Guide Trip, May 17

[Phil Lilley]

I thought about waiting and reporting today's trip in my next fishing report, which I may write tomorrow, but I thought no, I better at least post something for the guys fishing tomorrow. Hope this helps...

I had a couple of guys from CA today for a 6 hour trip set up by Bill Babler. My first paid trip of the year... I thought they were going to ask me to take them back to the dock when I told them that. They thought they drew a rookie.

I always fret over guide trips. I worry I can't get them in fish, that they might not be able to catch fish although they're biting- whatever. I just get all up tight. I guess it's the money thing.

Picked them up at the Landing and headed up. I rigged up 4 7-foot spinning rods with a jig and float, using 6x tippet, an olive micro jig and a Zebra Midge below it. I was ready. But when I picked them up, I thought may be they were experienced fishermen and could handle a bit more than watching a float. I asked and they confirmed my gut feeling so I stopped at the dock and picked up 3 6-foot spinning rods for throwing a jig straight.

I planned on going all the way to the cable. I boated to Lookout and saw the water was very, very low although they were running some water. I went for it, buzzing up through to Trophy Run, the boat ramp and to Big Hole. No problem. But Rebar looked too tough, too shallow so we started there and drifted down past Trophy Run.

Curt caught some nice rainbows including 3 pushing 19 inches. But Ken was having trouble with slack although he did catch fish.

Second time up I saw where Brett Rader had made his way through Rebar and to the cable so I said, "I can get up there if he can!" And I did.

First time down, Curt again nailed some nice rainbows and Ken caught a couple. I knew I had to do something so I tied on a while 1/50th ounce white jig on the 7-foot rod with the float and threw it out. Float was down almost immediately- it was on! Ken caught up in number and size, landing the biggest rainbow of the day- about 20 inches. Of course Curt started throwing a white jig and float and did very well too.

These fish weren't just long- that were thick and fat and full of color.

Long story cut short- we fished till 2 p.m.. They caught in access of 90 trout, one brown landed about 15 inches, one brown lost about 24 inches (below boat ramp) but at least 20 of the rainbows caught were over 17 inches.

What I saw in the water though is the story here. I saw dozens and dozens of rainbows in the 17-19 inch range from the cable down to Trophy Run. The upper lake at least is lousy with trophy rainbows, thick shoulders and colored up.

And they like white!

Quite a few guys fishing from the bank, wading out as far as they could. Hear me! Fish a white jig under a float! You don't have to get it out that far to catch good fish! Spin fishermen, throw an 1/8th ounce jig and work it back.

I don't know if these fish are still seeing shad. All I know they are keying in on white and fat as pigs.

They took some pics with their phones which they're supposed to text me. I'll probably post them with my next fishing report.

[Quillback]

That sounds like fun, catching big rainbows on light gear.

[Mitch f]

Phil, do you have a jet prop?

[Phil Lilley]

No. Grizzley with a 115 prop. It drafts pretty shallow even when idling. A jet wouldn't have any issues getting up there but both Brett and I have props.