Man, I love it...

[Al Agnew]

My brother and I had been trying to get together to fish about all winter, but somehow he always had work to do when I could go.  So I called him Tuesday and told him I was fishing Friday (today) and to make it happen.  He did.

All night long last night, the wind howled.  I would wake up and listen to it.  I knew the forecast said today would be windy.  In fact, when you look on the weather website and instead of a cloudy or sunny symbol it has a wind symbol, you know it's gonna be windy.  But it was going to be warm and it had been in the 50s all night last night, so I figured the water temps would be warming nicely.

We ran about 8 miles up the river before stopping to fish at the one pool I wanted to fish the most.  Wow, it had changed.  Where there had been a gravel bar before the last flood, the water was 3 feet deep dropping off to 12 feet where the lower end of the gravel had been.  I'd caught fish in the winter off that gravel bar.  They were still there.  In fact, we would find out that there were fish everywhere we fished.  And every lure we tried worked.  With water temp in the high 40s, we started out with jerkbaits and caught fish.  We switched to jigs and caught fish.  I started fishing Mitch's Crawdad and caught fish.  Donnie tried a Sweet Beaver and caught fish.  Then a swimbait.  Then a crankbait.  Then a spinnerbait.  I went through a stretch using a tube where I got bites on 10 consecutive casts--but only boated two fish.  

We caught some in shallow water, some in deep water, some on rocks, some on logs, a couple even in fast water.  But...although we ended up catching more than 60 bass, nearly all smallmouth, not a one was over 16 inches.  You'd think that with the fish hitting that well, you'd eventually catch a big one.  But I'm not complaining.  How many days in mid-February are you going to simply catch fish all day in every spot that you think MIGHT hold a fish?  How many days in February are you going to be fishing in shirtsleeves?  And the fact that we had the river to ourselves was a little more icing on the cake.

My biggest of the day, a very fat 16 incher, was somewhat memorable.  I was using a crankbait, and the thing hit it like it was trying to kill it, exciting me so much that I set the hooks like I was killing snakes and jerked the rod right out of my hands.  It dropped on the deck of the boat and shot off toward the water, and I almost dived into the water after it, catching it by the handle just before it went into the drink.

I could do this stuff every day!

[Smalliebigs]

Wow those fish sounded like they were very active. I think it's  great you got your brother out after working so hard at it and then the fish eating  like that man that is  very special. Kudos to both of you. I almost  didn't  go with Mitch and Hog Wally yesterday and my wife at the last second saw how fustrated I was and pulled out of her plans so she could take our daughter  to school  and pick her up. The boys then put me on a very nice smallie so I'm thankful  I went. You could just tell the way the afternoon  was warming up yesterday that today was gonna be awesome.....it is something  to just catch bass like that in February, great job.

[Mitch f]

I guess what I'm amazed at, is that you had the river to yourself. 70 degrees in February usually the boat ramp is full! ?

[Smallieguy87]

That's an awesome report especially for this time of the year. I'd take average smallies all day long on a day like that and be just fine! I'm really digging these February fishing reports everyone is throwing out. I haven't got to go yet but I'm pumped to say the least! I'm living vicarious through all these trip reports until I can get out there and chase Some bronze myself!

[Al Agnew]

Maybe the wind scared some of the fishermen away.  There were a bunch of motorheads right above the access drag racing their boats, but we didn't encounter them until we were finished fishing.  And even they had come upriver from the next access downstream; we were still the only vehicle in the parking lot at the access we used.

The only thing I'm bummed about is that today (Saturday) is going to be even better weather-wise, but I KNOW the parking lots will be full today.  I'm even sitting here this morning scheming on where I could go in a canoe and avoid the motorheads.  I wish I had planned to go today with somebody who could help do a shuttle!

[Mitch f]

Just do it!!

[Smallieguy87]

32 minutes ago, Mitch f said:

Just do it!!

No joke! Seize the day my friend. 

[Smallieguy87]

And of course you have to come back with a detailed report. Pictures are always great. I'd be right there with ya if I didn't have to keep track of one ornery toddler lol 

[Hog Wally]

3 hours ago, Al Agnew said:

Maybe the wind scared some of the fishermen away.  There were a bunch of motorheads right above the access drag racing their boats, but we didn't encounter them until we were finished fishing.  And even they had come upriver from the next access downstream; we were still the only vehicle in the parking lot at the access we used.

The only thing I'm bummed about is that today (Saturday) is going to be even better weather-wise, but I KNOW the parking lots will be full today.  I'm even sitting here this morning scheming on where I could go in a canoe and avoid the motorheads.  I wish I had planned to go today with somebody who could help do a shuttle!

I can shuttle you like plum ford.  

[Al Agnew]

Well, I ended up throwing the canoe on the car and heading to a private access that I have permission to use on upper Big River.  Report on the Big River board.