Ate Some Humble Pie Yesterday

[Seth]

Took a buddy down to show him the ropes so he can start taking his family down in the future. I told him we'd be hitting the "stocker hoels" and going for numbers so he can get the hang of catching trout and that 75-100 fish for the day would be normal. We fished about 10 hours and only managed to boat 25-30 on sculpin colored jigs and the pink worm. They weren't on the black and orange head varieties like they had been for us. Lilleys down to Cooper Creek flats was the "best" areas for us. I think the fish were just a lot deeper than I anticipated and we focused on the shallower stuff most of the days out of stubbornness since it had been working so well for me all winter long.

Not sure what the deal was with the moss, but it's been a while since I had seen it that bad. The first few hours of the morning were a bust because you coudln't hardly fish without getting your lure caked in moss each cast.

It was definitely one of the toughest days I'd had in a while.

[Phil Lilley]

The moss was bad. After days of slow generation, I guess the bottom loaded up with it. They “flushed” the lake with 3 units for a couple of hours and it all broke loose. Our water is very clear too for this time of year. It all adds up I guess. 

[Terrierman]

Somebody a lot smarter than me once told  me "you never know until you go".  He was right.

[Seth]

3 hours ago, Phil Lilley said:

The moss was bad. After days of slow generation, I guess the bottom loaded up with it. They “flushed” the lake with 3 units for a couple of hours and it all broke loose. Our water is very clear too for this time of year. It all adds up I guess. 

I was thinking maybe they filled their bellies when all of that junk got flushed down the lake. I'm sure it had to have dislodged a ton of food for them to pig out on. Usually those stockers will gobble the pink worm and swim around with it, but most would just barely nip at it a few times and then leave. I'd expect that on a jig under a float, but they usually keep coming back for the pink worm.

[Ham]

10 hours ago, Seth said:

I was thinking maybe they filled their bellies when all of that junk got flushed down the lake. I'm sure it had to have dislodged a ton of food for them to pig out on. Usually those stockers will gobble the pink worm and swim around with it, but most would just barely nip at it a few times and then leave. I'd expect that on a jig under a float, but they usually keep coming back for the pink worm.

Trashy water works against you in a lot of ways. I think the fish fill their bellies on food and algae. Your line and lures stay trashed all day. The trout can't see very far in the debris filled water. 
I look for the cleanest water I can and cuss a whole lot more. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

11 hours ago, Seth said:

I was thinking maybe they filled their bellies when all of that junk got flushed down the lake. I'm sure it had to have dislodged a ton of food for them to pig out on. Usually those stockers will gobble the pink worm and swim around with it, but most would just barely nip at it a few times and then leave. I'd expect that on a jig under a float, but they usually keep coming back for the pink worm.

I can't stand fishing when it's like that!  I wish you had a better day for your buddy.

[Ryan Miloshewski]

You made the mistake of challenging the fishing gods by saying you were going to clean house! Like when I flipped on the livewell when my buddy had a 15-pound brown on and we hadn't netted it yet. Never test the fishing gods..

[snagged in outlet 3]

13 minutes ago, Ryan Miloshewski said:

You made the mistake of challenging the fishing gods by saying you were going to clean house! Like when I flipped on the livewell when my buddy had a 15-pound brown on and we hadn't netted it yet. Never test the fishing gods..

Cameras and skillets have ruined many trips.  😂.  Does your buddy still bring it up?

[Ryan Miloshewski]

49 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Cameras and skillets have ruined many trips.  😂.  Does your buddy still bring it up?

Oh yea. In my defense, he played it somewhat poorly with 4 units running high, so not entirely my fault. But I can't help but know I jinxed it!

[snagged in outlet 3]

27 minutes ago, Ryan Miloshewski said:

he played it somewhat poorly

The net man always says that...😂