Friday Floatilla at Da Knolls 7/31/09

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]TubeBabe and I met up with LloydE, Wildcat94 and Roghet (and son Conner) down at the Knolls this morning for some kitty ketchin'. Actually, the first four of us launched our tubes and toon (WC94) about 6:30, and Roghet brought his boat around from the Pelican Bay Marina a while later.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Warm, calm and clear at launch. Water temp 75, warming to 79 by day's end. Kinda murky water, after the big blow last night. Also a green algae bloom in ribbons on the water. Yugly.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]WC94 scored first, with the first of many cookie cutter kitties for the day. I was right behind him with a couple more. As the day progressed, and we were all catching only cookies I wondered if we made a wrong turn and had ended up at Willard.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Finally, late in the morning, TubeBabe hit high C and announced over the walkie talkie that she had just landed a biggun. Turned out to be a 26 inch daddy cat. We almost always release them since they are in the minority and they also are thinner with less smokeable flesh. TubeBabe posed for her picture, gave the ugly ol' cat a smooch and set it free.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Not long afterward I had an "inquiry" that was not the usual cookie cutter whack. I set the hook in something that didn't want to join me in my tube. Several runs and turnarounds in the tube later I netted my only 2-footer...24.5 inches and 6.5#. Then, within only about 15 minutes more, I boinked a smaller 22 incher. It began to look like I was going to fill my smoker anyhooters. But nooooooo. That was it. A few more cookies and the major bite of the day was pretty much over. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]WC94 took top rod honors with about 14 cookies. I was close behind with about a dozen total, including my two larger fish. TubeBabe caught more than a limit but released the big daddy and several smaller ones. Still ended up with a nice basket of cookies.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Lloyd caught one. But that is one fish better than smelling skunk. Poor Roger and Conner. They kept their boat right in amongst us but blanked big time. Might be something to this tubing thing. IMHO it is definitely more fun to rassle a kitty from right there in the water with him.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Only had a little breeze off and on. But, wouldn't ya know it. The ideal conditions for where we fish are for easterly breezes in the morning to blow us down to the Knolls...and then westerly breezes later to bring us back. That was the "FORECAST". Yeah, right. Had to kick back against a brisk easterly breeze. Figures.[/#0000ff]
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[Stickfigurefrank]

Just got a tube off of KSL... bought it and wouldnt you know it it has a tear (tiny 1 inch) in the bottom. I would have joined you otherwise.Any advice to fix the tiny tear in that vinyl? Looks like you guys had a good time. I cant wait to get a tube all rigged up like you and babe
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Bring the tube with you when you come over on Monday. Might be able to fix it with Aquaseal. I have a partial tube of it.[/#0000ff]
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[Stickfigurefrank]

Not sure if that'll do it. Its the vinyl cover that goes around the tube(truck tube) that has the tear. I will see about having a patch put in, but I will bring it with me.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I also have a repair kit with some patches of heavy PVC for fixing damaged covers.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Been there, done that.[/#0000ff]
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[Stickfigurefrank]

Cool, your hellp is always appreciated
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[4_luv_of_fishin]

When are you doing another trip to the knolls? I would like to join next time even if my boat is now just a trolling boat...Main engine is pretty messed up..
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[catfish-logic]

How old do you have to be to smoke catfish in Utah?
I know I'm old enough—37—to smoke catfish. I hope because I want to buy a smoker someday[laugh]
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[TubeDude]

[quote 4_luv_of_fishin]When are you doing another trip to the knolls? I would like to join next time even if my boat is now just a trolling boat...Main engine is pretty messed up..[/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]No definite plans. Will probably hit Lincoln Beach on our next Utah Lake trip. And that will likely be at least a couple of weeks. Stay in touch and/or watch the Float Tubing board. We do not make a general announcement on the Utah Board but usually welcome anybody who wants to show up.[/#0000ff]
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[TubeDude]

[quote catfish-logic]How old do you have to be to smoke catfish in Utah?
I know I'm old enough—37—to smoke catfish. I hope because I want to buy a smoker someday[laugh][/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]Since the FDA has not found harmful or addictive substances in smoked catfish, there are no restrictions. True, they can be "habit forming", but no age requirements.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The two main considerations when smoking catfish are:[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]1. Where do you find papers that big?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]2. Which end do you light?[/#0000ff]
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[Roghet]

It is yet again proven that TubeDudes formidable skill is no match for my bad luck! [] However, it's always a privilege to suck up all the skunk luck away from other fishermen! Though I wouldn't call it a pleasure. [img]../../../images/gforum/laugh.gif[/img]

Funny that you'd mention it TD, but I did find myself thinking the same thing, that for this type of fishing, and the changing wind conditions - those tubes had some definite advantages over my larger vessel.

It is quite probable that I missed inquiries while I was navigating, or adjusting the anchor, or asking my son "What the heck was that partially garbled thing he said on the walkie talkie Conner?" [laugh] I was grateful for every piece of assistance though - and especially the debriefing at the cleaning station. With the other, admittedly few, channel kitties I've caught, there was no mistake when they were on the line and not much finesse was needed like there was this time. The trip provided a few baby more steps in understanding a few more tactics and exposing the gaps in my "fishing system" that are large enough for the Titanic to float thru! [cool]

And thanks to Wildcat94 for letting us lower his limit so he could keep fishing and I could have a few kitties at the BBQ. Yummy! []

Roghet
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Glad that you and #1 son could join us. Sorry you did not share in the catching. But, I am guessing that there were some object lessons gained that could not have been communicated by words alone.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I fish almost exclusively from float tubes for several reasons...all by choice. I have owned boats and fished from many others. I readily acknowledge that for many kinds of fishing boats are the best way of getting the job done. They can go further, faster and can hold more gear and people. But, when it comes to simple, hands free fishing...and my style of "finesse" fishing...it is difficult to do as well when operating and controlling a boat.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We really do need to get you guys out in a tube. I know you would both enjoy it and the personal freedoms it provides. Also, Conner might be able to fish far enough away from you to minimize the skunk factor. He is a fine young man and deserves the opportunity to experience some decent fishing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Sorry Roger. Nothing personal. But I can't help believe that you had a part in inflicting my first personal skunk in several years of fishing...that day at Jordanelle...ice fishing. If I had taken my tube and stayed further away from you on the ice, it might have had a far different outcome.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Yeah, I know. I'm bad.[/#0000ff]
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[Roghet]

[#0000ff]Sorry Roger. Nothing personal. But I can't help believe that you had a part in inflicting my first personal skunk in several years of fishing...that day at Jordanelle...ice fishing. If I had taken my tube and stayed further away from you on the ice, it might have had a far different outcome.[/#0000ff]

[#0000ff]Yeah, I know. I'm bad.[/#0000ff]
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Chuckle... Yeah, you're terrible alright, [:p] but again at this point in time you are no match for my vast influences while in my studies of ichthyology. [sly] However, I have to give you credit because a lesser fellow wouldn't admit that fateful day - cuz I surely haven't ever brought it up. [angelic] I can tell you are the type to take on a challenge tho - or that would have been the LAST time our poles shared the same water. []

However, I suggest that the more we go out, perhaps you can build up your immunity - and increase your fish count! [cool]

I strive to be an example to my son. If I end up doing everything wrong, then he's sharp enough to eventually figure out how to do it right!! [fishin]

Rog
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[4_luv_of_fishin]

Well its a long troll for an electric from saratoga to lincon so hopefully I can get the boat fixed by then..?
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