Rub-A-Dub-Dub...Willard 9-20-24

[Redrebel]

Yeah.  3 men in a tub.  Or in this case Obi’s fine boat.  Obi, Brookie and myself joined up to launch at the south marina by 7ish.  After they raided my flig stash we blasted off for the Pelican Beach area where Obi has been doing well.  But when we got there he discovered he had forgotten something…the plug in the boat.  Blasted back to the south marina, trailered the boat, got the plug in and started over.
            Water temps were down just below 65 and water was a bit stained after the weather situations and dropping temps of the past week.  So the fish in Obi’s hot spot had either moved or developed lockjaw.  We got one nice perch and a small teen-incher kitty.  And, although we were rigged for and expectant of seeing some wipers boiling we saw nary a one all day.


            After an hour of not much we moved over to my “kitty condo” out off Eagle Beach.  Not much there either.  I think we got a couple of cats in the 20 inch range.  Gradually worked our way over closer to the north dike.  Still lotsa nuttin’.
            Since I have a midday cutoff curfew…between personal medical stuff and caregiver responsibilities for my wife…we moved back closer to the south marina a bit before 11.  I suggested working a shallower area where I have done well on my last two trips…in 12 to 15 FOW.  Don’t know whether it was the new spot or the warming water on that nice sunny morning but the cats were there and came out to play. 


            We probably caught about a dozen between us over the next hour plus.  But none of us were keeping fish so they all went back in.  I had brought along some of my newest flig designs…without tails.  Some on a new stronger hook and others rigged with wires…like a whirly flig but without the little blades.  They both produced for all of us.  Best colors were blue-silver, pink-silver, and “pistachio”…chartreuse with red spots. 


            I got 5 or 6 fish…all over 20 inches…with two solid “2-footers”.  Obi brung in the biggest with a 25 incher.  Brookie had never fished for these cats before and got a few…remarking on how well they fought.  We all acknowledged that they definitely out-punched most silly trout…especially Strawberry cutties.


            Back at the ramp I provided the last entertainment of the day with my inelegant exit from the boat…ending up sprawled on the dock.  Old age, a day of getting up and down from the seat to take care of fish, rigging, etc. had wiped me out.  My left foot caught on the edge of the boat and I took a dive.  Only thing hurt was my pride.  But I couldn’t convince the other guys I was just practicing my moves so I could be in the ballet “Swine Lake”.
            Thanks Obi and Brookie for an enjoyable day on the water.  And also thanks for helping be get up after my failed ballet move.

Many years of fishing experience on that boat. I appreciate each one of you gentlemen for the help you have given me.