spadam98
5/25/2008 7:57:00 AMThere are lots of lakes to choose from. Like Silver, Clear,Elioka,Diamond,Davis,Loon,Deer,and my favorite being Jump Off Joe I've pulled lots of 3 to 4 pound fish and one 5 pouder out of there this year. Also Liberty and Newman are good to.
dluders
5/25/2008 8:36:00 AMI haven't fished Chapman Lake since about 1989. At the time, a "salt-and-pepper" smoke-colored plastic grub bounced down along the rocks would pick up SMALLMOUTH bass, especially at the north end of the lake. I agree that Chapman has a rural charm to it, but fishing then wasn't that great either.
Eloika Lake has some largemouths in it. I had the best largemouth fishing day in my life throwing a plastic worm right ON THE GRASS of the north banks, and dragging the worm down into the water where largemouths were holding tight next to the banks. There are lots of lily pads in the south end of Eloika, but you'll have to use heavier line to wrestle bass out of that cover.
Eloika Lake has some largemouths in it. I had the best largemouth fishing day in my life throwing a plastic worm right ON THE GRASS of the north banks, and dragging the worm down into the water where largemouths were holding tight next to the banks. There are lots of lily pads in the south end of Eloika, but you'll have to use heavier line to wrestle bass out of that cover.
Bob M
5/25/2008 8:46:00 AMDon't sell Downs Lake short.Check the weather and on a calm day try Downs again. Tons of bass were hitting spinner baits during pre spawn, now they are nesting try lizards or anything that they don't want in their nesting area(fish them slow). In a few weeks when the water warms and spawning is mostly over throw buzz bait, poppers,and perch pattern rapalas. Late summer when the weed bed fill in around the shorelines try scum frogs and rats. throw them on top the weeds and twitch them back to you. With this method most fish are never hooked because when you see the weed bed explode from underneath most people jerk before the fish has the bait. Also July and Aug. the perch fishing at Downs is unbelievable. When you get to the resort if the flag is straight out that is perfect time to get to know the resort locals, they all know the lake and will share tips.
Rack
5/25/2008 4:44:00 PMGood stuff, Bob! I reported on Downs last week and I chalked up my bad day to the high winds. I definitely plan on going back - just not when the wind's blowing. Great tips, though. Thank you!