As always a warm welcome to "The Journal" on Fishing With Rod your top fishing web site for current fishing information and stories.
After going fishless, steelhead that is, since the end of February the recent warm spell brought a grin to my face as I knew some fish would now be on the move and out of the holding areas. As well a little colour would help this shortfloater start to connect again.
As I was working on some early AM e-mails the cell phone that I had left on overnight jingled it's merry tune. It was "The Master" asking about the direction to a hot spot as he has not been out on the local flow of late.
He also asked about the river level and as I had not checked it earlier I brought up the graph on the computer and relayed the message to Nick that she indeed was on the rise.
I did not rush to the river as I took my time enjoying my double double and read the paper for a bit.
I finally reach the river, no one in sight.
Funny how earlier some anglers were complaining of the crowds, where are the crowds now and the ones that were not happy with the crowded river banks, I had the pick of half a dozen runs, all within sight distance in. In all fairness the decreased in numbers I guess could be because of the new licenses that came into effect on April 1. To me our fishing licenses are the best bargain in town, where a night out on the town will cost more.
As I empty one of my garbage bags hanging on one of the Adopt a River signs, a fellow I know drives by, we have a 10 minute chat or so before I head to "The Steelieman run". Lots of fry scatter amongst my feet as I cross a sidestream, diving ducks are enjoying a meal on the unlucky ones, a pair of greenwing teal also take flight as I surprise them as I slip over the bank. What a great morning to be alive and to out on the river, as the sounds of much wildlife are a telling sign Spring is here, Winter, if we really had it is now a distance memory as we look forward to many new fishing opportunities ahead during the changing seasons. I also see by the line of algae growth that the river has risen, as the graph showed about 3 inches.
On the third or fourth cast the Maple Leaf drennan is gone and as I strike a fish becomes airborne. For a minute I think it could be a large dolly or trout but I soon discover to my pleasure it is my 37th steelhead on for the season. As I get it to the shore I can now count it as fish beached # 27 or 28 if I count the one I caught twice.
I snap a quick photo before releasing the 5 pound wild doe that was in nice shape a thing of beauty just like the morning that dawned a couple of hours earlier.
A little secret I have to admit to you. I have not had the Maple Leaf Logo on my drennan float for a while as too busy to even do that simple task. Put one on yesterday and of course it paid off today, once again the magic of Canada's national team, from the center of the universe.
I then head up river and see the chaps working the Lickman run but they did not seem to be doing much in the 20 minutes I was there. I find about 6 floats including a nice drennan and a balsa one. Also two leader holders float by with about a dozen leaders on them, I rescue them, so let me know if they are yours. I also find a wooden picture frame with a photo in it, how did that get there I wonder.
I run into a pair of nesting Geese that are very unhappy I am invading their territory and the Gander goes into an attack mode as I inspect the nest that is on a fallen tree with a nice root ball to construct the nest. No eggs layed yet. I point the tip of the sage rod at the dad to be, maybe to distract those pair of beady eyes focused on my Maple Leaf hat and the head under it. I once was attacked by one of these guys, fair enough as would anyone that was having their house or loved ones threatened by an intruder like I was.
I then head home to get ready for the FVSS All About Fishing Show held today and tomorrow in Chilliwack. I am looking after the fish pond with about 250 rainbows in it. It is provided by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B. C. a very nice addition to the show, thanks guys.
Before I head to get set up for the event I get a call from "The Master" and he has connected in the hot spot I had directed him to, taking a 13 pound hatchery doe. I believe Beako even got into some.
On the way to the fishing show I get new shocks put on The Leaf Mobile to satisfy that the fellow with the flashing blue and red lights that pulled me over last Friday on my trip to the Island. That should now make him happy and the Leaf Mobile seemed happy as well with her new equipment, as she is riding a lot smoother now.
The show tonight was fairly well attended and the kids had fun catching the rainbows. A spy said Rod was even trying to catch one, not sure how he did.
A short journal tonight as the show starts at 10 tomorrow morning, I think I will put Maple Leaf logo's on all the floats. It helped me get back in the grove once again today and start
rolling, rolling, rolling right along once again.
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Topic: Maple Leaf Drennan Strikes Again, The Journal For April 7th (Read 4107 times)