Fishing Report 4-11-06

After 7 days of fishing and filming, I was slightly burnt out. The "American Outdoorsman" TV program looks to be a good one and it is in the can. I was fortunate to get some big bulls on film and can't wait to see the finished product. But wait I will as it won't be aired until later this year. Our DVD special on bulls also went well and should be out by summer. All I can say is we got some really great footage of big bulls and some scenery and wildlife treats we didn't expect.

This past Monday was my first guide trip in a while and it came right on the heels of the programs. Bob Dykes and his buddy Blackie joined me for a day on LBC. Luckily, we didn't get all the rain the weatherman promised. Actually the weather was beautiful and it was nice to see the sun for most of the day.

Fishing had been slowing of late and it was a little more work than it had been earlier last week. We did manage a nice 8 Lb. hen at 70 feet on a 5" Lyman in a kokanee pattern for our first fish on the board of any size. Twenty minutes earlier, what seemed to be a big fish got our herring out of the clip at 50 feet and then proceeded to get off, leaving only a head in the Pro-Troll baitholder. Can't win em all!

After a couple of dinks we made a move to the island area to work some shallow fish if we could find them. I dug out some of my old "Fat Free Shad" from Pradco and we rattled the rocks for a run or two. When we decided to change directions, I suggested that they bring their rigs in. Whamo! Bob gets hooked up on a 9 LB. bull on the retrieve in. That is an exciting way to stick one. On our final run, the 6" Lyman stuck a nice bull for Bob that was pushing 7 LB. All in all we caught and released 5 bulls with the top three going 7,8 and 9 LB.

Look for a red hot bite to show up soon when the weather stabilizes a bit. Remember, we are behind schedule this year so far due to continued cold weather. The best may be ahead yet.......time will tell!

Tight Lines, Rick