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[cool][#0000ff]I usually don't like to fish on weekends...or on a Monday following a heavy fishing weekend. Even worse following a tournament. But Monday was the only day TubeBabe and I could get away...without wind...this week. Soooooo...we decided to "deal with it" at Knight Hollow (Starvation).[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The day started out on a downer. Met up with Wavewolf in Heber City. We were gonna caravan over and introduce him to Starvy. But he got a call from his wife just before he got to Heber letting him know that there had been a medical emergency with his daughter in Wyoming and he had to return home quickly. So TB and I went on without him.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Got launched just after 7:30. Air temps about 50 and water temp 63...warming to 67 by early afternoon return time. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Water was pouring in at the pipe. Lake is up to about 5 feet from high water. I had expected it to be much lower, based on last week's reports, but it is filling fast now that they are pouring in the water and letting out only a little into the Strawberry River. The rivers out of the Uintas are still running at flood stage.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I got TubeBabe set up and launched first...nice guy that I am. She repaid me by getting the first fish jinx out of the way quickly...a feisty slimer that didn't know her crankbait was meant for a walleye. Silly slimers. Got no class. She also got a couple more nice rainbows on a bubble fly rig...using a new fly pattern I wanted to try. She done good on those "Starvation steelhead".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I didn't waste any time on anything but walleyes. I moved right out to a couple of my favorite spots and got serious. Set the pattern for the day by dinging a couple of "under-footers"..."seegars". [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Met up with Packfan's bro-in-law, Ed. He had a couple of other guys in his boat and was showing them how he had caught over 100 walleyes in that spot on Friday. They were catching quite a few seegars too...with only a couple of larger fish. Biggest I saw was about 2#. One of the passengers, Johnny Lee, did haul in a teen-incher perch. Nice. He also got a few seegars. But in the picture I took of him he wanted me to say that I had photoshopped it to make it look smaller.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Ed confirmed that Knight Hollow had been a harvester city for the past week...especially on the tournament days. They had really worked the fish over and there was not much action except on the under-footers. This was confirmed by other boats in the area throughout the morning.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I gave it my best for a while and got tired of dinging dinks. Moved to a couple of other spots that had treated me well in the past. Same ol' same ol'. Ding-ding dinksters. But I did get some exercise on quite a few feisty smallies...up to about 14 or 15 inches. Those guys really pull good.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]TubeBabe's troutskis quit on her early and she started fishing more seriously for the other species. She got a few of the aforementioned seegars and also got some nice smallies. In fact, she actually got a tandem...two smallies on one tandem jig rig...and those two were the biggest ones we caught on that trip. And to top it off, she had another one hit her second rod while she was fighting the first two. She got them all in...a triple play. What a girl.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I never did get any walleyes over about 13", but I caught somewhere between 25 and 30 younguns. I started dragging a fly and bubble later in the day, to maybe try to get a slimer airborne. I did have one biggun slam the fly, strip off some line and take some air...before letting me have my fly back. But all I landed on the fly was one misguided smallmouth.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Finished up by messing around out in front of where we had parked the car. Caught several more seegars in about 16 feet of water. Throughout the day I caught them in everything from 10 feet to 25'.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Reports from other anglers include catches from 20' to up to 60' deep over the past few days. I think the combination of heavy fishing pressure and the changing conditions of the fast-rising waters...and fluctuating temperatures...have the fish more scattered and not stabilized. The lake should top out and stabilize within the next two weeks and then we can plan on some summer patterns.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It was a fun day...no matter. It remained almost flat calm all day. Nice for tubers but not conducive to the best walleye fishing. Oh well. you can't have it all. [/#0000ff]
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Looks like a fun day. A tandem smallmouth catch! That would have to be a fun one. Glad they didn't break the join on the line, White Bass are fun enough on a tandem, but 2 good sized small mouth.. that'd be a lot of fun.
That's some serious numbers on the Walleyes, even though they are seegars, hopefully, they'll grow up fast. Were you surprised to not get into any perch?
I see you're 'flig'n it with a hanger' I think that's my favorite drop shot rig. True, no snag drop shottin. Does wonders on those rocks in Utah Lake.
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[cool][#0000ff]Thanks Dave. Since I have started rigging us with small swivels on our tandem rigs there is a lot more "security" when hooking doubles. But still, two active smallies going different directions can put a strain on line and connections...even Excalibur. And yes, that "hanger-shot" rig really cuts down on snags. Didn't lose one rig yesterday. Also got a few seegars on the pale perch flig.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are seemingly more perch in other parts of the lake, but Knight Hollow is usually better early in the season for walleyes. Come to think of it, if I was a perch I wouldn't wanna hang around all the toothy critters either.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There were some perch in the vacinity. I went through a couple of spots where I was getting the "rattle rattle" bites from small perch. Had a couple about 7 or 8 inches hooked but not all the way to the tube. Ed, the guy in the boat, had been up there for several days and had found a couple of areas that had lots of perch...in about 14 feet of water...but couldn't catch anything but small ones. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Probably won't get back out for a couple of weeks. By then the lake should have stabilized and my mega perchies should have set up summer housekeeping in my favorite spots in Bunny Gulch. Let me know when you are ready to test my theory.[/#0000ff]
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I really like Bunny Gulch. I'm sure I could fit in a trip or 2. I won't tell Mrs. Utah if you dont. She gets jealous if I go fish somewhere else[  ]. Maybe, we'll have to sqeeze in a trip or 2 before we sneak out to starvation.
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[#500000]I apologize for the inconvenience ......... A whole lot of day yesterday ......... But it wasn't a bust ........ I did get a deer .........The Highway Patrolman said I killed him on the first shot, so I didn't have to back up and hit him again ....... We got some good news from the Docs on my daughter, so things are looking up.[/#500000]
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[#500000]Thanks a bunch for the motor gear, that is going to work out great.[/#500000]
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[#500000]That must have been a firedrill for TB on the smallmouth ........ I'll get with you guys on the perch pullin, when you get out there again, as soon as I get my front bumper straight.[/#500000]
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[cool][#0000ff]No apologies necessary...except maybe to the deer. But it sounds like it might be too late for apologies. Do you use a scope sight on your truck?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Plenty of good perch jerkin' ahead. Keep in touch and we will try for another trip under better circumstance. Best wishes for your daughter.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Let me know how the motor handle works for you. We sure like ours.[/#0000ff]
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Kudos to TB & TD - nice work! I guess I need to blow the dust off my fishing gear and hit the water.
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[cool][#0000ff]You know what they say..."All work and no play...sure messes up your fishing schedule."[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am sure those fish are ready for a rematch.[/#0000ff]
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tubedude ya post the best reports. i will be heading out that way for a long weekend over 4 th . im sure that the power boats will be out by the hundreds[mad]. but i just got my self and my 2 kids - 7 year old boy and 10 year old girl tubes [ ]. we are not set up with power just flipers. i do not know that lake all that well . if you were headed out that way over 4th what side of lake ya think would be the best to get kids started on the tube. any help would be great . and thanks again for posting so many great reports.
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so i hate to ask but i caught my very first walleye on saturday at willard and now have the itch for more must say best tasting fish i have ever caught! Now for the question where and how would i catch more walleys and be able to have my ten year old son land his first we have a boat and a trolling motor and a electric motor ive been told slow troll is the way but have no idea for this species is a new fishing experience for me and the lil fella any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated ! please help! im hooked on walleyes!
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[cool][#0000ff]I'm sure you will have a lot of your new closest best friends show up to help you not feel lonely, no matter where you go. But, if you are looking for places with protected shoreline and easy launching in float tubes for kids...with gradual sloping shorelines and not steep rock cliffs...I would choose either Rabbit Gulch or Indian Bay. Both offer lots of shoreline access with safe and easy launching for float tubes. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Knight Hollow is likely to be full and the roads there are really rutted and rough from the wet spring. It is also a longer drive than the other two. I have posted maps of Rabbit Gulch but here are some for Indian Bay if you need them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You get to Indian Bay on the same road that goes to the Main State Park. Watch for the turnoff sign to the west just before you get to the upper campground at the state park. Go down the hill and you will see the old highway 40 coming up out of the water. That is the "launch ramp" used by boater. Instead, turn left (south) and work your way around the camping area and look for a spot with easy access. Several places there to just park and launch...without having to have a campsite. The smallmouths are in shallow now so you should be able to catch some fish close to shore without having to kick too far.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good luck, have fun and be safe. Be sure to have the kids wearing PFDs. And take sunscreen and bug repellent. Sometimes a few skeeters. Always nasty direct sunshine. And watch out for the wind. It can come up fast and ruin a good tubing day.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]And thanks for the kindly comments.[/#0000ff]
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[cool][#0000ff]I don't understand whether you are asking for info on Willard...or Starvation. Definitely different fishing for the walleyes on each. If you can get to Starvation you will have a much better chance at catching walleye. Some great perch, smallmouth and trout too. And you can fish for all species with the same jigs tipped with worm or perch meat. Like a box of chocklits...you never know what you're going to get. Five or six species in one day on the same setup is not uncommon. Also not uncommon is to have several walleye of several different sizes.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]On both lakes the dedicated wallieologists fish a lot with bottom bouncer and crawler rigs. That is something you can review at many websites online. Basically you are slowly dragging a small spinner rig right off the bottom with a "rigged" nightcrawler. A whole lot of both art and science involved and it can take many years to feel like you have mastered it. But you can also catch fish with it on your first trip if you manage to put it in front of a hungry fish or two. You need to have a good sonar and know how to read it...and then how to get your rig at the right depth and keep it in the zone...at the right speed. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]When the fish are active you can also catch a lot on trolled crankbaits. Lots of different ones will work but the main consideration is getting them to run at the right depth. Deep divers most of the time.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Lots of anglers (like myself) prefer to catch them by casting plastics or vertical jigging. Again, a lot of both art and science involved. And lots of good info on the internet.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good walleye fishing at times on Willard, especially this time of year. The walleyes are still in a post spawn feeding attitude and will be until water temps rise much about 70 to 75 degrees. Then the walleyes tend to stay deeper during the day and feed mainly at night...until the water cools down again in the fall.[/#0000ff]
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tubedude thanks again of your help.
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Thanks man me and the boy are going to hit starvation saturday morning we will post how we do thanks again for the pointers
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Nice report Tubedude, its too bad we missed each other out there. Hey, quick question. You don't happen to know if the Ed your talking about pours his own jigs? I met a guy on the water a couple years ago and got to chatting during a real nice walleye bite mid afternoon. He ended up selling me some bent nickle shaped "wobble" jig heads and some pointed jig heads that were a deadly when rigging them with half a crawler. I have since donated most of them to the structure and had always hoped to meet up with him on the water again to "re-up". He knew a bunch of the tourney guys and I think he fished some as well. Anyway if that is the same guy and he is Packfans bro in law I might have to send Packfan a PM so I can try to track those custom jigs. OR... maybe you know what I looking for and may be willing to sell me a couple. I think I remember you also may pour a jig head or two.
[fishin]Thank you sir.
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[cool][#0000ff]That is the same guy. He was telling me about his super top secret jig heads and handed me a few. I surprised him by saying "Oh yeah, those are wobble jigs. I make those too."[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Don't know if you had a chance to try them through the ice but I am super sold on them. When you snap them up they zing off to the side...then flutter on the drop. Killer.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am also messing with slipping a small spinner blade over the hook before adding the crawler. Creates some extra color, flash and flutter. And you can also add a stinger hook easily if you want to.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Like Ed, I have modified my original molds so that I can pour almost any size head from 1/16 oz to about 3/8 oz. and I can use any size hook from size 6 to 2/0. Size 2 and 4 on 1/16 and 1/8 oz. are best for most walleye jigging applications.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In the pic you can see that I also can produce virtually any color combo...with and without glitter. I also make them in glow for night and ice fishing. If you are headed toward Salt Lake you would be welcome to check the inventory.[/#0000ff]
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[inline "WOBBLE JIGS.jpg"]
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Cool, I think your paint patterns look awesome. It also looks like you use a more durable paint and or epoxy that would help the color last longer when fishing rocky structure.(most all the ones I have left only have about 50% of the paint left.) On a side note, for some reason it seems like on sunny days a strait lead jig head seem to produce better than painted ones. Probably the flat sheen is something to be considered. I am sure you have some blanks as well as the painted ones. I love the glow jigs you made that I won last year in Pikemans little Starvy ice fishing day. I will send you a message when I am home in SLC.
Thanks again for the response.[fishin]
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[cool][#0000ff]I think Ed uses the powder paints on his jig heads. I do not like the powder paints because they tend to pop off like a peanut shell. But the samples he gave me all appear to be well finished with a good epoxy top coat. He may have changed his process since you got yours.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Most of my stuff has about 5 layers of vinyl paint and finish by the time I finish them...with epoxy. Most of the guys who use them like how they hold up to rock dings. I generally donate mine to the rocks before they show a lot of wear. But I know the guy that makes them so I get a discount.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Walleyes are funny. Sometimes they show a definite preference for one bright color or another. Other times less is more and the bright stuff scares them off. I can make heads in pale shades of browns and greens (crawdad colors) or leave them plain lead. There will be applications for any of them. But you can't send text messages on them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Don't know what your opinion of the Matzuo sickle hooks is but that is what I prefer and that is how I make my jigs usually. I can use any kind of hook but for walleyes especially I like the sharp points and fine wire of the Matzuos. More hook ups for me...and I seldom lose a fish on the way in unless I get sloppy.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Let me know when you are around and I will get you my address and directions.[/#0000ff]
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I have a feeling these "wobble" jigs in some bigger sizes (glow) would work wonders on the burbot through the ice...
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[cool][#0000ff]Yep. They work jes fine for those slimy muthas. For mack pups and big bows too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here's a pic of some stuff I have made up for a couple of guys...in white glow. They are 3/8 oz. with a 3/0 hook.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Also a pic of some "jingle jigs" that really work well to call in the camo-eels. They like noise.[/#0000ff]
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