They Don't Always Have Stripes
This morning was as flat as glass, no wind at all, and fish busting the surface over a weed bed across from the ramp. Working quietly in the shallow water I get my first grab and several head shakes but he doesn't stay on. A little farther and I get another grab and head shake but this one comes undone too. They obviously like the fly. Finally a third grab and this one stays on. And it's heavier but dives deep into the weeds. As it comes close to the boat we can't see the usual stripes we look for. A CATFISH ! A nice big channel cat.
My first thought was the platters of fried catfish we'd had in New Orleans on our last Redfish trip. :) Yumm delicious, but it's early and we let him go. Obviously, they like Clousers too.
https://i.imgur.com/fjOm4cu.jpg
We move upstream to the rapids. Only a couple of other boats were fishing, but things we slow. Conditions looked perfect but the fish weren't cooperating. Maybe it's that big moon we've had for the last few days. We're getting lots of follows but no solid grabs till we get into some deeper water and Jim gets tight. Finally, a good fish, and we call it a day. Time to go home.
https://i.imgur.com/QmJ6CxG.jpg
Tomorrow is opening day for salmon on the Feather, I think on the Sac too. But it'll be crowded with a lot of boats and being a weekend. Maybe we'll give it rest for a few days and then go chase some more stripers.
Tony
