LCI is always fun, school is ending for the girls, the lawn grass is green and needs mowing, and finally for 2025 the weather is calm for all 3 days of the derby. We snuck in at the Button Bay boat ramp that is usually too shallow to launch anything bigger than a kayak, but with the lake at 98 ft the boat actually floated off the trailer while keeping all 4 wheels of the jeep on land, and nobody was there !
- morning
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- togue !
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- one of the bigger small salmon
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We motored to the spot where all the little salmon were biting on day 2, determined to get a big one by starting early in the morning now that we found the spot. Things got off to a fast start - we were just moving at 1 mph with the electric trolling motor to set lines, one lead-core line on an inline planer board was in the water, and I was starting to set the first downrigger when I notice the planer board has disappeared. Fish on ! We weren't really fishing yet, just getting set up and a solid eater salmon is already in the boat.
Hours later with no other releases, and my 10 yo fishing buddy is getting antsy. The boat stereo is playing the usual trolling playlist of 70's classing rock that I force my kids to listen to. She is badgering me to deploy our secret weapon - we have a family superstition that a certain song will always make the coldwater fish bite. But the rule is it has to come on by itself randomly. I keep reminding her the magic will not work if you deliberately choose the song... seems like hours of her pestering me just to play the song and get the waiting for fish to end, and me insisting we wait...
When we get to the designated time to call it a day, I start pulling our gear. I had pulled in both downriggers when she cranks up the stereo...
her: "Dad ! it's finally playing ! "
me: "well, its too late now, half our lines are reeled in. But hey, we tried our best, and even with just the 1 salmon it beats a day in school or work or anywhere else, and lets be thankful we get to spend time on the lake."
the reel on the stern lead-core line: "ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ"
It always works ! Another last minute fish, and with a lot of effort she reels in 4 colors of lead and an angry steelhead. Not big enough for LCI, but a beautiful fish, her first steelie from the lake, and a great way to end a day of fishing. And a reminder never to lose faith.
- steelie
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- she did a great job on net with this jumper
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