Willard Slam Split 10-20-16

[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Met up with FatBiker at the north marina this morning for some "chillin'" time. Got that. 32 degree air temp and 54 water temp when we launched a bit after 7 am.

Lovely morning. Clear with no wind, no bugs, no power squadron. Almost no fish too. But we hung in there and there was also no skunk.

I missed a couple of inquiries before finally putting the net under my first fish...a cookie cutter kitty. Then it was a lot of time before my next one. About 10 I got a solid whack on a small tube jig being optimistically fished for crappies. It was fighting well, but not zinging string like a wiper. Then it jumped and I saw it was a nice smallmouth. Another three or four jumps later I hoisted it aboard, got it to for a couple of pictures and sent it back to make more smallies. Cliff would be so proud of me.

I got a couple more small cats but no walleyes, crappies, perch or even carp were harmed in the making of this epic report. My goal for the day...as is customary...was to score a 4 species slam. Had to settle for two...unless FatBiker would agree to lending a couple of his catches.

Larry was dragging Gulp minnows on one rod while waving his long wand (flyrod) with feathery offerings. He did manage to drag in a couple of cookie cutter kitties, a couple of small crappies and a dandy wiper...the latter being caught on the flyrod and making his day. So he caught 3 species. If he would just borrow me the crappies and wiper we would have a split slam. Get it? I didn't.

The water had warmed up a whole degree...to just over 55...by midday. The already slow fishing died off to nothing so we boogied. Lovely day, good company and killed a couple of skunks. All right!


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[SkunkedAgain]

Hey Pat sounds like fun and a gorgeous day. I felt bad to have missed it, but if it was slow for you I would have been skunked for sure. Thanks for the report I've been waiting for it all day. Later J
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[RockyRaab]

I bailed out on the invite when I saw the predicted air temp for this morning. I just don't do cold anymore. But it was a gorgeous day for an 11:00 am tee time...

Besides, I'm not the fisherman Pat is, either. I'd have brought home a stringer full of stink, I'm sure.
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]It was slow, but that does not mean you might not have had the hot hand. Well, maybe your hands would have been cold but you could have caught some fish.

Funny about your comment about the tee time. As FB and I were getting ready to launch and shivering a bit I uttered an old fave phrase used to justify our weird angler doings..."Crazy golfers".
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]No bout adout it...the fishing was tough. Let's hope you can break free next week and the stars align to make the fish abundant and active.
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[FatBiker]

TD, you're more than welcome to the wiper or one of the crappies to round out your Slam. Write-up makes it sound a lot worse than it was. Tubing doesn't get cold until you're breaking the crust around the edges to get in the pond. Shucks, we got a good month and a half of these conditions until you teach me about those Bear Lake whities. It's always a pleasure to share some water with you.



Larry
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[SkunkedAgain]

I wondered what happened to you and Richard. I felt bad that I was missing a flotilla. But I remember now that you do start to hibernate each year about this time. But if you're not having fun there's no use going to be miserable. Luckily I tolerate cold ok so I've still got a couple months to enjoy it. Glad you did get outside though that was a great day. Can you tell I was locked in the office today? Later J
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[SkunkedAgain]

Hey Pat that sounds like a great wish I'm excited about that and looking forward to next week. Later J
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Cold? You're right. Yesterday was "banana belt" conditions compared to what is ahead...or some of the trips I have made in the past. See pics.

Glad we could make it yesterday. Looking forward to some Bear Lake beasties in a month or so.
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[RockyRaab]

The crazy thing is that I can do ice fishing. But for that I have to bundle up until I look like the Michelin Man - with a bag of hand warmers.
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Different folks for different strokes...or whatever. But you got the right idea. Dress for the occasion.

And ye are not alone. I know several wimpy anglers who won't fish open water in cold conditions but are first on the ice when the hard deck is safe enough. Not accusing you of being wimpy...just "discerning".
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[SkunkedAgain]

I think the right gear makes a big difference for me too. If I have stuff that keeps me warm I'm fine to play in the cold but once my core temp starts dropping its time to go get warmed up. Sometimes I'm not smart enough to do that if the fish are biting but I've never been known for jumping on good ideas. Later J
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[Piscophilic]

Thanks for the report and the pictures. I always enjoy your reports. I'm glad you guys found a few fish. I might have to drag my little boat up that way again and see if I learned anything from the introduction you gave me in the spring!

Actually, a guy I know wants to try to catch a walleye and he wants to troll. Something about "that's how we did it back in Wisconsin."

Sure can't do that at Utah Lake right now! I won't tell him that the odds are better for kitties or a wiper or two.

I'll write a report if we get up there.
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Just getting into the prime walleye fall feeding time. And slow trolling or bottom bouncing with Wisconsin style blades and crawlers will git 'er done.

Shoot me a PM if you would like a copy of the chapter on Willard Walleyes.

We also have to make sure to get you back next spring for an encore performance on the crappies. You caught it toward the end of the big fling and they didn't show you a lot of love. Believe me, it can be a lot better. Timing is important.
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