Hooked up with Bamaboy, and Andibart for an overnight adventure. Both are leaving town soon, some for a long time, some for the summer. So it was like a "last venture" outing for the boyz.
Miles from nowhere:
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Floated the Cutler canyon, camped on a "secret" island and fished overnight and through the next day.
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Were hoping to "re-find" that C&R Record channel. Sadly not a single channel was found. Though a plethora of mudcats and numbers of carp kept us in the tugs. Good campfire food, moonlight, trains, and company kept us entertained.
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In the am - went on up to the dam and poked around some rocks until someone's leash tightened, and we broke camp and headed back to launch.
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Ben and I hung out and taunted more mudcats while firing up a shoreside brunch of eggs, sausage, and hashbrowns. Seems like everytime you're ready to roll the sausage, the mudders are nibbling at a line! After too much sun, and lots of fun- it was time to load out and head home. Thought about re-launching, but the wind had other ideas, well until we actually loaded out. THEN it calmed down and got glassy. Shoot!
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Are you kissing your bait or your catch? [
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I also hate it when I talk a bunch of smack about catfish size and area and have it come back and bite me in the hind end. [
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I have never floated down a river, camped on an island for the night, and fished the whole time. Sounds like a lot of fun.
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I'm speechless. I put this style of fishing up there with the back country skiing/ice fishing adventures I do! Bravo sir! One day I will accomplish this type of trip. Too cool for words dude!
Do you skin grizzly?
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Don't know that I ever claimed I was going to catch the biggest cat. But I do strongly rely on my northern mates that know the "way of the whisker".
Just count yourself lucky that C&R record cat was caught by the "other" guy on the boat that night. Though if I took a current tally, um- who's in the lead?
In fact - been expecting to see entries from down south - where it warms faster. But, um . . . er. Show me the kitties!
If it weren't for that 4-letter friend W I N D - Bama and I would have headed back out for some more ventures. The mudcats were relentless (as usual) and I swear my legs are sore as heck from getting up out of my camp chair over and over and over to wrastle in them pesky yellow bellies! We wrapped one up in foil and everyone HAD to try it. And ya know - it weren't that bad. I think the BBQ sauce from the ribs helped!
If it weren't Utah - a hook through the dorsal, and them pups could swim around for a big-ass flathead to come nab! Of course - same places can use live bluegill too. Hear it works well!
Contest is still young. I will boast that I expect to enter three over 20 - at least. 30+ is my goal. But they're just barely staging now. Time on the water. . . see what comes.
Definitely had fun - regardless of what we caught. I will say this - when I leave Utah in a couple of weeks, the thing I will miss more than anything else is just the time spent fishing with the friends I've made. I've had some good times. Can't say I know when I'll ever be back in the state after I leave in a couple of weeks. Just glad we got out on the water, had nice weather, and had a good time with friends. I still have a couple weeks, and now - no more school. So we can still get out a few more times before I actually take off. Cutler Canyon is a fun little place.
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Quote:I have never floated down a river, camped on an island for the night, and fished the whole time.
You should do it! My dad lives in north central Arkansas. Every year, they guys in the family take a 3 day float trip down the Buffalo National River (smallmouth bass fishing) - a 25 mile trip that ends in the White River (Blue Ribbon trout fishery). All we do is fish. No worries, no phones, no nothing. Life at it's simplest. Sometimes, I wish life in general was more like that these days.
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Kudos to you twins. I've had my daze of backcountry adventures. Though - it's been a while. Need to drag the kid up to OUR White Pine. Recollections of college trips to the Sierras in Cali. Had an inflatable Kayak - could just barely fit in the backpack. Didn't leave much room for food, etc. So - counted on catching. Good times.
Even recall bare-handing some spawning cutts in a waterfall some 6 days in solo.
All those photos are on slides - someday hope to scan 'em all.
Ben posted up some other shots on [url "https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151602145695033&set=a.10150281620615033.371591.511105032&type=1&theater"]Facebook[/url]. Tell ya what - these "birders" where chomping at the bit with all the ducks, geese, and gobblers that kept teezing us!
Last time we did this night trip (w/o the over - ) tell ya - the hillz had eyes! We were both spotting with the Q-beams, and between the deer, racoons, and who knows what else (skunks?) there's a lot of wildlife out there.
And for me - having grown up near railroads in Chi-town, it's kinda neat having the trains run overhead through the night. Ever fall asleep on a train? Rhythmic.
The carp gave us a run for our money. Though the lack of channels was a disappointment. Guess they aren't out deep, but working up shallow. Next trip . . .
Had also hoped to find Crappie against the cliffs, or the rumor of perch deep by the dam. But didn't happen this time. Doesn't mean I won't try again!!!
Don't know what I'm gonna do after you leave Ben. You're the most avid angler I'm met since reconnecting with "the cast".
I'll keep fishing of course....my 'obsessin' may have cost me, but it also keeps me going! Something to look forward to.
I will say - I think your daddy will be proud of the angler you've become. And the way you've set yourself up with gear enough to get out and go. I see great promise for Bubba in the future, and kudos to your fine wife for the support and blessing of your "hobby".
Do think a campfire at the "walkin" and a BBQ on my deck are due before your departure.
Quote:Do think a campfire at the "walkin" and a BBQ on my deck are due before your departure.
Just let me know when. I am in!
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Is the 17-18th too late for ya? Maybe like we did - start early Fri afternoon, run up to the dam, then work back, if folks wanna stay over, we work it out, or can offload and go.
Reached out to J- need to hit up the "dog guy" and see if anyone else local, non-local wants to join.
Gotta add the epic [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/Utah_Fishing_Forum_C55/gforum.cgi?post=816062;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;page=unread#unread"]Chair Fail![/url] (Andy's a good egg!)
I'm taking off on the 15th.
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Ben, I agree with Yote you are a great fisherman and we hope you continue to check in on the utah site from time to time. We will miss you but wish you and your family the best of luck. Maybe we can catch an evening out on the pond before you're out of here. This trip looks like a fun trip should be some good memories. Catch ya later. J
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Thanks for the complements. I will for sure check in on here from time to time this site. And hopefully we can work another evening out in the next couple of weeks.
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I think I'm the "dog guy" you're referring to. I would love to join you if my schedule permits.
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I figured that was you all camped out on the "secret Island". I ran up to the cliffs That evening with my lady, passed you guys. Thought it was odd to see an ice tent set up! Fishing was slow everywhere that night i ended up leaving at dark. It will get hot out there again soon. And when its on its on!!!
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Yep, I brought the ice tent because it had plenty of room, easy set up and take down, and I wouldn't have to worry about cleaning it out after I got home. It actually worked really well - way better than my tent and keeping the wind off of us.
Fishing was slow, but we just enjoyed the time out overnight away from everything. As Yote said somewhere - out enjoying the simple pleasures. I wish my life was more like that on a regular basis.
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shoulda stopped by to say "hay". Coulda tried some BBQ mudcat with us! And teach us how it's really done!
So - now I'm left guessing which was your ride? You in the nice bass boat? Just glad we didn't submarine dive hauling all the camp gear along.
Yep - it's you. Sorry, keep wanting to can you Dan, and I know that's not right!
Thinking about May 17-18th. Maybe start late afternoon Friday, run up the canyon, explore. If anyone wants to pull an overnight.
Or just start off Sat morning. Make a day of it.
Open to ideas. At least this trip - there's no wrong turns, so Wiperhunter won't be able to get lost!
No im for sure not in the nice bass boat. My boat is a 1951 commando fiberglass 14.5ft with a makeshift camo paint job that looks like a 5 year old painted it. It may not look pretty but i wouldn't trade it for anything. I would bet that boat has caught more big fish then most will ever!(seeing as it belonged to CHUGG at one time) I have attempted to make it a bass boat/bear lake boat/catfishing boat/waterfowl boat all in one. I do believe i have succeeded. As far as the mud cat goes i think i would have passed. Or ralphed!
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