Almost a skunking at UL today

[MrShane]

Wife wanted Walleye dinner tonight so headed to Lincoln Beach this morning.
Fished from 8:45am till 1:45 pm.
Only one trailer in lot so a little panic of ‘bad fishing’ set in.
54.9 degrees to start, 57.5 to end.
Spent 45 min throwing jigs on rock shelves outside of orchard, then 1.5 hrs bb’ing in same area.
No fish.
Headed to Bird Island and bb’d around entire island and about 12:30 had one hard hit.
Hit ended up being a nice 3.2lb male.
No more hits, one and done.
That was my first boat trip of year and that one Walleye saved the trip, AND possibly my marriage as Blondie had her heart set on fresh fish for dinner tonight.
The top pic is for Bob.
I bought my Ulterra in ‘15 or ‘16.
Solo launching since then on most of my trips.
Have not lost my boat,
Yet….

[perchinski]

Wife wanted Walleye dinner tonight so headed to Lincoln Beach this morning.
Fished from 8:45am till 1:45 pm.
Only one trailer in lot so a little panic of ‘bad fishing’ set in.
54.9 degrees to start, 57.5 to end.
Spent 45 min throwing jigs on rock shelves outside of orchard, then 1.5 hrs bb’ing in same area.
No fish.
Headed to Bird Island and bb’d around entire island and about 12:30 had one hard hit.
Hit ended up being a nice 3.2lb male.
No more hits, one and done.
That was my first boat trip of year and that one Walleye saved the trip, AND possibly my marriage as Blondie had her heart set on fresh fish for dinner tonight.
The top pic is for Bob.
I bought my Ulterra in ‘15 or ‘16.
Solo launching since then on most of my trips.
Have not lost my boat,
Yet….

Nice post, Shane.  Sure hope there's no tariff on that walleye.

[dubob]

The top pic is for Bob.
I bought my Ulterra in ‘15 or ‘16.
Solo launching since then on most of my trips.
Have not lost my boat,
Yet….

You did 2 things there that I'm pretty sure I will never be caught doing.
1. I won't be launching my boat in Utah Lake.  The only time I did that it cost me a prop replacement.  And I had one of Utah Lakes experts on-board and guiding me where to go.
2. I won't be depending on my Ulterra to solo launch my boat.

Congratulations on keeping your bride happy.  That walleye should have been a perfect meal for the both of you.

[Boatloadakids]

Hey MS, was good to talk to you yesterday. It was a nice day and I was expecting a semi-crowded parking lot. Still no other boaters when I left at about 9:00. When I saw your outfit in the parking lot with the MCSHANE license plate I knew you had to be the BFTer I always check out on the board. My first day out as well, looking for catfish not the mythical walleye. Slow for me, only two lethargic cats -- need warmer water for serious cattin' to start. Glad to hear you avoided the skunk.

Nice boat you got there. Agree on the Ulterra, it is the only way to go for a solo launch. So much easier and safer to push-button launch rather than risk falling in while dancing on the bow. I have learned the hard way that you have to turn the unit on before launching and the keypad must be in your hand not in the boat or truck.

Will watch for you and hope to meet you. Good luck with the walleyes.

Lynn aka BLK

[MrShane]

The top pic is for Bob.
I bought my Ulterra in ‘15 or ‘16.
Solo launching since then on most of my trips.
Have not lost my boat,
Yet….

You did 2 things there that I'm pretty sure I will never be caught doing.
1. I won't be launching my boat in Utah Lake.  The only time I did that it cost me a prop replacement.  And I had one of Utah Lakes experts on-board and guiding me where to go.
2. I won't be depending on my Ulterra to solo launch my boat.

Congratulations on keeping your bride happy.  That walleye should have been a perfect meal for the both of you.

Thanks Bob, it was enough for a nice dinner last night. Had five nice chunks left over that I fried last night anyway.
Went to the dunes today so Sunday dinner will consist of those five pieces of Walleye re-cooked in air fryer. I have always hated microwaving left over fried fish but those air fryers make them as good as new!
You can pretty much safely launch anywhere you want at north end and Provo State Park without fear of hitting anything, except the concrete culverts at the Bubble Up.
Now the south end you better know exactly where you are going, especially Bird Island.
If wind is blowing and you have 1-2 ft waves a guy would not even see those rocks at Bird and could end up parking his boat right on top of it.
Not to mention the under water fingers barely under the water that run 100-200 yrds out from what is exposed above water line.
Side note: At S.E. corner of Bird, appx. 50 yrds out from island at yesterdays water level, is a tee post sticking out of the water.
When the lake drops this year it will not be an issue.

---

Wife wanted Walleye dinner tonight so headed to Lincoln Beach this morning.
Fished from 8:45am till 1:45 pm.
Only one trailer in lot so a little panic of ‘bad fishing’ set in.
54.9 degrees to start, 57.5 to end.
Spent 45 min throwing jigs on rock shelves outside of orchard, then 1.5 hrs bb’ing in same area.
No fish.
Headed to Bird Island and bb’d around entire island and about 12:30 had one hard hit.
Hit ended up being a nice 3.2lb male.
No more hits, one and done.
That was my first boat trip of year and that one Walleye saved the trip, AND possibly my marriage as Blondie had her heart set on fresh fish for dinner tonight.
The top pic is for Bob.
I bought my Ulterra in ‘15 or ‘16.
Solo launching since then on most of my trips.
Have not lost my boat,
Yet….

Nice post, Shane.  Sure hope there's no tariff on that walleye.

Thanks Mike!

[MrShane]

Hey MS, was good to talk to you yesterday. It was a nice day and I was expecting a semi-crowded parking lot. Still no other boaters when I left at about 9:00. When I saw your outfit in the parking lot with the MCSHANE license plate I knew you had to be the BFTer I always check out on the board. My first day out as well, looking for catfish not the mythical walleye. Slow for me, only two lethargic cats -- need warmer water for serious cattin' to start. Glad to hear you avoided the skunk.

Nice boat you got there. Agree on the Ulterra, it is the only way to go for a solo launch. So much easier and safer to push-button launch rather than risk falling in while dancing on the bow. I have learned the hard way that you have to turn the unit on before launching and the keypad must be in your hand not in the boat or truck.

Will watch for you and hope to meet you. Good luck with the walleyes.

Lynn aka BLK

Dang it, when I motored over to you to see how you were doing I had no idea it was you.
I always believed you fished out of a pontoon for some reason?
You looked like you were really enjoying just being out on such a beautiful day, and I’m glad you caught a couple Channels to sweeten the day.
I left about 2 pm and was only one in parking lot.
A group was setting up for the Carp Hunt Contest as I was leaving, but I doubt the contestants killed very many as I did not see many Carp shallow to offer much shooting.
I did thank them for trying to eliminate a few anyway.
Better luck to you, and me, next trip!

[TubeDude]

I won't be launching my boat in Utah Lake.  The only time I did that it cost me a prop replacement.  And I had one of Utah Lakes experts on-board and guiding me where to go.

That was payback for leaving me on the ramp at Starvy.

[dubob]

I won't be launching my boat in Utah Lake.  The only time I did that it cost me a prop replacement.  And I had one of Utah Lakes experts on-board and guiding me where to go.

That was payback for leaving me on the ramp at Starvy.

Does that mean we're even now?  

[TubeDude]

I won't be launching my boat in Utah Lake.  The only time I did that it cost me a prop replacement.  And I had one of Utah Lakes experts on-board and guiding me where to go.

That was payback for leaving me on the ramp at Starvy.

Does that mean we're even now?  

Not sure.  If I agree you will probably just raise your tariffs.

[dubob]

I won't be launching my boat in Utah Lake.  The only time I did that it cost me a prop replacement.  And I had one of Utah Lakes experts on-board and guiding me where to go.

That was payback for leaving me on the ramp at Starvy.

Does that mean we're even now?  

Not sure.  If I agree you will probably just raise your tariffs.

Tariffs aren't needed when there is fair trade.  Trading the use of my equipment (new boat) for your knowledge might be considered by some as 'fair trade.'  

[TubeDude]

I won't be launching my boat in Utah Lake.  The only time I did that it cost me a prop replacement.  And I had one of Utah Lakes experts on-board and guiding me where to go.

That was payback for leaving me on the ramp at Starvy.

Does that mean we're even now?  

Not sure.  If I agree you will probably just raise your tariffs.

Tariffs aren't needed when there is fair trade.  Trading the use of my equipment (new boat) for your knowledge might be considered by some as 'fair trade.'  

...And between two mutually respectful friends there is no need to "keep score".  It's all good.

[SkunkedAgain]

You two need to make a movie, or replace the originals in a recasting.... Hey Shane congrats on a successful trip, glad to see you're getting out okay post rebuild... Must be getting time for the fishing to get good, I started farming over the weekend, so I expect the bite to get hot now I need to ride the tractor.. Thanks for the post... Later J

[MSM1970]

Wife wanted Walleye dinner tonight so headed to Lincoln Beach this morning.
Fished from 8:45am till 1:45 pm.
Only one trailer in lot so a little panic of ‘bad fishing’ set in.
54.9 degrees to start, 57.5 to end.
Spent 45 min throwing jigs on rock shelves outside of orchard, then 1.5 hrs bb’ing in same area.
No fish.
Headed to Bird Island and bb’d around entire island and about 12:30 had one hard hit.
Hit ended up being a nice 3.2lb male.
No more hits, one and done.
That was my first boat trip of year and that one Walleye saved the trip, AND possibly my marriage as Blondie had her heart set on fresh fish for dinner tonight.
The top pic is for Bob.
I bought my Ulterra in ‘15 or ‘16.
Solo launching since then on most of my trips.
Have not lost my boat,
Yet….

So your killin me,  congrats on the perfect eater, was he still milting?  wishin I cold have been there, weather was perfect, surprised also no one was else was at the launch, well BLK,  he usually starts to come out of hibernation first part of april, with the water being full this year, it has changed where you will find them a bit, think shallow for tossing jigs, -5 ft,  bb will be better this year with the high water, trolling with cranks should be good to, they should still be spawning, orchards right at the end of the driveway is a good ridge that comes out into the lake, great for WB to there's another one to the south of there in front of the house , it should be about 3ft water on it.

Man I need to go fishing.

[dubob]

I started farming over the weekend, so I expect the bite to get hot now I need to ride the tractor.

Here's a thought.  Lease out the farmland and get serious about ENJOYING life.

[SkunkedAgain]

I'm crazy I enjoy both farming and fishing so I may complain about not fishing, but I'm still having fun stirring the dust... If I didn't I'd take you up on that idea... One day I'll retire and get to do both... Where you going to break the new boat in at?

[dubob]

I'm crazy I enjoy both farming and fishing so I may complain about not fishing, but I'm still having fun stirring the dust... If I didn't I'd take you up on that idea... One day I'll retire and get to do both... Where you going to break the new boat in at?

Twenty minutes from the house - Willard Bay.  

[EyLayo]

Hey MS, was good to talk to you yesterday. It was a nice day and I was expecting a semi-crowded parking lot. Still no other boaters when I left at about 9:00. When I saw your outfit in the parking lot with the MCSHANE license plate I knew you had to be the BFTer I always check out on the board. My first day out as well, looking for catfish not the mythical walleye. Slow for me, only two lethargic cats -- need warmer water for serious cattin' to start. Glad to hear you avoided the skunk.

Nice boat you got there. Agree on the Ulterra, it is the only way to go for a solo launch. So much easier and safer to push-button launch rather than risk falling in while dancing on the bow. I have learned the hard way that you have to turn the unit on before launching and the keypad must be in your hand not in the boat or truck.

Will watch for you and hope to meet you. Good luck with the walleyes.

Lynn aka BLK

---

Ooh please share that story

[MrShane]

Wife wanted Walleye dinner tonight so headed to Lincoln Beach this morning.
Fished from 8:45am till 1:45 pm.
Only one trailer in lot so a little panic of ‘bad fishing’ set in.
54.9 degrees to start, 57.5 to end.
Spent 45 min throwing jigs on rock shelves outside of orchard, then 1.5 hrs bb’ing in same area.
No fish.
Headed to Bird Island and bb’d around entire island and about 12:30 had one hard hit.
Hit ended up being a nice 3.2lb male.
No more hits, one and done.
That was my first boat trip of year and that one Walleye saved the trip, AND possibly my marriage as Blondie had her heart set on fresh fish for dinner tonight.
The top pic is for Bob.
I bought my Ulterra in ‘15 or ‘16.
Solo launching since then on most of my trips.
Have not lost my boat,
Yet….

So your killin me,  congrats on the perfect eater, was he still milting?  wishin I cold have been there, weather was perfect, surprised also no one was else was at the launch, well BLK,  he usually starts to come out of hibernation first part of april, with the water being full this year, it has changed where you will find them a bit, think shallow for tossing jigs, -5 ft,  bb will be better this year with the high water, trolling with cranks should be good to, they should still be spawning, orchards right at the end of the driveway is a good ridge that comes out into the lake, great for WB to there's another one to the south of there in front of the house , it should be about 3ft water on it.

Man I need to go fishing.

Yes, still milting.
I don’t like to keep females and thought it was a young hen due to how plump it was.
Just about to toss ‘her’ back in when I saw milt dripping.
That was the end of ‘his’ journey, I immediately ripped his gills out and in my deathwell (my cooler with ice block) he went!
Tried jigging in 3’ of water with no luck, then tried zig zagging between 3’-9’ with bouncer and harness.
Granted, I do not have the knowledge of the area you do.
Last time I was there was when I fished out of my Lund which I sold in ‘16 to buy my new boat.
It was good to return almost a decade later.
I have many fond memories of Bird Island also.
As a teenager my Grandpa LOVED Bird Island and took me there year after year for Channels.
Even though he loved those Cats, almost every trip he talked about how he would love to catch one of them ‘Walleyed Pike’ he called them.
The year before he died, I was in my 20’s and freshly married.
I had the luxury of working ten hour days and I chose Wednesdays off.
The last year of my Grandpa’s life every Wednesday morning I would go pick him up and take him Cattin’ at Bird.
He never had time or money to go to Powell which is my favorite fishery.
Boy oh boy would I give ANYTHING to take him down to Powell in early May for Walleyes.
Gotta quit typing now.
A bug or something just flew in to my eyes and causing water in them.

---

Wife wanted Walleye dinner tonight so headed to Lincoln Beach this morning.
Fished from 8:45am till 1:45 pm.
Only one trailer in lot so a little panic of ‘bad fishing’ set in.
54.9 degrees to start, 57.5 to end.
Spent 45 min throwing jigs on rock shelves outside of orchard, then 1.5 hrs bb’ing in same area.
No fish.
Headed to Bird Island and bb’d around entire island and about 12:30 had one hard hit.
Hit ended up being a nice 3.2lb male.
No more hits, one and done.
That was my first boat trip of year and that one Walleye saved the trip, AND possibly my marriage as Blondie had her heart set on fresh fish for dinner tonight.
The top pic is for Bob.
I bought my Ulterra in ‘15 or ‘16.
Solo launching since then on most of my trips.
Have not lost my boat,
Yet….

So your killin me,  congrats on the perfect eater, was he still milting?  wishin I cold have been there, weather was perfect, surprised also no one was else was at the launch, well BLK,  he usually starts to come out of hibernation first part of april, with the water being full this year, it has changed where you will find them a bit, think shallow for tossing jigs, -5 ft,  bb will be better this year with the high water, trolling with cranks should be good to, they should still be spawning, orchards right at the end of the driveway is a good ridge that comes out into the lake, great for WB to there's another one to the south of there in front of the house , it should be about 3ft water on it.

Man I need to go fishing.

Yes, still milting.
I don’t like to keep females and thought it was a young hen due to how plump it was.
Just about to toss ‘her’ back in when I saw milt dripping.
That was the end of ‘his’ journey, I immediately ripped his gills out and in my deathwell (my cooler with ice block) he went!
Tried jigging in 3’ of water with no luck, then tried zig zagging between 3’-9’ with bouncer and harness.
Granted, I do not have the knowledge of the area you do.
Last time I was there was when I fished out of my Lund which I sold in ‘16 to buy my new boat.
It was good to return almost a decade later.
I have many fond memories of Bird Island also.
As a teenager my Grandpa LOVED Bird Island and took me there year after year for Channels.
Even though he loved those Cats, almost every trip he talked about how he would love to catch one of them ‘Walleyed Pike’ he called them.
The year before he died, I was in my 20’s and freshly married.
I had the luxury of working ten hour days and I chose Wednesdays off.
The last year of my Grandpa’s life every Wednesday morning I would go pick him up and take him Cattin’ at Bird.
He never had time or money to go to Powell which is my favorite fishery.
Boy oh boy would I give ANYTHING to take him down to Powell in early May for Walleyes.

[TubeDude]

---

Great report Shane.  Apologies for Bob and I diverting the flow.

Glad you scored dinner at least.  Enjoyed your reminiscences of the "good ol' days".  Got some of those my own self.  My dad put a rod in my hands when I was about 4-5 years old.  Had a lot of father and son fishing trips over the years.  I had him and my mother living with us the last few years of their lives.  Even when suffering from macular degeneration, bad hearing and painful arthritis he was still up for fishing once in a while.  He was the first one to put a rod in my hands...and I was the last to put one in his.

With the high water years we have had the walleye population might take a jump in Utah Lake.  Have heard tell that they like the new "Delta" so far.

[Boatloadakids]

Pat, Shane -- I enjoyed your "reminiscing" posts. Shane, as much as your memories of fishing with your Grandpa are special to you I'm willing to betcha they were even more special to your Grandpa. The fishing memories we all have of fishing with fathers and grandfathers never grow old. I think any of us who love to fish know how important it is to pass "the hook" on to younger generations. I consider fishing with my boat-load-of-kids to be almost a sacred obligation. I taught all of my kids to fish; then the grandkids, and last year I started on a crop of great-grandkids. (yikes!) I view it as a kind of senior insurance; as my expiration date gets closer every year, and my bones and muscles get weaker, I will be listening for the call... "Hello, Grandpa? Hey, you wanna ride out to Utah Lake and try for a catfish"? The cycle continues.

Looking forward to another great year... as soon as it warms up a bit.

BLK