Got to the lake around 11am and launched my 11' inflatable for some early season trolling fun. Figured the planters would be settled in and ready to play, so I rigged a bright pink flatfish tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler and set out for the cove opposite the launch. Lots of bumps in the first hour, but only managed one hook-up. The sun was bright, sky was blue, and other than some breeze, conditions were near perfect. I think there were maybe 3 or 4 other tubes/boats out.

The wind was on and off, giving me grief whenever it was time to re-rig, plus making it hard to stay on course, so I moved into the far end shallows and switched to drifting with a worm in calmer waters. Caught and released several more decent, feisty stockers. Wolfed down my lunch around 3 and decided to start heading back to the launch. Wind was becoming very steady and annoying.

Rigged up the flatfish and last bit of crawler to troll my way back, going with the wind, but getting blown every which way. Finally got a firm hook-up and stood up (bad choice) to begin retrieving ... and promptly lost my balance and fell overboard. Had to hang onto the prop shaft and steer over to a dock with a ladder so I could get back in, dripping wet.

There were the usual group of anglers at the dock, and when I pulled ashore to leave at about 4pm, there were quite a few small boats and tubes being launched. I felt bad for them, as the wind was really kicking at that point, and the sun was quickly being swallowed by clouds.

Overall, it was not really crowded at all. The fish are very active, although less so at the surface, and very plentiful. This is a fun lake to fish this time of year.