Summer Reality

[Bill Babler]

Two guide trips yesterday out of the dam area, the first our of the Village at Indian Point. Started early and fished too point 7. Saw no whites. Did catch 4 topwater fish. Let me rephrase that. Had 4 dandy smallmouth on, but they hopped off. Did get one to the boat a bit latter on the fin.

Went to draggin and had 6 more on. 4 of them came to the top and pit-tueey, out went the french fry. Guess they only like Hardies.

Next spot we dropshotted awhile and corralled 2 more, which, thank goodness didn't jump.

Had one final drag spot and caught 4 more. Let me rephrase that. Hooked 3 more which all came to the top and jumped the fry off, did manage to get one in the boat for pic's.

Man I was tired after that trip. Great folks, but just didn't know and really in such a short trip could not get what it takes to hold on to these fish. If you remember my gals I had out last week, they would have boated everyone of those jumper, no problem.

The story those folks will have is we caught 6 fish. That trip should have read, we caught 14 fish with 10 quality keepers up to 4 pounds.

That is the difference between a 18 pound bag and an 8 pound bag.

Next trip was 1 PM out of Chateau, I was looking forward to that as much as a root canal.

Again great folks, Mike and Christy from W. Virginia. They got on the ball and narry a one gained release thru, arobatics, and believe you me they tried. Jump after jump, and both of these guys, hung on like champs, keeping the line tight as a wire while the areial circus went on. 7 nice keepers and 1 gog, hit the boat in fine fashion. All the fish were on the splitshot. 8 to 26 ft. on the Dr.

WE have gone from catchin-em too fishing for bites. You must take full advantage off every opportunity as there may not be a whole lot in a day, depending on conditions, and your location.

When the fishing gets slow or tough, I can read my clients to the point you can see they start fidgeting around and talking and really not paying attention. This is when you really need to be alert. Just being strong and committed will gain you several fish per day, fishing for bites.

[captmac]

Bill a big good on ya for telling it like it is, most guides would and do sugarcoat their outings to pump up business, Keep up the good work and set the hook