My partner and I arrived about 9:30 am at one of the parks at
the lake. the water was up and looked really clear. We didn't bring the boat cause we wanted to just check out the lake levels and clarity but we brought our gear so we didn't hesitate and did some bank fishing. Within the first cast I hooked a big Smallmouth about 30 ft. out and 4ft. deep. We didn't have a net so I had to fight her out, till she tired,but to my surprise after a good 15 minutes of run out my drag about 4 times I thought
I had her beat. I tried lipping her and with a big whack of her tail she was back in the lake with me almost tempted to jump in after her. She looked and felt like a good 6 lbs. and was my first from this lake. My buddy was just laughing and saying that's a nice CAR. (catch and release) I got him back a few minutes later when he pulled in a 4 inch Koke. I said "is that the Reel Thing" He threw it back after pulling its guts out from swallowing the hook. I then hooked number 2 SM a 3 pounder this one wasn't a fighter cause it swallowed the hook. My surgery didn't help it so I decided to filet it out for my buddy whom was curious of never tasting SM before. About 40 minutes had pass and I CAR 3 more from the same hole. My partner was getting upset and wanted to fish another park of the lake. I didn't want to leave this spot but I felt sorry for him so away we went. We fished 2 other areas but with no responce
so we headed home about 2:00 PM. Take note the information on this lake doesn't mention about the good Smallmouth pop in it or about the rare Yellow Bullhead but their both plentiful in this lake and are of record size.
They're just hard to look for cause of the reservoir always changing levels and clarity, but that's what makes it challenging. I've read that the Yellow Bullhead origin is from The Columbia R. and some Oregon lakes. It must have clean water to survive and is the best eaten of Catfish. I have yet to try it . I released some last year about 2lbs or better and just found out the State Record is
less than that. The lake now is still rising cause of snow melt so just be patient and ya might find the lucky spot like I did. Fish
On........<:{{{{{{{<

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