Early May fishing was pretty slow. There were only a
few people even trying and they had spotty luck. Afternoon water
temperature ranged from 54 in the South end to 60 in the North. Oddly,
that should be high enough to prompt the fish into the shallows but
there was no pre-spawn feeding and no signs of early bedding. The next
three weeks should heat up big-time since the bass can’t wait much
longer. One of the largemouths I caught (and released) was fat with
eggs…just waiting.
The IF & W continues to stock Brown Trout in Tripp and
has established a management plan for the lake. We’re trying to get
someone from IF & W to speak about that plan at our annual meeting this
July since it’s a topic that interests many people. Water quality is
undoubtedly a factor in their plan.
Anna and I extended the fall fishing season with a
trip to Florida in November. We took a charter with Captain Charles
Wright out of Chokoloskee Island. It was a great trip with Anna getting
a real nice snook and several sea trout (and most of the other fish)!
She had a blast and quite a battle as the snook jumped several times and
made some nice runs. Altogether we caught fourteen different species in
a very remote setting with winding channels cut through mangroves. It’s
really cool to see her get such a kick out of the experience! Charles
was great and very mindful of Anna’s “new knee” as he expertly boated
through the myriad 10,000 islands.
Anna just graduated from college May 7th, plugging
away for seven long years to get her degree while working full-time. She
made the Dean’s list to boot! With time more her own and her knees in
better shape, she is definitely looking forward to canoeing, kayaking,
swimming, etc. this summer. Connecting back with the “lake people” she
treasures so much is very important so if you she her…please
congratulate her !
This winter had way above average snowfall and the
cold was “impressive” also. We got up to ice fish a couple of times,
avoiding the worst weather. Unfortunately, we didn’t get any trout or
salmon but a few good pickerel kept it mildly interesting. Ed Hughes got
a salmon...but he got it out of Thompson!
As much fun as shoveling snow and stoking the
woodstove is, my buddy JV and I escaped New England and headed south
last March for some Florida salt-water fishing. We waded Tigertail
lagoon on Marco Island a couple of times and got some small snook, jacks
and ladyfish. Then we teamed up with Captain Steve Westervelt, our
favorite guide in the area, and got some good snook and a small tarpon.
From there we headed to a new location for
us…Everglades National Park in Flamingo. Flamingo is the only lodging in
the park. The mosquitoes knew that also and were waiting for us! That
afternoon we explored the area and made plans for the next three. Please
note, this is not Yellowstone or Yosemite….if you don’t like fishing,
alligators or birds this is not the place for you!
Happily...we do...so day # 2 was a full day fishing
trip with Captain Dean Steffen. Dean is a very knowledgeable, affable
guide whom I highly recommend. We went into the backcountry to avoid the
high winds in the bay and had a great trip. After netting bait, we
headed to the Shark River where Dean had seen some Tarpon two days
earlier. The tarpon were there but they were typically finicky and we
failed to get a take. We went further down river and found some real
nice redfish. They strike and fight similar to a very large bass!
As we continued to the mouth where the river meets
the Gulf, the current was setting up nicely, sweeping across a point
with downed trees…real snooky looking! We got several hits but not many
hookups due to the trees and current. It was getting late and we only
had time for a couple of more drifts. With only five minutes left before
heading back, I tried to get the bait extra close to the tangle and got
a strike! Luckily the fish was swept from its sanctuary by the rod
pressure and current. After several long runs, a close call with a nasty
rock and three rod plunges under the boat to follow the fish, we boated
a 34” snook! Unlikely I’ll top that!