Starvation Elation...and Frustration

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]TubeBabe and I made a speed run to Starvation this morning. Had to look to find a suitable spot to drive the car up to the water and launch. The water is dropping fast and what looks like dry ground in the half light of early morning is really dried water weeds...with mud underneath. The water is really down low, from last year. See the two comparative pics.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We found a spot where we could drive out on a rocky point and launch easily. Were on the water just after 6 AM. First perch smack within seconds on the first drop. Little guy. Lots more little guys. Couldn' find any larger perch for quite awhile.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Air temp was 55 and water temp 67 at launch. The water was also a bit murkier than my last trip a couple of weeks ago. More mud banks exposed by the dropping water and muddied by the winds. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Only light breezes all morning. Gradually changed around from NW flow to south to SE and then stronger and from the east about noon. In the interim we had easy fishing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I worked down the shoreline to the west of our launch site. I worked in and out, from shallow to deep and back again. I finally banged a couple of "basket fish"...perch over 10 inches...and tossed over the marker buoy. I called TubeBabe over on the walkie talkie and we proceeded to whack the perchies pretty good for a while. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There were plenty of the six inch dinks, but also quite a few of the sub-basket 9 inchers. Many of them were porky and would have been welcome on most lakes. But, with a limit of 20 on Starvation, we were hopeful of filling up on bigger fish. We did get a few 12 inchers and I got one just over 13". I also lost a TOAD that would have been over 14". Powered down at the surface and tore off the hook.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We rounded out our Starvation slime/slam by each catching a few walleyes and smallies too. All the smallies were just bitty bass. The walleyes were also on the small side, but I did score one fat 18 incher on my pale perch color PBJ (painted body jig). As a matter of fact, that was what we both caught most of our bigger fish on. Same lure that scored so well for us at Jordanelle a few days ago.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Big downer of the day was when I lost one of my three packed lure boxes over the side. It was the one with all of my "heavy metal"...jigging spoons, plungers, big roadrunners, etc. I was rerigging, and had the box resting on my rigid apron. I got a sudden muscle spasm in my leg and raised it to stretch out the cramp. The lure box slid off the apron and KABLOOSH. No floating for that heavy bad boy. It plummeted to the bottom in over 20 feet of water. Gone forever. Oh well, I know the guy who makes those jigs. I think I can replace them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Nice nature day. Lots of blue herons along the shoreline, and flights of ducks, geese and pelicans came over. Fortunately, no midair "downloads" in our direction. We also had three friendly brownish ducks come out to see what we were up to. First, they followed up the trail of sunflower seed husks that TubeBabe leaves on the water...to help her find her way back. After some close-up quacking, they started slowly in my direction. I called them in faster with my fluent "duck speak". They posed for a couple of pictures but blew me off pretty quick when I did not offer them any sunflower seeds.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Only a couple of boats on the water today, and they stayed clear across Rabbit Gulch. They were loud enough that you could hear everything they said though.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Oh yeah, I put my new "BIG BOY CHAIR" on the H3 today. I am spoiled. it was like riding in a recliner. Never a moment of discomfort all day. Stick a fork in me, I'm done. No more seat problems.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We got off the water about 1 PM, when the afternoon zephyr started strengthening. In fact, it got pretty airy in a couple of places after we drove off. I think we timed it right. [/#0000ff]
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[Saberfish]

[black][size 3]As usual TD, your report is a pleasure to read.[/size][/black]
[size 3]the photos are great even if you didn't set any size records.[/size]
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[size 3]But I'm going to take a minute, and give you kudos on your postings. You take the time to organize and express your thoughts, you check your spelling, and mostly, they just plain "make sense". It's great to read reports that the writer has pride in making.[/size]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Thankee, sir. High praise from someone who also writes well. Glad you enjoy my efforts.[/#0000ff]
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[AdictedBassTard]

Very Nice again Pat. Some purty fishies there.
How is that seat setup working out for you?

-ABT
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[LloydE]

Excellent report and pictures once again. I always love to read your reports, and your pictures tell a story as well. I can't believe how much the water has gone down since we were there.
I am glad that you have finally worked out the seat situation. I knew you would. It looks like you will always be in the comfort zone from now on -- just as you always seem to be in the fish zone.
I guess no one is as sorry as I am about your losing a box of lures. What a horrible waste!
It looks like you had a great day. I hope we have as good a day tomorrow morning at Lincoln Beach!
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]That seat is the epitome of comfort. All I need to do now is find a small piece of high density foam padding, and I will be ready for any fishing marathon session.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Thanks for being so concerned about the comfort of my nether regions.[/#0000ff]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]My guess is that the water has dropped another 6-8 vertical feet since our last adventure. But, my biggest walleye came from the same area we finished up last time...with the plungers. It was in about 18 feet, the same depth we were scoring on the fish previously.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I felt real pain when that lure box went into the water. All I could think of was all the hours of work those lures represented. Yes, I can replace them, but I had just made a major reorganization of my perch smackin' gear and that box was jammed with goodies.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Yeah, the seat issue is now offishially laid to rest. Yeah, I shall ride in comfort all the days of my fishing. Now we have to get your new ride all tricked out with the latest in PVC-ology. And, maybe that could include a seat modification too...if you feel the need.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Hope the south wind lays down for tomorrow morning. Look forward to fishing with you again.[/#0000ff]
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[AdictedBassTard]

Your nether regions are all that concern me. See i didn't even express sentiments over your lost gear![]

-ABT
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Then it is true what I have heard about you South Africans. Not sure I want to fish too close to you from now on.[/#0000ff]
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[AdictedBassTard]

That's why we scrum in rugby ... nice and close to eachother. Builds real team spirit!

-ABT
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[flygoddess]

If it is going down in water level that fast...just go back in a month and you might be able to pick you box up off the ground LOL[laugh][laugh][laugh]
LOVE THE POST TD!
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Thanks, Joni. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I sincerly doubt that the water will fall that much more. Water users are about at the end of the irrigation season. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Anyway, those jigs will be UGLY after a month underwater. I wouldn't even wanna see them. I put too much work into makin' 'em purty, and it would break my widdle heart to see them trashed.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Yeah...I think I can get some more from the guy that makes them.[/#0000ff]
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[swedishfish]

I saw your boxes of lures at the Fishing Seminar earlier in the week. If it was one of those you lost over the side, then that represented A LOT of work. I've seen fewer lures hanging in the isles at Cabelas.
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[Dusty_T]

TD -- Sorry to hear about your recent loss. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help []

On the flip side -- After having a few similar mishaps the last few years myself, it is good to know that these types of things also happen to the pro's. []
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I have never lost or broken a rod while tubing. And, until I lost that box, I had only lost the occasional hook, lure or tool. But, losing that box was a combination of errors. First, I did not put the box back in my pocket after opening it and getting out what I wanted. Second, the sudden cramp made me jerk my leg in reaction, and the improperly stored box just took advantage of te situation and leaped overboard.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Just like having a PFD with you at all times, there are basic rules of survival that all tubers and tooners need to adhere to. Murphy (Murphy's Law) must have been a tuber. Anything that is susceptible to going into the water usually does.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Over the years I have heard a whole lot of cry stories about tubers and tooners who have sacrificed cherished goodies to the gods of the waters. Cell phones and digital cameras are two of the pricier offerings. Heck, pliers, clippers and other trinkets are nothing compared to electronics.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Anything I don't wanna drop in the water is usually secured around my neck with a GOOD elastic cord, with good fasteners. Of course I could not do that with the lure box. It was so heavy it would have given me a hunched back.[/#0000ff]
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[macfly55]

[font "Trebuchet MS"][#005000][size 3]TD,[/size][/#005000][/font]
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[font "Trebuchet MS"][#005000][size 3]As usual a great report and supplemental pictures. Always helps me to visualize what you did on the water.[/size][/#005000][/font]
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[font "Trebuchet MS"][#005000][size 3]Also glad you got the seat situation solved. I knew you would it was just a matter of time. [/size][/#005000][/font]
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[font "Trebuchet MS"][#005000][size 3]Too bad you lost that jig box but the upside is that like anything purchased it can be replaced.[/size][/#005000][/font]
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[font "Trebuchet MS"][#005000][size 3]Looking forward to your next report.[/size][/#005000][/font]
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[font "Trebuchet MS"][#005000][size 3]MacFly [cool][/size][/#005000][/font]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Thanks for the kindly comments. I try to please. Glad you enjoy our epic adventures.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The only thing purchased in that box...was the box. I actually make all of my own jigs, spoons, spinners, flies, etc. But, while I only have a few cents in actual expense in each of my creations, some of them are very time and labor intensive. When that box went to the bottom, it took many hours of my tacklecraft time down with it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The (only) upside is that I have just finished turning out a grundle of new stuff, preparatory to the fall fishing seige. So, putting together a replacement box is relatively simple. There really wasn't anything in there that I cannot replace from stock...or with another seige at the workbench.[/#0000ff]
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[flygoddess]

I carry a bunch of boxes on my pontoon. Boxes with Bunny, Marabou, Woollies anyway you get the picture. But I also carry System X boxes full of Nymphs and Dries and when I say full, I MEAN OVERFLOWING. Hand tied mind you but still a cost involved.
We fish Grantsville a few years ago and I forgot to zip the bag on my pontoon which was on a flat bed trailer. Needless to say, I lost 3 system X boxes plus one of the CF boxes with the threaders and a grundle of flies. Took me months to just get a fair selection, so I can definitely feel your pain.[pirate]
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[macfly55]

[#005000]I did not realize you made all your own rigs. With that in mind I can empathize with the loss of all that hard work that is now 20 plus feet deep... but I have a feeling it is all done with love of the sport.. and the results.. and the satisfaction felt when the fish keep wanting to take a good taste of your latest creation.[/#005000]
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[#005000]Recently bought a starter fly tying kit and had the wild idea Id want to make half of what I bought in a different color and was NOT surprised to find that the materials cost almost as much as the original kit. Upside to that is that I can make many more flies than what the kit was intended (12) with that extra material. So I am guessing it all evens out in the end.[/#005000]
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[#005000]A few years back I had a beautiful jig my son in law had gotten for me. It was a very common jig and could be bought almsot anywhere. The sentiment behind it was what was most important to me (he swore it would catch loads of fish). I was never able to test the loads of fish theory because the first time I tied it on my line I inadvertently cut the knot wrong so on the first cast it went flying 30 feet out into the lake. I did everything I could to get it back including tying my line to my net and tossing the net out to get it back. Needless to say I probably caused more harm than good and lost the jig anyway and almost lost my net. [/#005000]
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[#005000]I have not made that mistake again since as I am sure you will not make the same mistake of leaving the box vulnerable to loss.[/#005000]
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[#005000]Have a great weekend and look forward to your next report.[/#005000]
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[road]

nice report Pat. I guess I didn't see it last night. Looks like you and your Babe had a good time. Especially from the on her face.
Thats a nice basket of fishys ya got there. A little late calling your competition over to join in was ya LOL.

Hey it looks like its going to be 5 to 10 mph all day for the exploratory. About the same as last week only nothing from the north tomorrow. see ya in the am
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