The Lake Giveth, And The Lake Taketh Away

I took a lunch break and hit Utah Lake. I took my 4 weight rod to target white bass. I got my tube set up and headed to the spot where I've been smashing the white bass. I made my my first cast, Then another. Could it be? The white bass didn't want to play today? I made several more casts and tried several different flies without so much as a single hit. How can it go from catching a fish on every cast to not a peep in just a few days? I found this rather odd, so I moved to another spot.

On the way I saw some carp, and I couldn't help but make some casts even though I only have my 4 weight. I soon had something on and the line started ripping off my reel. I kicked out from the reeds and tried controlling the fish, but he wouldn't have it. This carp could do whatever it wanted. It made a run for open water which helped me out big time. I continued to fight this fish for what seemed like an eternity before I finally landed him. This carp was all my rod could handle! I left him in the net and head to a white bass spot. I cast and let it sink some before stripping the line. All at once I had another fish on, and it felt to big to be a white bass. I kicked out to deeper water and the fish kept trying to bulldog his way to the bottom. When I finally got my first glimpse of what it was, I couldn't believe what I had on. It was a channel catfish! I had no idea they would hit a fly. I soon landed him and the excitement I felt was amazing! I left him in the net as well, And made more attempts at white bass with no luck.

I decided to call it a day and started heading back to the marina. I stopped and made some casts at several carp with no takes. Then it happened again! Same story as earlier. The carp did what it wanted and it took forever to tire him out. While trying to land him, my catfish made it out of the net which was a bummer, but I finally landed my second carp of the day. I kept him and made one last cast, and it's a cast I wish  I could take back. I snagged up on something and in trying to get the snag loose, I snapped my rod in two! Could I really be this dumb? I can land carp on a 4 weight, But I break my rod on a stupid snag? I felt sick to my stomach! To make it worse, it was a new custom built rod I've only had since March and this was the second time I used it. The rod came with a lifetime guarantee, so I hope I'll be able to get it fixed. It was a horrible way to end what was a great day of fishing.

My First Channel Catfish on a fly!

The Purple woolly bugger was loved by all... except the white bass.

24" and 26" Carp landed on a 4 weight rod.

Not the way I wanted to end the day! I could punch myself right now!

First Night Fishing of The Year

My neighbor and I had been talking about going out to hit the catfish at night for some time, and last night we finally made it happen. He took me to a section of the Jordan River that I had never fished before. I've seen some of the channel cats he's brought home the past couple weeks during the day and was impressed at the consistent good sized fish he was catching. We arrived at the river around 7:30 pm and got everything set up. We rigged our lines with the white bass that I caught a few days ago for bait and cast in.

 It wasn't long before we started having nibbles and small takes. Soon my neighbor had one on and landed a nice channel catfish! It seemed to me we were in for a fast night. But then we waited, and waited... and then waited some more. It was really odd. Typically when you get a hit, you just need to wait a second and there will be more. This night, you would get a hit and then nothing. It was strange to say the least. I had one on for few seconds before it got off and my neighbor land another decent one to finish off the night. It was slow fishing, but to sit and chat along the river was relaxing and well worth it. We'll be hitting it again soon.

A beaver strolled by to inspect his territory.

Here kitty kitty...