8-20-11 Sat

8-20-2011 Sat
7:00 PM – 8:15 PM

H2O: 7.22 falling, 56.5 kcfs, 76 ˚, semi-clear
Weather: W 5, mostly cloudy, 72 ˚, 29.97 falling
Location: Mississippi R. pool 7 (Somners area)
Caught: 1 LMB 15”, 2 walleye 14 & 22”, bluegill 8”, gar 26”, sheep head 16” and myself
Partners: none

Comments

I basically wanted to do a little fishing for walleyes tonight. I have not targeted them at all, and I wanted to try some sand drops and rock for them. I figured with the water dropping and the reduced current the fish would respond in a positive way.
On the way out to Somners I decided to hit the sand drops to check to see if any largemouth had decided to take up residence. I caught one bass in a very slack water area in very shallow water. I then went out to the main slough and threw cranks on current breaks and rocks. I did pretty well, except for the misfortune of catching myself.
It happened like this: I hooked a gar and was trying to unhook it. Now you have to understand gar, they are not submissive and they do not give up. I made the mistake of grabbing the dam thing and that was my downfall. It was relaxed for about ten seconds before it started thrashing. I ended up getting hooked in the palm and the gar gained its freedom. The hook was embedded deep in the palm of my hand and my first attempt at pulling it out with a forceps caused immense pain with no results. I then formulated a new plan. At first I contemplated asking some nearby fishermen to pull it out for me, but I shelved that idea.
I cut a long piece of fishing line, wrapped it around the offending hook and got up the courage to do what needed to be done. I knew I would only have enough will power to do this once, so I gave it one quick and mighty jerk and it came out. My hand was a bloody mess, but I was relieved and best of all I could continue fishing after the wound stopped pumping blood.

Observations

When I loaded the boat tonight I remembered I left my camera at the house. I was in too much of a hurry to go back and get it, and I now regret it. I missed out on getting a pic of a nice walleye and the lure sticking to my hand. Unfortunately I never thought of using my cell phone camera.