My Weblog
Sunday, March 31, 2002
March 30th: ran two trips at 3860 CFS, 46 degree water, clarity of six with one being "gin clear", with clear sunny skies all day. The group that went out first with Steve: Royal Proctor (503-658-2824) who caught three 20" smallmouth in one day last year, his friend Steve Flectcher, and writer Dusty Routh from Issaquah, Wa. They caught their first fish at 9:45 and ended up with 36 smallies, with Royal catching a 19" beauty. They used crankbaits and 3" Kalin grubs covered with Smelly jelly Craw/Anise and Anchovy liquid with a base of Smelly Jelly nightcrawler glitter. The second group was with Skip Geer and had friends Rob Norby and Steve Johnson from Bend, and caught 20 fish with 16 of them coming on crankbaits covered with Smelly Jelly. They also caught so nice 15" and 16" smallies.
They stayed at the Service Creek Stage Stop (541-468-3331) and had breakfast with Skip there.March 29th: (Linda's present day) Skip Geer took Dan Draz and Bill Hernquist out and caught 56 smallies in 3500 CFS, 45 degree water clarity of six, and a bright sunny day. They used almost exsclusively 3" grubs covered with Smelly Jelly on 1/4 oz leadheads.
March 28th: Dan Draz and Bill Hernquist of Lajnesa, Ca. (615-465-6816) fished at 3600 CFS, 44 degree water, clarity of six, on a sunny day (air temp was 37 at putin). They caught their first fish about 10:30 and ended up with 33 fish for the day, with Bill catching an 18" fish.
Wednesday, March 27, 2002
March 27th: We ran two trips today with the water starting at 3100 CFS and going up to 3600 CFS, water clarity going from a three to a five-six, temperature-44 degrees at 7:00 AM, and very clear skies. The groups of Gary Miller, J. Colt, and Gary Friberg caught their first first at 10:15 AM, but only had five fish by lunch. They ended up with 33 smallmouth with the biggest being about 16" and caught by Gary Miller. Two young fun loving brothers from John Day, Joe and Frank Bellinger, caught 18 fish with the biggest being about 15". About half the fish were caught on crankbaits smothered in Smelly Jelly Craw/Anise and Anchovy, 3" grubs on 1/4 oz leadheads, and Jerry's Tournament Tackle Saturn worms in Junebug fished on drop shot. Good day with river rising and about 51 fish for five fishermen.
March 26th: River running about 2800 CFS, four on the clarity scale, clear sunshiny day, with water about 44 degrees. We had the pleasure and privilege to fish with Jerry's Tournament Tackle General Sales Manager, Bill DeMaris (1-888-844-6849), and pro-staff friend and fishing buddy, Bill Blattner of Hayden, Idaho. Two great fishermen and great soft plastics make for lots of fun and fish (37). Bill DeMaris brought out 4" Saturn Worms, 4" Swimming Lizards, and Assalult Grubs in colors: #051 S&P/Gold MF,Root Beer, #146 June Bug, #195 Green Pumkin Pepper, and #046 Gold. The best catching techniques of the day was drop shotting, and the biggest fish of the day was 18 1/2" long caught by Bill Blattner. We used the Saturn worm in Junebug on the 27th and caught lots of fish. If you haven't checked out Jerry's call Bill and get a catalog and some product, soon.
March 25th: A reat Grandfather - Grandson team of David Fisher and Jesse Ellis fished in 1860 CFS, clarity of three, and 42 degree water. They caught 26 fish with Grandpa leading the way with two 19" fish. They caught about half on crankbaits and the other half on 3" grubs all doused with Smelly Jelly Craw/Anise on 1/4 oz. leadheads.
Sunday, March 24, 2002
March 23rd: Chris Henandez (253-858-8377) of Gig Harbor, Wa. and Brian Horner (360-732-4409) of Chimaum, Wa. fished the Service Creek to Twickenham section of the river with the river running 1840 CFS, three on the clarity scale, overcast, and water temp 43 degrees. Chris caught the first smallmouth at 9:45 and ended up the day with an 18 1/2" and 18" smallmouth bass. Both fellows started hitting lots of fish after lunch. We were drop shotting with 3" leaeches about 15" off the bottom with lots of Smelly Jelly Craw/Anise on the leeches. They ended up with about 30 fish. The sun came out and warmed up the water to about 48 degrees.
March 19th: we were running two trips with lead guide Skip Geer and Dave Sinclair out first, and Art and Kathryn Israelson along with friend Thane Tenson fishing with me later. We all launch at Service Creek in the overcast, river running 1460 CFS, three on the clarity scale, and water a cool 41 degrees. Skip and Dave caught about 15 fish with the biggest about 16", and my group caught about 8 fish with Kathryn catching the biggest at 17 1/2". Art hooked two bright steelehad and boated a nice 25" fish. Most fish were caught on crankbait and 3" grubs. The sun didn't come out so the water didn't warm up much.
Tuesday, March 19, 2002
March 18th: Dave Sinclair to the Private Largemouth Lake. Started out with a clear sunshiny day and the lake at 43 degrees with good water clarity (3), first largemouth came at 10:50 AM. Ended up with seven largemouth with two fish 18" X 13", all caught with crankbait, and the weather turned to cold and overcast about 3:00 PM. The Smelly jelly Craw/Anise was pretty important, all the fish came right after we scented up.
March 16th: Dave Sinclair, Pat Bunyard, and Lyle Bunyard lauched at 8:30 AM at Service Creek with 1800 CFS, 41 degrees, water about a three on clarity, overcast and cold. Pat caught a Steelhead (dark buck) about 9:30 AM, caught the first smallmouth about 11:00AM. We ended up with 14 fish, with Dave Sinclair catching the biggest an 18 1/2" smallmouth, but the water never warmed up above 42 degrees. They caught their fish on crankbait and 3" grubs with lots of Smelly Jelly Craw/Anise, with most fish close to the bottom.
March 16th: Scott and Jerrilyn Danielson from Olympia, Wa. fished with lead guide Skip Geer, they launch at 7:00 AM. Scott caught a 29" Steelhead (dark buck) and 15 smallmouth with the largest 17 ", while Jerrilyn caught seven fish. They used crankbait and 3" grubs with lots of Smelly Jelly.
Thursday, March 14, 2002
March 14th: Had a great day fishing with Hot Tamale Outdoor Show and Scott Kappes. The river was flowing about 2200 CFS, 43 degrees, still about a four on clarity, on a sun shine and intermittent overcast day. The first fish again came at 11:10 AM. Scott, Skip Geer (Mah-Hah's lead guide), Chuck the cameraman, and the rower (Steve Fleming) caught 42 smallmouth, losing a couple of really big fish at the bank (couldn't find the net?). Skip did boat a nice 19" smallie on a crankbait. Half the fish were caught on grubs and half on crankbaits all covered with lots of Smelly Jelly. Ask Scott about the 25 pound carp he hooked into!
March 13th: Three friends: Larry Duckett, Bill Horn, and Jason Crago came up to fish the John Day River. We put in at Service Creek about 7:00 AM with the wate running 2400 CFS and about a five on the clarity scale, but showing 42 degrees. The first smallmouth came at 11:00 AM and the fellows ended up boating about 34 fish. Most all the fish were caught on crankbait, it was too windy to fish the grubs. Smeely Jelly Craw/Anise was again the winning ingredient. We boated a 17 3/4" & 18" by Larry Duckett, and Jasaon Crago caught an 18 1/2" smallie.
Monday, March 11, 2002