recipe of from others t’ain’t workin’…) Rather than go home, I chucked out my list of “to dos” and just drove around out in deeper water watching the sonar to see if ANYTHING showed up as we headed to the GPS mark that I was guessing was the “island”. (Note to self: rename GPS markings in unit, and get more note paper to list everything that you don’t know about fishing Willard…)

Time to take a moment and just be grateful to get out on a beautiful day.


We saw some “wiper like markings” just after the 20’ deep water became shallower near the island. Finally, we chopped up the skunk in our propeller as opponents fought like a champs, but my son was the victor. He was rewarded with a sweet wiper that was a chunky 20”. Another pass and I got one, and it would have been awesome – if it was a white bass! So, we counseled him to learn how to fight better sent him back to school. OK, so this was workin’. I picked up a foot-ish walleye that was one of the wipers school-mates. Obviously they were skipping class together. (We varied our trolling speed. Just short of 3 mph worked best, but one of the walleyes was caught going 4 mph or better as we were turning around!)

But the fishermen also had been held back a few years in their education, because obviously we didn’t know that fishing in the middle of the day was the worst time of day to fish. I pondered that as my son again brought in this wiper that was over 21.” WhooHOO! I don’t much care what anyone else might say, but this is a nice fish in MY book!


It was my turn for a biggun,’ but was rewarded only with another small walleye, and then FINALLY – my pole bent like crazy, this HAD to be the big one my son was hoping I would catch.

It wasn’t... I couldn’t believe a wiper of maybe 13” put up such resistance. But, we were totally pleased with our couple of keepers. It was getting later afternoon (water above 70 degrees) now and there was only one other boat we could see. Perhaps those other boats should have taken a hint from us newbies and stuck around.

FWIW: I'll show off my home-made rattle lure. Gotta love it when they work!


We felt totally satisfied with the day. We caught something on all lures, so that wasn't as important as just finding fish.

It provided the means to ask a few questions that I’ll open up to all. We had two planars with braided line. So how long of a leader do you guys like? And, so to you guys with pretty set formulas for trolling – what do YOU do if you aren’t catching?

BASS AT THE KNOLLS

You sure got a knack for them whities, and your avatar name is apropos. I tried to get in as shallow as you with my boat and I'm sure glad I had my "Utah Lake prop" on. Got me a nice ding in it.

(Hey TD, I wondered if that was you over there. Conman and I arrived just before Shawn, and I didn't think it would be ideal to motor over and find out fer sure. Not without me knowing if my boat had been sprayed with skunk and didn't want to share my disease or mess up any good mojo you might have goin' on! )

Always a pleasure to fish with you FK! It never ceases to amaze me that we can cast in the same spot as you and not get as many bass just a few feet away! We ended up with enough bass for our taste buds though. We stayed longer after you left - as conditions changed and we did likewise with tactics.

I was disappointed that the water hadn't warmed by when we arrived (58), and just barely got to 63 when the winds kicked up to white caps and we headed home.

Anyway, to tell how we ended up, the last trip to the Knolls I had a cat pole out deeper soaking bait and it was left untouched. But this trip I pulled it in to move the boat and the bait was gone. I chucked another out to sit on the bottom and on the deep side of the boat we kept casting for bass in shallow. I got this strong pull and it didn't feel like a bass. I keep reeling and I pulled in the string from my other pole! I wondered how long he'd been swimming around with the string in his mouth, but we never saw tugs on the cat pole.

Finally, my first kitty of the year!



So, growing weary of sporadic single (male) whites, we rigged other poles for cats and started paying attention to them. Good move. The wind seemed to carry the bait to one area and we kept getting inquiries. Boy, we really had to finesse 'em, and we missed as many as we got (4) in trying to figure out when to set the hook and when to let them run. Fortunately, my son got his first walleye ever! What a nice (20") treat for him!


I thought it would be an unusual day, with this interesting double rainbow off the clouds from the sun.



It was a beautiful day out. Not quite what we expected, but it did teach me first hand that each day of fishing is about figuring the fish out and having more than one plan to find out what works. We've never got us a "grand slime" of 4 species. But we got the bases loaded with a triple threat!