Was hoping the cooler weather might help offset the big full moon still hanging in the sky as I got ready to launch at the south marina. Air temp 57 (nice) and water temp just over 71 at launch. Getting there, but not quite prime. Water level is really dropping too.
**Got launched by 6:30. Calm conditions all morning. A few other folks optimistically fishing but did not see anybody in boats score anything. I started out casting or dragging a wide variety of plastics and cranks. In the first 2 1/2 hours I had one bite…a nice crappie that hit a small crank but arranged an early release just as it reached the tube. Sokay by me. **
Finally swallered my pride (whatever is left) and put up the fancy stuff. Out came the fligs and LHBE minnows. The next two hours were kitty city. Went through 2 dozen minnows. Only missed a couple of hits and quit when I had about 4 minnows left. Kept 4 cats for a fish fry. Gotta love those whiskery wascals.
Saw lots of small shad balls. Started just outside the marina and extended out into 17-18 feet of water. In a couple of areas the shad were carpeting the bottom. Between the abundance of food and the bright full moon last night it is little wonder the W & W contingent (wipers and walleyes) were sleeping in and not interested in breakfast served by lowly anglers.
The photos look like pretty standard WB cats - any extra size to any of them? You would think with the preponderance of vittles available for them cats that they would pick up a bit in size soon
Ya , i was not a cat guy in my younger days. Dad was a trout guy and so were his boys We fished the local waters and took horses into Wyoming or other high country chasing critter with whippy wands and tufts of feathers,( but only after the hay was put up). About my College days, my room mate introduced me to cats on the bear and up in Logan. But for some reason we never fished Willard. I am a willard-come-lately guy and really learning it now. I really bit hard into the cat magic when I relocated to Alabama and fished some of the great cat water down that way. I got to play with big blues on the Santee- Cooper chain. Mind blowing.
I appreciate you adding more context to the Willard story. Feels like it will continue to develop better cats. I hope I keep my feet planted on terra-ferma long enough to see catchable population of 30+ at the bay.
Now. What do you think of the little experiment of cats in Matua?
like using a bobber on a whippy stick to catch slimers takes much skill (winkie)
you learn to put flies where they need to be to happy carp or dont git eaten pretty quick
i cant believe it took a global pandemic to git me to figure out the best carp river in the state
i havent poopfished the gorge nearly as much as i like too ditto on starvation
i did have a short window last sunday after rowin my greenie bros into a few river troots
Looks like fun while it lasted and a lot cooler. I’ve always enjoyed fishing with a fly and bubble rig. S&M is a fun little reservoir and beautiful scenery too.
I’ve lived in Utah most of my 82 years and never fished Smith and Morehouse, although I pass the road for it going through Peoa and Oakley on the way to Jordanelle thru Kamas, all the time.
Your video is great showing the trip up there and where you fished. Good job!
We have been out a lot this summer. Mostly short close trips - lots of fun, but I am getting behind on reports …
This was over a week ago. Ran up early in the AM to see about getting a few grayling. Lots of surface action when we got there but most of them were small. Fished fly and a bubble. Small bead nymph, elkhair caddis, Beatles and mosquito. They all had takes but due to size not so many hook ups. Did get a few decent ones. Greast way to escape the heat dome for a while. Surface bite shut down pretty quick when the sun popped over the mts.
