Ira and I got out to Willard again today, arriving around 7:30 am, water temp was 65 degrees and light rain and wind. They still have water flowing into Willard and the depth at the S marina dock is still 4.5 ft. It continues to rain all morning until 10 am, with the wind producing 3 ft waves. We started off fligging just outside the marina, just in case it got worse, then decided to head to the SW corner, to get out of the worse of the wind. During this time we caught zero fish. Finally when the wind let up and it stopped raining, we moved to the spot where we caught them last week and started catching cats, right away. Most were smaller this week, with the largest being 22", we ended up getting 8 before we left at 1:30pm.
Wow, 3 ft waves, I’m off the lake when they start getting over a foot. Years ago, when I was young and stupid, I got caught on Strawberry in a 12ft aluminum boat with only a 5-horsepower motor. It got ugly real fast and the waves were coming over the front of the boat. We were very lucky we finally made it back to my dad’s dock. Ever since then when the wind comes up, I’m heading for higher ground. The memories of that day have stuck with me all my life.
They weren’t steady 3 ft waves but with the guesting winds, they would hit that ever so often, that was why we headed to the SW corner, because that was the direction the wind was coming from. Since I got this new, to me boat, I’ve been out on Willard several times in waves that big or bigger, the windshield really helps but I know what you mean about being out on a bigger lake, in a small aluminum boat when the wind comes up, same thing happened to me at the Gorge, many years ago, very scary situation.
Dude - I decided several years ago that it just isn’t worth it to hunt OR fish under those conditions. If there is just a hint of a white cap on the water or I need a full on rain suit, I’ll be seeking entertainment of some sort indoors. But hey, ya done good. 
I hear Willard can get scary fast being so wide open and just off the GSL. My pontoon gets blown around pretty good in wind like that so good on you for sticking it out! Glad you caught a few though!
That reminds me of my early days with a pontoon boat , a little 7’ Bucks Alpine . Got caught on strawberry bobbing up ,and down like a cork , with just fins ,and oars ,no motor . White capping . I did finally got in . I was determined to get back to where I launched , there was moments when I was just going to let the wind blow me to wherever , and deal with getting back to the vehicle . That was the last time on Strawberry without a motor , and staying out there longer than I should . Even with the motor , there was one time got caught in Bryant’s fork on Strawberry when all we could do was let the wind blow us to the nearest shore , motors ,and fins were useless , and just waited it out .