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+--- Thread: Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big (/showthread.php?tid=824804)
Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - Old_Coot - 06-05-2013
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#0000bf][size 4]“DougDynasty” (Doug Hansen - a new member here on BFT) and his friend “FishNCoach” (Ron Cooper) Joined me for a couple days on the Gorge for some mack fishing.
We drove up Sunday evening. As we arrived at the POE (Point of Entry) going into Wyoming, we obeyed the signs that said that all boats had to pull into the checking station for mussel certifications. They had us lower our motors to see if any water was coming out, asked us a few questions, put a wire seal on our boat and trailer, gave us a receipt, and sent us on our way.
The next morning, we launched early and struggled with wind most of the day. We did have about a one-hour window of only a light breeze but most of the day was not so pleasant.
We caught no fish Monday. We only had a few bites, and no hookups.
The next morning’s weather was much calmer.
[inline Smooth-Water-444.gif]
Ron and I could not get what few bites we had to stick.
Boy, I feel like I am getting worse at boat control rather than better. I am also getting worse at my presentation technique and reaction times. It has been too long since I have landed my own mack.
All three of us were getting kind of bumbed about not catching any macs after putting in so much time, money, and effort into having a successful trip.
Then ... wouldn’t ya know it … just when ya least expect it, Doug puts the steel to:
--- His first ever fish caught jigging.
--- His first ever mackinaw
--- His first ever inland fish over 7 lbs.
A beautiful 33 lb laker!
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#0000bf][size 4]As soon as we released Mr. Mack, he quickly darted straight down to the deep dark bottom.
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Check out this [/size][/#0000bf][/font][url "http://youtu.be/_FjJBBJQNEg"][font "Comic Sans MS"][#ff0000][size 4]short YouTube video[/size][/#ff0000][/font][/url][font "Comic Sans MS"][#0000bf][size 4] of Doug landing his monster.
A fish this big couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Way to go Doug. You made all our efforts worth it!
So, thanks to Doug, we had lots to talk about on the long drive home Tuesday evening. Over all, it turned out to be a great trip with a couple of great guys.
--- Coot ---
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Re: [Old_Coot] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - durbster - 06-06-2013
looks like alot of fun thanks for sharing your success!!
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Re: [Old_Coot] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - 1sthound - 06-06-2013
Congrats to you guys on a great fish and a nice save on the trip, Thanks for sharing
1sthound.
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Re: [Old_Coot] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - Coldfooter - 06-06-2013
Glad you guys managed to boat a Mackie. Aint it funny how just one of those ladies can change attitudes that day?
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Re: [Old_Coot] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - Ktrout - 06-06-2013
Nice job Ralph. Glad to see you got someone on a monster. I know it has been for a long time, but it really is your turn to catch another one.
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Re: [Old_Coot] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - AFFamily - 06-06-2013
Very nice fish! One day a Laker will be mine to hold!
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Re: [Old_Coot] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - Jazzperch1 - 06-06-2013
Nice fatty mac buddy, [fishin]
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Re: [Old_Coot] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - FishNCoach - 06-06-2013
[font "Calibri"]Thanks for the great memories, [
] and it was indeed an event that unless you witness you cannot fathom the size of these monsters, I truly understand the catch and release on these bad boys they have given many years and the beauty is unbelievable. Even though I was the one on the camera it was a site to behold. [/font][font "Calibri"]Doug my friend you’re now a BFT er and keep up the great fishing and memories. (Nothing like salt water was it) and I am glad for all the records you got. [/font]
[font "Calibri"]Ralph you where magnificent in your presentation and this is truly a different way of fishing than I am used to. A true learning curve. A get out of your comfort zone moment. [/font]
[font "Calibri"]All in All it was fantastic and the trip turned out great. You really cannot put a price on a moment in time. PRICE LESS ----Thanks to you both..[fishin][/font]
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Re: [Coldfooter] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - Old_Coot - 06-06-2013
[quote Coldfooter]Aint it funny how just one of those ladies can change attitudes that day?[/quote]
Man ....... that is SO very true!
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Re: [FishNCoach] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - Old_Coot - 06-06-2013
Thanks Ron.
[quote FishNCoach][font "Calibri"]... [/font][font "Calibri"]this is truly a different way of fishing than I am used to. A true learning curve. A get out of your comfort zone moment ...[/font][/quote]
Yea, it ain't anything like fishing for Willard wipers or jigging for cuts on the Berry.
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Re: [Old_Coot] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - fishinfool - 06-06-2013
That's a great first mack! Congrats!
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Re: [Old_Coot] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - FishNCoach - 06-21-2013
I also enjoyed the you-tube video, link and saved.[fishin]
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Re: [Old_Coot] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - rutnbuckhunting - 06-22-2013
Great fish great story and catch. Congrats to you. We fished over the weekend. Likewise a mack for me is a long time comming. We fished 2 days nota. And haven't caught a big one in years. Jigging that is. We ended up catching a couple pups trolling for kokes. It has been 15 yrs but we use to catch 5-10 a day over 20 lbs. But we have been up the last few years notta jigging. Not into the steel line trolling. Caught a lot that way in years past! What has changed? I think they know I am comming.
Good on you guys.
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Re: [rutnbuckhunting] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - Tarponjim - 06-22-2013
[quote rutnbuckhunting]It has been 15 yrs but we use to catch 5-10 a day over 20 lbs. But we have been up the last few years notta jigging. Not into the steel line trolling. Caught a lot that way in years past! What has changed?[/quote]
The internet. GPS with mapping (accurate). I-pilot trolling motors, turning those who previously never in their wildest dreams considered jig fishing into "jiggers" overnight. And mostly, as a result of such changes, there are far fewer of those macks you used to catch 15 years ago. More anglers, more harvest (intentional and non-intentional), more forage than they've ever had (fewer predators equals more prey), and fewer big fish leaves a few really old educated fish that are harder than ever to fool.
Just the facts, supported by thousands of hours of observaton, thousands of hours of sonar data, and catching one now and then.[
] "Biological" data does not exist because it is not gathered in any quantity over enough time sufficient to make any conclusions."[signature]
Re: [Ktrout] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - JiggyJus10 - 08-26-2013
Amen to that!
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Re: [Old_Coot] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - CoyoteSpinner - 08-28-2013
Wicked awesome! I love reports like this, a 1-fish day is "enuf" to bring the glory, great memories, and feeling of "success". Quality over quantity right there.
Got that business on my bucket list for sure. Korey was kind enough to drag me up to Bear Ice, and made a few more trips - the temptation of a hookup - there's no doubt - those fish are that old for a reason!
Boat control? Coot - thought you had that all automated?
Thanks for sharing. Think those
s tell the story!
Re: [Old_Coot] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - fsh4fun05 - 08-28-2013
Job well done. I'm jealous.
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Re: [Old_Coot] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - liketrolling - 08-28-2013
we are going to Flaming Gorge sept 24 to fish for Mack we have never fished for them don't no where to go or how to fish for mack. do you troll or jig. I have been searching the web. I did read this.
Fall Fishing For Trout at Strawberry Reservoir
By Ralph Naylor – “Old Coot”
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=76012"]http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=76012[/url]
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Re: [CoyoteSpinner] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - wiperhunter2 - 08-29-2013
You guys do know this post is 2 months old right?
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Re: [Old_Coot] Just Barely at the Gorge -- But Big - Lunkers - 08-30-2013
Thanks for the update. Nice Fish and pic.
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