Previous Next

Today I got to meet rseas from the site. He, Nate Treat, and I travel down to Riffe Lake. Recent reports were stellar and not to be passed up, especially as the weather held up with the forecast of a great day.

We arrived and had gear in the water around 8am. The water level is super low, the pier s high and dry, but there is still ramp. Rseas had no trouble launching his 18 foot Lund (an excellent fishing machine, BTW – I want one!). We motored over to the dam and started a circular trolling pattern at about 1.3 mph. Winds were light to calm, and it was sunny to partly sunny, a gorgeous day in the 60-70s.

The plan was to run two rods on riggers, and three long lining. The fish, however, never gave us a chance. It was non-stop bites from the word “go”. We ran small dodgers (not sure – 000?) and a simple fly tied by rseas on a 12” leader. Sometimes bait (shrimp, worms), but just as often no bait. Depths were 22-48 ft on the riggers and up to 60 pulls on the long lines. It honestly didn’t seem to matter; they all got bit and kept us busy. We played catch and release until punching our limit around 1pm. We easily caught 50 fish and lost many more. Never went more than 5 minutes between bites/fish and doubles/triples were the norm.

The fish averaged around 12” and we hoped for something bigger, but not happening today. The fish’s guts are full of parasites, long white tapeworms which are pretty gross to see. Signs at the lake indicate these do not affect the fish for eating; indeed, the parasites are only in the gut, none in the muscles. Still, we all agree they were nasty, but once cleaned the fillets are a nice firm pink/red hue. I now have fresh silvers to work on my smoking skills tomorrow.

Thanks to rseas for showing us his silver trolling tips. His knowledge and approach to these fish is most impressive. I could really get used to being a passenger and not the boat operator (but I did get to run a downrigger). Video shot and our next adventure coming soon!

Idstud

4/23/2012 10:42:00 PM

Wow sounds and looks like a great day on the water. The parasites dont sound good but the fish sure do. Looks like I will have to plan a camping trip down there and do some fishing. Thanks for the report.

Yakivegas

4/24/2012 12:57:00 AM

One of my favorite lakes to fish.I like fishing the other end better when the water is up which is usually sometime around Memorial day.Usually windy too.Looks like you guys had a blast.Cant wait to go myself

rseas

4/24/2012 7:53:00 AM

Mike great report. I had a blast and am always willing to share a bit of fishing knowledge and stories. LOL! I know, never shut up and I talk too much...

yooper_fisher

4/24/2012 7:56:00 AM

Thanks for the report Mike. I was shore fishing around the same time by the dam. 3/5 of the fish I caught had those parasites, but I fried a couple fillets up last night and man were they tasty... I just didn't tell the wife about the worms

Bob R

4/24/2012 8:26:00 AM

Nice report, Mike. Glad the fish and weather cooperated for you. Bob R

Mike Carey

4/24/2012 8:40:00 AM

every one of our fish had them. I'm using rseas's tips and they are air drying right now, will smoke em up and add the picture to this report afterward. I have a feeling this time around my finished product will be much better. rseas, no problem, hope my snoring on the drive home wasn't too loud. :-)

rseas

4/24/2012 9:27:00 AM

No, the occasional snore wasn't a problem and I should clarify, there were three of us in the truck so I wasn't talking to myself...

'OL GREY DOG

4/24/2012 9:56:00 AM

at least when your talk'n to yourself ya know if your talk'n to a dumb (EDITED) or not !!! ...and bye the way ... i heard a report on the news this morn'n .. said some study done somewheres found that talk'n to yourself made ya smarter ... ??? .... anyways great job you's guys.. my poor 'ol back is start'n to feel a lil better ... Rife is going to be 1 of my first trips when i get to feel'n good enough to drag the boat in and out ... DOG

Toni

4/24/2012 12:42:00 PM

Nice report. We didn't even go by the dam. Those fish must be all over.
I didn't see a single worm. I filet with the guts intact. Best way to not see the worms.

rseas

4/24/2012 5:52:00 PM

How did the smoked silvers turn out? They look tasty.

Mike Carey

4/24/2012 8:11:00 PM

good taste to them, a couple were a bit over-done, but definitely a better batch after applying your suggestions.

TomD

4/24/2012 9:00:00 PM

Sounds like an awesome trip you guys!

Leave a Comment:

Login

Flag

×

Why is this comment inappropriate?

Close Submit

Delete this comment? Provide reason.

No Yes

Edit

×

Cancel Save