10-04-2010, 03:27 PM
After a couple successful troutling outings, figured I had built up enough Skunk-Resistance to challenge the mighty Willard once more. Got up Sunday and got out - at the crack of - 11:30 hit the water. Ok, so not an "early" morning start, but nice day. Very warm, sunny. Need to start checking thermometers, get more exact readings. Maybe even METRIC!
Messed around the marina, as usual - spotted up hoards of fish around the inlet, and as usual - didn't seem able to tempt them with anything. Tried a few patterns, but no takers.
Had catfish on the brain. That was my goal, hook up a Willard Kitty Cutter. Had some X's to check out, and went for it. Headed north from the south marina - hugging the coast, and trolling a walleye popper w/worm, and a 'dad colored rattle trap. Up to the end of the feedlot, rounding the bend- out from a group of trees, tried deeper water, then toward shore. All of a sudden the port board starts-a bouncing.... fish on! Managed to reel it, release the board, and - YES fish STILL on! Get 'er in, and net 'er up. YES first Willard catfish for the Coyote! He's a grinnin'!
Worked that area for a while - changed out the rattle trap for a minnow pattern. Tried dragging some new Joe's Flies behind a bobber - cross between a spinner/spoon and fly. Didn't get any takers, but have high hopes that they will produce- right time, right place.
Worked around the bend towards FreeWay Bay - and past the buoys got into some weed-patches near shore. Tossed a gulp leach, and got some hits. Was hoping to meet my first Willard Smallie - but instead discovered I was on to some bluegills. But they were just nipping the tail of the gulp, not suctioning the whole thing in, the way I wanted a bass to do. So - tossed a nip of worm on a hook/spinner harness. Bing- tug tug, fish on. Started boating some bluegills. Then - thought I'd got a small bass, only to discover a perch on board, another Willard first for me. Played in the weeds for a while, then decided I'd better troll home.
Spotted some surface activity, but it was gone before it really started. Spotted a few fish on the finder, but not a whole lot. As I got to the harbor - was seeing splashing in the sunset light. A small boat was towing a ski-boat into harbor, and beyond them was some serious leaping. Only having the electric, and juice about gone - no hope of chasing. Did spot a boat that noticed, and got on them. Dang!!!! So many fish, so little time.
Tinkered around the inlet again, just to be teased by all the spots on sonar, but no takes. As the wind started to pick up I loaded out - got word from a fellow angler, that after I'd left the 'zone' a few boils started up. One feller hit 4 wiper on a fly (right next to where I'd been! That MUST be fun!). I left the spot around 5pm. Note to self...
All in all a good day for me. Three new species for Willard. Got on fish - main goal, hooked up a good kitty. Couple pounds - 18", works. Now if I could just find a half dozen of his brothers and sisters! Time to fire up the smoker this afternoon. There be fish to fry!
Sad thing - got a new electric fillet knife, and dang it if I shouldna brought it with me to take advantage of the cleaning station. Got home to whipping winds and gusting rain, only to get hit by a power outage! So - back to the manual approach.
So for once, left Willard without the foul stench of skunk surrounding me! 3 new species from Willard. Maybe it's time to chase wipers again!
[signature]
Messed around the marina, as usual - spotted up hoards of fish around the inlet, and as usual - didn't seem able to tempt them with anything. Tried a few patterns, but no takers.
Had catfish on the brain. That was my goal, hook up a Willard Kitty Cutter. Had some X's to check out, and went for it. Headed north from the south marina - hugging the coast, and trolling a walleye popper w/worm, and a 'dad colored rattle trap. Up to the end of the feedlot, rounding the bend- out from a group of trees, tried deeper water, then toward shore. All of a sudden the port board starts-a bouncing.... fish on! Managed to reel it, release the board, and - YES fish STILL on! Get 'er in, and net 'er up. YES first Willard catfish for the Coyote! He's a grinnin'!
Worked that area for a while - changed out the rattle trap for a minnow pattern. Tried dragging some new Joe's Flies behind a bobber - cross between a spinner/spoon and fly. Didn't get any takers, but have high hopes that they will produce- right time, right place.
Worked around the bend towards FreeWay Bay - and past the buoys got into some weed-patches near shore. Tossed a gulp leach, and got some hits. Was hoping to meet my first Willard Smallie - but instead discovered I was on to some bluegills. But they were just nipping the tail of the gulp, not suctioning the whole thing in, the way I wanted a bass to do. So - tossed a nip of worm on a hook/spinner harness. Bing- tug tug, fish on. Started boating some bluegills. Then - thought I'd got a small bass, only to discover a perch on board, another Willard first for me. Played in the weeds for a while, then decided I'd better troll home.
Spotted some surface activity, but it was gone before it really started. Spotted a few fish on the finder, but not a whole lot. As I got to the harbor - was seeing splashing in the sunset light. A small boat was towing a ski-boat into harbor, and beyond them was some serious leaping. Only having the electric, and juice about gone - no hope of chasing. Did spot a boat that noticed, and got on them. Dang!!!! So many fish, so little time.
Tinkered around the inlet again, just to be teased by all the spots on sonar, but no takes. As the wind started to pick up I loaded out - got word from a fellow angler, that after I'd left the 'zone' a few boils started up. One feller hit 4 wiper on a fly (right next to where I'd been! That MUST be fun!). I left the spot around 5pm. Note to self...
All in all a good day for me. Three new species for Willard. Got on fish - main goal, hooked up a good kitty. Couple pounds - 18", works. Now if I could just find a half dozen of his brothers and sisters! Time to fire up the smoker this afternoon. There be fish to fry!
Sad thing - got a new electric fillet knife, and dang it if I shouldna brought it with me to take advantage of the cleaning station. Got home to whipping winds and gusting rain, only to get hit by a power outage! So - back to the manual approach.
So for once, left Willard without the foul stench of skunk surrounding me! 3 new species from Willard. Maybe it's time to chase wipers again!
[signature]
![[Image: happy.gif]](http://www.bigfishtackle.com/images/gforum/happy.gif)
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