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2011 - We're off to a good start
I was sure glad that I hadn't made myself a resolution to try to catch a
fish every month this year. The weather was terrible the first few months of
the year, with storm after storm rolling through. We had a big snow on March
9 that I hope was a finale. Then the weather turned warmer, the snow melted,
the river rose, and I finally got out for an afternoon of fishing...
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March 11 - How's this for a great
start. I motored about 1/4 mile upriver and drifted down fishing a drop
shot rig in about 8-12 feet of water in around 15 minutes I felt that
"dead weight" feel of something on my worm. A set of the hook and this
18.25" beauty set off on a great fight and after boating him the year
was off to a great start. Unfortunately, It was 2-1/2 hours before I got
my next fish. It also took a drop shot worm and although a very nice
fish, he couldn't match the first fish of the year. |
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June 23. It took a while, but I have
finally returned to the river. Partially the long delay was due to good
fishing on The Lake, however, the main reason was that the river has
been running 6-8 feet above the usual water level. Flows have been very
strong and just plain dangerous to an old man. On this day we found this
very nice dock where the river had deposited it while running at flood
stage. Due to all this water I missed the whole spring on the River. |
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June 23. On this return to the River
I found the river still running high and very dirty. However, I did
manage to find 9 smallmouth bass with the best one 15" and this hard
fighting channel catfish. It weighed in at 7 pounds and took quite a
while to land on a light drop shot rod. It was fooled by a stubby tube
in black with red glitter. I feel it will be another couple of
weeks until the fishing gets back to normal on The River. |
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July 15. The river has been in
constant fluctuation. Mostly it's been running way above normal, which
produces dirty, junk filled water. Today, however, I had a really good
day, with a 2' channel cat, 23 smallies, including this very nice
20" fish that weighed 4.25 lbs. This fish, and most of the others,
was taken on a small Chatterbait with a chartreuse curl tail grub
trailer. This has proven a good bait for me in the river. |
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