Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Weatherman was calling for showers and T-Storms but George and I rolled the dice and won the bet!

For the 2nd time on this float, someone forgot that their license had expired. Last time it was Greg, this time it was George but the iPhone took care of that and we were back on plan.

We got on the water at 8:15 and started our float.



My 1st fish was a feisty 15 incher....



George was a bit away from me but he said he was catching a few....as big as his 4" fluke!

Then I caught my 1st ever (and only one) on a chatterbait!



I finally caught up to George and as expected, he was steady catchin'!



Then the fun began for me.

I hunkered down under a big log....



......and I proceeded to catch 3 nice ones (12-14") and lost a very nice one.

I had placed one of my rods in the back and when I went to get it...it was gone! NO WAY!  Anyway, I got out of the yak and started to look around in the water as the sun peeked out of the clouds but I could not see it so I decided that it was a lost cause and got back in my yak. Hey....where is my paddle? A double rookie mistake all in one fell swoop!

George was way down river. I whistled but he could not hear me. I had to make a plan as I had a Class I in front of me with no paddle...and 1 less rod. As I moved the yak away from the tree, there was my rod. I got it back safe and sound but I still had to negotiate the rapid. The only thing I had of any use (for a paddle) was my collapsible net so I went for it. It was now that George realized something was not right as I am shooting a rapid without my paddle.

I made it....but still had no paddle.

Then...a glimmer of yellow and I was able to get to my paddle using some extraordinary net paddling skills.

I went to see George and we both had a laugh.

Back to fishing!






Here is George with yet another one....



Then I caught a fighter...he should be as he was beat up pretty bad!







We got some sprinkles and we heard some distant thunder but we kept on going and catching a few here and there. I certainly had many short strikes and missed at least 6 fish that I had on the hook for a bit. At one time, I was getting frustrated with 3 misses so I checked my lure and it was missing the hook!

What I witnessed next is something I won't forget.

I see George parked on his favorite rock. It looks like he is hung up. I see him high sticking the rod and trying to separate from the rock with his paddle. Then I realize that he is hooked up (yep, his net name, "Hook Up"). He is being pushed in to the rock and this fish, which is on the other side of the rock, is fighting mad. Then George makes a bold move and goes through the chute backwards...while fighting the fish! Once free, he was able to fight the smallie even though the fish ran under the boat once.

He nets it and I am right there watching all the action!



This 20incher was a beast!

George deserved every bit of that fish. Excellent skills with the yak and the rod! It's worth a  2nd look!



About a 1/2 hour later, we looked back and the skies were darkening. So we paddled and fished. Then we heard thunder so we paddled some more and fished a little. We caught a few more but then it started to rain so we decided to get back just as it started to rain harder.

We got all the gear in my truck and the downpour came down.

We win!












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