Had a little more time yesterday so I took the canoe and the missus over to the local to
see if the smallies were still active. We paddled and fished about a 2 mile stretch of river.
Each of us had two set ups, A ML rig with a swimbait or plug, and an UL with a small
jig like I used the other day. We got into fish right away - a big gill on the first cast.
That was the last pannie we caught. Smallmouth were on a binge and each time we
found "boulder gardens" with a little shade we connected. At one point I hooked up, and,
as my fish swam by the canoe, 3 others chased it. I didn't have to tell my wife what to do.
I led my fish along side the boat and she dropped her bait down and we had ourselves a
double of 15 " fish. A great day for both numbers and size. I forgot to mention that all
of these fish came on the ultralights using 4# test line and pinched barbs. The big fish of the
day was a rather large channel that managed to snag itself on by the pectoral fin. It took
about 5 minutes to bring the brute alongside. Between the current, paddling, holding the rod
and the fact that I couldn't get my hand around the fish I could only pin it alongside of the
canoe long enough to try to get my jig back. Unfortunately, this put the line against the
pectoral spine which made short work of the 4#. Yup, the big one got away - and I was
relieved...
fish on, Oh yez, fish off
rivereddy
