Fishing Can Be Dangerous

Since Yuki and I got blown off New Melones last Friday we decided to do another day of yaking. Our initial plan was to got out to Lake Pardee, but I've not seen any comments on the local forums. Not just recently, but almost since opening day February 15th. That turned me off on Pardee so I suggested the North Shore of Lake Camanche.

The plan was to launch and head out to the buoy area hoping to trawl in some deeper water. The more the lake fills (and it is still filling) the less land available to fish on and as the water rises, the shallow water at the shore goes out further making it even harder to get to deeper water.

I want to mention that I had an epiphany the other night as we were planning this trip. I know that it is essential to get the lure down deep in these lakes and since I don't use downriggers, I thought I'd use a slip sinker rig with a 1/4 oz. egg sinker and snap swivel on the end of three feet of 4# fluorocarbon leader. Then put on the lure. Necessity is the mother of invention, they say. 

I was on the water first in the yellow kayak I used last week and since Yuki was doing some rigging, launched about 15 minutes later. In that 15 minutes, I had gotten most of the way to the island that is maybe a quarter to a half mile from launch. I pulled a Thomas Buoyant lure with a chartreuse Power Worm on one rod and the pink Kastmaster on the other.

I made it to the island and put on a gold Kastmaster on one and one of the lures from Howard up in Spokane. I got all the way across and into the bay where we usually fish, make a 180 and with a silver Kastmaster on one rod and a different colored lure from Howard, started back across.

Once I got back to the island, I put a white crappie jig and worked a grassy area and some trees in the water. I thought maybe I'd get a crappie to take notice. The trout sure weren't. On the way back toward launch, this time I put on a red/white crappie jig and a pink Power Worm on one rod and a firetiger Kastmaster on the other.

Again a 180 at the cove and this time with the pink Kastmaster on one and silver on the other I headed back across.    

We've parked behind this bush to fish

I've parked directly to the right of this buoy

Now, before I get to the next part of this post, I want to give you a closeup of the two kayaks we were using.

I used this one

Yuki used this one

Two things to note about the kayak Yuki was using. One, it's an ocean going kayak. Two, it's a mighty narrow kayak.

I was heading back across and was about half way when I saw Yuki flip his kayak. I was about 200 yards from him and as soon as I saw what happened, I immediately dug in the paddle and headed in his direction.

I told Yuki I wouldn't embarrass him with all the gory details so let me say that I got to him, got him to shallow water where he could stand and got him back into the kayak. From there I towed it back to launch so he could get some dry clothes and warm up. Water temperature was probably high 40's and I was worried about hypothermia.

I went back out to collect his stuff that was scattered from where he flipped to about 200 yards toward launch. The wind, you know. We only lost two things. A rod that didn't float and the paddle that I just couldn't find.

All in all, Yuki is fine although a little worse for wear. It did bring the day of fishing to a screeching halt, though. Oh, by the way, anyone want to buy a blue kayak? I know where you can get a good deal on one.

Mark