December 6-7, 2011 

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                         My big sturgeon!

In the report of my last Delta adventure, I wrote that it would likely be my last for the year because it’s just so dang cold out there on the Delta! But having come home from that trip with my two remaining sturgeon tags intact, I was still itchin’ for another big ol’ sturgy. The conditions for this week were predicted to be perfect; a huge outgoing tide during the day and a weather forecast of “light winds”. It doesn’t get any better than that!

So… having overcome my natural inclination to sit by the fireplace this time of year, I loaded up FishWisher the boat for a cold, December raid on Suisun Bay for one last sturgeon of the year! As I hitched the boat to the pickup that miserably cold Tuesday morning, I pause for a moment to be sure I was doing the right thing. It was so cold that that being outside just wasn’t any fun. But I chose to soldier on, and pulled the boat up to the house where I loaded up the tackle and stores for two days on the Delta. I made a point to check the little propane tank that feeds my cabin’s little catalytic heater. There was plenty – and I would need it.

                    It was a flat calm and gorgeous, cool day on Suisun Bay!

Shortly after noon I dropped anchor on my Suisun Bay honey hole. The outgoing current had just begun, and after carving up some new frozen lamprey eel into steaks, I weaved them onto the two hooks of my leader and tossed them out to the bottom of the bay. The water was like a mirror, the wind was calm and the sun was bright. But it certainly was not T-shirt weather as was the prior trip! The air was frigid and I was well layered with long johns top and bottom plus two sweat shirts. Brrrrrrr.

The thought of home and hearth crossed my mind often that afternoon as I waited for a hungry sturgy. I was nuts to be out there in December, especially for the night, and I knew it. But those two sturgeon tags were also on my mind, and I just had to use at least one of them yet this year. I don’t mind closing out the year with one tag remaining, after all, when the last one is gone sturgeon fishing is done for the year. But to close the year with two tags just wouldn’t do!

The little two-footer that was released to fight another day when he’s twice as big.

About two hours into my wait, I had a visitor that I thought was simply a lethargic striper. Whatever it was, it grabbed my bait with more gusto than most sturgeon, and I swung and missed. A few moments later he tried to take my bait again, and I set the hook into something on that second swing! I had on a small but scrappy fish that resisted mightily for a while, but a little two foot sturgy was soon belly up by the boat. I raised him up for a photo, and then released him to grow a few more feet. He was a cutie as sturgeon go, and I’m glad that those small ones are protected. The slot limit for sturgeon is 46 to 66 inches and the annual limit is three.

It was good to know that sturgeon were in the area, and I freshened the bait a bit and continued fishing. I was hoping that a keeper would come along before evening so that I would have the thrill of fighting a big sturgeon, use my tag, and still be able to head back upriver before dark – and avoid spending the night on the cold, cold bay. But that was not to be.

It was another gorgeous sunset on Suisun Bay but it was… COLD!

Sunset was early, as it always seems to be in December, and the cold afternoon air was soon even colder nighttime air. I had the little Heater Buddy tucked between my feet well before sundown, and by dark I huddled against it even closer. It was not particularly pleasant fishing in that darkness and cold, but sunset on Suisun and the shore line lights were as beautiful as ever.

                      Another view of the golden sunset on Suisun Bay.

A few minutes before 1800 I was sitting there in the cold, encouraging myself to stay faithful to the cause. I reminded myself how many times I’ve sat all day waiting for a sturgeon nibble that seemed to never come, then finally, in the dark of night, on a quiet and lonely river, hearing the wonderful tick-tick-tick sound of a few inches of line being pulled from the reel, signaling a gentle sturgeon bite. Then…WHAM – a hard hook set into a huge sturgeon! And, really, this is absolutely true… just as I was thinking of those times, tick-tick-tick went my reel! I swung hard and fast and – missed. Oh, boy! This was it… this was my sturgeon… and he would certainly be back. One or two minutes went by as I sat there on pins and needles waiting for that return visit… and then once again… tick-tick-tick – WHAM! I set the hook into something huge!

As I jumped to my feet, the rod bent hard against my big fish, I heard the giant surface and splash in the darkness. The fight was on as I worked against his power, having to let him run wild when he wanted and not allowing him any rest when he tired by pumping the rod up and reeling down. There was no doubt that I had a keeper on; he was strong and fought mightily for his freedom.

Sorry… I didn’t have a photo of the big fight, but it felt like this!

For ten minutes the war of wills raged there in the darkness. I turned on the bright cockpit lights when I had him near the boat, but he stayed deep for as long as he could, pulling hard the entire time. He was a great fighter with lots of stamina, but after about ten minutes he was exhausted, and his fight slowed. Finally I had him at the boat in submission, but he never came belly-up as many lesser fighters often do. When I was able to maneuver him forward against the current with little resistance, I grabbed the net and scooped him in! The fight was over and he laid still in the net. I knew he was a keeper; not too long and not too short. I administered a few whacks, then cut his gills, tied him to a line, and let him bleed out into the bay. I had my big sturgeon, and filled my second of three tags for the year!

And I, too, was whipped. This old man is not that durable any more, and fights with big sturgeon take their toll like never before. (My left shoulder, used to pull that rod against the big sturgeon, ached all night long and the entire next day.) After several minutes, I pulled my big fish aboard, measured him at 54 inches and, struggling to lift him with the scale, weighed him in at 34 pounds. He was not a huge fish as sturgeon go, but his heart was huge! And as I refer to his gender as male, I hope I’m right, but there is no way to be sure with a sturgeon. When he is cleaned I’ll know for sure. Though it is legal to take females, as you cannot sex them accurately, I prefer to leave the females to their trip upriver to spawn. I can say for certainty that he fought like a male! Generally, males are the tougher fighters.

I spent a couple of hours resting in the relative comfort of the cabin after securing my catch in the fish box. The little catalytic heater burned on high the entire evening and night, and in fact, clear up to my arrival back at the dock in Rio Vista on the morning of Day 2. With temperatures in the 30s overnight, the best it could do was keep the cabin was in the high 50s, but that is tolerable.

In the small cabin after the excitement of the catch, I relaxed for a couple of hours with a few of my Cockpit Collins’ cocktails*. I sent photos of my fish to a couple friends and my dear Wifey via my smartphone, taking full advantage of the bragging rights that come with a big sturgeon catch. After a couple of hours enjoying the afterglow of all the excitement, I climbed into the little V-berth for the night. While I slept just so-so, the cabin was damp and clammy due to the little heater burning in the high humidity. Then, a bit after midnight I had to raise anchor and move behind Freeman Island due to the light breeze that builds small waves across Suisun Bay that are just big enough to toss me about. I slept well at my new anchorage, but was heading back upriver to the ramp at first light. It was good to be back in the comfort and warmt of my pickup en route home after a long, cold adventure!

Frankly, this was one adventure that was more fun writing about than actually living! December is a good month to sit at home at the computer. And I believe I’ll be staying home this time – ‘til the few warming days of February will beckon me back to my honey hole on beautiful, exciting Suisun Bay!

Merry Christmas and good fishing to all!
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* A Cockpit Collins is one shot of Fresca, a shot of cheap vodka, about ¼ or so shot of lemon juice. A cherry and wedge of lime is good. A sturgeon in the box makes it twice as good! (But forget those straws – we’re talking fisherMEN here!)

November 21-22, 2011 

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These aren’t mighty sturgeon. Heck, these aren’t even big as stripers go, but these two cookin’ sized schoolies made my neighbor happy!

It’s now or wait ’til spring, because I generally give up fishing during the cold, grey days of December and January. So… if I was to fill out my sturgeon card of three tags, I had to catch two more keepers in the last two weeks of November!

Actually, I’d tried last week and came home skunked, and didn’t even write a report of the effort. So during this week’s trip, the pressure was building. I bought a new frozen eel for the trip, and launched into a perfectly calm and sunny Sacramento River at Rio Vista.

I cruised down to my honey hole on Suisun Bay, it took a bit over an hour’s time to get there. The river was flat calm the entire trip, and it seemed almost like summertime as I fished in my T-shirt and soaked in the warm sunshine.

It doesn’t get any more pleasant on Suisun Bay in November!

Flat calm weather!

The sunshine lasted only ’til late afternoon when the air took on a decided chill, and I was fishing in long johns and two sweatshirts, one hooded, before dark.

Another gorgeous sundown on Suisun Bay after a wonderful day of fishing – and the fish didn’t much disturb me, either!

I fished a huge outgoing tide that evening, hoping that the current would stir up the sturgeon bite and allow me to use that second tag, but it was not to be. I reeled in just one little striper of about 20 inches, and since it was bleeding from the hook, I kept him to give to my neighbor who loves to eat stripers.

I hit the sack about 2200, and slept well on a calm and quiet bay. By 0530 I was fishing again, and in the fog! It was cold, clammy and very November like that early morning. But another schoolie striper took my offered eel again, and I had two cooking sized stripers in the box – a striper limit. I continued trying for that elusive sturgeon.

Granted, this isn’t a big fish, but they’re adding a lot of these huge wind turbines along the Sacramento River. This photo shows the immense size of these monsters; compare that worker’s pickup at the base to the height and mass of the huge turbine!

By noon of the second day it finally dawned on me that I wouldn’t be taking home a sturgeon this week. Again. Nevertheless, my trip had been another grand Delta adventure! Perhaps next week, weather permitting, I can get one last trip in this year and fill out that second sturgeon tag…

A very amateurish and kinda long winded video of this trip is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2dMfpkZQao 

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November 8-9, 2011

The 59 inch, 45 pound beast poses with the handsome fisherman.

Having chased salmon once too often this autumn, catching nothing for last week’s efforts, I declared my salmon season over and looked forward to begin my favorite season of all, fishing for the mighty sturgeon!

I think the best opportunity for catching sturgeon is when there is a huge outgoing tide, and this week’s Suisun tide was predicted to be ideal with a drop of over five feet – and I wanted to be there! Often times the deep tides run too late at night or the weather makes a trip to Suisun Bay a foolish venture. For this first week of my sturgeon season, everything was pointing to a great opportunity. The weather forecasts predicted cool nights, perhaps in the 30s, but with light winds. On Suisun Bay, light winds are not to be wasted; such predictions are not the norm.

The Sacramento River was flat calm as I motored the 20 miles or so to Suisun Bay. This is not a common site on the Delta!

On Tuesday morning I launched into the Sacramento River at Rio Vista, and pointed FishWisher the boat downriver for the 20 mile run to my Suisun honey hole near Roe and Ryer Islands. I arrived at my favorite sturgeon hole about 1130, dropping my anchor into the cold, brackish waters. I probably spooked any sturgeon in the area as my all-chain rode clattered through the windlass. I planned be there ‘til Wednesday – unless I got lucky early. I love to overnight on Suisun Bay when the weather cooperates; it is as serene and remote a place as one can find on the Delta, and sturgeon are often cooperative there.

A cold breeze cut through me like a knife upon my arrival, but in due time the breeze calmed and the incoming tide turned to a long, deep outgoing current. The afternoon was sunny if not warm, and all was well in my world. For several hours I offered eel steaks to any passing sturgeon with two rods, hoping to increase my chances. Eventually I stowed the second rod, figuring one rod that I could hold in my hands would be much better tended – and I wouldn’t have a second rod to reel in when and if I got lucky.

A glorious sundown on Suisun Bay, taken as I awaited the bite of a hungry sturgeon. 

It was about 1730 when I finished a short videotaping of the sunset on Suisun Bay. (Two very amateurish videos here [Part 1 and Part 2]: http://www.youtube.com/user/fishwishr#p/a/u/0/F0jozsdbdzA) 

I had just set down the camera and was about to take my seat in the cockpit when the reel buzzed out the good news that I had a visitor! I grabbed the rod, set the hook and began a short battle with a very angry sturgeon. He fought briefly, and while he lasted it was a good fight. But all too easily he came to the boat, belly up and finished. I measured him with my plastic tape thingy, and figured him to be about 46 inches, the bare minimum size to keep. Because it was so early in the evening and I didn’t want to slobber up the deck with a possibly undersized sturgy, I released him to fight another day. But I had brought what was likely a keeper to the boat, and the evening was young! I noted my catch on my sturgeon report card, and continued fishing.

The 46 inch (approximate) sturgeon that was released to grow some more. And perhaps develop some endurance for his next fight.

I tossed out some freshened bait again, sat back and enjoyed some hot, although instant, coffee. Darkness had fallen and I was thoroughly enjoying my evening on Suisun Bay. About an hour later, as I sat back with rod in hand, my reel screamed to life as though a passing freight train had taken the hook! I have never, except for Dorado in Mexico, had a fish take my line so furiously as did that wild and crazy sturgy! I have experienced what we fishermen call a “suicide hit” by sturgeon when instead of a gentle nibble they run with the bait at once. I assume that’s the result of having a competing fish nearby causing the sturgeon to run with his find, but nothing explains the speed and force of this insane run! I slammed the drag lever forward and was amazed that it had almost no effect on the run. I foolishly pressed my thumb into the spool to slow him down, and got a burned thumb for my effort.
Soon enough, while I stood there dumbfounded, the long, hard run slowed and halted. I immediately began reeling him back to the boat when he tried to rest, and made him work for every inch of line when he tried to run. In a period of about ten or fifteen minutes, he was to the boat three times. Finally spent, he tried to sink below the surface as I tried to measure him. I was sure he was in the slot of 46 to 66 inches, so I scooped him into the net and welcomed him aboard.

The big keeper is welcomed aboard!

He measured in at 59 inches, so I administered a righteous whack or two to his noggin. I weighed him in as best I could at 45 pounds, but I may have been off a bit as that is too much weight for this old man to lift easily while trying to read the scale.

Wow! What a fish! What a battle! What a night under the bright, full moon all alone on Suisun Bay! I am always amazed that I am the only guy out there of the millions of folks who live around the bay and Delta. If others knew of the serenity, the adventure, and the beauty of Suisun Bay as we relatively few fishermen do, the place would be crowded every night!

By 2000 or so, my big fish was in the fish box, the deck was cleaned of most of the sturgy slime, and I, too, was spent. I dutifully filed out and attached the tag and completed the sturgeon report card for my catch. Finally, I kicked back in the cabin with a few “Cockpit Collins” drinks and sent photos of my big catch to a few friends via cell phone.

By 2200 or so I crawled into the cozy V-berth for the night. It had been a grand Suisun Bay adventure, and I looked forward to heading to the ramp at daybreak. The night was flat calm as predicted, not something one often experiences on Suisun Bay.

Dawn of a new day on Suisun Bay – it was time to weigh anchor and head for the ramp. It had been a very exciting Delta adventure!

Cruising across the bay toward the ramp early on Day 2. What a beautiful Suisun sunrise!

I’m already anxiously awaiting my next adventure on Suisun Bay – and have two more sturgeon tags to use this year!

Salmon Limit!

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Two salmon for the price of one Delta adventure! The 16 pounder poses on the left, along with the eight pounder. Yes, Agnes, there is a river god, and he was smiling on me this trip!

After several years of the salmon closure, and a couple of lousy salmon runs before that, I finally caught my first salmon limit in over seven years! I must admit it took me two days to accomplish, but a limit is a limit! (Two in possession and all that…)

On Tuesday morning I launched into the Sacramento River at Rio Vista and began trolling upriver in the wind and chop below the Rio Vista Bridge, busy as a one-armed paper hanger trying to keep the boat on course while reeling out a green, double bladed Silvertron behind the boat.

It was a choppy, breezy morning  as I began the troll upriver.

About half way between the bridge and the mouth of the Old Sac, the reel screamed out the good news that a salmon had already fallen for my tricky scheme. I grabbed the rod, ran back into the cabin and turned the boat into the river, cut the engine down to idle and threw it into neutral – all with one hand, the other trying to hold the rod and line taut against the fighting salmon! I began reeling in an angry, energetic salmon that couldn’t decide whether to run toward the boat or away – so he did both, back and forth. He put up quite a struggle, but when he tired I finally got him to the boat and eventually into my net. I had been trolling for no more than half an hour! Yes, there is a fishing god! I weighed him in at eight pounds and 22 inches. And he was a beautiful chromer!

He was a beauty! Eight pounds and 22 inches ain’t a big salmon, but he had a big heart and put up a good fight. The green Silvertron spinner is still attached. 

Now the pressure of catching that limit fish was on!

I continued to troll past Isleton, upriver past the Ryde Hotel, clear up to Walnut Grove and beyond. For nuthin’.

A few of the beautiful homes on the river at Long Island, just above Isleton.

A DFG creel census crew came along side as I was trolling upriver. They asked, as usual, if I’d had any luck. For once, I could say YES! They asked to measure, weigh and sex my fish. They weighed him in on a spring scale at nine pounds. My electronic scale said eight pounds. And after looking for eggs, they proclaimed him a he. And then the usual “What’s your zip code? How long have you been fishing?” And then they were gone. DFG is hiring some mighty pretty help lately!

I docked at Walnut Grove and walked over to a small market right out of the 1950′s. It’s a great stop if you’re and old geezer and like to re-visit the old days. I bought some peanuts to snack on, and continued my troll.

I anchored for the night at Locke, just across from the Boat House docks. I tossed out some eel for a few hours, hoping for a sturgeon. The “Cockpit Collins” cocktails were cold and delicious. I sat there in the dark, taking in another quiet, lovely evening on the river. While it was a bit  cool, it was still comfy. The reel was silent; the sturgeon, if any, were not fooled.

Approaching the Boat House in Locke. I trolled on past about half an hour, then back to my spot across from the Boat House to spend the night at anchor.

It was a breezy but cozy night in the V-berth of my little C-Dory cabin. I began the troll back downriver on Wednesday morning around 0800, after a few morning chores and some hot coffee.

These egrets were still roosting above the water way past sunup shortly after I began the troll for Day 2 of my adventure. I presume they sleep in every morning. Life is good if you’re an egret on the Delta. 

My downriver troll was breezy but uneventful – until I was about a quarter mile above the Isleton Bridge. Then…

I was watching the tip of my rod acting strangely, shaking as the green Flatfish wobbled in the water, then stopping, then shaking again. What the…? I had just grabbed the rod, still in the holder, to reel in and check for debris when… bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt! A substantial salmon was on! I turned the boat into the river, and began reeling!

Salmon #2 of this Delta adventure, and I was done – that’s a limit! She weighed in at 16 pounds and measured 34 inches.

When she neared the boat for the first time, I could see that she was no jack! After several minutes of give and take, I got her to the boat and in the net! She weighed in at 16 pounds and measured 34 inches. It was my best salmon so far this year!

That was it for me – I had my limit and was done fishing. I stowed the gear, fired up the main engine and headed for the ramp. What a great Delta salmon adventure for the old man!

As I drove home, I called my friend, Bora, who had done the fine gelcoat work on my boat. I had promised him fish back when he was doing the job, and it was time to settle up with my promise. He was delighted to meet me as I drove home, and was amazed at the two big salmon in my fish box. He would smoke them, he said, and it would be party time! As for myself, I wish fish tasted like chicken. Or even bologna. For some reason I just can’t eat fish! If I could it would add a whole new dimension to my fishing.

Next week may be another grand Delta adventure – or maybe a trip to Apple Hill aboard the motor home. Life is full of tough decisions, but the coach trip is Wifey’s idea…

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October 11-12, 2011

It’s baaaack! Salmon season opened for the first time since 2007 on my beloved Delta! The season is July 11 through December 11 on the Sacramento River that runs through the Delta. From prior years I’ve learned that chasing those salmon much before mid-September or after November is a waste of time and effort – at least for me. Mid-October was a late start for me, but I’ve been traveling a bit lately. And I’ve been fussy about the weather, too.

The last salmon I caught before this trip – a beautiful, chromer of 25 pounds! 

My last salmon was caught in September of 2005. In ’06 the pickins were so lean that I quit trying. ’07 found me without a boat as I’d sold my C-Dory, but it was also a slow season for others. In ’08 and ’09 the Delta was closed to salmon fishing, and ’10 had such a short season during September that I took a motorhome trip instead. My salmon season of ‘05 catch was reported on my site here: http://fishwisher.wordpress.com/2008/12/30/2005-salmon-season-maybe-my-last-salmon/

I launched into my beloved California Delta at Rio Vista this past Tuesday, and headed up the Sacramento River in search of salmon. As I approached the Rio Vista Bridge, I dropped one line with a Wiggle Wart into the river off the starboard side, and a green Flatfish off the port. I was trolling for salmon for the first time in years! (Having the two-rod stamp affixed to my fishing license, I am now permitted to troll two rods for salmon, something that was never permitted in prior years.)

My little eight pounder – maybe not quite that big? But my first salmon in over six years made for a mighty fine adventure for this old man!

I trolled under the bridge, then just off the shallows of the river bank, toward the Old Sac that turns off to the east from the ship channel. Before I had trolled ¼ mile up the Old Sac, my reel screamed out the good news that my first salmon in six years had accepted my offering! I grabbed the rod and the fight was on! My salmon had taken the green Flatfish, and it was struggling mightily against its mouthful of hooks. I was struggling to reel in the second line as I fought the fish – maybe two rods isn’t such a hot set up after all!

But in time I managed to get my little salmon to the boat and in the net. He wasn’t much of a fish as salmon goes, but he broke the six year drought I’ve had! The first salmon always brings with it the burden to catch a limit – and I continued up the Old Sac, still dragging two lures behind me, hoping for that limit fish.

View of the Old Sac from the helm of FishWisher near Isleton . Yes, Edna, fishing beats working – as I recall. 

I tried for another seven hours that day, and couldn’t coax another bump. At sundown, I anchored for the night just below the Isleton Bridge. The river was calm and the full moon hung like a spotlight in the sky. It was another glorious night on the river – my first in months. I rigged up for some sturgeon fishing while at anchor, then kicked back in my comfy deck chair and soaked in the ambience of the quiet, dark river. I poured a few “Cockpit Collins”* cocktails and soaked them up, too. Coyotes barked and howled to one another under the full moon – seemingly on both sides of the river. The nightlife on my beloved Delta is good – even though the sturgeon ignored my offerings, too!

View from my overnight anchorage below the Isleton Bridge. I often wonder why the river isn’t crowded with boaters fishing overnight. I guess it must be due to those pesky jobs most  folks must go to during the week!

I planned to meet my friend, Willie, for breakfast at The Striper Café in Rio Vista on Wednesday morning. Before sunup, I was cruising down river in the darkness, heading for the dock. I walked into town from the dock, met Willie and enjoyed a big, hot breakfast. Having eaten only baloney sandwiches and pears the prior day on the river, a restaurant meal was mighty satisfying!

I’d love to report salmon limits all ‘round for our efforts on Wednesday, but alas, we were skunked! We trolled up and down the Old Sac from the mouth to above the Isleton Bridge and back. And forth. But the salmon weren’t interested in anything we offered. Several salmon were caught on the river that day, but we just weren’t among the lucky ones.

Life along the banks of the Old Sac. Now, here’s a serious fisherman who has to catch fish. I think that pressure would ruin it for me!

Once again I have caught the single dumbest fish in the river – but that’s not all bad. I’m not above bragging about the dumb fish!

I’ll be out again in two weeks, still hoping for a limit! Stay tuned…

*A Cockpit Collins is a shot of vodka, a half shot of lemon juice and a shot of Fresca over ice. A cherry and lime wedge goes well. Mmmmmm. Good.

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2011-9-9 Friday, Day 1, Home to Klamath Falls, OR via I-5, US97: 353 miles

The inspiration for our trip to Wallowa State Park was this 9.7 lb. world record kokanee taken there in June of 2010: 

                                                                                   Credit: The Spokesman-Review

My old high school buddy, Al, in Prineville, OR and I decided that we’d fish little known Wallowa Lake in NE Oregon. Wallowa is a natural, glacier-made lake that gave up the world’s record Kokanee of 9.7 pounds in June of last year. This adventure would not only be the fishing trip of the year for both of us, but could potentially be the fishing trip of a lifetime! We wouldn’t likely catch a world record fish, but we might catch some late season kokanee, bright red for the spawn – and maybe over 20 inches long! We would likely fish for trout as well, and even lake trout. The plan was to fish for four full days; we’d arrive at Wallowa State Park on Sunday, fish Monday through Thursday, and return to Al’s on Friday.

Al and I pose with the coach and FishWisher the boat at the lake’s launch ramp.

I left home with the boat in tow behind the coach. If I do say so myself, the rig makes quite a sight! I towed the old C-Dory behind the coach several times, and this would be the first with the new boat. I took several days preparing for the trip, completed several projects on the coach and the boat, cleaned them both inside and out, packed up the fishing gear and stowed my usual stuff for a road trip. The big day finally arrived. I bid my dear Wifey farewell and hit the road.

I drove to Lodi’s Flying J Travel Plaza and met my cousin, Harris, from Sacramento for breakfast. We meet there occasionally as it’s a good half-way point for us. We enjoyed a good breakfast and caught up on each other’s doings. After an hour I hit the road again, and continued north on I-5 under a hot September sun.

Construction along US97 in Kalifornistan: Amazing! There are some road repairs finally under way in this Third World Country!

What a first day of driving it was! Towing the boat was tough enough on mileage, and add to that a headwind of up to 25 MPH much of the way with temperatures to 108° through the north valley areas such as Red Bluff and Redding. Then the long pull through the mountains demanded even more gas. I burned almost ¾ of a tank of gas in just 350 miles or so – or less than 7 MPG. The big fishing adventure would be a gas guzzling adventure for sure, and gas was selling for around $3.80 per gallon! I had the coach loaded pretty heavy as well as having the boat in tow, so I took it very easy to keep the tires from overheating and doing all I could to lighten the demands on my faithful coach.

Despite the long, hot haul, I arrived at the Walmart lot in Klamath Falls, OR at 1800 in the evening. After setting up for the night, including the air conditioner running full blast to cool the coach, I took a walk around the shopping center. It was much more pleasant in K-Falls than Redding, and I guessed the temperature to be about 90°.

I did a bit of shopping there, and then headed to the coach for the night. I enjoyed a couple of cool Tom Collins drinks to clear the dust from my throat, had a frozen dinner fresh from the microwave, took a good shower, and hit the sack about 2200. Although the coach had a long, hot, hard pull all day, I enjoyed the drive. I looked forward to Day 2 when I planned to stop in La Pine, OR to meet my sis and her hubby for breakfast as I passed through en route to Al’s place. Yep – this was the fishing trip of the year and I was already having a great time!
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Saturday, Day 2, Klamath Falls to Hermiston, OR via US97, SR126, OR26, I-84: 368 miles

I was up and at ‘em  before 0500 and started the day by firing up the little Honda generator to make coffee. I edited the few photos of the trip I’d taken so far, and began this travelogue. After morning chores and a walk, I headed northbound on US97 towards my sis’s home in La Pine.

I visited family in La Pine, Oregon en route to Al’s in Prineville. That’s my twin sister and I in the middle standing. Her husband John, daughter and son-in-law Jill and Craig, and grandson Preston surround us.

We met at Gordy’s Truck Stop in La Pine where there was plenty of parking for the long coach and boat rig. I was pleased that almost the whole family met me there including Gale, John, Jill, Craig and Preston. I gassed up just before we sat down for breakfast, parting with $258 to fill the coach. I explained that someone would have to buy my breakfast because I had just blown all my money on gas. John took pity and paid my tab.

After breakfast and a very nice visit with the family, I continued north on US97 toward Bend, then on to Prineville. I pulled up to Al’s home to find him all ready to hop aboard for our fishing trip of the year. After stowing his stuff, including his famous peach cobbler which I cannot resist, we headed for Hermiston.

The little town of Prineville, Oregon stretches out below as I descend into the valley. I can never resist taking this photo of Prineville from above.

The Columbia River Gorge on a calm, gorgeous day. 

The John Day Dam on the Columbia River.

We drove US97 north to I-84 which runs along the Columbia River Gorge. It was a beautiful drive as the photos show, and I thoroughly enjoyed the drive. When we arrived at Hermiston, we stopped to visit Al’s sister, June. She was battling cancer at the time of our visit, taking chemo treatment. Our visit was brief as Al did not want to tire her, but their visit was warm and comforting for June. After our visit we drove a couple of miles to the Hermiston Walmart store and dropped the jacks for the night. It was still hot, well into the 80s, when we parked and we ran the big generator and air conditioner all evening. We walked over to the Subway Shop in the Walmart store for a couple of sandwiches for dinner. By 2230 we had called it a day and I hit the sack. Al rolled out his sleeping bag on the fold-out couch for the night, and our day was done.

It had been a long day; I had three destinations including my sis Gale’s for breakfast, picking up Al in Prineville, and landing for the night in Hermiston. And I enjoyed every minute of it. Life is good.
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Sunday, Day 3, Hermiston, OR to Wallowa State Park via I-84, SR82: 157 miles

Sunrise in Hermiston, Oregon with jacks down at the local Walmart.

Our check in time at the lake was 1600, so we were in no hurry to get on the road. I slept in ‘til almost 0600 which is pretty late for me. I tended to the usual chores, making coffee for Al and I; he got the real stuff and I made decaf, as usual, for me. This day was the 10^th anniversary of 9-11, so we watched tributes to the memory of those who died on that terrible day. Ironically, Al and I were on my old C-Dory fishing Odell Lake when the attacks on 9-11 took place. We first heard of the terror that day when I made a phone call to Lavonne from the boat as we trolled for kokanee. Lavonne told me that some things were damaged in New York City, but knew nothing else at the time. We had no idea of the horror that actually took place that day ‘til we had dinner in town and watched the infamous videos of the attacks on the Trade Center. We will always remember that day, and not because of the fishing. And again, ten years to the day of the attacks, we were together again on a fishing trip.

After a walk around the shopping center, we continued our drive to Wallowa Lake a bit after 1000, continuing east on I-84. The day warmed quickly, and we ran the dash air conditioner the entire trip. The Oregon countryside was overcast by smoke from wild fires that burned Oregon grasslands, and the haze was everywhere. I learned that wheat was a big crop in this part of Oregon, and we saw wheat fields all along the day’s drive. It seemed all the fields had been harvested, and one grainery we drove by was so full of wheat that a huge pile of it sat on the ground. It must have been a good year.

We watched a 9-11 memorial on the coach satellite TV as we whiled away some time in Hermiston. We had time to kill as check in time at the lake was 1600.

We arrived at Wallowa State Park about 1430. We waited in line for awhile to register, but the staff was very friendly and helpful once we signed in. We parked near the marina area, and began unloading the fishing gear to load onto the boat. It was then that I realized that I had forgotten to gas up the boat!

We had just gassed up the coach in La Grande, and the boat never crossed my mind. I sure miss my memory! Even though I had about 10 or 15 gallons aboard, I didn’t want to worry about burning up all the gas over the four days of fishing we planned. It was about this time that a deputy sheriff, having just retrieved his patrol boat from the lake, pulled over to talk to us. He informed us that, for my out-of-state boat, we needed an Oregon “Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit” for the boat. There was no inspection of the boat for the feared “invasive species”, so it was clearly just a tax on boaters. We were able to obtain the permit from the marina for $22. Al coughed up the fee for us, and we were on our way.

The drive along Wallowa Lake between Joseph and Wallowa State Park. We learned it well that first day due to my lousy memory!

Before we could launch the boat, we had to drive the seven miles or so back to Joseph for gas. We found a small Chevron station there, and I bought 15 gallons at $4 per. We were soon back at the park and finished loading the tackle onto the boat. The ramp was not something to write home about; it was fairly primitive, and the dock was pretty small. Nevertheless, we got the boat launched, and docked at our assigned space nearby. Our dock for the four days didn’t have a single cleat, and I had to tie the boat to the docks 4X4s which ran its length. What a dumb arrangement.

FishWisher the boat at the Wallowa dock awaiting her first call to chase those Wallowa trout!

After the boat was docked, we parked the boat trailer in the marina lot, chained one wheel to the frame to thwart any local thieves, and then headed to our assigned space in the RV lot. I had hoped for cable TV, and maybe WiFi to access the internet. But no, there was neither. Still, the RV park was unusually beautiful with huge conifer trees everywhere, and broad expansive lawns throughout the RV area. Wallowa State Park is a lovely place despite the shortcomings of the launch ramp and having no WiFi, etc.

Our beautiful space at Wallowa State Park; note the deer behind the coach!

Close up of the deer who showed up for dinner after we settled in. The deer were plentiful and afraid of nothing. They were lucky we weren’t deer hunters!

After backing into the space, I hooked up the water, electric and sewer. The space was a level asphalt slab and well maintained. After I dropped the jacks and pushed out the slide, we were at home for the next several days. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the satellite TV picked up the satellite immediately despite all the trees. We were very fortunate that we’d have TV to keep us entertained. Even though the TV worked fine, we could not pick up the XM satellite among the tall pines. Out on the lake, the XM worked just fine aboard the boat.

Al and I spent the evening in the coach, had microwaved frozen dinners and hit the sack before 2100. It had been a long day and we were pooped.
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Monday, Day 4, fishing from Wallow Lake State Park.

I was up, as usual, a bit after 0400, to Al’s chagrin. As we discussed earlier, I suggested he go on back to the bedroom and sleep awhile longer while I got started for the day. He readily headed back to bed and I started my coffee, turned on the TV and settled in to edit photos and update this travelogue.

Al awoke and joined me after a while, and soon we were having coffee together as our day began. After daylight we gathered our things together and headed to the dock. It’s a long walk to the boat from the coach and we lugged two ice chests and other stuff with us. Next visit we’ll need to have a car, I reckon. We’re both too old to be pack mules.

Trolling beautiful Wallowa Lake with downriggers. Most of our fishing was 10′ to 20′ and near the shore for trout. We tried briefly for lake trout and kokanee out in the lake, and very deep, but couldn’t entice any action from them.

By the time we boarded the boat, headed out onto the lake and actually had the downriggers in place and the lines in the water it was about 0830. Our first try was for kokanee, but it was a brief effort. We trolled the deeper part of the lake down to 85 feet in well over 100 feet of water, but it was futile. We’d been told more than once that the kokanee were up the river spawning, and that none had been caught in quite a long while. All we knew to do was to try what the brochure recommended for trout, and that was to troll near the shore in water up to 30’ deep. By 1030 we had caught and released two small trout less than 12 inches on small chrome Flatfish, and were pleased that at the very least we would not be skunked the first day. We were at the dock again by 1100 and walked to the coach for some lunch. We didn’t have to think about taking walks during the days at Wallowa; the treks to and from the boat were plenty of exercise.

One of the first two trout we caught; our technique and their size would improve!

We took a long lunch break and were back on the water about 1300. Late in the afternoon, at the far north end of the lake, I marked some large fish on the sonar, and we targeted them with small, trout pattern broken-back Rapalas. I coated the lures with some stinkum, and attached a small piece of night crawler to the front hook. We set the down riggers at 35’ and 45’ as we trolled. Soon a good hit slammed the rig and we had a decent fish on! I reeled him in as Al grabbed the net, and we had a beautiful 16 inch, 1½ pound trout in the box!

I reset the downrigger, and we trolled the same general area again and very soon another big hit took the Rapala! Al grabbed the rod and fought a bigger fish to the boat, and when landed measured 19 inches and weighed in at 2¾ pounds! We were a couple of mighty pleased fishermen.

My 16 inch trout and Al’s 19 incher. Things improved as we kept at it that first day!

We trolled a couple more passes over the same general area, but couldn’t entice another strike. We continued trolling for more trout, but none were interested in our offerings. At 1700 we decided we’d had enough fishing for one day. We reeled in, stowed all the gear and headed to the dock.

After Al cleaned the fish, we put ‘em in the freezer and spent the evening in the coach, watching TV and resting from our big day of fishing. I am beginning to think that trolling is a lot of effort for an old man. The constant tending of the gear, the lines, the lures, setting the course, dodging shallows and all the rest can be a lot like work! While I enjoy trolling as much as ever, I am realizing that just plain ol’ bait fishing is a whole lot more restful. With sturgeon fishing coming soon, I am looking forward to just sitting and waiting for the fish to come to me!

After dinner and some TV, Al and I called it a day and headed for bed by 2100. The next day would be another big day of fishing and we were looking forward to more excitement!
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Tuesday, Day 5, more Wallowa Lake fishing.

I was up before daylight yet again and prodded poor ol’ Al back to the bedroom from his berth on the couch. I wish I could sleep in some mornings, but it just isn’t going to happen, I guess. Fortunately, Al is a patient and tolerant fellow, and he puts up with my early hours pretty well. After morning chores and breakfast in the coach, we headed to the dock and boarded FishWisher for another day of fishing on beautiful Wallowa Lake.

By 0900 we were again trolling broken-back Rapalas through the lake. We had a slow start, and the thoughts I’d mulled over earlier that morning began to haunt me: Could we have a good day of fishing two days in a row? After Al caught his personal best trout on the first day, could the second be as exciting? For two hours we trolled for trout, trolled deeper for the unlikely mackinaw (lake trout), and even jigged for whatever it was we marked halfway down in the deepest part of the lake which was over 260 feet deep. But we enticed nothing. I was bored. Al was sleepy. It was a slow day.

A flock of coots vacationing on Wallowa Lake. I can’t blame ‘em! 

Things were so slow that we decided to try jigging near the mouth of the river inlet. We marked several fish there, and two or three other boats were working the area. We jigged small kokanee jigs for awhile and all we could manage was one small – very small – rainbow trout that we released. We decided to go back to trolling the hot spot of the day before which wasn’t so hot earlier this day. What did we have to lose? It was nearly noon when we began the troll along the west shore of the small lake, working our way back to the northwest corner where Al had caught the big fish of the day before.

One of several beautiful vacation homes along the shore of Wallowa Lake.

We stayed faithful to the cause despite the lack of action, and it was about 1300 when things began to pop. The afternoon bite began with a rare double; Al was reeling in one fish when I discovered another on the other downrigger. His weighed in at 1½ pounds and 16 inches. Al’s big trout went into the box. The one I reeled in was another dink, and was released. Finally, our persistence was paying off.

Al’s 2½ pound beauty – fishing Wallowa Lake had improved a lot!

We continued to work the same area of the lake. A half an hour later, as Al steered the boat and I manned the downriggers, another fish took our offering of a chrome Flatfish. “Fish on!” I shouted. Al grabbed the rod and fought a substantial fish toward the boat. After it tired and we got it in the boat, we weighed it in at 3 pounds and 19 inches! Another personal best for Al, and the second in two days!

We continued the troll, the chrome Flatfish on one line, a trout pattern broken-back Rapala on the other. Just half an hour later we had another fish on, and I reeled in another dinky 12 incher that we released. Within another hour, a bit before 1400, another big hit took the chrome Flatfish and I again shouted to Al, who was at the helm, to grab the rod! After a gallant effort, yet another big trout was in the net. We weighed him in at 2¾ pounds and 17 inches. Al was on a roll!

Al’s 7½ lb. stringer of Wallowa trout – a record day for Al!

It was 14:30 when I reeled in the last fish of the day – another small trout of about 12 inches that we released. After that final fish, we’d had it for the day. I reeled in the lines and stowed the gear as Al steered the boat. When the downriggers, etc., were stowed, I cranked up the big motor and we headed for the dock. It had been a memorable day for both of us!

We decided earlier in the day that we’d have dinner at the one small cafe in the park. After Al cleaned his fish and we’d taken our showers, we headed out for dinner. As we walked we crossed the little Wallowa River that flows into the lake. It was there that we found the kokanee! It was a sight we’d never seen before – the bright red kokanee were stacked up in the river by the dozens, and perhaps the thousands if we could have see them all. It was an unforgettable sight to see their bright red bodies in the shallow, fast moving water during their spawn. I intended to visit the river again during our stay and to get some photos of those incredible fish.

Eventually, Al and I found the kokanee, alright, but they were in full spawn mode in Wallowa River, more accurately a creek. We discovered that not a single kokanee had been caught in weeks; they were busy doing their reproduction thing! Note the bright red colors. This taken from the little bridge at the entrance to the lake, just a short walk from the coach. 

Another photo of a brilliant red kokanee in the Wallowa River, just above the lake. We crossed the river on a small bridge between the park entrance and our coach. These kokanee attracted a lot of attention. 

We arrived at the little cafe only to find it closed – on Tuesdays. We had taken a good long walk, at the very least, and would have to settle for microwaved frozen dinners once again. But neither of us complained much – we were enjoying a fishing trip that we would never forget!
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Wednesday, Day 6, a day off the lake to be tourists …

Al and I had been talking about going into the nearby town of Joseph, Oregon just to look the place over. Joseph a very artsy place with bronze statues on the main street corners and well known bronze foundries producing exquisite pieces. I discovered a bus schedule sign during one of our walks in the park, so at 0915 we walked over to the beach area parking lot and caught the bus into town. En route, the bus stopped at the nearby Wallowa Lake Tramway. The tram runs up to the 8150 foot summit of Mt. Howard. We’d also talked about riding the tram, and agreed that we take the ride after our tour of Joseph.

The beautiful and artsy town of Joseph, Oregon, just seven miles from the end of the road that is Wallowa State Park and Wallowa Lake.

The street corners of Joseph come alive with life size, and perhaps larger, bronze sculptures. They are produced in Joseph and add a wonderful element of life to the little town. Small restaurants, gift shops and other interesting places to part with one’s money line the three or four blocks of the downtown area. Al and I had breakfast at one small restaurant and were surprised at the modest prices and unique menu items. After breakfast we walked the area and especially enjoyed the bronze pieces offered at one of the local bronze foundries.

A bronze lady stands at one corner in Joseph. There were incredible bronze pieces on each corner in the downtown area. 

Another bronze piece adorns the downtown area.

After our brief visit to Joseph, we met the bus again and returned to the tram. For the senior rate of $23 each, we climbed aboard one of the small tram cars and were whisked upward toward the summit. The higher we went, the more exhilarating the view became. We had an eagle’s eye view of the entire lake we had been fishing. At the top, Al took a short hike while I relaxed around the Summit Grill patio, taking in the sights from a table. When Al returned from his hike, and after enjoying a sandwich from the grill, we climbed aboard another tram car and headed down the mountain.

Wallowa Lake from the tram as we ascended the mountain to 8150 ft. Incredible views abounded from the tram ride!

A car leaves the top of the tram en route to the bottom near Wallowa State Park.

After walking back to the coach, we kicked back to rest from the busy morning. I took a nap after all the walking. Fishing would get a holiday as we just took it easy for the afternoon. About 1700 we walked once again to the little restaurant at the entrance to the park, and found it to be open. We both ordered fish and chips and enjoyed the ambience of the little pine-walled restaurant/general store establishment.

Day 6 was an enjoyable day off, and I’m glad we chose to do something different. Even so, we were looking forward to our last full day in the park, and maybe catching that 3^rd record trout for Al!
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Thursday, Day 7, another great day of fishing Wallowa Lake

The weather changed quite dramatically on our last full day at Wallowa Lake. It rained lightly on and off during the morning, and a breeze blew much of the day. Al and I took our time getting through the morning chores and getting ready to go fishing. By the time we got out the door to head for the dock, the rain had stopped although the sky was cloudy and threatening.

As we approached the boat on our third day of fishing, this big buck was grazing on the twigs of a tree. He chose to ignore us completely – but we were quite surprised by such a sight right at the dock.

Streaking across Wallowa Lake on a rainy morning, heading out for more trout!

We began the troll a bit before 0900, and while it was breezy with an occasional shower, we continued fishing ‘til noon. By that time the wind had increased to the point that is just wasn’t much fun fighting it. We were one of just two boats on the lake, and we kept at it longer than the other fishing fools. During our morning excursion, we managed to catch three small trout and, for a change, we kept the little ones.

Our morning catch lies in state in the ice chest.

After we tied up at the dock, Al took our bounty down to a senior couple who were fishing from shore at the launch ramp. They were very pleased to take our fish as they hadn’t had any luck.

Al and I returned to the coach and waited to see if the weather might improve. Al headed to the showers in the campground facility and I headed to the bedroom for a nap. We took it easy ‘til almost 1500, then headed to the dock to decide whether we’d go fishing again, or bring our belongings from the boat to the coach and call it quits. It turned out that the wind had decreased substantially and there was even a bit of sunshine peaking through the clouds.

We decided to head out on the lake for another try at a four pound trout which I had told Al we would catch on that last day. Surely there was a big four pounder out there somewhere for us because the three pounders suggested that there were bigger trout. By 1515 we were again on the troll.

Within ten minutes, we had a small trout on, and Al reeled it in. We released it as it was too small to bother cleaning. In another ten minutes something big took the chrome Flatfish, which we had on both lines, and it was my turn! I grabbed the rod and hollered to Al, “fish on!”

Al turned the boat to fight the fish, and I knew I had a big fish on! For several minutes I reeled in, as the line was 150 feet behind the boat when he took the lure. He had the substance to give me a good fight all the way to the boat. Eventually he came to the boat exhausted and Al scooped him into the net. We both were ecstatic at the size of our prey, and when I weighed him in he was exactly four pounds! We measured him at 22 inches! I was amazed at his size, and mostly I was gratified that my prediction was fulfilled!

My big four pounder! Good going, Al, you remembered that the captain gets the biggest fish!

We continued our trolling and in half an hour another big hit took the chrome Flatfish! Al grabbed the rod and was immediately fighting another big fish. In due time he had his fish to the boat, and I scooped him into the net. We brought him aboard the  boat and weighed him in at two pounds. What a beauty!

Al’s two pounder arrived at the dock for its photo. What a day of fishing!

Our afternoon catch – these beauties were NOT given away!

We continued fishing and 40 minutes later reeled in another small trout. We released it to grow a bit bigger.

By 1700 the wind had increased, and trolling was not much fun. We reeled in and called it a day. And what a day it was! This trip was everything we hoped it would be, even though we caught no kokanee and no lake trout. We would not forget this first trip to Wallowa Lake, and hopefully there would be more!

We tied up to the dock and headed to the coach for the night. What a grand time we had at Wallowa Lake!
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Friday, Day 7, Wallowa State Park to Al’s in Prineville via SR 82, I-84, US97: 346 miles

Having experienced one of the best fishing trips either of us has ever taken, Al and I awoke early to head for home. We had to “break camp” which is hardly the term for “camping” aboard a Class A motor home. I simply pressed buttons to bring in the sliding room and retract the jacks. I also dumped the tanks, and then Al and I headed to the ramp area to hook up the trailer and retrieve the boat. For the second time in two consecutive launches, I fell off the trailer tongue as I cranked the boat onto the trailer. I have to get a platform attached to the tongue if I intend to stay dry!

We loaded the boat on the trailer and it was time to head for home. Wallowa Lake was a fishing adventure we’ll never forget!

After loading all the tackle, etc., from the boat onto the coach and checking that everything was ready to roll, we headed out of the park and began the long trek to Al’s place in Prineville. We stopped for breakfast along the way, but otherwise kept a pretty steady pace. It was a long, tough haul due to head winds much of the way. The Columbia Gorge was especially windy, and the seemingly endless climbing didn’t make it any easier. It was amazing how much gas we burned that day. We left with nearly a full tank, but still gassed up before arriving at Al’s house. Usually I can get nearly 600 miles to a tank, but not with strong head winds and FishWisher the boat in tow.

Al kicks back in the coach as we head for home. Hey ol’ buddy, we’ll have to do this again!

When we finally arrived at Al’s place, we unloaded his gear, and then headed to the local Chinese restaurant for a long anticipated Chinese pig-out. I thoroughly enjoyed the feast, and Al did, too. After dinner we drove back to Al’s place where we bid our farewells, and I headed to the coach for the night. Al was planning a trip the next day, and I’d be heading home, – likely before Al would begin his trip. We had enjoyed a wonderful six-day fishing adventure that we’ll never forget!

I had two more days of travel to get home, and I looked forward to the drive. I love driving my coach, and the next two days would doubtless be more adventure to add to the already memorable trip.
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Saturday, Day 8, Al’s in Prineville to home via US97, I-5: 517 miles

I was wrong; I had but one more day of driving. I awoke about 0430 aboard the coach at Al’s place, and was motoring through town toward the highway by 0500. To avoid waking his neighbors, I drove to the lonely overlook above Prineville to fire up the generator and make coffee. I drove the dark highways through the high desert that is the Prineville area, finally driving onto the main highway, US97 at Bend.

As I drove through the darkness of early morning, I realized I’d be arriving at my planned destination, the Anderson, CA Walmart store, before noon. I decided then that I’d just drive on home in one day. It would be over 500 miles, but it wouldn’t be the first time I drove that far – and more – in one day.

I stopped at a McDonald’s in La Pine, OR and grabbed a couple of breakfast sandwiches to gobble down as I continued the drive. I took the time while there to tend my bug collection which had grown so large I could hardly see through the massive windshields. What a difference a little scrubbing can make!

Parked for a moment along US97 near Klamath Lake en route home.

At a rest area somewhere along I-5 in California I made lunch aboard the coach and continued the long drive. I pulled up to our home at 1645. I was mighty road-weary, but still had to unload the coach. I left what was in the holds in the “basement” for the next day, and also put off dumping the tanks, etc., ‘til later, too. I backed FishWisher the boat into her covered slot in the RV lot, and then backed the coach into her slot. It was good to be home!

Our great Wallowa fishing adventure was a huge success! We enjoyed the great fishing Wallowa afforded us, as well as the “day off” when we visited the artsy town of Joseph and rode the Wallowa Lake Tramway. The long drive of over 1800 miles was uneventful, just as I like. Al and I had a great time together, and look forward to another day when we can fish together.

Life is good!
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August 31 – September 1, 2011

This week’s fishing adventure was a rolling catastrophe, it seemed. Still… I fished and succeeded somewhat, and spent the night on the lake, taking in God’s great outdoors all the while.

TWO! I actually caught two fish this trip!

My troubles began as I pulled up to Glory Hole Sports store just outside Angels Camp, CA to purchase some night crawlers and ice. As I walked toward the store I patted by back pocket, as I am wont to do, and there was no wallet! Now, I am not the sort to lose my wallet, but it was missing and so was my smartphone. Panic set in. I decided that I didn’t need the wallet if the store would accept my credit card number. I explained my situation at the counter, and they allowed me use of their phone. After a couple of phone calls, I got my wife on the line, and she said there was no wallet anywhere. And no phone.  At that point I was in full panic! If they weren’t at home, where were they? I would have to return the 65 miles home at once!

But first I checked the boat in case I had left them there. As I entered the cabin, I remembered that I had put both, along with some clothing and my coins, in the ice chest to save a trip from the house to the boat. Gosh! I miss my memory so much! How could I have forgotten?! Believe me, it’s easy when one’s memory begins to slip.

After buying my worms and ice, I headed to the boat to stow them and head for the ramp. But wait… I’d forgotten the ice in the big ice chest out front of the store. And so it goes.

I launched without further frustration and was excited to see how my new XM antenna, now perched high atop the radar arch would work. I’d been losing signal regularly due to that arch, but I can report that I didn’t miss one second of XM’s Okie music on Willie’s Roadhouse, channel 56! I had also just installed a ControllKing remote throttle for the Tohatsu 8 HP kicker. And I can report that it also worked just fine.

I tried trolling for kokanee, waaaay down at 85+ feet, but couldn’t attract a single fish.  I did manage to get the downrigger weights crossed at that depth, however, and could not get them untangled. They were under the boat, the port weight down sixty some feet, the starboard about a foot below the boat, just out of my reach. It would not budge, and trying to pull the cable with bare hands, I managed a few cuts on my fingers. Having learned the hard way, I grabbed a couple of rags, and finally managed to untangle the weights. After getting everything back on board, I discovered that one downrigger quit working. I imagined that I’d burned out the motor.

The first trout of the trip –  a real beauty!

Even so, I continued to troll with a single downrigger, trying at 20 feet to 40 feet for trout, and trolling the second rod just below the surface. I managed to catch one nice, plump, 16 inch rainbow that was just gorgeous. Into the fishbox he went, and I continued trolling.

I planned to try for one of New Melones’ big catfish during the evening, and at about 1830 I reeled in and began looking for a cove to spend the night. Instead of anchoring, I planned to beach the boat, and be able to bait fish without swinging on the hook. At 1940 I was beached in what I’d describe as a muddy, kinda ugly cove and one that might appeal to catfish. I tossed out a sliding sinker rig baited with night crawlers.

What I would name Ugly Cove. I wasn’t there for long.

The view from Ugly Cove. And no luck with the fishing there, either!

It was another beautiful evening sitting there in the cockpit awaiting the nibble of, perhaps, a 10 pound catfish. I watched the setting sun turn to dusk, and dusk turn to darkness. Stars were brilliant in the dark, moonless sky, and Merle and Dolly and the gang sang wonderfully as I sipped a few Vodka Collins. Life is good, even with sore fingers.

I reeled in at 2200, and not all that pleased with the muddy cove, I idled into a nearby cove to anchor for the night. In spite of the broken downrigger and the cut fingers, it had been a good day. I crawled into the V-berth for the night, but my sleep didn’t last long enough.

At 0300 on Day 2, I awoke to the sound of the anchor dragging.  I noticed that a slight breeze had come up, and anchored on a hard, rocky bottom, the breeze moved the boat and the anchor. I got up and headed for another anchorage.

It was a very dark night, but thanks to GPS, chartplotters and a good spotlight, I motored my way across the lake to the marina area. I anchored in a nearby cove, and at 0430 I crawled back into the V-berth for a fitful sleep. I was up a bit after 0600 and was trolling again by 0645.

Trolling with one downrigger, my fish finder could not find the lake bottom. I’ve had trouble enough with that Raymarine A70D finding the bottom with two downriggers, but usually get it corrected by adjusting the gain. For some reason, with the one downrigger, it just could not  find the lake bottom but showed the downrigger weight as the bottom. Essentially I did not have a depth finder and it was a real handicap to troll. I was very frustrated with that unit and have been too many times.

Trolling as the sun rises on New Melones Lake. No matter the “hard times”, this is the life! 

I did manage another trout, a beautiful 15 incher that  took the same chrome Flatfish that caught the trout on Day 1. This one came at about 35 feet. And I had a third one on a bit later, but taking a flying leap as I tried to net him, he managed a last minute escape.

At 1000 I reeled in and stowed the fishing gear. It had been a good two days of fishing, the downrigger problem and cut fingers notwithstanding. But hard times were not over.

As I retrieved the boat, standing on the trailer tongue and leaning heavily forward to crank the boat further onto the trailer, I slipped. My leg jammed into the sharp corner of aluminum channel that is part of the tower that ties down the bow of the boat. I wound up in two feet of water, standing on the other leg, soaked and hurting like #%$^&@! I couldn’t tell how bad the cut was, but I continued loading the boat ’til it was ready to pull up the ramp. As it turned out, the cut was not deep, but the scrape was huge and a bit bloody. Since then, a big, ugly bruise has developed, but it was nothing serious. Whew.

With the boat finally loaded and secure, I headed home. This trip was a tough one, but how can one complain about a few problems when spending all that time fishing and enjoying the great outdoors?! I got the downrigger fixed already, it was a blown circuit board, and am looking forward to my next adventure – another Oregon trip! I can’t wait…

This pending world record 9.7 Lb. Kokanee was taken by Ron Campbell at Wallowa Lake in Oregon in July. I will soon be fishing that lake, although a bit late for kokanee, I suppose, so we expect to fish for trout and perhaps lake trout. My ol’ high school buddy, Al will join me. Stay tuned!

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August 16-17, 2011

I have read a number of posts online about the great kokanee fishing on Lake Berryessa (Central California about 40 miles west of Sacramento), and having never fished the place, I decided to give it a try. I hooked up the boat on Tuesday morning and started out on the 105 mile trek. I arrived at the ramp about 1430, and was trolling at 1530. I planned to fish the late bite, spend the night at anchor, and troll the early morning bite. It was a good plan, but apparently the fish didn’t get the memo.

Trolling beautiful Lake Berryessa. It is a huge lake at over 20,000 acres.

Once again I caught the single dumbest fish in the lake – but at least it was a new-to-me lake, and the dumbest fish was a small, 15” lake locked king salmon that hit during my first hour of trolling! That was a different experience as I haven’t caught one of those since fishing Don Pedro Lake several years ago. With my memory, or lack thereof, I knew it wasn’t a koke or a trout, but I wasn’t too sure about what I had ‘til I sent a photo to my fishing buddy, John, and he went online to check for sure. The little 15” king was at 80’ and took a pink Assassin, meant for a kokanee. He put up a mighty good fight, but eventually wound up in my ice chest.

The little 15″ king salmon lies in state. And he did kick the skunk out of the boat early!

I continued trolling ‘til 1930 when I reeled in and headed for a cove to anchor for the night. I managed one other fish while trolling, a small trout of about 10 inches, with sores and in pretty poor condition. I understand that the warm, summertime waters of our valley lakes cause trout a lot of stress, and this one was no exception. I released him.

The night at anchor was splendid, as usual. I dropped a line over each side of the boat, baited with night crawlers. After dusk I lowered a light to attract small bait fish which might attract larger game fish, but once again I had no takers while at anchor. Still, the pleasure of being an anchor in a calm, serene cove with Hank and Dolly and Merle serenading me while downing a couple of icy Tom Collins’ is a great ending for a day of fishing. Life is good!

My anchorage at sundown. All is well with the world when anchored for the night. It just doesn’t get any better’n this!

After a good night’s sleep, I was back trolling with navigation lights glowing a bit before 0600. The morning troll would not last long as I intended to hit the ramp before the lake lice started launching. At 0730 I reeled in another sickly looking little trout, and released it. That was it for the morning troll, and at 0930 I reeled in and headed to the dock.

This Bald Eagle checked me out as he patrolled the skies over Lake Berryessa.

I launched at Markley Cove near Napa, Ca. It is a clean and tidy, well-run marina, but the docks make no sense to me. They have two docks but just three lanes. Only one side of one dock has cleats to tie to when at the dock. The other lanes have no way to tie the boat while parking or retrieving the rig. It made for much frustration on my part, and if I ever do return to Berryessa, I’ll surely have to find a different marina.

View from the cabin as I head back upriver to the marina.

It has been a so-so year for my lake trolling, and I am about ready to try for Delta salmon next time I’m out. The salmon season has been suspended for the past three or four years, and it will be good to troll for those wonderful salmon on my beloved Delta once again!

This is how salmon fishing was on the Sacramento Delta in years past. Maybe again this year?! I sure hope so!

Click  for hundreds  more fishing sites!

Cruising under the Highway 49 Bridge which crosses New Melones Bridge.

Having missed my own local fishing the past couple of weeks while in Oregon, it was time to prep the boat and head for New Melones once again for some kokanee fishing. I wouldn’t be fishing in heavy, winter clothing as I did in Oregon; it was in the 90s both days at this lake near Angels Camp, the California Gold Country town that holds the somewhat famous Jumping Frog Jubilee each year, inspired by Mark Twain’s fable .

To miss much of the heat and the crowds, I’ve been arriving at the lake in mid-afternoon when the ramps are not busy, then spend the night at anchor, and head home mid-morning the following day, again when the ramp isn’t so busy with launching lake lice, etc. So far, this is working out pretty well.

This weeks trip would include testing the new Raymarine S1000 Autopilot that I installed in the boat this past week. Having had a Raymarine Smart Pilot in my old C-Dory, and I loved it, this new autopilot had some big shoes to fill. (The installation of the autopilot is recorded on this site at the bottom of this page: http://fishwisher.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/the-new-c-dory-projects/)

The local Glory Hole Sports store, (URL is  http://www.gloryholesports.com/latest_fishing_report.htm) reported that trout and kokanee fishing was fair to slow. I’m a fair to slow fisherman, and that sounded like a match to me. 

Shortly after I launched, a flight of geese winged their way across my bow, and I accepted their presence as a good luck gesture. I would need one.

The Glory Hole fishing report was accurate; I couldn’t buy a fish all day, trolling as deep as 80 feet where the kokanee were finding water cool enough for their liking, about 50° I’ve read. The lake surface temperature was in the low 80s, and most of the trout and kokanee were deep. They have plenty of room to find cooler water as the lake is 500 feet at its deepest:

My fish finder shows 501 feet deep in the main lake. Most of the lake is 250 feet to over 400 feet deep. It was a good, wet winter for us!

Perusing the neighbors in Angel’s Cove. A relaxing night on a lake will make a fishing  fool out of most anyone!

Another view from my anchorage. Splendid!

I trolled from about 1330 ’til 1800. And for a change, I anchored with the many stored houseboats that are moored in Angel’s Cove. It was nicely protected and quiet. I dropped a couple of lines over the side baited for trout, and after sundown dropped down a light. I left the lines out all night, and again didn’t get so much as a bite. Yep – the fishing was slow!

I awoke on Day 2 and set about the morning chores and preparing to start trolling as soon as possible. I was trolling a bit before 0600, and at first trolled shad patterns relatively shallow around 40 feet for trout. I didn’t have a bite, and soon switched to kokanee lures and dodgers at 70 to 80 feet.

Trolling for kokanee on New Melones Lake at sunrise. Life is good!

For the first time in a couple of years, I turned into the dam area, a bay that is well known to hold kokanee. Finally, about 0730, my deepest lure at 80 feet popped loose and I had a fish on! I reeled him in gingerly, having learned the hard way that kokanee are easily lost because of their soft mouths and their tarpon-like antics when they see the boat. I was surprised when I first saw him because he was a huge kokanee – at least by my standards!

My “big” kokanee at 16 inches and 1¼ lbs. On New Melones and most foothill lakes, this is a fine catch. it’s the biggest kokanee I have ever caught! Note the developing hooked jaw and the slight pink – which becomes bright red – along his side. It’s getting a bit late for kokanee and they’re beginning to prepare for spawning.

I scooped him into the net after a bit of a fight – a fish brought up from 80 feet is pretty much whipped from that experience alone – but he struggled gallantly to the end. After all the hours I’d invested in this trip, seeing this big beauty was a real thrill! I have often had to settle for the single dumbest fish in the lake, and it seemed this trip would be just that. But if I had to settle for just one, I’m glad this was it!

As for the new Raymarine S1000 autopilot, I need another trip or two with it before commenting. I was used to the now unavailable Sport Pilot mechanical version, and it was at the very least easier to operate. After another trip or two I’ll know whether the new pilot was worth the investment. The problems I seem to have encountered with it may be the result of not knowing how to properly operate it on this first trip. Time will tell…  

Click  for hundreds  more fishing sites!

July 20-21, 2011

A view of the beautiful lake and surrounding crater rim from Al’s pontoon boat. 

Oregon’s Paulina Lake is the most beautiful lake I’ve ever fished! During a week’s motor home trip to visit family in La Pine, Oregon, my old high school buddy, Al, drove down from Prineville with his pontoon boat. I drove the coach as he led the way with his rig to the lake which is at 6,000 feet.

Our campsite with room enough for all the toys – right on the lake!

The lake view from the coach – for just $16 per night with the old geezer discount.

We lucked into the prettiest campsite at the Little Crater campground that anyone could wish for! It sat right on the water and was large enough for the coach, the van and the boat.

We didn’t start fishing ’til 1000 on the first day, after setting up camp and launching the boat. We gave it the old college try, both jigging and trolling, but managed just two kokanee to the boat – only to lose them before we could net them. They fight like tarpon and have pretty soft mouths, so it’s not hard to lose them.

Captain Al at the helm of his comfy little pontoon boat. It is as comfortable a boat for two old geezers as can be found – with big, soft patio chairs that fit old geezers very well! The little 14′ boat is powered by a Suzuki 9.9 HP 4-stroke.

 It was a cool morning on day 2. Here I jig for the elusive kokanee, and actually caught one!

Although the pickins’ were slim, we managed one kokanee while jigging, and another while trolling. Neither were big enough to write home about, but this trip was about good times for old high school buddies, and time on a beautiful lake. We tallied just six hours of fishing on Day 1, and four hours on Day 2. Check out time was 1400, so we had to reel in and head back to civilization at noon. 

Al cleaned the two little kokanee we managed to catch, and took ‘em home for a single man’s meal. Slim pickins’ for sure, but what fun we had trying!

The kokanee lie in state on the “stairway” to the lake from the coach. They are land-locked sockeye salmon and are known as great table fare.

This Bald Eagle put on quite a show for us as we jigged for kokanee. He made one swooping dive down, talons piercing the surface, but missed. He was having a slow day, too, I reckon.

I’ve never enjoyed a fishing trip more than this brief outing to the remote Newberry Caldera in Central Oregon, about 25 miles south of Bend. There was no phone signal for our cell phones, let alone a 3G signal for getting online. Both Paulina Lake, and nearby East Lake are in the Newberry Caldera.

Paulina Lake hold Oregon’s record brown trout at 28 lbs. 5 oz, and the state record for kokanee at 4 lbs. 2 oz. We were not a threat to either record. For more info on the area, check http://www.anglerguide.com/oregon/paulinalake.html  Correction: Wallowa Lake in NE Oregon now holds the state and likely the world record at 9.6 Lbs. which is pending:

http://www.wallowalake.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=40

Another view of our incredible campsite. That’s one of my favorite toys – the magic carpet upon which I’ve traveled the country from coast to coast and border to border – a 2001 Rexhall Vision 315 motorhome. My RV stories are on my RV site: http://coachpotatosrvsite.synthasite.com/

I have to get better at this kokanee fishing as my buddy Al and I are planning a trip to kokanee Mecca this fall – that would be Flaming Gorge in Utah and Wyoming. What a trip that will be!

Next week I’ll be chasing kokanee on New Melones Lake again, unless I have trouble installing my soon-to-arrive auto-pilot! If so, I’ll get that thing installed and fish the following week. Well… maybe the auto-pilot can wait!