Dixon Lake

March 23, 2019

I wanted to try the spinnerbait fly on some freshwater bass so I tried my luck at Dixon.  I've only fished this lake once back in the early 2000s but haven't returned since.  This was home to Dottie a monster bass that everyone thought was going to break the world record someday.  Unfortunately she was found dead years ago but her offspring must be swimming in the lake now.  Some bass were in the shallows but were tight-mouthed and refused out offerings.  Not sure if it was the ever changing weather or the full moon but they weren't in aggressive pre-spawn mode.  Day was a bust and ended with the skunk.

First Outing of 2019

Almost three months have past this year and I've yet to get out to fish.  Yesterday it was time to rectify that with a new fly in hand.  On Monday I received my order for some spinnerbait components to tie the flies I ordered from Japan for Luc.  I tried to copy it but since the prefabbed wire was slightly different I made a small modification.

Fishing wise, I didn't expect much as the water is still cold but at least the the tidal predictions were in our favor so I was predicting at least a couple fish to hand.  It was a completely calm day almost lake-like in terms of how little chop was on the water.  Most of the day was overcast and it was not long before we were on some fish.  Dink calicos.  I was the first to hook up with a dink calico with my new fly with a spinnerbait. Leo was next.  After a few casts I noticed my fly didn't feel the same.  When I pulled it out of the water I noticed the blade had fallen off.  I had only tied one so I was forced to switch.  We managed a few more fish none impressive.  The largest of the bunch was a jacksmelt I landed but even still it wasn't anything to write home about. 

Can't wait until the summer.  From all indications, predictions are this summer will be an epic one with warm water all the way through November.  Not sure how accurate that is but if that is the case it's going to be one for the books.  Pelagic fish everywhere.  Let's just hope that they are right.  If they are I may wear out my welcome on the boat before the summer is over.

Last Fish of 2018

December 31, 2018

Before the fishing license expired for 2018, I tried once again to land my last fish of the season.  My last two outings resulted in the skunk.  Today was no different from the last outings, tough fishing all around on this day even for Luc.  I tried just about everything in the box.  Fish were deep and lethargic.  After hours of endless casting a fast full sinking line with every sort of submerged fly, I decided to try a different tactic.  I figured I need to keep the fly in the face of the fish long enough to agitate a strike.  So I tied a floating fly, a Iwai Minnow, hoping that the slow elevating action after it's been stripped would entice them enough.  I figured giving them a different look might help.  It was not long and I got my first bite of the day.  Missed another and then we called it a day.  Luc switched to a popper once he saw I got my first fish but wasn't as fortunate as I.  He ended the year with the skunk.  That tells you how hard it was this day.

Pre Santa Bass

December 24, 2018

Christmas Eve I delivered some spinnerbait flies from Japan that I asked Koji to buy for Luc.  He started with them but without any luck.  We'll wait until it warms in the spring to try them again.  Once he switched to an EP shad he was on.  I, on the other hand, apparently been a bad boy and got coal.