On the water 2015

Within a day or two . . . it seemed like the ice that covered all the lakes, was gone.  It was Sunday and the nicest day of the spring, in the 50's.  I had some free time, a slight south breeze, and the kayak in the back of the truck.  

I headed to the south end of Skaneateles Lake.  Anglers were catching fish in Grout Brook and the plan was to troll for trout at the mouth of it.  The creek was running well and was pumping warmer water into the lake, perfect conditions for spring.

Because the water was so cold, I wanted to troll streamers but with the visibility so poor, that was out of the question.  I rigged a couple of rods with some small spoons and started to troll.  I tried to stay inside the pin buoys that mark the 5-6ft range.  As I headed toward the west shore, I past the mouth of Grout Brook and hit the mud line.  The water went gin clear and the water temp dropped to 34 degrees on my graph.  If the fish were any where, they would be in the warmer, muddier portion of the lake.

After a few passes and no hits or signs of activity, I decided I needed something with more vibration so the fish could find the bait easier and maybe trigger a strike.  I tied on some Jr Thundersticks but the results were the same, nothing.  In fact, I only saw one fish surface in the warmer water and I'm pretty sure it was a perch.

I decided to deviate from plan A and go in search of some smallmouths.  The water was muddied for a mile or so down the eastern shoreline, where the bank becomes steeper and the bottom rockier.  There were several places where small ditches and brooks emptied into the lake.  I fished a jerkbait around these areas as slowly as I could, allowing the jerkbait to sit suspended for 5-10 seconds.  It was painful.  This method is extremely difficult when your looking for bites but an affective method when the water is really cold.  I only kept at it because my graph was filled with arches in 10-12ft.  Some on the bottom and some of them suspended.  My efforts in patience were only rewarded with a chance to stretch my legs and a sun burn on my neck . . . which felt better than wind burn from our -10 degree winter!

In a last ditch ever, I tied the spoons back on and made a few more passes.  End of the day resulted in zero fish caught, trout or bass.  This being said, it was a successful trip in my mind.  I got back on the water, made a few casts, felt the sun on my face, and met a potential client. 

If your on the water, early spring . . . just a reminder, wear your PFD.  Thanks for reading.