Westport - 11/19

[ChessieMan]

Yesterday, Steve and I fished north launching from Westport and immediately heading north to Split Rock. A bit chilly at the launch, but the lake was flat calm, water temp 48.6F.

We had a classic Capt. Catastrophe Cluster-F right off - if a line could tangle, it did - from a mooring line to a down rigger to the two dipsay rods - we made the Three Stooges look good. But, there was a silver lining....

We were idling north of SP setting in 300 FoW, I set the first dipsy with a CI Patty's Day, turned to grab a rigger rod and turned back to see the dipsy rod pounding down - Yeah Haw - Fish On! Landed a 21" laker in short order - not bad, 5 minutes and "1 in the box".

And the lakers kept biting - we landed 8 in the first hour - all 18-24"



nothing up in Whalon's - after hitting double digits on lakers, - all in north of the SP point - we had to move if we intended to try for salmon.

Crossed to Garden (landed a laker midway across) and worked north all the way to Hill Point - we added another 5 lakers along the way, but not a silver to be seen.

Hot lures were Patty's Day and Blue Moon - curiously, the lakers were hitting at 2.5-2.7 knots and hitting hard. I'm not complaining, because any day you can put 18+ fish over the rails is a GREAT day - especially on a flat calm November day - BUT Gee's - I wish I could catch a salmon!

[Jump]

Makes me wish I lived closer to take advantage of such a day. But any fishing report beyond October is a tonic for us suffering the far away Spring. Thanks for that much, Chessieman! And I do so appreciate the very real human error aspect you often add in your posts. I am certain they draw in a lot of kindred (been there before) spirits.
For info sake, what were you running for dipsey setting and distance?
Also, the last time I was there so late in the season we had some strange goings on over there in Whalons Bay. My riggers kept shaking like I was hitting bottom even though I was nowhere near it. We passed it off as maybe having struck suspended debris. Then, when back home and stowing gear I noticed the tape on my vertical flashers were pocked with many tooth marks. The trailing lures only 5 to 8 feet to the rear had gone untouched: Hence no hook ups. Concluded the lures were too insignificant in size compared with the meal afforded a five and half inch flasher blade. I am also reminded of when Terry Langford and I used to cross over to the Schuyler Island area after Labor Day. Even back in the nineties those Lakers wanted Northern King spoons from our Lake Ontario tackle box. "Go big or stay home" as they say".
And now I am also sorely tempted to make the haul from Not-so-sunny-Northfield NH to test out the 8 to 17 lb rated rods recently purchased from Pat Wright...That occasional 10 lb Laker or even recently mentioned Pike might be just what the doctor ordered. Are the docks at Converse Bay or Inland Sea still in?
I might also add (for Jeff) when fishing for late season season Lakers "If you don't have a Black Death Warrior flutter spoon in your spread you ain't hardly fishing either...And the good news, (This means you, Dipsey) is they only come in one color pattern. Ha ha ha!
May the money you saved keep you from divorce court!
Take note Todd Flint...About lure colors that is.

Keep em comin, men!
I am so not done...I hope. But lure speed 2.7 miles an hour sure makes me glad I don't hafta chase them on foot. And a tug on the other end is a tug so no lowly "Greaser" comments please.
"I was pullin and the fish was pullin, what a terrific battle Mr. Donahee. Hee hee!"
Who remembers Frankie Fountaine as Crazy Guggenhiem from the old Jackie Gleason Show?

One can only hope the Silvers are maybe just still in the Rivers, Chess. It's a highly desirable thingy so to speak

Jump

[Reelax]

Couple of the best story tellers on the water right there!


Thanks for sharing guys!

[Jump]

I would say with sixty two hundred posts you seem to be making a pretty fair contribution yourself, Matthew
Over here in my corner the next phase of fishing is rounding the bend. Drove past nearby Highland Lake yesterday and the channel was skimming over. Maybe I will connect with my next fish on foot after all! But at zero miles per hour that is a poor substitute for trolling

Jump

[Mistress]

Sounds like an excellent day Chessieman! Last time I was down in those waters it was a 20 laker to one salmon bite. Should only get better now that we are post spawn. I hope….
Your mention of your Three Stooge moment and tangles reminds me of a trip down there a few years ago and the fog was as thick as pea soup. We’re talking Rudolph land ho can’t see 20’ in front of you and we had a good bite going and managed a triple hook up. In the five minutes it took to land all three my Mistress did Nancy Karigan impersonation trying out for the Olympics and did two beautiful pirouettes as evidenced by the pretty pink cookie trail on my plotter and a 300’ rat’s nest from my diver rods tangling beyond untangling Totally lost all bearings while caught up in the moment and luckily no other boats could see the performance.
Jump, if you decide to make a run up to flex your new Wilderness rigger rods let me know and I’ll meet up wit you on the water!!
Pat

[Jump]

That's a very welcome offer, Pat.
A one boat show that far from home is asking for problems.
Tomorrow I am juggling boats between the marina and storage. But once under cover of a newly purchased tarp shelter they should be (no shrink wrap) right and ready in case of a warm spell.
And yah, maintaining a bearing in the fog is a lot like trying to walk straight with eyes closed.
I like that comparison you make with Nancy Kerrigan. Never could understand how those figure skaters could spin like a top and come gliding out of it without whacking a wall! Or even remaining upright period.
My bet is landing all three fish made the 300 foot cluster F episode totally bearable...Pass me the scissors. "Calling Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine! Doctor Howard, doctor Fine. Whoop, woop, woop...La la, la la Lah la la!"

Jump