Nice Catch … I like the blue bling … Blue seems to be gaining popularity in the lures and flies catagory …
I obtained some blue goose biots from a guy in Idaho and I have been tying some blue prince nymphs that seem to work better than the drab or purple ones.
**Thanks.
I started playing with custom coloring plastics with maker pens back in the late 70’s or early 80’s…when Bobby Garland first started selling his mini-jig tubes. I put either a blue line on the white or colored the front end of clear glitter with blue. Started hammering the crappies and walleyes on them. Told Bobby about it and he put them in his lure lineup. Today almost every plastic manufacturer sells blue and white or blue and silver.
I have since used the blue/clear sparkle all over the country and have not found any species that would not eat them. All species in Utah like them. They are especially good in Willard still…because of the shad forage base.
Blue was also a popular color in some of the earliest fly ties…like the “blue charm” atlantic salmon fly.
Not surprising about the blue prince nymphs. I have been tying and using purple…“psycho”…and have had good success with those. Guess I’ll use some blue too.
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Were you fishing near the same area you were on your last trip to Willard? How deep of water did most of the perch and eye come from? I might just make a trip there on Monday before the next cold front comes in.
**Yes, same area. Starting straight out from the marina entrance. Found first fish in transition from 8-9 feet. Later they moved deeper…to 10-11 feet. That is a spot a bit north of the east-west line out of the harbor. About 200 yards out. The bottom is uneven…from 9 feet up to 6 feet and then dropping down to 11 feet. There is even one spot way to heck out there that is less than 3’. No buoy.
The walleye came from about 9 feet. But they are scattered all over out there. I have caught them this time of year in less than 6’ and out to 20’…when the lake is full.
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Thanks for the info Pat. There are actually two little islands, one after the other on the right when you come out of the channel, the first one is in closer to the channel, maybe 75 yds from the mouth of the channel. I remember seeing them 10 years ago when they came out of the water during the last draught. The second one, is out a little farther and is the one you are talking about. I don’t think those little islands will come out of the water this year but they might next year, if we get a poor water winter[frown]. I noticed how shallow they were getting a little over a month ago and marked them on my GPS with a skull and cross bones[;)]. When you are moving along dragging your jigs, I’m guessing you are going less than .5 mph?
**There are a couple of low rock piles sticking out of the water to the north of the channel entrance but still out a ways from the beach. Saw a boat tear out its transom there when the water was a bit lower after the drawdown for dike repairs. Serves him right. He had buzzed me a couple of times and the third time I had moved in closer. CRUNCH.
I use a variety of techniques with the jigs. Sometimes I cast out a ways and then lift and drop slowly back in. But I caught most of my fish by just kicking along slowly and fishing almost vertically…with a lift and drop and a couple of jiggles. A couple of bites came as I reached back and kicked in the electric…on a slow setting, but faster than I was kicking. I caught one fish by putting the jig rod in a holder while taking a bite of sandwich…and just deadsticking. Never fails. With a piece of worm on the hook they will eat it.
That same technique works all year for me. Sometimes I get wipers. Often I get cats. More than a few walleyes…and recently…perch. Just have to keep changing colors and presentations to find out what they want on any given day.
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Nice report TD! We just put the boat and motor home up for the season…we spent most of the time at Oneida this Fall and did well with many species and of course my favorite eyes! I have a question.. Is Willard $10 per vehicle right now? I’m thinking about pulling the boat out one more time before this storm hits.[:)]
Smiles Always!
MA
**Thankee kindly, ma’am. Glad you liked it.
Also glad you got to play with some of your fave fishies up north.
Not sure about the current charges for Willard. I seem to recall it is $10 during the summer but not sure if they discount it when they close down the facilities and say to “launch at your own risk”.
I could not find current rates on the website. Maybe you can find it in their maze of buttons…or call a number to check.
Thanks for the reply! I haven’t fished Willard during this season and for almost 2 years. I’m going to try it tomorrow might be entertaining!
Smiley!
MA
god bless you and your family pat thank you for what you have given
FishenMa, may be too late, but yes, still $10 at Willard. The Bro and I went out Friday, same area as TD has mentioned. We were there 3 hours, 6 fisherman, 3 hours, nothing. So we left and went to the south marina, walked down the canal, fished it for 3 hours as well. Using worms, not a thing. Sun was setting, cooling down, and all we had was worms which they clearly did not want, so done for the day.
**Using shad…alive or dead…is illegal.
Sorry the fishies were being difficult. Might have been digesting T-day dinners…or out shopping along with everybody else.
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