Big Bites at Gorge Lead to Doom and Gloom

Fishing Time: 7:30 am to 2:00 pm

Weather: T-60s, mostly clear skies, slight breeze getting stronger in the afternoon

Moon Phase: 82% Moon

Location: Flaming Gorge (South of Lucerne Marina)

Best Bait: 7-inch Tora Tube Jig

Who Went: Bobber John, Dunc

Bobber surprised me by saying he was coming into town for a AA conference.  We immediately planned a trip between his meeting days.  He was itching to fish for Lake Trout, so we planned a one-night stay in Manila, UT. 

We fished south from Lucerne Marina enjoying the scenery and bighorn sheep along the way.

We fished some new areas and our usual waypoints.  Bobber being the Lake Trout king of course hooked up first thing in the morning with a small teener fish, but they were active, and we were excited.

That’s when it all went terribly wrong for me...  I hooked up with what was probably another teener and ended up breaking off.  Unfortunately, when we arrived to the gorge, in a hurry to get gear ready Bobber was rigging lines while I drove the boat to our spot.  Bobber was using my gear and accidentally put 8-pound test as my leader.  I was upset for a minute, but got over it before moving on to another location to find more fish.

We began fishing at the new spot and I quickly hooked up again, but this one was different.  I couldn’t budge the fish off the bottom.  The last time I had one stay down like this the fish was close to 40 pounds.  I was 5 minutes into the battle but was struggling with my drag on a reel that I never use for lake trout.  The drag kept sticking and I would have to release the spool to let the fish take line.  This went on and on, taking drag, then it would stick and I would have to release the spool.  Another fail on gear!  I had two Shimano Calcutta reels on board that are perfect for lake trout with seamless drag systems, but for some reason we are using a cheap bass reel with a broken handle!  Needless to say, it took one big run and pop! Gone! 

Typically, when I lose a big fish I’m pissed and throw a tantrum.  This one hurt so bad I just laid the rod down and went silent!  This one was painful!  I have been on the longest lake trout drought of my life, and the worst part… countless missed bites and four lost fish in the last 3 years!  It’s starting to feel like a curse! I can recall the four missed fish like they were yesterday.  Two were line snaps at the leader, one broken rod on the hook set, and now a defective reel.  All while having the best gear available right on board with me!  It’s starting to feel like my curse!

More Punishment at Willard Bay

Fishing Time: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Weather: sunny and hot with temps over 90 degrees. Calm wind from the south.

Moon Phase: 35% Waxing

Water Temp: 75 degrees

Location: Willard Bay

Best Baits: Whopper Plopper (shad color)

Who Went: Casey Davies, Dunc

I keep reading reports of catching limits of walleye at Willard Bay.  I honestly hate this lake and for whatever reason these success stories just keep reeling me in to try again.  You would think I would learn my lesson (sigh).

Casey said he was down to go get skunked, so we hit the road late afternoon to catch the supposed evening walleye bite.  We launched from the north end and headed towards the light pole.  We started seeing fish on the finder and stopped to give it a try.  We ran two bottom bouncing rigs and two cranks.  We continued to see fish all over, but as usual nothing would commit.  I tried all different speeds, different lures, and multiple areas with zero success.  Casey did have one good hit on his crankbait, but it didn’t stick. 

As the sun fell behind the horizon, I cursed Willard again and made a game plan to fish the marina before we left.  I put on a Whopper Plopper and Casey chose a lipless crankbait.  First cast for Casey produced a smallmouth bass that flipped off right at the boat.  Once inside the harbor I had a good explosion on my topwater and finally broke the skunk with a chunky little largemouth bass. 

We continued working our way around the bay until it was too dark to see.  Right as we were calling it quits, I had another good topwater explosion and put a decent smallmouth in the boat. 

I can’t tell you how frustrating Willard Bay is to me.  I see fish everywhere but can’t get them to bite.  Then to add insult to injury, we watched a boat troll right by us and hook up with a walleye.  I hate that place, but I’m sure I will get sucked into going there again when I read more success stories!