2021 Maiden Voyage of year on Jan 1

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Reelax
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Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 7:27 pm
Species: Salmon, steelhead, brown trout
Location: Fletcher, Vt

2021 Maiden Voyage of year on Jan 1

Post by Reelax »

Well we can tell who is having fun this time of year thanks to the ‘ol frostbite fishing tradition on Lake Champlain.... As the Reelax crew pulled into converse before 7am on Jan 1
There was a boat out, one launching, another setting up and one pulling in behind us..... yeee haaaa... what fun in numbers in the winter.... the lake was flat calm (too calm for that matter) all day and the 7 :o other boats we saw out all were pulling in cold water fish like they could step out of the boat and walk on em... 8-)

The crew consisted of Lightandvariable and DAcomitted. We decided to break from the pack and cruise on a southern heading as the sun came up over VT and look for birds all the way....well that worked out like a fart in church, as we saw 5 total birds, none feeding, from Converse all the way to Westport. :roll:

We came off plane around Partridge and started a set where we found some food... bait up to 40fow. As we were still tweeking gear, we got report of a 28” monster caught up North... Now my bird search ain’t lookin soo good... :o

We we still have a good spot here.. let’s make it work.... bam, laker... bam, small laker, bam... you get the idea....

Can’t keep the gear In The water long enough for a salmon to find it... the small Lakers are on within a football field of trolling.... :shock:

Well at least we got the grill... Breakfast was hot pretzels with mustard, and bacon wrapped, scallops. Lunch was cheese burgers, and after noon snack was marinated sirloin tips.... Again no weight lost on Reelax today :cry:

After searching the whole southern end of the lake for anything that resembled a salmon, we decided a pick and run was in order to at least start playing with the other boats reporting SALMON.

The list of worthy boats up NORD was Dilly Worm, Country Angler, Luke (monster slayer, should be his boat name, Instigator, and 3 or so others I don’t know names of. Yet :D

We put down south of Unicorn and setup headed North with good bait and predators on the graph as high as 50. We ran inside the ball grabber and rounded split as our 1st salmon of the day took the rear port rigger for a ride.... Yeee haaaaa... we finally struck silver!!!! Although it could have been a meal for the one Luke’s crew landed earlier, it was a start... :oops:

We,fished, and fished, and had a ball.. Dropped D off and ran back out the mansion on a hunch.... well... guess what.... laker, laker, laker... we started callin em lake brookies cause when they are so small they got some pretty colors. :( :(

Looks to me like at the least, we can’t get salmon cause the Lakers are getting in front of them for a meal. And at most the Lakers are pushing Salmon into a decline from and overall forage usage perspective..... either way things are changing in the lake fast.... those 8-9 lb salmon left may be the only ones we see for a few years when they are gone... :?

After hearing that instigator abandoned Supercab in his request of a couple small Lakers for fillets to go chase perch after slime almost capsized his boat from the buildup... :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Jeff and I put the last 2 slimmers in the box and dropped them off to Supercab on the way by.. He looked great in 2021 by the way!!!!

The highlight of the day was meeting THe CountryAngler crew, Dillyworm, Luke and Crew, and others for the 1st time at the ramp who all share the crazy frostbite passion. Great to meet you folks!

What fun this lake is... we are sure blessed to be able to use it all year long...

Fish on!
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Matt B
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finsntins
Posts: 440
Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2015 4:58 pm
Species: salmon
Location: old forge,ny/little salmon river,mexico,ny

Re: 2021 Maiden Voyage of year on Jan 1

Post by finsntins »

nice job matt,glad you were able to get out and enjoy a beautiful day on the water!!!!
Miss B.Haven' sportfishing
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ReelInvestment
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Joined: Sun Jul 28, 2019 6:57 am
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Re: 2021 Maiden Voyage of year on Jan 1

Post by ReelInvestment »

Looked like an awesome day out there! We probably should have made the trip by the way the water looked. Don’t get many days like that this time of year. Those lakers or (lake brookies) sure are pretty though. We spent the afternoon with the beagles searching for cottontails instead. Spring is coming soon though, hoping for a better bulwagga this year!
Gecha (Gerry)
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Species: whatever crazy enough to bite

Re: 2021 Maiden Voyage of year on Jan 1

Post by Gecha (Gerry) »

Great way to start the new year. I am surprised there is no snow or ice at the ramp.
Gecha (Gerry North of the Border)
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Dilly Worm
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Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:22 pm
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Re: 2021 Maiden Voyage of year on Jan 1

Post by Dilly Worm »

Matt, I had fun reading your report. It was nice to meet you and Lightandvariable and DA in person. Glad you guys got into a lot of fish.

I got a kick out of the photo of my boat making a cloud of blue smoke at the launch. Really, the 20-yr old 2-stroke runs great ever since Jack (Detritus) spent several hours this fall getting it tuned up for winter. But wow, it was smoky that morning while I sat there warming it up as the Reelax just started up and motored off :D

Happy New Year !
I do not exaggerate when I talk about fishing - I underestimate, like I say "just one more cast honey, then I'll come home" !
Keep Calm and... Fish On !
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fishy1
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Re: 2021 Maiden Voyage of year on Jan 1

Post by fishy1 »

awsome reports glad to see those frostbite boats out there. the lakers change colors in the fall when in there spawning stages like salmon. also they they look like a brookie because there the same family the char species. lakers seem to have a better fight to them in the fall to. love casting for them and the fight but dont like to eat them. hope you guys get out again.
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riddlervt
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Re: 2021 Maiden Voyage of year on Jan 1

Post by riddlervt »

Great report! Too bad all those lakers wheren't salmon. Food looks good too!
Riddler
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