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After leaving Vernal @ 1am and driving to Provo to drop my son off at his Aunt's house, I got a bite to eat and headed back up the Canyon. I started to get my toon together when Pat showed up with an assortment of fligs and jigs(Thanks Pat). Soon we were joined by Gabe (freakyfisherman) and we all launched around 6:20am from the Charlston day use area. Water temp at launch 68 degrees and when we called it quits around 10am almost 70 degrees. I headed south from Charlston pulling a Lindy Rigg with a worm harness and a pale perch flig with a 1/4 oz drop shot weight. Pat drew first blood with a small perch and not long after I had takes on both lines but these poorly experienced fish were not good enough to get hooked. After the better part of an hour I saw Pat headed for parts unknown and I decided to move my rather poor operation from 15 to 20 fow out to 22 to 29 fow. Because of the depth I tied on the heaviest bottom bouncer I had on board 3 oz and it wasn't long and I was hooked up on a mammoth 10 inch Walleye that was quickly returned not so much to grow but I really didnt want anybody to see how small a fish I caught. I was getting close to Gabe when I got another taker and this was a little better fish so he quickly when into my fish basket. Not long after I heard Gabe mutter and boom he was hooked up on the fly and landed his first fish of the morning. Thinking that I might be on to the fish I headed over to Check out Pats success on the west edge I had just crossed the old river bed when I hooked up for the 3rd and final time. This Walleye was a little better but not by much but acted like he had shoulders. Any day I Walleye fish and don't smell the skunk is a good day. I decided that my sleep deprivation was catching up to me so I decided to call it quits, not a bad day some good company and another experience in the books. I didn't even have the decency to take many pictures and not one of my fish but I think Pat shot a couple.
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How was the turnout? Lots of tubers? Many Boaters?
Water temp. At 68 that's still cool. Can you say how the moss is growing, were there big patches of moss?
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Oh shoot. I totally forgot that was today. So sorry. Cant believe it. Next time
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Even though it wasnt a bountiful trip for myself, I enjoyed it. I caught one 14 inch eye on the fly and missed 4 others. Its great meeting other fisherman who love to chase walleyes. Nice to know Im not the only crazy one out there. Lots of weed growth and patches of weeds here and there. I think there were only 3 of us bft guys. Also got great info from tube dude and fish fanatic. Thanks guys it was great.
Gabe
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I made it but only crossed paths with Dwayneb and his buddy Dustin.
I can tell you that both of them are class acts, and thanks to you Pat for introducing me to them.
Hopefully next time I will run in to you other fellas.
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[#0000ff]Couldn't have asked for a nicer day...at least for fishing if not for catching. I harmed no walleyes on this trip but did get a few tugs. Spanked 3 or 4 small perch (6 inchers) and about a dozen small smallies.
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[#0000ff]The only perch I could find were right in the weeds and were tough to fish without snagging weeds or getting my jigs fouled with green slime. Probably could have caught a few more with a slip bobber rig but I just wasn't excited about dipping for dinks.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Put my float tube up on plane (right) and powered across to the steep rocky shoreline. Hoping maybe the 'eyes might be setting up shop there. Nope. Dragged fligs on one rod and pitched jigs on the other. Caught a succession of juvenile smallies on the jigs...by pitching right up against the rocks. Had a few tentative munches on the fligs but no solid takers.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I was happy to hear that you had at least scored a few walleyes, but by the time I started working deeper water the walleye had moved or developed wallieitis. Caught one more smallie just as we were heading back in and that was it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Got to visit briefly with Dwayneb and crew. At that time they had only one walleye for the morning. But when he called me after I got home he reported more catching later...at their newly discovered spot. Good on ya Dwayne. Nice boat too.
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[#0000ff]We couldn't have asked for nicer weather. But that might have been a part of the problem. Those cagy toothy critters often become more active in lower light conditions and when the surface is broken by breezes...a "walleye chop".
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[#0000FF]Hey Mr. Shane, you done changed your handle. But we still know who you are.
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[#0000FF]Glad you could join us, even if you didn't make it up to our part of the lake. And glad you were able to make connections with Dwayne and crew. Also glad you at least briefly repented of your kokanee ways for a return to walleye chasin'. I hope you feel cleansed.
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That beach looks great. Are the posts close together preventing access for my boat trailer. I think I need 8 ft.
It looks like you had no other boats, nice calm morning. Funny as it sounds, last years walleye fishing was better starting about 10 or 11 o'clock. After the wind started. This year the water is much higher.
Someone's other report said 70 degree, what did you find?
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[#0000FF]The row of posts is only a few feet above the water line. Most are about 4 ft. apart but there is a larger gap in the middle that is PROBABLY wide enough to accommodate MOST boat trailers. I meant to take a measurement before I left but forgot. Sorry. I'm guessing maybe a bit over 8'.
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[#0000FF]The bottom beyond the waterline is fairly firm sand and gravel mix, with no large rocks. And the slope is enough that it should not require backing your vehicle very far into the water. I'm guessing that it would be suitable for boat launching right now. But once the water level starts dropping the slope is so gradual it would be risky to try launching boats any longer.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I know there have been a lot of smaller boats launched off that beach in the past...before they put in the barrier posts. But I also know there have been cars and trucks getting stuck and requiring tow trucks. As always, it requires individual study to determine if your boat and vehicle can safely handle the prevailing conditions...and common sense.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]The big thing that makes the Charleston launch so enticing is that there is no booth or gate. It is open to launching at all hours...even for wacky walleye fans. But if you do not display your annual pass and AIS certificate YOU WILL get cited. They DO check.
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[#0000FF]Bummer that they are now keeping the gates closed until 6 am at the island ramp. Used to be open 24/7. But then again, Willard used to be open around the clock too. Fees keep going up and services to the public keep going down. Sounds like a true gummint operation.
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Thanks pat I think ill try it.
Yes I wish enough people would request opening before 6 that would be good for fishermen.
At willard the gate opens at 6 but no person is there, so why not open at 5??
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"why not open at 5??"
[#0000FF]...or why not leave them open all the time...or make it possible to access with a scanned pass card (as they announced earlier in the year)?[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I have long held the personal philosophy that anytime you ask a question that begins with the word WHY...and it has to do with people...there is not likely to be a good answer. That is especially true when big companies or government offices are involved. I used to have a poster on the wall of my office that proclaimed "THERE AIN'T NO GOOD REASON FOR IT. IT'S JUST COMPANY POLICY."[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I fondly remember the days of old when the gates did remain open all the time. I loved to drive in and launch after all the wacko power squadron and wimpy fishermen had gone home...or in the wee hours of the morning...and could have the whole lake (and walleyes) all to my ownself.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I can understand and sympathize with the problems that can occur with vandalism and unlawful activities that MAY happen with gates being left open all night. But with the fees being charged these days they should be able to maintain at least one ranger after hours to police the facilities. Under the current system they arbitrarily exclude a large segment of the fee paying public (anglers) who would like to have access to the lake other than bankers' (state parks) hours. But no...they make the hours for their convenience and not for the use and enjoyment by those who pay their salaries.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]CRASH!!!! Just fell off my soapbox.[/#0000FF]
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Sorry you fell off. Your right on.!! The soap box is how action Begins.
If we were ALL to speakup you might find a park ranger with fresh batteries in his hearing aids.
Thank you Pat
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Next Friday Starvation and some more Walleye chasing. I am going to launch at Knight Hollow around 6am and hopefully get into some fish. Two weeks ago I found the Walleye in 8 to 12 fow there and hope to again. I plan on moving to Rabbit Gulch if I can't find them at Knight Hollow and for those others that have an infinity for Walleye come join me. I would like to have lunch at one of the local eateries afterword and possibly talk some treason (over the DNR ) but mostly over the State Park launch fees.
I have sold out, Pat please forgive me I have purchased an old outboard to push my toon around for I am sick of getting blown off Starvation. The truth of the matter is I just want to be part of the Power Squadron for a minute just to know what it feels like haha.
I am looking forward to Starvation for I claim this as my home water, maybe those 20+ fishing days a year has something to do with it. However, I must subbmit a disclaimer that I am not immune to the skunk for I have stunk here before.
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Not so much moss but grass but there is an edge and you can get away from it by going west toward the old river bed.
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Yes, new BFT account.
I retired on 7/11 and did not want to keep my old number so had to start from scratch.
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[#0000FF]For what it's worth, you can edit your old account to change any part of it. But sometimes it's good to break clean and make a fresh start.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]You can change your user name but you can't hide. We know who you are.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Good luck with your 7 day weekends.
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[#0000FF]My weather forecast sources show more wind than I care to negotiate next week on Starvy. I still haven't installed my Verado 400 on my craft yet. Waiting until after I finish the second deck, the sound system and the barbecue.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Looking better for the week after. I'll have my peeps contact your peeps for a get together.
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Sounds good Pat I will make it over there next weekend for a reconasance mission, maybe I can keep track of those little buggers for the following week. I will give both Knight Hollow and Rabbit Gulch a try. If there in Rabbit Gulch I preferr to fish there with a little protection from the wind.
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[#0000FF]I prefer the gulch too...when the fish are there. A shorter drive for me and more varied bottom and structure within easy range of launch.
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[#0000FF]I await your findings with bait on my breath...or however that goes.
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Been slow last three trips for me (only 1 eye) launching and fishing in the same area. Way slower than years past.
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