My Son, Ken, called and wanted to buy me breakfast this morning. We "treat" each other to breakfast for our birthdays and a lot of other times during the year. I didn't want to say anything, but mine was last month and he forgot. Some groveling being done here. Not really, we're just busy.
After breakfast I took a run down to the American River. Wanted to see if I could scare up that big Striper I missed last year. This past Summer I mentioned the river was running at 4929cfs while I was fishing for Shad. We won't count the time it was 6706cfs. Today the river was at 1779 cfs. That's really slow for such a big river. Hardly any movement at all, as you can see from the picture below.
I took my 7' Ugly Stik and used a Silver Shad Rat-L-Trap. The frustration came with each cast. The flow was so low, that every time I reeled in, there was green stuff hanging from the lure. No Striper in his right mind would touch anything that looked like that. I switched to a Zara Spook and tried that for a while, but at that time of day nothing is going to hit the surface.
So instead of fishing, I went to the eye doctor and fetched my new sunglasses. Now maybe (with my current prescription) I can see the hook eye and be able to put the line through it. Maybe.
Labor day weekend is upon us and I, for one, stay home. No need to fight the crowds. Rumor has it that Chrome is in the American. I think my wife has to go to work really early Wednesday. Think I'll be on the river at daybreak.
Till next time, remember: Fish DO NOT like green slime on your lure.
Mark (Shoreman)
Alleast you got out there. I would suggest to bag the trap till the temps drop a little. Dont get me wrong, they catch the hell out fish but it sounds like the river is running a little skinny and soft. Try throwing some flukes right now. I like the natrual colors and fish em fast. Dont let them get a good look it. You want them to jump it. I love that area and have had some good days on very nice stripers in that very same stretch. Its not a gimme Striper fishery and the resident fish see plenty all year. Right now, you need to be on the water in the dark early am. It can be the difference between a couple of grabs and none. Keep at it!
ReplyDeleteI can feel the disappointment on many levels in your words but know your determination will not fade. Next time my friend. You will slay them!
ReplyDeleteTry and try again. I believe we are alike in that you are a total fishing nut who gets out as much as possible. I am at 52 outings this year to date. Yesterday was a skunk for me in the Vermillion and the Cannon yet I knew my odds would be low. Chrome already? Sounds like so many opportunities in northern CA that I never knew about!
ReplyDeleteGreen slime and bait do not make good fish food.
ReplyDeleteIt's all in the sunglasses. Next time on the water, look out! (no pun intended)
ReplyDeleteThe frustration in fishing is something that occurs all over the world.
ReplyDeletePeople see many pictures of captures in ours blogs... and it seems that every day we go, we fish. But that is not so ... and you know, many days we not touched a fish.
Bye
Carlos