My Weblog
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
SORRY OUR REPORTS DIDN'T GET IN ON TIME. WE'VE BEEN BUSY CATCHING BIG FISH, YADA, YADA!!
May 19: Took friends Ross Crosby and Steve Vidato out today. We had 3300 CFS, 47 degree water, 4-5 clarity, and a beautiful morning (37 at Service Creek). Caught the first fish at 7:30 AM and had about 7 fish at lunch. they ended up with 43 fish and Ross boated a nice 19" TROPHY first thing in the morning. The grubs and carolina rigs covered with Smelly Jelly was again the ticket. We did take two fish on top water.
Steve Fleming Mah-Hah Outfitters www.johndayriverfishing.com bassinbuddy@centurytel.net
May 16: The start of the Annual "Brother lOVE" trip with Gene Kremer (425-822-7343) and Gregg Kremer (360-668-9397). We started on the river with temps in Fossil of 37, air temp at the river of 36 and the water at 51 degrees, 7-8 clarity, 4420 CFS, and a clear morning. We had the first fish at 7:43 AM and 11 by lunch. But, in that 11 were three Master Angler fish. They were all caught within 80 yards of each other on Carolina rigs. The new twist was special 1/2 oz. brass weights, glass beads, and clatterers from Edge Baits, Chris Rohr, in Marysville, Wa. (1-866-EDGEBAITS). This was our first trip out with these new weights. They allowed us to fish water we don't normally fish, get to the bottom faster, and guess what-we never lost a weight (they have a great design). WOW!! Gene had his first Master Angler Smallmouth 20" X 12 1/2", Gregg's two were 20 1/4" X 12 1/2" and 20 3/4" X 13" (Gregg now has 5 with us in as many years). This brings our 2003 total of Master Angler fish to 26. Double WOW!! They ended up with 53 fish in 54 degree water and a great day on the John Day River.
We went to the private Largemouth Lake where Skip had a deep fried turkey dinner and lasagna ready for us.
May 17th and 18th: The Kremer brothers fished the lake in the middle of a terrible cold front, but they boated 59 fish on the 17th, and 39 on the 18th. Gene got a nice 19" largemouth. We were joined by Justin Aamodt, Diamond A guides, 541-573-6080, who cooked for us on the 17th & 18th, and told us about the great preditor hunts he'd taken people on lately. If you can stand to shoot over 1,000 rounds a day on private property give Justin a call. Also joining us was Scott Haugen, www.scotthaugen.com, outdoor writer, hunter, fisherman, and friend. Scott is a rare writer, he can "talk the talk", and "walk the walk", go to his website for some great stories and info. We had a greqat fresh bluegill and fried potato breakfast and lots of great stories around the campfire.Steve Fleming Mah-Hah Outfitters www.johndayriverfishing.com bassinbuddy@centurytel.net
May 13th: Steve Bash (253-939-1811) came to fish alone this year. Judy was hurt in an accident, so Steve should get the biggest fish this year (dah), and boy did he. At 7:30 Am he boated a 20" X 13 1/4" Master Angler beauty. It was 34 in fossil, 38 at the irver, 49 degree water temp, 3980 CFS, 5-6 clarity, and a clear sky morning. It ended up being a beautiful day with Steve Bash catching 28 fish. Mostly on grubs covered with Smelly Jelly.
May 12th: We ran two trips today with Skip taking Robert and Mike Gordon from the Lebanon/Sweet Home area. It was 47 in Fossil, 44 at the river (that's right 44), the water was 50 degrees, 3-4 clarity, 3290 CFS, and overcast. They boated some nice fish on grubs and Smelly Jelly.
I took Grandpa Dave Fisher and his Grandson Tanner Cushine. They're a great team and they boated 29 fish with the first one at 8:45 AM. Most of our fish came on grubs and Carolina rigs covered with Smelly Jelly (never leave home with out it). We had 5 by lunch and it warmed up to 66 and the water 53 degrees on a nice day of fishing.Steve Fleming Mah-Hah Outfitters www.johndayriverfishing.com bassinbuddy@centurytel.net
May 10th: Took husband/wife Glenn and Maria Reumy from the Seatlle area. It was 39 degrees in Fossil, 45 at the river and the water was 47 degrees, 3600 CFS, on a clear morning. The first fish was caught at 8:01 and they ended up with 23 fish for the day. We had 7 by lunch and the water warmed up to 52 degree and the air was 62 and nice. Maria caught a Master Angler 20 1/2" X 14 early in the morning, and Glenn boated two Trophy fish 19 1/2" X 12 1/2" and 19 1/2" X 13". Most of the fish were caught on grubs and Carolina rigs with lots of Smelly Jelly.
May 9th: Chuck Gebhardt and his Dad fished with us today. Chich was dialed in and caught 20 smallies with some nice fish in the bag. It was 34 in Fossil 43 at the river, with the water at 46 degrees, flowing 3480 CFS, 2-3 for clarity, and clear. Chuck caught the first fish at 6:56 AM and is the earliest fish so far this year. We had 10 fish by lunch and tthe water warmed up to 48, but the weather was turning to overcast. Grubs covered with Smelly Jelly Craw/Anise was the key today.
Steve Fleming Mah-Hah Outfitters www.johndayriverfishing.com bassinbuddy@centurytel.net
May 5th & 6th: The much awaited for "Fishers of Men" Tournament. The group from Christian Destiny Center in Puyallop lead by Pastor Sam Benson stayed at the Wilson Ranches Retreat (888-968-7698) for three nights and took in one of their famous "Steak Feeds", and usual great breakfasts. We start with 40 degree temp in Fossil, 46 at the river and water at 51 degrees, water clarity of 4, wiht the river flowing 4620 CFS on an overcast morning. In two days the nine fishermen ended up boating 167 fish with lots of big ones. Steve Gandara (253-862-5858) won the tournament with two Master Angler fish (20" X 14" and 20 1/4" X 13 1/2") and two 18" fish. He caught one of the Master Angler fish in a place we've not taken one before, so he has another fishing hole named after him. Most fish for two days was Nate Benson (253-906-3746) with 29 followed by his brother Matt with 27. Nate also caught a Master Angler fish, 20" X 13 1/2" beauty, and a trophy 18 " fish. They are a great group and their secret is Palm 1:3, I heard them using it many times (try it). Most of the fish were caught on grubs and in the afternoon. So if you're pulling out early before 6 PM, you are shooting yourself in the foot.
Steve Fleming Mah-Hah Outfitters www.johndayriverfishing.com bassinbuddy@centurytel.net
May 4th: We again ran two trips today with Skip Geer taking Dan Draz and Bryan Fry out to the private Largemouth Lake. They boated over 20 fish with some nice ones in the bunch, but none over 20". I took Mike Lukjanowicz and Max Fiebelkorn to the river. It was 44 in Fossil, 50 at the river with the water at 51 degrees, running 4380 CFS, and an overcast morning. They ended up with 57 fish, and Mike caught a nice 19" X 13 1/2" Trophy fish. We only had 12 by lunch and the rest came in the afternoon. If your reading these reports you are seeing a trend of lots of fish in the afternoon, because the water warms up and the fish are more active then. The secret was Carolina rigs with lots of Smelly Jelly.