Dec 1 - Berry Float

[LOAH]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]This week, welcoming the month of December with a float trip was the perfect kind of crazy to symbolize this year's unseasonable weather.

Strawberry Reservoir doesn't usually ice over until about January anyway, so I thought that it would make the perfect setting to attack with my tube. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Naturally, my path to the lake was riddled with distractions that I felt obligated to stop for. One distraction is a small creek that runs alongside Hwy 40, just east of Heber City. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Daniels Creek is a great little freestone that holds cutts, browns, and a few rainbows, none of which are currently stocked. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

The first fish of the day came from under the highway on a black marabou jig. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

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It's a rocky stream and it can be very difficult to navigate, let alone attempt to fish. There are some decent pools though and careful, stealthy presentations can result in a visit from the beautiful little residents. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

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Keeping my main destination in mind, it was time to go. There was still one more distraction that I needed to get past before making it to the lake. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

I've always wanted to try my luck on the Strawberry River, upstream from the lake. The river is much smaller where it passes under the highway and every time I drive by, I'm tempted to stop for a few tosses. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Special regulations state that all catches much be immediately released and can only be caught using artificial flies and lures. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Wasting little time, I made some sneaky casts into the tunnel and caught two very different looking cutthroat. I found their contrasting appearances quite interesting, as the historic range is that of the Bonneville cutthroat, while the lake is heavily stocked with the Bear Lake sub-strain. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

The second, smaller fish is clearly a BL. I won't attempt to ID the first. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

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That was pretty fun and it only took a couple of minutes. Just a few minutes later, I arrived at the lake, readied my gear, and walked to the inlet. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Even with the warmer weather of late, ice has still formed in the shallows during the cold nights. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

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Pushing my way through some ice slabs, I set off on my voyage, where my first victim met me within 20 yds of where I put in. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

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The river channel was the only place worth fishing, though it vanished under an ice sheet and I had a hard time finding it again. Most of the bay I was in was only a few feet deep and loaded with vegetation, making fishing very difficult. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

It took a long time to find deeper water and I ended up getting skunked for more than an hour while I kicked and kicked. Finally, halfway across the large bay, I got a strike on the fly rod and fought something stubborn for several seconds before it shook itself free. Bummer. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Another 30 minutes or so passed before I found the far shoreline and an area that was loaded with fish. The next hour was spent chasing them, both from the tube and from shore while I let my legs warm up a little. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

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One fish that bit within 10 feet of shore would have easily been my largest cutthroat to date and it was certainly the best fight I've had this year. Sadly, for reasons unknown to me, my hook pulled free after battling the large fish for a couple of minutes. It was so close when it happened that when it came unbuttoned, it kept splashing around for a few seconds and threw water all over me. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

The horror! My mind raced, trying to comprehend what had just happened. It was hard to accept that the fish got away without even breaking my line. Oh well. It has happened before and it's sure to happen again. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Back on the tube, it was time to make the long kick back to the put-in spot, most of which was churning through shallow weed beds. A couple of fish struck my fly while I kicked away from the sweet spot though. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

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When I finally got back to my car, I had easily kicked for over three miles, most of which was over shallow water. It was pretty rough, but I'm glad I did it. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

I found a lot of fish, fought many, and caught several. Accessing the lake from that spot and fishing that bay has been on my to-do list for quite some time. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

It likely won't happen again anytime soon though. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

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Happy Fishing, Humans. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]
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[Out4Trout]

[cool]As always, very nice fishing photo essay, Loah. Always enjoy those. Can't wait to walk on that lake, if mama nature ever cooperates...
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[Gemcityslayer]

Thanks for the report and pics![]

What lb test and brand of line were you using when you lost your big cutt?

I have had this happen before on big fish when I was using lighter line (4-6lb) and I don't tie a very good knot it just comes undone on bigger fish. I have also had it happen after catching a ton of fish and forgetting to tie a fresh knot.

Sucks when it happens though I feel your pain. I fish with heavier line than most would when I'm fishing any water that even has a remote chance of a big fish.
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[LOAH]

4lb Cabelas Pro. It usually treats me right and I've caught some very nice fish with it. For 1/16oz jig heads, I won't use anything heavier. Can't catch fish if I can't cast.

Letting the rod do most of the fighting really takes a lot of the stress off the line, along with a decent reel. My drag was put to work a bit on that one, which was nice.

But the line didn't break on that fish. The hook pulled free and I reeled my Gulp! back in disbelief.
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[Gemcityslayer]

Ah, I misunderstood you.

That is a bummer too when the hook pops out.
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[gaetzchamp]

LOAH -

Glad to see the bite at Strawberry staying consistent. You got some nice chunky monkies to photograph. Very nice. My favorite picture though was of that little cutty with the cool parr makings. My son loved it too.

How was the wind??? Did you save any for the dinner table? I forgot, did you see the bald eagle pair?

Gaetz
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[LOAH]

All fish were released. I only measured one and it wasn't a slot buster. The rainbow came once I had decided to leave, and it wasn't enough on its own to provide a meal, so I released that one too.

I would have gladly taken the big one home, as Berry cutts are ultra tasty, especially in late fall.

No eagles that I saw.

The wind never showed up either![] A light breeze came on while I was way out in the middle (of course), but it wasn't that bad and died down quickly enough.
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[Jazzperch1]

Nice, still waitin for her to freeze up so i can hit it before the ice is 3 feet thick[]. and maybe i can get a cutty out of there bigger than 23 this year i hope. Some good fish there, thanks
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