Are You Ready?

I don't know about you, but I am so ready for 2015 fishing.  As usual, my fishing license is good for all types of fishing in California and is around 8 feet in length?!?

Following is the summary of 2014 fishing, wishing you all a fantastic 2015!  Tight lines.

Merry Christmas!

It's been an exciting year!  Unfortunately, I have less time to go fishing now....  But, it's not because of lack of trying.  It's been raining a lot here in California; so hopefully, when the rain stops and the children are still on Christmas break, I'll get the opportunity to sneak out for a fishing trip!

Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas!

Salmon Season Is Not Over, Yet!

I thought for sure that the salmon season is over in Sacramento until I saw the 10 pound hen that was given to my dad last night.

The salmon is still bright.

Reasons to be Grateful

There are many reasons to be grateful.  Here are some of mine:

 

From my family to yours:  Have a blessed Thanksgiving!!!

Another Beautiful Day @ the American

JU and the PRO fished from 10 AM to 2:30 PM, pulling plugs for salmon, using salmon roe and night crawler for steelhead.  No takers from steelhead; a couple of take downs from salmon; but none boated this time.  Water conditions couldn't be better after the recent mini storm; however, the fish may have pushed further up river....

Because the PRO's Fish Seeker has a new motor, they got to fish downstream from the "point-of-no-return."  The motor was able to propel the drift boat back up stream through the fast current.

7 pounder steely was boated here a few years back.

Downstream from the point-of-no-return for the Ave Maria, but not for the Fish Seeker.

Where Did the Striped Bass Go?

Before

After

Gaude, gaude....

JU finally got to fish with two of the best fishing teachers at the same time, Grandmaster Fisherman and PRO-Fisherman.  So the children told JU beforehand, "With nick names like that, you'd better come home with fish!"

The launching point was at Brannan Island State Recreation Area out of Rio Vista, Ca.  The weather was fantastic for this time of year, mid 60s with very little wind.  GMF instructed the PRO to rig up for drifting mudsucker (a live bait fish or sweet candy for striped bass).  It's like poetry in motion to see the two teachers worked together and their depth of fishing knowledge.  What was JU doing?  Just standing by on the sideline and absorbing all the information.  Then they came to the first location to do some spooning (a technique involved casting or dropping a heavy lure to the bottom of the river and jigging it up and down).

First drop and the PRO must have hit the fish on the head :-)  Tap; but no hookup.  Second drift and bam!  Just like that, fish on for the PRO, a keeper.

Then it was JU time.  Fish on.  JU was using a light trout fishing pole.  After a very short fight, JU boated the fish.  What, another 17-incher and had to be thrown back :(  But immediately following, JU got another hookup.  JU was super excited.  JU went for the net!  When the fish surfaced, JU laughed.  The fish was barely bigger than the lure?!?  Okay, may be an 8-incher?  But the non-stop action was very stressful for the heart.  What a problem to have.

Then it was game on for GMF.  He landed a fish on his secret weapon that was revealed to the PRO and JU.  The fish was also a 17-incher, but it showed the effectiveness of the lure and the technique.

GMF decided to move to another location.  At the new location, the trio did more spooning and also added drifting mudsucker after seeing other fishermen having success.  Drifting mudsucker was very lethal!  More fish were caught using this technique.  The rest of the day was fantastic!  The trio ended up with five keepers and released around six.  Not bad for a fishing trip from 9 AM to 3 PM.

Ad Astra per Aspera.

I feel something...

Thank you GMF for an awesome fishing trip.

Two happy campers!

The 38 Pounder That Got Away

Wow, another opportunity to go fishing with dad and big bro.  JU couldn't sleep fantasizing about the possibility of landing a 38 pounder since an anonymous posted the comment in the last blog.

Also, JU was all pumped up after receiving the fishing report from Mr. Liberty that went something like this:

Bill and I headed out to Liberty Friday, after attending Paganelli's seminar at the Warehouse the night before.  Armed with new, profound knowledge we planned on some trolling and throwing.

We started trolling on the west side and Bill caught 3 stripers, all 18 or 19 inches (good, fresh fighters) on, of course, yellow hair-raisers.  We were pretty pumped!   During this westside trolling, Bill got a Big hit, but his line broke (we think maybe frayed a bit by the other fish) on a fish we would have loved to have seen.  Very exciting!  When things slowed a bit, we decided to head to the other side and try it and planned to throw a top water and a rattle trap during slack tide.  No hook-ups throwing, so we ate lunch and then headed back west.  Bill had a 17 incher in the mix somewhere, and I managed a 19 incher;  these also on the west side.

As we trolled the west side again, thinking about throwing lures somewhere, I got a huge hit in the same area as Bill's big hit earlier.  This fish was pulling very hard, perhaps the hardest hit I have ever had out there!  So, dammit, I discover my line (17 pound mono) is mysteriously wrapped oddly on my  reel bale (an extra strange little twist).  I was hoping the fish wouldn't run before I hopefully figured out a way to correct this situation.  No such luck!  It took off hard and that line snapped with authority.  For those with tender ears, I will not quote myself from that moment.  Suffice to say, our hearts were beating hard.  Glad to report that after some "recovery" time, we passed through that area again a couple times and I caught a 25 incher and then Bill hooked a 22.  We're feeling much better at this point!

Anyhoo, basically end of story.  Best day in quite awhile on Liberty.  Those lost fish were Big.  The other fish were very fun, fresh and large enough.  All trolling; all on yellow hair-raisers.

The cavalry arrived at 9 AM to troll for striped bass.  The Patriarch and the Captain used white hair-raisers while JU used a modified Bomber Long A Lures - B15A (Remove all treble hooks and replace with ONE single hook + 6-inch white tail).

First pass on the "west side of Liberty," the Patriarch's Berkley Cherrywood 7' medium pole went crazy.  JU picked it up and landed a 17" striped bass.  A few minutes later, JU's pole bounced in his hands.  However, JU was using a heavy pole after hearing the report from Mr. Liberty; thus, JU knew it was a little one: another 17-incher.  It was around 11 AM before another was boated by the Patriarch, another 17-incher.  At that time three stripers were released, but it was fun.  Around noon, while trolling and steering the boat, the Captain hit the smallest fish of the day, a 14-incher.  BUT, this one was a keeper because it was a large mouth bass :-)

Then it was time to switch to sturgeon fishing using salmon row and ghost shrimp.  JU got a chance to use his casting reel.  The ultimate fisherman was never successful at using the casting reel without creating a back lash and a mesh of a fishing line.  However, today was different.  He managed to finally cast without any mishaps.

JU got the first sturgeon bite, but no hookup.  Then it was the Patriarch's turn, another bite, but no hookup either.  While everyone was questioning whether the bites were real or just imaginary since there were no hookups, JU, with his lighting quick speed, snapped his pole back to set the hook.  Oh yeah, fish on baby!!!

The heart stopping action lasted for a second :-(

JU stopped reeling to let the fish run.  Unfortunately, it was not the correct thing to do with sturgeon.  Since the new California laws require the use of barbless hook for sturgeon, the line was to be kept tight.  By stop reeling and perhaps letting the line slack, the fish got off :-(  Afterwards, there were a couple more hits for JU and the Patriarch, but no hookups at all.  Sturgeons were too smart to take the bait from the Captain's pole.  They didn't want to see sunlight yet :-)

Summary: 3 striped bass let go; 1 large mouth missed close to the boat; and 1 landed.  One 38 pounder sturgeon that got away and several hits with no hookups.  Fantastic weather and water conditions were clear.  Awesome fish day overall.

Ad Astra per Aspera.

A little foggy at 8:45 AM

Onward to Liberty!

Where is Mr. Pickles or Grand Master Fisherman/Hunter?

Can't complain with the view.

Three of these guys were tossed back.

Finally, a keeper!

Is that a smile, I see?

This is a definite smile: 14-inch fatty.

JU's view :-)  Life is good!

How Early Is Early?

JU sneaked out early Wednesday 11/5 thinking that he would get the worm because "the early bird gets the worm!"  Unfortunately the time change messed things up.  The Ave Maria was in the water by 7 AM, but it was not early enough.  Drifting through the hole, JU passed three boats already in the water.  The one boat that JU inquired already had his limit of two salmon!  JU got to his spot around 7:20 AM.  Pulled wrapped sardine K-14 Kwikfish twice with no hits.  While he was pulling plugs, American Fishing River Guide, Mike Koe, came by (His website is here http://www.americanriverguide.com/).  Mike told JU he's got a 38 pounder in his boat and one other broke his line!  Since Mike was drifting beyond the point of no return and down to Watt Ave.  JU decided to go back to the first spot with the three boats.  By the the time JU got there, all the boats were gone.  JU pulled plugs once through the zone, but no hits.  Then, it was time to head back home to assume the role of JU, The Ultimate School Teacher :-)

Ad Astra per Aspera.

In the water by 7 AM; unfortunately, sunrise was at 6:30 AM.

Looking at the point of no return.

And the Winner Is...

There are a bunch of traditions in JU's life.  There is the ACT (Annual Camping Trip); the FAT (Fun Anniversary Trip); the Memorial Day Weekend Camping Trip; and then, there is the Halloween Pot-luck!

This year, Sifu Legal Counsel, organized a costume contest.  The rules were alive and morphed into doling out prizes to one 1st place winner ($60), two 2nd place winners ($20 ea.), three 3rd place winners ($10), and "The People's Choice" winner ($10).  But of course, all who entered the contest won a Double King-Size Hersey candy bar!  Yummy!

The food was great, but the company was par excellence!  JU's best buddy from high school, WizTech, was there too.  This made the party more fun.

The food

The contestants

First place: St. Lucy

2nd place: Blessed Jacinta

2nd place: Mommy said, "I'm an angel because my brother didn't want to be one."

3rd place: St. George

3rd place: I'm the real St. George

3rd place: But I'm the cutest St. George

"The People's Choice"

Fish on!

According the the weather man, the best weather for this week in SacTown is today!  So JU took advantage of it.

Remember the past Sunday when JU's van got stuck?  JU had to get on all four and dug the gravels with his hands to give the van some traction.  Also, there were two bystanders who came to help push the van.  JU felt so bad because the two gentlemen were very old and feeble.  The guardian angels were working overtime to get the van out!  Afterwards, it took JU one and a half hour just to get the Ave Maria into the water!  It was an excellent learning experience of what NOT to do :-)

This morning JU was more prepared.

Last night, he reviewed the videos on how to do a sardine wrap on Kwikfish lures.  He took his time wrapping his favorite lures for today's use.

Too many to choose from...

One K-15 and the rest are K-14s Kwikfish lures.

Early this morning, by 5:30 AM, the Ave Maria was ready to go.  After morning prayers, breakfast, and a quick farewell to Mrs. Miracles and the children, JU departed home base at 6:30 AM.  Today's sunrise was around 7:30 AM and that's the same hour that JU launched from Gritsmill.  It took JU 10 minutes to unload the canoe and launch!  Much better than last Sunday!

On the way to his favorite spot, JU passed the first fisherman at Gritsmill.  He's been fishing already, but caught nothing.  He said that it is slow today.

JU pulled the blue Arkie plug for steelhead on the way as to not waste any time.  He passed the second fisherman at the favorite fishing hole.  The report was the same.  The second fisherman has been fishing, but no takers yet.  So JU proceeded to the farthest hole before the fast water, the point of no return for canoes and drift boats.  All along, the Arkie plug worked beautifully.

Finally, arriving  at the hole, JU set anchor and put away the steelhead plugs.  First up were the K-14 silver plug on Berkley Cherrywood rod and K-15 green plug on homemade rod.  It was only around 8:15 AM?  Once both plugs were out, JU started rowing the canoe upstream while glancing back to make sure that both plugs worked.  About 1 mimute of rowing, the  Berkley rod started pumping!

No, way!

Yes, way!

Fish on, baby!

The fish fought hard and pulled the canoe around.  The canoe started to drift downstream toward the fast current.  JU started to panic by now.  Should he throw the anchor down?  Should he cut the fishing line?  Fortunately, the salmon decided to make a run away from the fast current, upstream, and pulling the canoe along.  It finally got tired.  When it was near the boat, JU faced the second dilemma, the net was too small!  The thought did cross JU's mind of giving the salmon the Võ Nam Chi death grip :-)  However, it was not necessary.  The head of the salmon fitted into the net with its tail sticking out, but it was boated!

The beast was 36 inches long and weighed in at 17 pounds!

Thank you, Father!

JU was ecstatic!  He picked up and went home.  On the way back, he passed the same fishermen still with no catch :-(  JU knows how that feels....  But the day was still young, perhaps their luck will change soon.

The current was still fast!  JU had to use level 5 of the 40-pound thrust trolling motor in addition to rowing just to make it to the middle of the gravel bar.  At least it was a lot less walking to the pickup point as compared to Sunday!

A special "thank you" goes out to brother PRO (pro-fisherman) for teaching JU how to pull plugs for salmon: "I love you, man."

8:08 AM

8:31 AM, better leave the trout net at home next time!

Home by 10:28 AM.

36 inches

Seventeen pounds.

It's JU Time!

You know JU has it bad when he starts making jello in creatures of the sea shapes :-)  At least the children enjoyed the jello and it was gone in a flash.

I think there's a salmon shape?

This morning JU decided to go on a solo trip to the American.  He launched the Ave Maria at Gritsmill.  Right when he drove the Fish Mobile into the gravels proceeding towards the water, he realized the that gravels were very loose.  Realizing that there might not be enough traction, he attempted to make a quick u-turn.  In the process, the van got stuck!  It's a good thing there were good Samaritans nearby to help get it unstuck.  Then, the Ave Maria was loaded on to the canoe carrier, the same carrier that has served JU faithfully up in the mountain; unfortunately, on loose gravels, it was useless.  Thus, it took a long time to get the Ave Maria in the river.  Finally, around noon, JU got it going.  He proceeded to the first fishing hole to pull plugs the way he learned from the PRO.  The plugs were running perfectly.  However, after three runs, there were no bites.  Then, JU went to a farther fishing hole downstream to do another three runs.  The results were the same.  JU called it a day and started rowing back to the launch.  JU rowed the Ave Maria up until where the current was fast and the canoe was not making any more forward progress; thus, the electric trolling motor was employed.  Everything was going smooth until the water was too shallow for the motor.  Darn!  So JU beached the canoe and walked along the shore until the launching point.  At least at the launching location the ground was solid and the Fish Mobile made it down with no problem.  JU learned two important lessons today, turn right to launch the canoe and don't bring the canoe carrier.

Magic words: Fish on!

It's JU time!

There she is....

That's why there's no fisherman around :-)  No fish.  Just kidding...