Jigfest 2023 report and photos

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Cody and I got here yesterday,  we weren't successful at catching for the hour or so we had to fish before dark.  We hung at the cabin listening to music and hanging out. I brought a pot of chili, that was dinner.  Brandon, his son Eddie and DJ came later in the evening.  Got out this morning, Cody and I took the boat while the rest waded across from the cabin.  Second cast Cody and I both doubled. Him with a brown, me a rainbow.   Water started rising with alot of color, Gras and debris.   We went down river by the cabin and found lower clear water.  Caught a good number, and had fun watching them take the jigs.  Mine were a bit light.  So Cody gave me a heavier jig and my numbers increased.   We returned to the cabin gathered the others and devised a plan to go out again.  Rick arrived, we said our hellos before we left.   We tested he limits of Cody's new boat.  Brandon and I waded for a bit while the others went up river on the boat.  Our conversation was much better than the catching.   The boaters did really well.   Came back to the cabin for dinner,  Cody made crawfish etoufee, somehow I found enough time to take a picture before it disappeared.  

[Quillback]

Thanks for the pics, looks like the weather was good too.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Many fish were caught yesterday.   Cody won the day with 2 browns 22" and 21.5".  I got to witness the 2nd.  It was jumping and tailwalking just like ok the videos on TV.  Quite a good time.  He was quite happy the rest of the day. DJ lost a fish that took lots of drag with a very bent rod, line snapped before he could see it.  I got to test my legs in some light current.   I am very happy with the results. 

The food was nothing short of amazing.    We had deer tenderloins with fried potatoes for breakfast Cody made a sausage kolache. Dinner was a fried food paradise.  Deep fried ravioli, spoon bill caught from lake of the ozarks by brandon,  huge shrimp provided by cody, mushrooms, hush puppies that were made/adapted on the fly, and French fries.  

 

 

[BilletHead]

Thanks Derek! Good report for the thinner than normal participation. You all had great weather too. 

[Quillback]

Way to go guys!

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Weather was amazing,  the friendship was outstanding,  and the food was second to none.   We got the change to use some new jigs from Lilley's.   They look and perform great.  They glide across the gravel rock in shallow water, and represent sculpins.  I had many follows, but I could not get any commitments.   Cody caught two beautiful rainbows with the new football jigs.  He was slowly dragging them, and got bit.  

[Quillback]

I like the look of those jigs, they might just work for lake smallmouth.

[snagged in outlet 3]

7 hours ago, Quillback said:

I like the look of those jigs, they might just work for lake smallmouth.

They work on river smallies. Not as good as a Ned though😁

[gotmuddy]

I am glad we were able to hold down the tradition this year, hopefully we can get more people down for next years.  I had a great time and honestly hardly took any photos.  I found out the new boat has no issues hauling 5 guys upriver.

[Flysmallie]

23 hours ago, gotmuddy said:

I am glad we were able to hold down the tradition this year, hopefully we can get more people down for next years. 

One of these years I have to make that trip. I'm not very good at trout fishing but I'd like to hang out and take a bunch of pics and video.