Short report and no pictures.

Slipped the boat in the water at Seven Bays and headed for Lincoln at 12:40. First fish in the boat at 12:55, then a double that became a single, then the bite went away. Winds were blowing opposite direction yesterday (and very cold), so we drift trolled from Lincoln down to almost Sterling Point 3 times, and had 4 in the cooler when my lab decided it was time for a shore break, so I pulled gear and headed for Sterling Point at 2:30. Following the shore break, we decided to motor downstream as we hadn't been there for a while. We got the gear back in the water just before 3pm and put another in the cooler within 15 mins. Reset and hit a short dry spell, then everything was crazy hectic for about 20mins or so. The bite stopped, literally, at 4pm, just like flipping a switch. We trolled on for another 20 minutes, but were losing light fast, so brought the gear in and headed for Seven Bays with only 8 in the cooler.

We had several hard rod dancing take downs only to see them come unstuck before we could even get out of the cabin. The plugs were hit, several times, but didn't produce a single fish in the cooler. Everything came on the flies, which were a Kekeda orange fly and a Frisky Jenny Trick R Treat and the Kekeda outfished the Frisky Jenny, putting 5 of 8 in the cooler. Have no explanation for the drive bys yesterday, and variations in speed and method, didn't seem to matter.

Talked with another boater who pulled in just after we did and they had 4 for their efforts. Maybe it was just an off day.

Water surface temps were 40.8 - 41.1, trolling speeds were 2.8 - 3.2mph and I even tried slow trolling at less than 2mph, but it didn't seem to matter. For gear, bait, tactics used see my last report. :-)

Ol'Yeller

1/2/2014 6:46:00 AM

Still Sounds like a good day. Is the dogs name Shadow. We get lines in water, Shadow is ready for land.

downriggeral

1/2/2014 10:10:00 AM

Glad to hear you had a pretty good day even though you had to work for it. Seems like that's the way of it sometimes. What a great way to start 2014! Did you get any of the bigger ones in the mix?

I'll be going down on Saturday and will post how it went. - Alan

Stephenr

1/2/2014 11:08:00 AM

Where can I buy Kekeda flies?

DEADDOG500

1/2/2014 1:38:00 PM

I know what you mean by 'drive by' hits. We have been getting allot of that. How can you short strike a Rapala? Hard strikes that just let go...

Kekedatackleco

1/2/2014 1:39:00 PM

I'm glad the orange Kekeda worked out well for you. It has been a killer for us this year and the end of last year's winter season. Sounds like an off day for everyone. Exactly what I was talking about in my last post, just when you think you're guaranteed a limit the lake decides differently. I'm sure it was still an enjoyable trip. Thanks for the report.

Alan- I sent those flies out today so hopefully they get there tomorrow so you can give them a try. Good luck! I'll be posting Sunday night as well.

hewesfisher

1/2/2014 3:51:00 PM

My Lab's name is Amber, and she's a good boater, but at 9yrs can't stay on board as long as she used to. I don't mind, campgrounds with docks are always close by.

DeadDog - Exactly what I was saying yesterday, how can a trout grab a Rip'n Minnow, peel drag for 15 or 20 seconds and NOT stick? All I could do was shake my head.

Alan we had several nice ones pushing 18". They are so wide and thick, it's really something. I think this year's net pen fish will be in the 20" range by March.

Two shy of a two person limit is still a good day! Good luck this weekend guys, I'll be watching for your reports. :-)

Lundegard

1/2/2014 9:56:00 PM

Small trebles and small split rings (or no split rings) tear holes in the trout's mouth, especially at 2-2.5 mph, plus mach whatever the trout is swimming at! Any slack then allows the hook to pop right out. Trokar trebles will cure this. Get Extra wide gap 3x strong, and get one size larger than what the mfr. supplies. Hang them with Bass Pro's oval split rings and I would bet your drive-by's will be greatly reduced, if not eliminated. Sure helped us.

hewesfisher

1/3/2014 6:23:00 AM

Good tip Lundegard! I'm using Owner hooks and bought some #8 Gamakatsu's with a wider gap yesterday. Will have to try them and see how they work. I'll check in to the Trokars and oval rings. Good fishing to you! :-)

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