Tony Buzolich
09-22-2015, 05:18 PM
Wanting to get over to the Sac again soon while the bite was on, I headed out early and got to the ramp just at daybreak. Unfortunately, the wind was blowing hard and this is always an ominous predictor. As I got to the bottom of the ramp something else was going on,,,,,, the water had come up again. Maybe six inches to a foot and the gangplank to the dock was under water. I had to wade to get on the dock.
Anytime water changes, doesn't matter going up or going down, the fish seem to shut off for a while till they get used to the new flows. So, now I've got the wind blowing straight up the river from the south, and, I've got a change in flows. Not good signs to start the day. At least I didn't bring any questionable bananas with me today.
I start off like usual at my favorite spot and make my first drift without even a tap. This wall is always good for at least one fish and I make another run up to the top and start again. Farther down the drift than usual I get my first grab and a small schoolie comes to the boat. Ah,, I broke the ice. Always good to get that first fish out of the way.
As I continue on downstream the wind is blowing me every which way imaginable. Trying to control the boat and cast at the same time is really tough. I drift on downstream bouncing back and forth whichever way the wind pushes me. Cast, strip, get control of the drift, strip some more, all the time waiting for another good grab. Several miles downstream now I think I get a small tap? Maybe?
This definitely is nothing like the other day and I continue on for the next four and half hours without another solid grab. I didn't bring any bananas, so what's the deal? I've hit every HPS (high percentage spot) I know and still nothing. It's almost 11:00 and I've had more than enough casting practice for the day, and I'm just plain tired of fighting this wind.
As I get to the dock I decide to give my first run,,,,,, one more try, and motor upstream one more time. I switch rods and fly color hoping something different may work this time and begin my drift again. With oncoming boat traffic coming toward me I finally get a solid grab and hook-up. Around and under several times all the while trying to avoid oncoming boats, I finally get my first decent fish of the day. The other boats have stopped to watch the action and cheer me on as I get another nice striper into the boat.
Whew! what a long day without hardly any action. Time to go home and take a nap. Maybe next time I WILL BRING bananas again, and fishing might be like it was last week? :)
Tony
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b320/buzolich/IMG_0086_zpsgpc3a75q.jpg (http://s22.photobucket.com/user/buzolich/media/IMG_0086_zpsgpc3a75q.jpg.html)
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b320/buzolich/IMG_0085_zpsctbmcyk5.jpg (http://s22.photobucket.com/user/buzolich/media/IMG_0085_zpsctbmcyk5.jpg.html)
Anytime water changes, doesn't matter going up or going down, the fish seem to shut off for a while till they get used to the new flows. So, now I've got the wind blowing straight up the river from the south, and, I've got a change in flows. Not good signs to start the day. At least I didn't bring any questionable bananas with me today.
I start off like usual at my favorite spot and make my first drift without even a tap. This wall is always good for at least one fish and I make another run up to the top and start again. Farther down the drift than usual I get my first grab and a small schoolie comes to the boat. Ah,, I broke the ice. Always good to get that first fish out of the way.
As I continue on downstream the wind is blowing me every which way imaginable. Trying to control the boat and cast at the same time is really tough. I drift on downstream bouncing back and forth whichever way the wind pushes me. Cast, strip, get control of the drift, strip some more, all the time waiting for another good grab. Several miles downstream now I think I get a small tap? Maybe?
This definitely is nothing like the other day and I continue on for the next four and half hours without another solid grab. I didn't bring any bananas, so what's the deal? I've hit every HPS (high percentage spot) I know and still nothing. It's almost 11:00 and I've had more than enough casting practice for the day, and I'm just plain tired of fighting this wind.
As I get to the dock I decide to give my first run,,,,,, one more try, and motor upstream one more time. I switch rods and fly color hoping something different may work this time and begin my drift again. With oncoming boat traffic coming toward me I finally get a solid grab and hook-up. Around and under several times all the while trying to avoid oncoming boats, I finally get my first decent fish of the day. The other boats have stopped to watch the action and cheer me on as I get another nice striper into the boat.
Whew! what a long day without hardly any action. Time to go home and take a nap. Maybe next time I WILL BRING bananas again, and fishing might be like it was last week? :)
Tony
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b320/buzolich/IMG_0086_zpsgpc3a75q.jpg (http://s22.photobucket.com/user/buzolich/media/IMG_0086_zpsgpc3a75q.jpg.html)
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b320/buzolich/IMG_0085_zpsctbmcyk5.jpg (http://s22.photobucket.com/user/buzolich/media/IMG_0085_zpsctbmcyk5.jpg.html)