Went to do give Rattlesnake a try with the amended rules allowing for retention of up to 5 fish per day. Selective gear rules still in effect of course. I got out my arrangement of single hook barbless lures and flies. Met up with some fellows from the fishing group. Hit the water nice and early but no fish. Some bites on a pink nymph but no hook ups. They just did not hit very hard. Saw lots of fishing jumping. I still give it a 2 star rating because it was a beautiful day on the lake. A bit windy which did cause problems but just to be there trees all around gorgeous! I have some good ideas of how to catch the fish next time. I also saw lots of dead fish and I saw one very skinny one near the boat launch that seemed near death, swimming about kind of aimlessly. I threw my fly at it but it did not even pay it any heed. Another fish near shore went after my fly but only chased it slightly. I agree the fish here are looking very unwell. Saw a dead fish floating too, thought it was a carp but the mouth was turned down. Are there really suckers in Rattlesnake? It sure looked like one. I worry about this lake maybe it is just over population but I do hope that this lake gets back in balance.

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