Cat Bustin on the Bear

[CoyoteSpinner]

I figgered it was time to stop pussy-footing around, high time I got into some serious cattin. So I packed up, grabbed the boat, and hit the Bear River. No catastropies this day. Know I'm starting out on the right foot when Gertrude is ready to fire on the first pull. She might be some ancient 50's Mercury, but the ol' gal's got some guts!

Headed upstream a ways to a spot I like. Dinked around for a bit seeing if any Crappie or Bass were out to play. No such luck, but I did hook up a baby-green-sunfish in the sunshine.

Then is was time to get serious. Pull off the Kit-Gloves, and whipped out the liver. Hmmm, skaaaankeeeeee. Gobbed some on, and pitched it out. Meanwhiles the other rod took a dive. Bobber down! Tighetened up enough to grab a hookset, and cross some eyes. Wasn't sure since it was a worm under bobber, thought likely I'd hooked into a golden tarpon. Tug, pull, run, lift, tug, pull, run, and repeat. Finally got a look, and lo-and-behold, no scales! This camper was Heppy Heppy. Wore the beast down, nabbed the net, and first kitty on board. Measured up a hearty 22 incher. Nice start - finally breaking the 2-0 figure this season.
Then someone's ringing my bell, and taking line. Run kitty run! Dropped the bail and launched into a nother tug-fest. This one came in at 23", notch up on the scale (and the points).

So I tie on some more goopy liver, and pitch a worm under bobber near the reeds. Again - tick tick tick- ding-a-ling, and game's on. Toyed with a hefy 26 in channel this time. Now that's more like it! While I'm laying this hunky toad out for a sexy photoshoot- the bobber starts diving, and zing-zing- taking line. So I turn attentions, and I'm in for another fight. And this beast had been on a run, so took some time to get it in close. I was about to net the scaley hunk, when it took a turn, and ducked under a branch. Dang - I didn't want to lose my spinner rig, and couldn't quite reach far enough, so I grabbed the bow, and gigged the carp, hauled it in, all good. Butt shot. Now if anyone's got a problem with that landing, I'll withdraw the entry. Expect bigger anyway. It was only a 2-footer, and I've met plenty over 30". So feel free to raise an objection. I did loosen some of it's innards, and wrapped around a hook for bait. Something kept messing with that offer, but wouldn't commit, my guess, messed with by mudders.

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Figgered I'd had my fun, had enough sun, so packed up and headed back. Stopped along the way to admire the scenery. Maybe I shoulda tried the beef livers instead of chicken? Though there was something fowl in other logjams.

Looks like it's time to plant those peas. According to the Wellsvilles anyway. At least I got my cajun spice! Fresh corn, and bacaon wrapped grilled catfish. Yeah - it's spring in the valley!
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You know what they say, when life gives you lemons, it's time to mix up some margaritas! Or some-fin like that. As a friend told me recently - there's a reason your nose is on the front of your face, ya gotta keep looking forward!

[fishjon]

Purty fish. Looked like a beautiful spring day as well. Good for you.
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[TeeRex]

me and my old boss hit the bear yesturday from 7pm-10pm by the korene exit... landed on very small one and hooked into a few that felat pretty good.. till the wrapped us into snags... no good ones landed, i love that river cause its closest to a river like back home but cant get any outta there.. ill be back for revenge! good looking cats!
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[a_bow_nut]

Now those are some nice cats.

Boy they have grown up over the last few weeks. []
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[lavaman]

I don't know man, that so-called 23"er looks more like 22.5" 'cmon Yote play by the rules will ya! lol

Very nice Channels. Good to see you catch some over 20"...cause those are 'contest worthy'. Keep up the good work.

I'm wondering if the biggest of the big are more in the Cutler area itself than the Bear drainage...I bet Fishinma would know.
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[Out4Trout]

[cool] Nice cats and I like the humorous way you told the stories of catching them too!
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[SkunkedAgain]

Nice catch Yote. You spending most of your time after kitties and leaving the crappie alone or are they just not biting? This full on summer thing is really screwing up my fishing, since all of my farm tasks are hitting at the same time. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to make the flotilla next weekend. Going to see if I can take off some work time to catch up a little but things don't look real promising at this point.

So do catfish make good fish tacos? Or is that mostly a white meated fish thing? Been really liking the fish tacos lately. Catch ya later J
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[not-a-purist]

So are they holding tight near structure this time of year for the spawn or are they out in the open water?

Way to go on some nice cats. One day I will figure them out...
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[BagABigOne]

The wife wanted to go fishing on Cutler for Mothers Day, so we headed out. We fished some of the deeper holes, I guess I need to get out of my paradigm and learn where the big ones go in the spring. We only caught 10 - 12 inchers. The wife caught a big carp 8-10 lbs (she hates them and swears she'll just drop the pole and walk away. But she did really good and got the fish to the boat so I could net it. No Crappie or Bass, the water is warm though.
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[SkunkedAgain]

Think you were trying to reply to Yote instead of me, but I think you'll find the cats in the shallows now, not the channels. I haven't went for cats lately, but look into the 2 to 3 ft deep range. Good luck. J
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[SkunkedAgain]

Rod, try the horseshoe. J
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[raghorn4]

Nice Cats!![cool]
Went up there a week ago (Benson Marina) and caught 22 mudcats.
Couldn't find the channels, My son had fun with the aggressive little mudders.[]
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[a_bow_nut]

[quote SkunkedAgain]So do catfish make good fish tacos? Or is that mostly a white meated fish thing? Been really liking the fish tacos lately. Catch ya later J[/quote]

LOL.

That brings up a good story. My friend took some of their friends to a mexican resturant up in Park City because they make some good food. Well the friends wife ordered up the fish tacos and just feel in love with them and just couldn't stop talking about how good they were.

As the owner was passing by she asked him what those wonderful fish tacos were made with and he says "catfish". The lady goes silent so my friend asks what is wrong? Turns out the couple are Jewish and catfish are not something that they are allowed to eat because they are botton feeders.

Now every time I hear fish tacos I have to laugh.
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[Utcatman]

Glad to see you are getting em yote !!! My spots in the refuge aren't fishing well yet.. I have a feeling the lady and I will be on the board with some toads by the weekend
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[SkunkedAgain]

That sounds like something I would do. Maybe the catfish had repented and were hitting lures instead of cleaning up the garbage off the bottom. I love catching catfish on the troll or jig. Great fighters at that point. Thanks for the laugh. Later J
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[lavaman]

Mudders make good fertilizer. Don't throw 'em back, they steal the food source for the much more desirable Channels.
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[LOAH]

Nice looking cats, yote!
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[CoyoteSpinner]

I would call the Carp "pig" fish, not necessarily the cats, though some can be pretty piggy.

Of course the way I prepped some Grilled Creole Catfish Medallions - don't think a Jew or Muslim would care to partake. Wrapped in BACON, skewered, and grilled to crispy perfection. Snapped a pic, but don't have it handy. Try to post it later.

I know some folks don't care for the taste of Catfish, but to me, secrets both in the prep and the sauce. Proper fillet - cutting out the red sides, and yellow bellies/backs, then an overnight soak in salty milk. Rinse well, season, and on from there. But - gotta cook em down good, let them render. Neighbors gave me a nod of approval.

As for where - early season - before the water warms, I've found cats more staging outside of shallow areas, roaming outside shallow arms, pockets. Then as it gets warmer as it is now - they move way up shallow, and back into sloughs and such. Along the edges, or back in pockets, 4' and less. Up and under structure - wood logs, jams, somewhere out of big current. Then later they'll move out - still digging the structure. After that - I don't know where they go (deep?).
But that's when the Bass and Crappie will turn on, so - my focus will change. Of course the Carp will be in frisky lambada dance mode for months. They just don't quit!

Thanks for the feedback all. Hope for a few repeat trips so I can keep up with the top challengers! Maybe I'll make it down to the refuge some night this year. Got a stash of glow-stick wristlets that work real well. With bells on too, for good measure.[inline BaconWrappedCatfishMedallions.jpg]