Got a late start....hit the water about noon. Nicest day we have had in awhile so getting out was more the objective than loading the stringer. Put a Doc Sprately on about 30" from a small orange/red dodger using a 1 oz. weight on a sinker slide. Of course, since the emphasis was enjoying the day and not necessarily catching, I killed 'em! trolled about 1.5 mph and didn't get 100 yards from the ramp before the first one was on...11" and stout so it was kept. 20 minutes later....still on the South end of the lake, #2. As soon as I took the pole from the holder, I could tell it was a better fish....came in just a hair over 18" and I was pumped! Beautiful and thick. Caught one more sub-12" fish and finished with 2 more over 17". What a great day....and it only lasted 2.5 hours! I was limited out with the best group of fish I have landed locally in the last 3 years. Man, I hope it wasn't a fluke! Nothing better than a great day on the water after only traveling a mile and a half to get there.

Don't discount mid-day fishing. I was very disappointed that I was not on the water early in the morning when I arrived at noon. By the time I left, I was ecstatic about being there "late". I did not see any other fish taken and had some conversation at the ramp with a couple of unsuccessful fisherman who had given a "half-hearted" effort since their focus was more about preparing their boat for the season than serious fishing. Could be I was so absorbed in my own good luck that I just missed them. Either way, I look forward to getting back over there and proving that the day was not a "one and done" day....17-18 inch trout can certainly motivate! Good luck and tight lines.

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