9-27-15 Sunday 4:30 – 10:30 pm, myself, cat fishing
Weather: (2053) S 10, clear, 71°, 29.93→, blood moon
H2O: 5’→, 20 kcfs, clear, 72°, floating weeds
Caught: bait (bluegills), 1-17” LMB, 2-17 lb flat heads
I had not been fishing in quite some time, so I was due. I decided I would do a little flat head fishing on account of the number of days for the fish to remain active was limited because fall and cooler water temperatures would soon be upon us.
I was planning on the bait catching to be relatively easy, but as usual it was not. I caught plenty of bluegills, but the vast majority of them were too small to use for bait. I was fishing the dredge holes on the lake and so were many other people and I think most were having the same type of success I was having.
I was able to do a little bass and pike fishing after catching an ample supply of bluegills. I did manage to catch a respectable LMB on a frog, and I also lost a little pike on a spinner bait.
I had plenty of bites from the flat heads but I only boated the two. It seemed as if the fish were already in a snag when they bit or they immediately swam to a snag. It was a pretty rough night on hooks, I lost somewhere between four and six of my good circle hooks to the underwater world.
I did get to experience one rarity of the natural world, a super lunar eclipse. It was really quite strange. One moment it was quite bright out on account of the full moon and about twenty minutes later the moon was shadowed by the earth and was still visible, but much darker and reddish in color. It also seemed as if everything became quite still and quiet, it was very eerie!
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
9-18-15 through 9-25-15
9-18-15 through 9-25-15
Elk hunting near Monarch and White Sulpher Springs Montana
Jeremy Pank and myself
It was our second annual elk bow hunting trip to Montana, and I had the same results, no elk! Jeremy had different results from last year, no elk!
Going into the trip we really did not expect too much. We were going into the area blind and we really did not have any guidance from anybody on what to expect.
The first five days were pretty much a bust. We were hunting about sixe miles east of Monarch Mt. I saw a cow and a calf run by me one morning at daylight and Jeremy saw a bull and about six cows and calves that were about one half mile away. I was hoping this area would be good, but it was a disappointment. We both did lots of looking but never really found much sign. The area had quite a few trails that were restricted to motorcycle only, so we brought the cycles thinking this would be the way to access hard to get at elk. This really did not give us an advantage and to be honest most of the trails were down right scary. The trails were steep, rugged, rocky, and narrow and the bikes were not geared low enough to handle the steep grades. Besides the trails being difficult, the area was crawling with people during the weekend. There were camps set up everywhere and there was way too much human activity to allow the elk to feel comfortable. Most of the people were not hunters, but I am sure they still had the effect of chasing elk out of the area. I did have a little mishap with my cycle and ended up tangling my bow up in a tree. In the process of getting untangled I knocked the peep off my string. The next day (Sunday) I wasted the whole day and had to drive 300 miles round trip to get it replaced.
Wednesday morning we both came to our senses and broke camp to search for pastures with more elk. We found an area southeast of White Sulpher Springs that bordered some private ranch land. We had seen quite a few elk along this area early in the morning on our way out hunting, so we knew there was a concentration of animals in the area. There was a good population of elk, but most stayed on the private land.
We basically had the two half days and the one full day to scout and kill an elk. The elk were definitely more plentiful in this area but the vast majority of them were sticking to the private lands. The green alphalfa fields and the lack of hunting pressure drew these elk to the private lands. In the short period we were at this last area we both came close to having an opportunity, and we both experienced some awesome bugling.
Even though neither of us was successful in harvesting an elk, it was still a good time. We got to experience the mountain scenery, and beautiful weather. We also saw plenty of whitetail and mule deer, ruff grouse and spruce grouse, coyotes and tons of antelope along the roads of Montana. I also was able to fish the streams and catch both cutthroat and brook trout.
Elk hunting near Monarch and White Sulpher Springs Montana
Jeremy Pank and myself
It was our second annual elk bow hunting trip to Montana, and I had the same results, no elk! Jeremy had different results from last year, no elk!
Going into the trip we really did not expect too much. We were going into the area blind and we really did not have any guidance from anybody on what to expect.
The first five days were pretty much a bust. We were hunting about sixe miles east of Monarch Mt. I saw a cow and a calf run by me one morning at daylight and Jeremy saw a bull and about six cows and calves that were about one half mile away. I was hoping this area would be good, but it was a disappointment. We both did lots of looking but never really found much sign. The area had quite a few trails that were restricted to motorcycle only, so we brought the cycles thinking this would be the way to access hard to get at elk. This really did not give us an advantage and to be honest most of the trails were down right scary. The trails were steep, rugged, rocky, and narrow and the bikes were not geared low enough to handle the steep grades. Besides the trails being difficult, the area was crawling with people during the weekend. There were camps set up everywhere and there was way too much human activity to allow the elk to feel comfortable. Most of the people were not hunters, but I am sure they still had the effect of chasing elk out of the area. I did have a little mishap with my cycle and ended up tangling my bow up in a tree. In the process of getting untangled I knocked the peep off my string. The next day (Sunday) I wasted the whole day and had to drive 300 miles round trip to get it replaced.
Wednesday morning we both came to our senses and broke camp to search for pastures with more elk. We found an area southeast of White Sulpher Springs that bordered some private ranch land. We had seen quite a few elk along this area early in the morning on our way out hunting, so we knew there was a concentration of animals in the area. There was a good population of elk, but most stayed on the private land.
We basically had the two half days and the one full day to scout and kill an elk. The elk were definitely more plentiful in this area but the vast majority of them were sticking to the private lands. The green alphalfa fields and the lack of hunting pressure drew these elk to the private lands. In the short period we were at this last area we both came close to having an opportunity, and we both experienced some awesome bugling.
Even though neither of us was successful in harvesting an elk, it was still a good time. We got to experience the mountain scenery, and beautiful weather. We also saw plenty of whitetail and mule deer, ruff grouse and spruce grouse, coyotes and tons of antelope along the roads of Montana. I also was able to fish the streams and catch both cutthroat and brook trout.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
8-26-15 Wed
8-26-15 Wed, Myself and Dan (co-worker) 545PM – 10:15PM
Mississippi R. pool 8, 5.48→, 34.3 kfs, ? °, dirty// 61°, SE6, clear
Caught: Bait: bluegills, rock bass, one crappie and one war mouth
Tonight I was taking Dan from work out flat head fishing. I had taken him and his son Eric earlier in the season and we had limited success. We did manage one flat head about ten pounds and a respectable gar. We did have quite a few bites, but we did not connect on most of them.
On this trip it was just Dan and myself and we were fishing pool eight instead of seven. The last time I was on eight was about a month ago and Rob and myself did rather well. I was hoping for similar results, but that did not happen.
The bluegill fishing was rather difficult. We did catch enough for fishing, but not by much and most of them were pretty big. I really wanted Dan to catch or at least see one 30lb plus fish caught. With that goal in mind I planned on fishing two spots and the two that I chose were two of my most productive spots on this pool.
Well the plan was good, but the fish did not cooperate and the conditions were tough with all the weeds that were fouling our lines. We had one pretty good bite at the first spot and Dan missed it. Dan got a little excited and forgot about the instructions I had given him about sweeping the rod and not jerking it. Oh well, seen it happen many times with circle hooks and it usually happens with experienced fishermen.
Mississippi R. pool 8, 5.48→, 34.3 kfs, ? °, dirty// 61°, SE6, clear
Caught: Bait: bluegills, rock bass, one crappie and one war mouth
Tonight I was taking Dan from work out flat head fishing. I had taken him and his son Eric earlier in the season and we had limited success. We did manage one flat head about ten pounds and a respectable gar. We did have quite a few bites, but we did not connect on most of them.
On this trip it was just Dan and myself and we were fishing pool eight instead of seven. The last time I was on eight was about a month ago and Rob and myself did rather well. I was hoping for similar results, but that did not happen.
The bluegill fishing was rather difficult. We did catch enough for fishing, but not by much and most of them were pretty big. I really wanted Dan to catch or at least see one 30lb plus fish caught. With that goal in mind I planned on fishing two spots and the two that I chose were two of my most productive spots on this pool.
Well the plan was good, but the fish did not cooperate and the conditions were tough with all the weeds that were fouling our lines. We had one pretty good bite at the first spot and Dan missed it. Dan got a little excited and forgot about the instructions I had given him about sweeping the rod and not jerking it. Oh well, seen it happen many times with circle hooks and it usually happens with experienced fishermen.
8-24-15 Mon
8-24-15 Mon, Myself 615PM – 8PM
Mississippi R. pool 7, 5.58↑, 36.5 kfs, 66°, dirty// 64°, NW15 G24, overcast (cold)
Caught: 4 pike: 21-27”, 2 LMB: 12–13”
The temperature had taken quite a dip in the last day or two. I really don’t mind though it feels so refreshing. I figured the bass bite would be pretty much non-existent and I was right. I started out throwing a frog, and the only action that came on that was some pretty lazy follows by pike and one humungous dogfish. A swim jig did not do much better.
After about an hour I switched gears and move to a dead end slough with 2-4 feet of water. I tied on an old trusty spinner bait and the pike responded rather aggressively. I did not load up on them, but I did catch enough in a short amount of time to make it fun.
I had my young beagle Zeta with me tonight and she really seems to be starting to enjoy the boat ride and the river. We did have a little incidence with her though. I was casting off the front and heard a rather loud splash. I knew it could only be one thing. She had fallen in! She immediately headed to the emergent aquatic vegetation and started bounding towards shore. Luckily for both her and my sake I was able to call her back to the boat and haul her in. Fortunately for her I was close to being done fishing and she did not have to shiver too long.
Mississippi R. pool 7, 5.58↑, 36.5 kfs, 66°, dirty// 64°, NW15 G24, overcast (cold)
Caught: 4 pike: 21-27”, 2 LMB: 12–13”
The temperature had taken quite a dip in the last day or two. I really don’t mind though it feels so refreshing. I figured the bass bite would be pretty much non-existent and I was right. I started out throwing a frog, and the only action that came on that was some pretty lazy follows by pike and one humungous dogfish. A swim jig did not do much better.
After about an hour I switched gears and move to a dead end slough with 2-4 feet of water. I tied on an old trusty spinner bait and the pike responded rather aggressively. I did not load up on them, but I did catch enough in a short amount of time to make it fun.
I had my young beagle Zeta with me tonight and she really seems to be starting to enjoy the boat ride and the river. We did have a little incidence with her though. I was casting off the front and heard a rather loud splash. I knew it could only be one thing. She had fallen in! She immediately headed to the emergent aquatic vegetation and started bounding towards shore. Luckily for both her and my sake I was able to call her back to the boat and haul her in. Fortunately for her I was close to being done fishing and she did not have to shiver too long.
Sunday, August 23, 2015
8-22-15 Sat
8-22-15 Sat, Myself 630PM – 12AM
Mississippi R. pool 7, 5.6 →, 37 kfs, 73°, clear// 75°, S15 G23, overcast
Caught: Bait (bluegills, crappies and rock bass), Flat heads (4) 10,12,15 & 21
It was a terribly windy night for fishing, but I had the urge to go and that was that. Even with the strong gusty winds, you can usually find some area on the river that is somewhat sheltered from strong winds no matter what direction they may blow from.
The bait catching went relatively easy, but of course it was not as easy with the wind howling. The first spot I fished was an area just off the main channel, which was secluded from the south winds. I was fishing in twenty plus feet of water and managed to catch three out of this spot. After about and hour and a half there I moved downstream about one hundred yards and came up empty handed.
On my way in a stopped at another deep-water spot that was quite a ways off the main channel. The water was not quite as deep here, but it still held on fish. This fish came off some wood structure close to shore. That fish must have been just waiting for a morsel, because about as soon as my gill hit the bottom it was crushed. I had several other bites from that same spot, but failed to connect with any of the fish. I really think they were channel cats that were hitting and then running sideways with the bait.
The rice is probably at its peak stage of pollination and it is everywhere. The last couple of days there had been a tremendous amount of very small mouth type bugs. These moths area very light colored, almost white and about one half inch long. I have been watching this survival show lately; show I decided to try one. I sure would hate to have to survive on them, mainly because they are so hard to catch. The taste was actually pretty good. For such a small thing it had great lasting flavor with an almost nut taste. It actually gave me a craving to want more!
Mississippi R. pool 7, 5.6 →, 37 kfs, 73°, clear// 75°, S15 G23, overcast
Caught: Bait (bluegills, crappies and rock bass), Flat heads (4) 10,12,15 & 21
It was a terribly windy night for fishing, but I had the urge to go and that was that. Even with the strong gusty winds, you can usually find some area on the river that is somewhat sheltered from strong winds no matter what direction they may blow from.
The bait catching went relatively easy, but of course it was not as easy with the wind howling. The first spot I fished was an area just off the main channel, which was secluded from the south winds. I was fishing in twenty plus feet of water and managed to catch three out of this spot. After about and hour and a half there I moved downstream about one hundred yards and came up empty handed.
On my way in a stopped at another deep-water spot that was quite a ways off the main channel. The water was not quite as deep here, but it still held on fish. This fish came off some wood structure close to shore. That fish must have been just waiting for a morsel, because about as soon as my gill hit the bottom it was crushed. I had several other bites from that same spot, but failed to connect with any of the fish. I really think they were channel cats that were hitting and then running sideways with the bait.
The rice is probably at its peak stage of pollination and it is everywhere. The last couple of days there had been a tremendous amount of very small mouth type bugs. These moths area very light colored, almost white and about one half inch long. I have been watching this survival show lately; show I decided to try one. I sure would hate to have to survive on them, mainly because they are so hard to catch. The taste was actually pretty good. For such a small thing it had great lasting flavor with an almost nut taste. It actually gave me a craving to want more!
Friday, August 21, 2015
8-17-15 Mon
Myself and Scott 7PM – 1145PMMississippi R. pool 7, 4.57↑,? kfs, 78°, clear// 70°, N 6, overcast
Caught: Bait (bluegills), me: 5 & 12 lb flat, Scott: 37 & 32 lb flat
The days are getting shorter and the water will soon began to cool and the cat fishing will come to an end. So, I need to get out as much as I can. Scott is always ready to go fish for the big ugly predators, so off we went.
The bait catching was very easy tonight, we fished a couple of spots and had all the bait we needed. The first spot we set up in was a main channel off the main navigation channel. We were sitting in about 25 feet of water with plenty of snags just downstream from us.
Scott had the hot poles tonight. In fact the first fish that was caught was the 37-pound fish that came off his pole. This fish was so aggressive and close to where his bluegill touched the bottom that Scott did not even think the bait hit the bottom before it was engulfed.
Tonight all the fish came off his poles and he also got all the big ones. In all we caught four fish, which had a combined weight of 87 pounds. Not too bad for a couple of hours of fishing.
8-16-15 Sun
8-16-15 Sun, Myself 8AM – 23PM
Mississippi R. pool 7, 5.08 ↓, 22kfs, 82°, clear// Hot 92°, S10, clear
Caught: 6 LMB14-18”, 1 – 15” SMB, bluegills and crappies
It was a Sunday morning and I had no plans or obligations, so fishing I was going. Generally I am almost always so excited to go fishing, but with this hot weather my desire to get out and back in the heat was not too great.
As usual thought I was happy I made the commitment and went. The Mississippi rarely disappoints, and today was no exception. When I say rarely disappoint that does not mean that I have to catch fish to be satisfied. In fact just being out on the river and being a part of its awesome beauty is usually sufficient.
However the large mouth bass bite on a plastic frog was pretty close to being great. I also was able to find some new areas for bluegills and crappies. I tried trolling a couple of wing dams, but that was a bust.
The wild rice is now in the pollen stage and it is everywhere this year. The amount of it is just amazing, in fact it is really starting to overtake and eliminate the more traditional aquatic plants of this river basin area.
Mississippi R. pool 7, 5.08 ↓, 22kfs, 82°, clear// Hot 92°, S10, clear
Caught: 6 LMB14-18”, 1 – 15” SMB, bluegills and crappies
It was a Sunday morning and I had no plans or obligations, so fishing I was going. Generally I am almost always so excited to go fishing, but with this hot weather my desire to get out and back in the heat was not too great.
As usual thought I was happy I made the commitment and went. The Mississippi rarely disappoints, and today was no exception. When I say rarely disappoint that does not mean that I have to catch fish to be satisfied. In fact just being out on the river and being a part of its awesome beauty is usually sufficient.
However the large mouth bass bite on a plastic frog was pretty close to being great. I also was able to find some new areas for bluegills and crappies. I tried trolling a couple of wing dams, but that was a bust.
The wild rice is now in the pollen stage and it is everywhere this year. The amount of it is just amazing, in fact it is really starting to overtake and eliminate the more traditional aquatic plants of this river basin area.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
