I had a couple of hours to hit one of the lakes this morning and with Caples Lake (Elevation 7806) in mind I headed up the hill. I stopped (This should not be a surprise to you any more.) at Cooks for coffee and in talking to the people was reminded that this is the weekend for the Bear River Reservoir's spring (if you can call 100 degrees spring) fishing derby. Oooh that means they stocked the lake.
Now, a smart person would go HIGH because of the heat, so being the smart person I am, I went to Bear River (Elevation 5850). OK, so I'm not so smart.
I got there at 0830 and with the place packed to capacity I wandered down to the spot I usually fish. Why there was nobody there I have no clue.
One rod out with rainbow Power Bait and a little sweet corn bait scent (might as well just go for the throat) and a gold Kastmaster on the little Okuma, I went to work.
Here's what happened, nothing. Nothing on the Power Bait, nothing on the Kastmaster. OK, change of plans. One rod with plain rainbow Power Bait and a rainbow pink Kastmaster on the other.
The first fish to come to hand was a nice 11 inch stocker on the Power Bait. Nothing I'd consider a derby winning fish. Second fish was a small 8 incher on the pink Kastmaster. The third and fourth fish I'm not even going to mention because they were so small they make the ones from Cat Creek look like lunkers. Oh, they came on a night crawler under a bobber. Couldn't figure out why the bobber kept dipping and I couldn't hook one. Now I know why, the hook was too big. Once I switched from a size 6 to a size 10 the two little ones I'm not going to mentioned came to hand.
While I was fiddling with the first fish one of the guys over on the dam had apparently hooked a good sized one, but couldn't get it up to the top. Guys should look into a pier net if they plan to continue fishing off the dam when the water is down where it was today.
When the lake is full, the water is up to the dark line. |
Another across the lake shot. |
In the picture below you can see the obstacle the guys on the dam were working with. You can also see how easy it would be to net a fish with a pier net. That's not the reason I took this picture though. I took it for two reasons. One, while the guy with the fish held it against the dam (and it must have been a pretty good sized one) while one of the other guys walked down the front of the dam holding a rope and brought the fish back to the top. I missed that action, but I did ask them if they would do it again so I could take a picture. Wonder why they laughed so hard?
The second reason I took the picture was the gentleman next to me said that was where the beer was. Had I been a consumer of adult beverages, I just might have joined them up top.
This is where the beer was. |
Mark
Mark
ReplyDeleteThat weather there is crazy, it should be those temps here, today it was 78---nice. I think I have ask you before, but have you fished this lake using a boat?
I've never fished it from a boat although I have cruised around in the Float Tube Cumberland a time or two. Those I know who fish it from a boat are mixed. Some do well, others not so well.
DeleteThose temps are rough for man and fish.
ReplyDeleteWe have cool and rainy weather, 4 inches expected.
Hi Alan. We could use a little water out here. It's getting very dry and with each passing day the fire danger increases.
DeleteMark are you telling me that those guys on top catch fish and then drag it up the cement face of the dam?
ReplyDeleteIf they are small. If they are large enough they drag them to the shore and someone walks down and fetches it or in the case of that one guy, repels down and brings it up.
DeleteIn any event, Mark, I am thinking along with you that a net would be much more preferable than repelling down the cement dam face. Good thing they are just Stockers. For your part, at least you didn't take the smell of "SkunK' home with you.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you started out with the right idea, Caples is always a safe bet from the highway, especially since 60,000 lbs were planted that day. If you don't mind trading size for a 10 fish limit of brookies, you might bring your #14 hooks to the forestdale divide.
ReplyDeleteHi Nickolas. Haven't seen you comment before so welcome. I'll probably head up to Caples this week since it won't be blasting hot. I'd love to hit the forestdale divide, but physical limitations keep me close to the road. A 10 mile hike (even 5 miles with the road out of Red Lake) is out of my reach, but thanks for the info.
DeleteGood Report Mark! I must say, I would have made my way to the dam for the beer! haha This weather has been bad! Last friday was about 100 and I went to the local slough here and did okay. Thank God for shade and cold water!
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