Cutler Bear First of June

[CoyoteSpinner]

Went out to Cutler Saturday afternoon with hopes of starting into entries for the Catfish Challenge. Not to be, unless I want to start out with a chunky 8 inch Mudcat - cuz I caught plenty of those. But no big bad channel bites. [inline MudCatting.jpg]
As I got to the launch realized it MUST be Carpalooza - judging by all the tricked out flatbottoms and all the archery gear. Some nice setups - elevated platforms on the fronts. Well - I did a little of my of Carpalooza poking. Missed a few shots, but did run into what must have been a 'released' fish from the fest - so I tried to help it along. Sloppy seconds, but I need the target practice! Musta measured 30 inches - big, fat Mirror.
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Not having my kitty itch scratched - I headed to the lower Bear River Sunday - about midday. Got to the river, after dropping down past some stickery bushes. The ongoing burning sensation told me it was stinging nettle - hooray.

Got a few tugs on the spinners and finally hooked up a channel cat. NOT the channel cat I'd been hoping for. - just a footlong cookie cutlet. It was on for the small channels all day. I did get into a couple pushing more the 13-14 inch size and they wanted to come home for a cookout.

I hooked into something that had a bit more shoulders and gave me a real run. Turned out it was a decent bass. Got into some dinks and a couple more nice ones - some self-released before I got a good look.
One was odd - I'm pulling in this nice bass, next thing I know - it's off and the line flings - but I've still got a fish on - it's a small bass - and then it gets off. Not sure if the big one ate the small one on the way on? Felt like those stacking dolls that nest inside one-another.
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I had one hookup that was a brick. It didn't run, but it didn't give, but was NOT a snag. Then it was gone. Didn't break off, just spit the hook. Gnaws at ya!

Had a visit from a crew of young folks going tubing down the river. My what a lot of colorful metaphors our young generation flexes these days. Maybe they need a Mod!

Didn't make it over the border as I'd intended, but did avoid the chaos of Free Fishing day, got some tugs, and a bit of sunburn.

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[SkunkedAgain]

Yote nice bass and looks like lots of tugs. Good deal glad you avoided the crowds. Later J
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[CoyoteSpinner]

Didn't exactly follow my "game plan" for the weekend, but always good to get some tugs. I need to hit this area again when I can get into some different spots. I think there's some real promise.
Now if I can get onto a bunch of Crappie, that'd be cool!


Did you see UTCatman's Refuge post? Too bad it's not an entry to the contest, but positive proof for the North anyway!

[BassHunter1]

Good job on gettin away from the computer screen. Did you hear of the 17 lber caught last weekend?
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[SkunkedAgain]

Hey I missed the Catmans post I'll have to check it out. Sounds like he must have gotten a good one. I'm having a hard time getting out to fish and then I just catch carp or kittens. I'll try and get something to score for the contest but it's the time of year I like to get the last of my reservoir trout in before they get soft and I want to get back to Willard for a wiper attempt. So in a couple weeks I'll see what I can catch. Plus by then I hope they get back into the river so I can find them. Glad you made it out even if it wasn't according to plans. I have my nephew coming this weekend and he loves to fish so I hope to make it out for a trip or two. May try Twin for a trout and a gill or I may try your Cutler trip to the dam, if so I'll let ya know. Later J
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[Fish365]

Do you find more smallies are in the reservoir above the damn or below?

Best,
Fish365
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[CoyoteSpinner]

I probably don't have enough experience to make a significant prediction. But in general I think I've found more small mouth than largemouth in general. But that's more in the river. In Cutler proper - I think I've ran into more largies. But my 'sampling' is pretty limited! [blush]

So - didn't ask the question, or make the supposition - but what kind of bass do ya'll think this is?
It doesn't have red eyes, but to me - the coloration seemed more smallie brown - vertical, than largie green, horizontal. I just have a hard time telling sometimes. Just know they put up a good fight!

And BH: I get off the 'puter for some fishn once in a while. Texted the Mrs I was off for a 'quickie' on the river. When she counted 8 hours later - claimed - that wasn't a 'quickie'. But they were still biting!

[CoyoteSpinner]

So - tell me 'bout this 17 pounder? A bass or cat? In Utah - or some southern noodling flathead?
Who knows - maybe we'll see the Utah Record beat with our little tourney. That'd be way cool if you ask me! Already seeing some impressive entries.

[Fish365]

I like both small and large mouth but if I had to choose smallmouth I enjoy most.
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[a_bow_nut]

If you are asking about the fish that you are holding in your hand? That is a smallmouth. When the color of the fish is making it hard to identify then hold the fish and close its mouth and see where the corner of the jaw lines up. If it is just even with its eye it is a smallmout and the corner of a largemouths jaw will extend past its eye.
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[a_bow_nut]

Also could I pull a Florida and get a recount on my point total in the catfish standings? [:p]
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[CoyoteSpinner]

Duoh! That's what I get for not using the calculator! Way to keep me honest!

My gut feeling was smallie - all the brown color, vertical stripes, and with the mouth closed - yeah, that's the spot. I've just heard some claim that they have red eyes.
But maybe that's not always the case.

Just gotta go try to find that LOG again!

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Some smallmouth have red eyes...but not all of them. Just the ones who stay awake all night or that get shampoo in their eyes when they shower.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Those that do have the red eyes make for some really neat photos...especially when the other colors are nice and bright.[/#0000ff]
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