We made our annual pilgrimage to Lake Williams for the opener. The midnight bite was a bit slower than usual but we managed to catch a few big ones. Williams is getting rehabbed this fall so the planting numbers were a little smaller than usual. The weather was colder than years past so we parked our camper at the eastern resort so we could run our electric heater nonstop while we were inside. The fishing was great right there. Even though the fish were scheduled to be killed off it was mostly catch and release since I hate to see the fish getting freezer burn. We just don't eat enough of them! The fishing was incredible as always. These fish hit just about anything that you throw at them this early in the year. I've never seen signs of junk fish here, they must come out later when the water warms up. I'm going to try a late season trip this year. The state opens it up to no limits just before they kill off the fish. I'll bring the smokers and see if the bite is on!

---