river bass

[matt johnson]

So, today I finally got a day to go chase the stripers that are in the rivers on their spawning run. I got up real early and headed to the place where the internet says it has been really good. There are not many people when I get there since I guess most people in their right minds stay home when the weather is like this:



Well, this my day to fish, so I make the best of it. The wind is brutal, I am constantly on the foot pedal, and my line is flying out of the bucket on each strip, but at the first place I stop I start catching fun schoolie stripers:



There are only a few boats out. I have the river to myself and the fish are in a biting mood. I am catching bass on every pass through the good holes! After a while I have caught a whole bunch of bass and my thumb looks like this:



At some point in the day I realize I have caught more fish than I need to and I think to myself that I should probably go home and do something useful for the family unit on my day off like some loads of laundry or the dishes, but I can't stop making "Just One More Pass". On one of my "last passes of the day", I land a really nice one:



.........Time to go home.

I followed the rain as I drove back up the North Valley:



Matt

[Tony Buzolich]

Way to go Matt. A lot of boats have already quit fishing because they think the run has left after the spawn. I think all this spawning activity has just worked up their appetite.
TONY

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

That is why we keep going. Every so often it is really good.

About how large was that big one?

Years ago when my shop was small and I was the only guy there and I would tell people that if they fished more that about every 6 times out something good could happen.

Seems like the people who fish more catch more fish.......

[Charlie Gonzales]

I hate you Matt!

[matt johnson]

Hey Tony,

The water was 53.5 where I was at. Should be good for a few more weeks!

Yeah Bill, it is a "lottery" at there with those stripers. They are here today and gone tomorrow. I am usually on the receiving end of "you should have been here yesterday kid", but I get lucky now and then. It also sure helps when there are only a few boats out there. When they aren't getting buzzed all day by the big sleds they are in a much better mood! Matt

[Andy Guibord]

Matt, You are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jasonh]

Great report and pics Matt! Very jealous!

JH