What the Ichthy?

[Jump]

We don't get there often but Champlain never fails to provide a highlight. In May it was the first sight of a sturgeon in 22 years. Last week it was an 11 lb catfish. Well OK maybe a catfish, even of that size, is nothing to write home about for any seasoned Champlain fisherman. But you guys gotta tell me how common is it to catch them down 5 colors over 225 in front of Thompson Point? We were regretting the return trip from Whallons back into those debris infested Town Farm waters last Wednesday but time of day was dictating to play the hand now dealt. My son Owen suggested throwing in one of those bright chartreuse J-11's that often work so well in the muddy Winooski outflow. Bingo! Not ten minutes later here comes this heavy hitter. And then the steady pull on the drag suggested, which would have been no surprise, we were fast to a log. Finally what ever it was took offense. "Look at the rod tip, Dad." That tell tale headshake. Big Laker? Twenty minutes into the tussle that poor abused 8 lb leader coaxes a glimpse of something without scales. Something big without scale. My buddy Frank Desjardins would be crying out, "Jean, Jean come quick I tink da tings got sum ting!" And Bob Broyer is getting some first hand on the job training, about holding a net basket vertical, when the handles strength is so tested by a pelagic bottom dweller. Whodathunkit!!
The fish swam away with I'll bet a new found resolution never to attack another fluorescent green bait fish. And we from not-so-sunny Northfield New Hampshire, who lead sheltered lives from such things, are basking in this latest surprise.
The following half day, and travel home, we went back to the familiar Spring Laker haunt over there in front of Colchester Point. Plenty of murky water but warm water temperature equals zero takers. We pick up and run down to Appletree. There is a nice bench in the bottom scape a short distance outside of the nav buoy. And there came to stave off the skunk our eleventh hour savior; Another true test of that poor under weight rated leader. I am making my own resolution to return to 10 lb wind on leaders on the Lake Ontario gear when Bob finally brings this nice clean all fins intact 9.5 lb laker boatside. I bet we made three full loops around the brute. Thanks Lake Champlain our pride is intact too. And we are still convinced those non hatchery raised fishees give a noticeably better account of themselves. One fish does not a trend make but this guy muckled a Purple People Eater flutter spoon doctored with a strip of purple prism tape .
Maybe if I live long enough I might master adding photos, but not yet. Anybody willing to assist the idiot?
I had every intention of crossing for a looksee off the Ausable River but Tempus Fugit!
And my best guess is that whiskered customer musta got washed outta one of the Town Farm Creeks
Speaking of whiskered; The word reminds me of whiskey. And I am back there in my youth watching one of those old Westerns. You know, with the guy staggering into town after days crossing the dessert on foot. And he pushes through the swinging doors whispering "Whiskey" to the bar tender...
Even as a kid I thought to myself, yah right!
And now many are thinking, what's whiskey got to do with a fishing report? Well nothing...And rightly so.

Jump

[Reelax]

Wow 1st I’ve ever heard of trolling up a trophy cat in Champlain. That woulda been the last fish I expected to see.

Easiest way to post pics is to go into the full editor at the bottom and you will see an attachment button. Hit that and it will alow you to add pics from your photos one at a time.

Good luck. And thanks for the great story!!

Fish on!

[The River Rat]

Hey thats pretty epic right there Jump! Great read also man, really enjoyed that.

[Gecha (Gerry)]

Great read. Loved it, and now, you know how to add pics.