It's Getting Cold Upcountry

The wife had to be at work at 0700 this morning so it gave me an opportunity to head out early. I was on the road at 0630 and wizzed by Cooks Station even before they were open, so no coffee. Can you see the sign of doom coming? 

Got to Upper Blue Lakes right around 0800 and at the 8100 foot elevation, it was just below 30 degrees. Set out two rods with rainbow Power Bait, opened two chemical hand warmers, put on my fleece lined gloves and shoved the hand warmers inside. Sat there from 0800 to 0900 waiting for the sun to hit the water without a bite.  

Once the sun was on the water I started to get small nibbles, but couldn't get one to stay on. Then the wind started blowing. Once that started, the bites got harder and I started bringing fish to hand.

Ha, thought this was going to be a skunking because of no coffee, huh. Nope, I caught 4 and put them on a stringer for Bob and the 5th one was only about 8 inches so I gently put him back for another day. When the wind stopped so did the bites. By this time it was 1100 and I wanted to be home in time to watch the Giants game (on at 2:30pm), but before the drive down the hill, I wanted to hit, yes you guessed it, Red Lake.

Fog on the lake caused by the air being colder than the water

At times the water was smooth as glass, so I took this shot to show the reflection of the mountain.

A reflection shot

OK, I thought it was cool.

Back on the road and off to Red Lake still in search of those elusive Brook Trout. There is a sign at the lake that talks about native Brook Trout being in the lake, but I think the Lahontan Cutthroat is taking over.

I got my little Okuma and a 1/4 oz. silver Kastmaster and walked to where I normally fish on the dam. I started a fan pattern and at 10:00 o'clock I hooked and brought to hand a Cutt in the 12 inch range. Hook removed and put back for another day. After another couple of "fans" with the silver and a gold Kastmaster, I walked over toward the point where I fished last time. I had brand new silver and gold 1/16th Kastmasters that just begged to be used over there. On the way I stopped and talked to a couple fishing and as is this gabby person that I am, I spent the rest of the time talking with them rather than fishing. By the way, they had a couple of Cutts on their stringer with one going a good 13 inches.

That's it for today. A good 6 fish day and with no coffee stop. So much for superstitions.

Mark