Man, It Was Cold - Not

Like everyone else across the country, we've been cold. I, on the other have been cold and had a cold at the same time. My cold is gone, but the other cold is still here.

I heard a rumor (I hear a lot of these) that they stocked Lake Camanche on New Years Eve. North Shore, South Shore, and the Trout Pond. That would make today the perfect day (Stocking + 2 days) for me to hit North Shore.

But, it's been cold. Twenty -Seven (27) degrees this morning when I left, but I was ready. I had my parka in the truck. I had my gloves I wear when snow blowing. I had hand warmers, I had hot coffee (from Starbucks). I had lemon pound cake (what does that have to do with keeping warm?). I had ear muffs. I was ready, bring on the cold.

I got to the lake just after 9:00. The sun was shining, there was no wind, it was pretty nice actually.

All I had on was my hoodie and my pair of Eddie Bower fingerless gloves. Didn't need anything else.

The spot I picked wasn't very deep in fact I figure 4 to 5 at 75 feet or so. I shortened my leader to 12" and out went two lines of rainbow Power Bait a little over 25 feet from shore. That was where they were the last time. OK, so how did I know it was 4 to 5 at 75 feet? Never mind, you know how.

I sat for a couple hours and as neighbors came and went, nothing.

My spot for the day

That far from the truck

I reeled in one line and had something on. It felt like a 10 pound fish although there was little fight. When I got it to shore, it was a plastic ice bag filled with water. Pigs. 

Can't even find a trash can or take it with them.

Around 11:00 I reeled in one line and with my little Okuma started tossing a 1/4 oz. pink Kastmaster. Right away I got a bump. Then a second bump, but no hookup. So I did the most logical thing and changed to a 1/8th oz. pink Kastmaster. Only took two casts and the fish was on. A 1 lb. 14 oz Rainbow on 2 lb. test line. Cool.

Since I didn't bring any lunch, I planned to leave around Noon, but just before, my neighbor (to the left) saw a fish jump right where my line was. A good indication that I had a fish on one of my Power Bait rods since the line went straight. This one came in at 1 lb. 15 oz. 

1'14" on the left, 1'15" on the right.

A couple nice Mt. Lassen Hatchery Trout to start 2015. The Mt. Lassen Hatchery Trout are a little different from the ones that the DFW stock as they have usual Rainbow markings and a bunch a speckles (black spots) on them. A very pretty fish. The picture below is so you can see what they look like. Also they have orange meat similar in color to Salmon.

Disclaimer: I did not catch the fish in the picture below. Would have been nice if I had.

A Mount Lassen Rainbow

 Around 1:30 I called it a day. I was OK with those two. 

My neighbor John  and his wife are having a nice fish dinner tonight.