Blame it on the Super Moon.

CF and I had big expectations as we headed to Keller Ferry to initiate our 2018 fishing season this morning. When we arrived at the launch we found it covered with snow and ice and evidence of some rigs who had slid sideways. We initially decided to head to Spring Canyon but I vetoed that idea and I backed the boat down the ramp slowly and without problems. It then took 3 attempts to pull the empty trailer up the ramp without sliding, a possible omen of what was to come. I forgot to mention how my truck was supplying hot air only to the driver's side so CF had cold feet before we even began the adventure.

Finally we were out on the water and I literally dropped my electric trolling motor in. The cotter pin and bracket which secures the motor had apparently worked itself loose and I was barely able to grab the motor before it slid another 150' to the bottom. I don't know how the motor never fell off and out of the boat during the road trip. No worries, it was time to fish. Initially we offered a pink and an orange Kekeda fly and perch and orange Old Goat Lures( my first trial). Used downrigger at 5-15' and longlines with 1/4 and 1/2 ounce weights. 90 minutes without a bump so we dropped the orange fly to 20 feet and suddenly the rod began bouncing and soon after a big Kokanee went airborne behind the boat. My net was frozen so it would not extend but we were still able to net a 22" Koke!

With renewed enthusiasm we continued on and over the next 2 hours I tried multiple lures,sizes and colors all with no results. We finally decided it just wasn't going to be our day so we headed back in. We were finally rewarded as the Park Service had arrived and heavily sanded the ramp so we got out without any difficulties. The good news today was that a Kokanee was landed and my electric motor survived it's near drowning. There are plenty of days left this year for catching and a day on the water with a great friend is priceless. Happy New Year to all.

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