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Wow, this probably goes down as the most disappointing day in the boat that I've ever had.
I have fished Shannon a couple times, and honestly I have not had any particular great experience. I do know though from some friends that there are some very large rainbows, a ton of (catch/release) LARGE dollies, and landlocked salmon in there.
So I had two hours of sleep, I picked up JonB at 0330, we arrived at the lake prob. 10-15 min. before sunrise.
The first thing that I notice is that the lake is WAY low! Another boater told me that the water level is usually up by the concrete, by the porta potties, or at least at the porta potties. I would say that it was 800-1000' down from the porta potties.
Anyhoo.. We started at the lower dam end of the lake, fishing for Kokes. We saw very few fish even jump. We trolled various kokanee colored wedding rings, normal koke gear. Not a bite.
I had a very detailed map from another angler friend, which showed in detail the various coves and water which he had very good success catch/releasing dollies on a previous trip. (He did say the lake was pretty high on his trip)
We went up the lake through the various hot spots on his map. Not a single sign of anything! We trolled spoons, sepps flashers, various flies behind spoons, wedding rings, hot shots, Kastmasters, I can't even remember what else.
Our final destination goal was to get to the final deep water cove area below the upper dam. This was a hot spot for friend.
However, due to the lake being so low, we had to navigate with Jon on the bow telling me to "Cut right, Cut left" to avoid hitting stumps with our prop, etc. Water became so shallow that we got the prop stuck in 1' of water/silt.
Eventually turned our way back to the lower dam end. Never made it to upper dam.
There was one part mid way up where we did catch what I think it was 2 small cutts, about 11-12", and a rainbow same size. Props to Jon's fly that he tied, an egg sucking leach/black. This fly behind a cool yellow/black dotted spoon, put the few cutts in the boat. Jon did have one very solid take down, that was gone pretty quickly.
This lake is really an amazing sight. The amount of wood, full size trees under water, or stumps, is amazing. You could never boat it by yourself safely. There are places where you are in 180' of water, and you can see complete forest of trees below you on sonar, that are from the 160' bottom, with their tops up at 40' below the surface.
Full grown intact trees under the water. Using side scan on the sonar, they look amazing.
Anyway, I guess the lesson learned here is to check the water level in said river before making a long trip.
I purchased special trolling flies, not to mention a new GoPro, etc.
After leaving here, went to Cavanaugh. At the end of the day it was about 14 hours in the boat, 8 small fish
between two people.
The two photos do not really even display the amount of wood. I should have taken more pics.
Always appreciate getting out with you Jon, but next time we will hit Bosworth!!
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