Powell (south end) President's Day weekend

[PBH]

We decided that we needed to go somewhere for President's Day weekend. The first place that was mentioned was Fish Lake. Not a bad option, really. But the second suggestion sounded even better, considering the forecast for 70 degree temperatures. So we hooked up the boat and went to Wahweap for a weekend at Lake Powell!

Fishing had certainly slowed from the previous week. We could find schools of stripers in 60-70 feet of water (Warm Creek, Lone Rock, Navajo) but they just wouldn't bit. We tried spooning them up, but they just weren't interested. A couple fish were caught, but they just wouldn't get active like we had hoped. We also tried chum, with no better luck. Trolling was slow too -- we were not using down riggers, which maybe would have helped.

Even with the slow fishing we had a great weekend. How can you not? When you have a lake like Lake Powell you are always in for a treat. It was a gorgeous weekend -- the wind blew Sunday afternoon, but the rest of the time was great!

Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy.




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[Kent]

Looks like a fun trip with the family. I need to get back down there again one of these days.
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[albinotrout]

Love Powell. In that first set of pics, that is one skinny fish. Thanks for the report. Makes me wanna go out boatin even more now...thanks....[laugh]
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[line_dangler]

[#000000][font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Very nice pictures of the trip. It looks like Lake Powell just keep dropping water level. And this year that California has had record drought and no snow, I wonder how it will be the next 1-2 years as far as water and fishing.
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[PBH]

[quote albinotrout]Love Powell. In that first set of pics, that is one skinny fish. [/quote]

that is what most of your "larger" stripers are looking like right now (at least in the southern end of the lake). They are starving to death. They cannot out-compete the smaller stripers for food. This is a pretty normal situation for Lake Powell. 2012 and 2013 were "boom" years for stripers -- which is why the last two years have so good for striper fishing. When you start hearing about anchovy fishing in the main channel, where anglers are catching hundreds of fish, it is because the stripers are starving.

Most of those fish (20 - 24") will die this spring. This summer should still be great fishing. The younger year class of stripers (those fish that can handle warmer summertime surface temperatures) will thrive and be very healthy. We just won't be seeing those healthy 20 - 24" stripers this year.
The hope is that with the threadfin shad that we'll have smoother boom and bust cycles than in years past. Keep your fingers crossed!
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[brookieguy1]

Great pics and looks like a fun family outing.
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[bassrods]

Powell is a great lake I wish I would have been there, nice pictures..
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[SkunkedAgain]

Looks like a great break from winter. One day I need to add Powell to my been there seen and fished that list. Hope to maybe try it this Spring. Long trip for me though, I'll have to get some tips before I try that one. Thanks for the post. Later J
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[TroutBumDave]

Wow, awesome pictures of the lake, cute family, and even a few fish to boot. The only issue I see is that it looks like someone actually pooped on your hat.
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