Lake Champlain United - Forums

Jim and I decided to take my Mistress out on a date to see what was happening on the salmon front today out of Converse. We launched shortly after 7 in 20 degree temp with a light to moderate north wind and water surface temp of 42 degrees.
As soon as we left the bay we set lines in front of Garden Island, 2 on riggers down 40’ and 2 diver rods back 120’ and no sooner than the last line was out we had a diver rod fire but nobody home. While setting it back a rigger rod popped and another swing and miss. Was it going to be one of those days?? Ah, HELL NO! As we continued south within five minutes we boated a nice healthy 18” salmon and another 15 minutes later in 225 FOW and I followed that line to just past Thompson Point and did a bat turn and right back up the same run we made and we picked up 2 more salmon and a small laker. In typical Mistress fashion always looking for a bigger better bite we drove away from the ones we found and headed across the abyss to the NY side and sure enough we picked up another salmon over 400 FOW and a laker which caught the attention of two eagles that were in their nest at Split Rock and they flew over looking for a free meal. COOL STUFF!!
I turned into the south end of Whallon and there we stayed for the next 2 hours racking up our salmon count to 14 and lakers 6 or so. Instigator hailed us on the radio as he was launching and we gave him the lowdown and he stayed on the VT side and of course we shared notes as the morning progressed.
The bite was from the surface down to 40’, CI Pink Petunia and Bomb Pop Speedy Shiner were the winning colors today.
Yet another EXCELLENT day on the water, hopefully we can get out a few more times before lock up….
Pat

Great report Pat. Lots of info and details!!!


Sorry I couldn’t make it. Between transporting deer and getting Christmas tree today was booked:)

Frostbite is just beginning. Hope the launches stay clear for a while

Thanks for the informative report!

Nice job pat and crew!!!!really making me jealous,looking like another no fishing winter for me.lots of cold and snow in the forecast

Nice report and pics Pat.
Lucky you are still enjoying fishing.
I sold my boat last spring and I miss it
I hope I get invited to go frostbiting this winter. My freezer is getting low on salmons
Stay safe on and off the water

Another good show, Mssr Wright!
20 degrees at the launch am NOT for the faint of heart.
So, what's the Dipsey setting and back 120 get one for depth?
I don't see Crazy Ivan's Pink Petunia advertised on Todd's site. But have no fear I will find something to buy, if only for the joy of recieving

Jump

It was a good December day on the water and while the fishing was great I think the highlight of the trip was the eagles following us around looking for a free meal. Regarding the slide divers I run them on a #4 setting and 120' back they should be down around 25'.
Below is a better pic of said eagles along with Pink Petunia spoon, and as you can see they work well on multiple species

Great shot of the two eagles, Pat. The rod tip in the foreground tells the story.
When USF&W Jack Swedberg first started the restoration effort down in the Quabbin our friend Russ Johnson said it wasn't long before the birds associated fishing boats with food. Not a totally bad relationship I'm thinking.
And thanks again for another terrific report. Truly a tonic for many of us on the sidelines.
I expect to be filing an ice report well before Christmas (from these parts).

Jump

PS
What size slide divers do you guys use?
Lite Bites I assume