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#1 Apr-29-21 5:28PM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15564

4-29-21, 'doah

Greg and I made the long drive to Luray to fish with CT Campbell is his Clackacraft drift boat.

https://i.imgur.com/MpYOYQK.jpg

This is an amazing boat. Comfortable and easy to fish from.

We brought our A game arsenal!

https://i.imgur.com/rTHh8DA.jpg

This was our 4th attempt to fish with CT this spring. The previous three attempts were wiped out by a blown out river or high winds (with cold).

The float stated around 8:45a with some light rain but not enough to warrant rain gear. It would soon dissipate.

I'll say up front that Greg had a stellar day so his mug will be all over this post.

https://i.imgur.com/7t8UTdO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/apz7Vo5.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rh8JaRp.jpg

This is a beautiful float. We saw (and heard) turkeys, eagles, woodpeckers and cows!

https://i.imgur.com/H1WFB7W.jpg

Finally, I got my skunk off with this bitty guy!

https://i.imgur.com/4UCrvqo.jpg

And then a real smallie!

https://i.imgur.com/mXZbzsB.jpg

In the mean time, Greg caught some more but would not let me take his picture. And he lost a few. Including the infamous "the one that got away" that drew a lot of banter between Greg and CT. I missed the commotion but apparently, it was a nice one!

Greg kept catching...

https://i.imgur.com/nhQtlQL.jpg

Then it was my turn. I get hit and this 14" fall fish nails my bait!

https://i.imgur.com/OZSLRhC.jpg

Yep...a citation fish! Take THAT Greg!!

In between Gregg catching, I was able to land one once in a while.

https://i.imgur.com/ydTJe8A.jpg

Of course, any time I even tried to make a run, Greg would catch a couple more...including this largie from an eddy.

https://i.imgur.com/7ZC1Ntu.jpg

More scenery...

https://i.imgur.com/i5O9P47.jpg

I had told CT that I was hoping to catch a rock bass. They are native to the river but got wiped out a few years back. If I could target these fish, I would. With light tackle of course. Anyway, I get a hit but the fish is not acting like a smallie...

https://i.imgur.com/F5w1ym0.jpg

...it was my rock bass!

Greg scored a nice near 17"er.

https://i.imgur.com/VR4hiSw.jpg

Since I didn't catch many fish, CT suggested that I try the fly rod. So I did. I made some excellent casts but was getting no hits. CT would say, "man, that's a nice cast", but all I would do is strain water. Finally, I got nailed by this thing!

https://i.imgur.com/wV0xq1e.jpg

At the end of the float, I made it clear that Greg kicked my butt but that he did not get a citation fish!

I was laughed at...

At 4:15p, we ended the float.

https://i.imgur.com/3mvITZO.jpg

It was a great day on the water.

I highly recommend CT. He's a great guy and knows the river well. Fun to be with.

I think we agreed that we would at least be back fin the fall to perhaps chase a musky or 2...


Time to go fishin' again!

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#2 Apr-29-21 7:06PM

Junger
Northern Snakehead
From: Potomac, MD
Registered: Aug-14-17
Posts: 720

Re: 4-29-21, 'doah

Those float boats are awesome, and not cheap!

Great pics!

Last edited by Junger (Apr-29-21 7:07PM)

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#3 Apr-30-21 4:13AM

drxfish
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Sterling
Registered: Jan-04-14
Posts: 2975

Re: 4-29-21, 'doah

What a great way to spend a day!


Always wishin' I was fishin'

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#4 Apr-30-21 11:29AM

GregF
Northern Snakehead
Registered: Mar-21-11
Posts: 712

Re: 4-29-21, 'doah

My 2 cents:  That boat is amazing and CT is a great guide.  This was my first time fishing with him, but won't be my last.  I did have a great day and had a smile on my face the whole time.  I caught everything (except the LMB) on a white with black flake split tail swimbait on a nose weighted worm hook.  I had an advantage that I was up front and caught several just above the ledge in the pushwater.  Ernie couldn't reach that area very easily from his position in the boat. 

The one that got away......was a monster!!!!  Hit me like a beast.  I immediately knew this was way different than the others.  It was about 20yds out.  If fought in place for a bit and then SCREAMED across the current faster than I ever saw a smally go in my life.  From that far out I could still see its body as it moved.  CT saw it too.  Then the line got cut on a rock (we guessed) and it was gone....I cried (inside).  CT and I looked at each other in amazement.  It was a big fish.  Glad I at least got to see a glimpse of it.  I had dreams last night!!!

Anyway, great time as always with Ernie and added CT to the mix this time.  Cant wait to do Musky fishing with CT!

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#5 Apr-30-21 11:47AM

firemunkee
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Ashburn, VA
Registered: May-23-13
Posts: 1766

Re: 4-29-21, 'doah

Great report! You were slaying them small fish lol Citation and rock bass though! Looking forward to hearing about the musky fishing!


Together we'll fight the long defeat.

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#6 Apr-30-21 11:53AM

drxfish
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Sterling
Registered: Jan-04-14
Posts: 2975

Re: 4-29-21, 'doah

Great big one that got away story!


Always wishin' I was fishin'

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#7 Apr-30-21 3:44PM

hookup
Patagonian Toothfish
Registered: Jan-31-12
Posts: 2301

Re: 4-29-21, 'doah

GregF wrote:

Cant wait to do Musky fishing with CT!

I would be interested in reading that report.

Nice day guys - glad to read the smallies are active and you got some

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#8 Apr-30-21 4:51PM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15564

Re: 4-29-21, 'doah

I know for certain that some smallies are spawning on the UP. Near us. I suspect that with the big full moon we just had (and rising water temps) that smallies were spawning on the 'doah.


Time to go fishin' again!

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#9 Apr-30-21 6:46PM

drxfish
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Sterling
Registered: Jan-04-14
Posts: 2975

Re: 4-29-21, 'doah

I was thinking the same.  Makes sense with the water temps and moon phase.  Spawn may spread out as water temps were cold until this week.


Always wishin' I was fishin'

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