3/11/18 Fishing Report

[Ham]

The Tragical History Tour continues. 

I committed to working a 1/2 day on Sunday to help my coworkers out, but wanted to fish in the afternoon. I knew Saturday was going to be the better weather, but I wanted to spend the day with my Wife on Saturday. 

So, I looked at my Sunday options. Beaver Creek, Swan Creek, NFOW for White Bass or Norfork River for trout. 

Given the predicted wind, I opted for trout boat over yak and decided on Tecumseh. I like that area and I reasoned that it would fish smaller and I could find the fish easier.

somewhere in all this I touched base with Les and he decided to join me. I’m sure that seemed like a good idea to him at the time. 

Best laid plans and all that. The park at Tecumseh is heavily damaged. The road to the ramp and the boat ramp itself are destroyed. Toast. Gone. Maybe I knew that and forgot, but regardless now I’m scrambling to find another boat ramp and communicate the new rally point to Les. 

We ended up getting boat in the water at Liner Creek Off Hwy T. Ok for smaller boats, but I’m not launching my BassCat there ever. Also, it is low ground. Look carefully at Norfork water level. I’d bet the ramp area is under water at 554 maybe less. 

So, I caught small LMB casting from shore while waiting for Les. Really small fish, but encouraging none the less. 

That part of the lake is wide open ground and was very wind swept. I really enjoyed running into the teeth of the wind and bouncing across white caps in the Supreme. The windswept boat spray was very refreshing. 

We hop scotched our way up towards the Hwy 160 Bridge, but due to time and fuel concerns (unwarentted) I shut the boat down about a mile downstream from bridge. 

Les had caught a few smaller bass on Ned on the way up. I had caught a few more on small swimbaits, but the search for white bass was still continuing. 

Wind really limited the touchy, feely options. I have no clue how Les felt anything on Ned. I was cycling through my preferred White Bass options, but kept coming back to the swimbait. I missed several jarring strikes on a Road Runner that I know were White Bass, but I never caught a fish on anything except small swimbaits. 

We finally started catching a few White Bass. They wanted the bait very close to bottom in fairly shallow water, but we never caught a sow so maybe the females were being closed mouthed in deeper water. We did Fish deeper with a variety of baits and never got a bite. 

We did see ppl trolling crankbaits catchingrd a few fish in the channel swing pools. Those fish did not seem to be better than what we caught and well I mean, it’s trolling. 

I did get a bonus walleye on the swimbait. 17 7/8 inches long. First Wally of the year for me. 

The catching continued. We found a stretch that was relatively “loaded” with fish and fished that hard until we had to scoot for the ramp to beat darkness.

I had been uncomfortably cold for hours. Les never complained. I whined. A lot. 

 I wish I had taken pictures of Les and myself. We looked like Eastern European hobos with all the layering of cold weather gear. I appreciate Les going with me, but it does make me question his judgement. 

I finished up with 29 Fish brought to hand. Spring is coming along. 

 

 

This post has been promoted to an article

[BilletHead]

           Good report Ham,

  Fishing with friends and catching, That was a good day for both of you!

  BilletHead

[Dewayne French]

I was going to write up my report for Norfork Sunday late afternoon, but it is pretty Identical to yours.  I was in the older blue basscat I saw you around Bridges crk.  Me and my girl friend was out for a fun afternoon of catching whites and walleyes, that didn't occur.  It end up cold, windy,  and that adjusted our plans for us. Only fish we caught ended up on crankbaits, we had 3 kpr bass all (released) and 12 shorts. Not the first white bass which is what we went for.   I did have several of those jarring hits on a jerkbait (French pearl), but no connections. So we opted to go back down lake and catch bass on crankbaits that we had found earlier. Water temp and day length is getting right for some good action.  Glad to hear you made it over this way.  That river part up there sure has changed since all the big water we had.  

[grizwilson]

Think Ham was just happy I had a spare rabbit fur hat in the car.  The wind was brutal all day but the cold in the afternoon hurt, think it was 55 at launch 38 at pull out.  I tried jigs, rooster tails, small swim baits, the only whites were on small swim baits.  Wish I had put my carharts or waders on. Guess I am a slow learner, loaded headed to the river after lunch.  Another day fishing better than working. 

[Ham]

I was surprised/disappointed that I didn’t get bit on small square-bills or Shad Raps. 

You guys motored way up there, well past where  I would be willing to run my big rig, but you know the river/lake up there. I do not. 

Glad you caught some fish. I was happy to see big numbers of smaller fish. 

[Johnsfolly]

Didn't know that you drug Les around when I was getting your texts. Even with the cold and wind still sounded like a memorable day with a friend on the water! And that never sucks! Congrats to you both. 

[grizwilson]

12 hours ago, Johnsfolly said:

Didn't know that you drug Les around when I was getting your texts. Even with the cold and wind still sounded like a memorable day with a friend on the water! And that never sucks! Congrats to you both. 

Well John, with my impaired hearing, especially in the wind,  I thought Ham was communicating with @Stein so I was very confused(no news there).  When I said something about building another boat we got lined out.  My ankle was very unhappy with the weather. I told Momma Griz I was likely hurting too much to go, she said "will your ankle hurt any less if you sit here on the couch and watch basketball all day?" So away we went, always enjoy fishing, especially with good friends.  Would do it again, but likely more clothes.  I would launch my big rig there, but guess that's how I earned my nick name of stump jumper at the TI Trailer company.  @Dewayne French where did you all launch?

[Johnsfolly]

Les I'm glad you guys got out and put some fish in the boat. I'm often confused myself so no problem there . Knowing Ham he may have neen texting Stein as well.

[Ham]

Stein was spared any and all live action texting. So many Johns, so little time. The hookers lament. 

[WoundedOne]

Sounds like a great time on the water. May we all get to fish together again soon would be awesome time.