Hoosier Fishing Blog

Cured Trout Recipe

2022-03-10T20:50:00.006-05:00

In my latest trip into the cookbook that is this wonderful internet, I found a curing technique for trout that is very easy to do. It is also a very different style of trout prepping than I think most folks are used to at home.

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So, what is curing? Well, it is essentially the act of drawing out any moisture from the flesh while also killing any possible bacteria that may exist in there. For this, you need some salt, sugar, citrus zest (Lemon, Lime, Orange, etc.) and various herbs for flavoring.

There are multiple different recipes out there, and this one is no different. This one below is relatively open ended, and ultimately you can use this as a backbone for really any kind of curing. The biggest piece is keeping equal parts sugar and salt, and making sure citrus is involved. That all being said, I hope this presents a new opportunities to try preparing your fish in a way you have not before.

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
Cure Time: 12 hours

Ingredients:

1-2 trout fillets, check for those pin bones!
2 cups sugar
2 cups salt, coarse if available. Standard kosher will work as well.
1-2 Lemons for zest*
1 Lime or Orange for zest*
Fresh herbs for taste (Dill, Fennel, Coriander, Juniper, Thyme, etc.)

Directions:

Mix together the sugar, salt, zest, and herbs into a bowl. Then spread half of it on the bottom of a baking sheet.
Rinse and pat dry your trout. Place it on top of the salt mixture in the pan.
Cover the trout with the other half of the salt mixture.
Saran wrap the entire baking sheet and place it in the refrigerator for 12 hours. The fish should be firm to the touch after it finishes curing. If it is not, place back in the refrigerator for a few more hours

*A special note on the citruses. If you are having trouble gauging what might be necessary from a zesting standpoint, cutting a lemon and another citrus fruit into very thin slices and placing them on top of the salt layers can offer a similar result for the fish. It is an easier application than trying to zest two entire fruits.

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This style of fish goes great with breakfast or as an appetizer. It will keep for a good week in the refrigerator as well. That being said, my fish rarely sits uneaten for that long! Give it a try! I hope you enjoy!

- WRS

Clear Creek - Local Spots

2022-03-07T19:10:00.001-05:00

Clear Creek - Ketcham Bridge

Hello Dear Reader,

Today I want to share with you a stream that I frequent a great deal; Clear Creek. First, I want to note, that this is not to hot-spot an area. But rather to share some information on the stream, my past experiences, and point out that there are many streams right out your back door that can hold fish and are a real treat to explore.

Clear Creek is located about 10-15 minutes south of Bloomington, IN. Near Harrodsburg, IN it connects with Salt Creek and the tail-waters for Monroe Reservoir. The stream itself is very diverse in fish species. Depending on what section of stream you are on you can catch:

Smallmouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Spotted Bass
Rockbass
Bluegill
Longear Sunfish
Crappie
Walleye
Redhorse Buffalo
Freshwater Drum
Common Carp
Channel Catfish

Smallmouth and Rockbass are the most abundant and sought after for anyone fishing the stream.

There aren't many people in Indiana that wade in my experience. More often than not, if I am on a stream I won't see a soul for miles or even the whole trip. Clear Creek is one of the exceptions to that rule. Because of its location it sees a lot more traffic than other streams I have been on.Our local fly fishing shop, JL Waters tends to send anglers here as well.

The fish are inherently spookier than other streams as a result. What's interesting too is, the stream's name isn't a mislead. It is one of the clearest creeks I have been on in the state and that is consistent year-round. Couple those two things together and you have a challenging enough outing on your hands.

The structure of Clear Creek will vary depending on where you are as well. There are several walk-in spots that are accessible to the public and each section of the stream presents its own set of challenges. There are big long flats with only edge structure. There are winding bends with deep structure on one side that look as those it were 2 feet deep (they're deeper) running through cliff-sides. There are large slow pool areas that have very little movement and can get up to 6 feet deep or more. There are shallow riffles from section to section where it is hard to gauge depth. And there are plenty of feeder creeks that come into the stream to create deep holes in very small areas.

All of those will hold fish. In fact, I caught my personal best (for a long time) Smallmouth Bass out of this stream. Right around this time of year, actually. It was a rainy, 40 degree day in February when I tossed a square-billed crankbait in what appeared to be a shallow piece of the creek and a 21 inch Smallie took it.

Personal Best Smallmouth From Clear Creek

There are big fish that roam Clear Creek. But they are wary. And they come to hand infrequently. But enjoyment can be found even on a bad day. If you haven't given the place a try, it might just be worth checking out.

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I started wading several years ago with a friend from work, Brenden. A lot of streams in Indiana that I have been introduced to are thanks to him. He is an avid angler and streams are really where he is most comfortable. Of all the places that we have fished together, Clear Creek has always been the biggest puzzle. The most challenging, but also the most rewarding. If you have a friend or family member who is looking to start fishing and wading, take the time to be their guide. It can open up a whole new world to someone!

- WRS

Fishing With My Uncle - Moseying Around Town

2022-01-26T12:32:00.002-05:00

Part 4 - Moseying Around Town

While we waited for the weather to clear, we decided to make a trip into town. The drive north the previous two days had taken so much out of us, we bypassed everything just to get to the cabin when we first arrived. So, with time to kill, we made our way there.

There isn't much to Pelican Rapids. You can drive through it within a blink of an eye if you aren't paying attention. There is a small grocery store however. Uncle Ken and I went to have a look around and stock up on provisions. I decided to survive the week off of trail mix, granola and energy bars. In hindsight, it was not the best of ideas and I do not recommend it. But Uncle Ken knew better. He grabbed some eggs, bread and milk amongst some other provisions for us for the week.

We headed back to the cabin to rest and see if the fog and wind on the lake had cleared up. And it had for the most part. I stocked the cooler with some food for us and we set back out on the lake. It certainly got windier the further from shore we were, so we did our best to stay near structure. That wind would be an ever present guest on our boat for the remainder of our week. But it did not deter us from making the most of this trip.

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Most days we would spend fishing for several hours early in the morning until midday, then come back to the cabin to rest. I was restless most days so tended to go explore in town. I decided to stop into the local Co-op and gas station one afternoon while Uncle Ken was resting. The place had random odds and ends including fishing lures and tools that you would not otherwise see in Indiana.

When I stepped inside a customer was talking with the cashier at the counter. They both had strong accents that fit northern Minnesota to a tee.

"Looks like that there bad weather is goin' ta clear up," the customer said.

The cashier nodded his head replying, "Oh ya, those clouds are gone."

The customer walked out after paying and left me and the cashier there alone. He asked if he could help me find anything and how my day was going. Without a second thought I slipped into the same accent he and the customer had.

"Oh no. I'm okay. Just lookin' for two-tree lures fer the lake," I said. Realizing what I just did, I looked up at the cashier to see if he caught on. He didn't.

"Should be a good day fer some goggle-eyes. Those clouds cleared up. Might catch yerself a doozy of a fish if yer lucky!" he responded.

I nodded in acknowledgement and picked up a couple of crank baits and went on to pay. We said our goodbyes and I headed back to the cabin. Half embarrassed and half impressed. I have always had an ear for accents. But never have I done anything like that. If ever they needed extras for the Fargo TV Series, I'd be a shoe-in.

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If we weren't fishing, we'd usually spend a little bit of time in town. There was a pizza place called Pelican Pizza. It was a hole in the wall, but the food was delicious. We took it back for dinner one night after spending a long day on the water.

There was another place called The Muddy Moose. It was a diner with a thrift shop attached to it. One more when it was just too windy to get out on the water quite yet, we decided to have a late breakfast there. The food was good.

Afterward we spent some time looking around the thrift shop. There wasn't much to speak of, but as we were about to leave I saw a picture on the wall that caught my eye. It was a print of someone fly fishing in a stream. Turns out a local priest would take prints from old antique shops and refurbish them. This was one of them. I spent the next few days debating whether or not to bring it home.

The morning before we left I made the decision to purchase it. It now hangs downstairs in our family room. Mabel, my eldest daughter, regularly looks up at it and says that Papa's fishing and asks if she can go fishing too. The picture itself was remarkable, but it has taken on additional meaning to me and my family. It isn't me in that picture. That's not important. Mabel has made an impression in her mind that this is me. And that, that is what we do. We fish. My heart swells every time she points it out.

- WRS

Spicy Fried Catfish Nuggets

2022-01-24T17:47:00.002-05:00

I have a delicious recipe to share with you today. It is easy and quick to make too! That is Fried Catfish! This delicious protein is easily accessible for angler and non-angler alike. Whether you catch your own fare or bought it at your local grocery store, this recipe is a perfect center piece for any dinner.

If you have a loved one who is anything like my wife, this is one of the better recipes to try with them. Catfish itself is not overly "fishy" like say, salmon or other species. Fried anything is pretty generally going to be more palatable for folks that may be less than enthused about having fish for dinner or a cookout as well.

Spicy Fried Catfish Nuggets

Spicy Fried Catfish Nuggets

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Cook Time: 8 Minutes Per Nugget

Items/Ingredients:

2 lbs. Catfish cut into nuggets or strips (think chicken strips)

1 Bag of Andy's Cajun Fish Breading

3 Eggs

2 Tablespoons Buffalo Sauce

Cooking Oil - Enough to have an inch of oil in the pan

Salt & Pepper To Taste

First, take your catfish, rinse and pat it dry. Place your catfish in a large bowl and add enough of your Breading to coat all of the fish. In this case I utilized Andy's Cajun Fish Breading. Keep an eye out for my own breading mix in the near future. In a pinch, Andy's is a perfect substitute for a homemade mix. Often, I find that it lands very close to what most people would consider "their own". You should have at least half of a bag of breading left. Once the catfish is coated, set it to the side to let it rest.

In a separate bowl, crack three eggs and whiskey to create a wash for the catfish. Add the two Tablespoons of Buffalo Sauce. Mix well until the contents are one.

In one additional bowl, pour the rest of the Seasoning in and set aside. We are effectively setting up a dredging station for the catfish.

Take a medium to large cast iron pan and pour enough cooking oil to be roughly an inch deep and allow it to heat. The oil should reach roughly 350 degree Fahrenheit. That's a medium/medium high on the stove. Splash a droplet of water into the oil to determine if it is ready. Because you are heating cast iron, it will be slower to come to temperature. If, when the water hits the oil, it crackles, your oil should be ready.

Dip your catfish nuggets that have been resting once into the egg wash, covering both sides. Then into the separate bowl of breading. From there, delicately drop the fish into the hot oil. Cook on both sides for 4 minutes each. Take out and let rest on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil, or a rack to let it drip off.

Once cooled, enjoy with your favorite tartar sauce or other dip. We here enjoy dipping them into buffalo sauce to continue that spice kick.

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I hope that you give this recipe a try. Let me know what you think!

- WRS

Drink Up! Angler's Coffee Co. Muddler Minnow

2022-01-12T13:58:00.005-05:00

I want to like coffee. But I am not generally a coffee drinker. Since I was young I have tried dozens of different brands from the store. I have never really kept to liking any of them. From Folgers to Starbucks and everything in between. I just never have found my coffee. Until now.

If you have never heard of Angler's Coffee Company, you probably don't fish and Google/Apple/Facebook aren't stealing your data. I stumbled upon the company as a result of one of those cultivated advertising schemes those companies do. And I have to give them credit. This was a product that I am glad I found.

Those of you that know me personally, know that I generally am a Red Bull drinker. Energy drinks themselves are not particularly good for you. As a part of this year's changes (including more actively posting here), I have decided to make the switch to coffee. It has not been easy. And there have been days where I missed the mark. But the coffee that I have found from Angler's has helped a great deal.

The coffee in question is the Extra Dark Roast/Low Acidity "Muddler's Minnow". It is a genuinely smooth coffee to drink both with or without cream. It is dark, earthy, and malty. If you are a beer drinker and enjoy the "coffee" flavors that come in stouts or dark porters, you will like this coffee. It hits very similar notes. All the while, not giving you heart burn. And if you do decide to use creamer, don't over-do it. You will lose out on the richness of the coffee itself.

I would recommend ordering the beans versus the already ground coffee. That does require a grinder, but you can pick those up at most large box stores. There's just a different freshness to ground beans I have learned after having this coffee both ways.

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A general note on Angler's Coffee Company as well. They're based in Washington State. So everything is order online. Their service is really great. You can subscribe for monthly mailing of your favorite coffee or just make one time orders. They also drop in freebies sometimes on orders. My favorite mug came in my latest package. It is a white tin camp coffee mug. Holds a large cup of coffee in there very well. They ship extremely quickly as well. Not once have I ordered something from them and waited more than 3-4 days. Experience may vary by state, but they get you their products quickly!

Check out their website HERE.

To try the coffee we are talking about today, click HERE.

Father In-Law Approved!

- WRS

Fishing With My Uncle - This Fog Is Thick Like Soup

2022-01-10T12:35:00.005-05:00

Part 3 - This Fog Is Thick Like Soup

We awoke around 5:00AM. Who am I kidding? I had been up most of the night after the storm really picked up. I have always had this sense of anticipation before I go for a long day fishing. Almost like waking up early on Christmas day. It has always been there. I imagine if that feeling were to ever fade then that would be the day I put away my gear for good. This morning was no different. There was also this sense of "what did we signed ourselves up for?" going on in my head. Such a long trip and such a terrible storm.

I stepped out into the main area and Uncle Ken and I nodded at each other. "Quite a storm last night, eh?" I said.

"Hope it doesn't put the panfish down.," he quipped.

We loaded up the final items for the day into the boat. Some food and drink for lunch. Tackle and other gear. A box full of worms. Then we made our way out onto the lake. The sight we had that morning was magnificent. The water was calm as the storm front had moved through. The sun revealed itself over the horizon and lit the sky a silver and gold hue.

That warming glow would turn out to be short lived. It quickly shifted to an overcast morning. Because we could not attach our sonar or trolling motor we worked diligently along edges of vast reed beds that jutted out of the lake bottom. Fishing was slow, but it didn't matter. We were barely into our first day out and just enjoying the sights and sounds of near wilderness.

Fish were finally found along some reed lines on the north end of the lake. Uncle Ken got into a couple of good looking Bluegill. I caught a very competitive personal best Smallmouth Bass.

The fun with the fish would be short-lived. As we moved along the reeds a fog rolled in. What was a clear and calm morning turned into a bout of being lost, befuddled and darn near blind on the lake. The wind picked up. The waves began to roll. We decided to head back.

But we lost sight of the reed line! We were lost on the lake. Out in the open. Barely seeing more than five feet in front of the bow. Somehow we found ourselves in the deeper part of the lake. The waves continue to roll against the hull of our tiny boat. We were nowhere and there was nothing beside our boat in a vast emptiness.

"This fog is thick like soup!" I said to Uncle Ken as we drifted about.

Suddenly another boat cut through the fog in front of us. Surely making their way to safe harbors, we thought. We decided to follow only to lose sight of it and be in deeper water. Time passed for roughly an hour as we rolled around on Lida. Then to our starboard side...a reed line! Was it the one we had fished? We had no idea. But we decided to follow it.We were out of the deep water on the lake, and happy enough with just that.

We finally started seeing docks jutting out from the reeds and could tell from the water under the boat that we were getting shallower and shallower. Some two hours passed while we were traversing, what seemed like a sea, before we came upon our dock. We were glad to be out of the fog and back on land.

It is still one of my favorite memories. I don't expect I will every repeat something like that.

-WRS

Oven Baked Sockeye & Pan Fried Potatoes

2022-01-08T23:11:00.007-05:00

Hello Again. It has been quite some time. To note the state of things, COVID has been a real kicker over these past two years. That said, I am here to share another set of wonderful recipes with you to help expand your fishy and culinary world.

These recipes are easily found across the internet. I have tried my hand at several and worked my way toward what I feel is a really good set up. I hope you think so too. This is really two recipes. First a salmon recipe. But also a potato recipe. Like previous posts I have made. This can be done at home or at the campsite. Just depends on where you are.

Oven Baked Sockeye Salmon

Prep Time: 10-15 Minutes

Cook time: 10-15 Minutes

Items/Ingredients:

1 Full Sockeye Salmon Fillet - Roughly 1 pound of fish (cook times may vary if using other fish)

4-6 Slices of Lemon

2 Large Sprigs of Fresh Rosemary

3 Large Sprigs of Fresh Thyme

Olive Oil

Salt

Pepper

Old Bay or Seafood Seasoning

First, take your salmon fillet out, rinse, pat it dry and let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. While doing this, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Take your olive oil and coat a pan large enough for the fillet with a thin layer (use of foil is recommended). Place the salmon on the pan.

Coat the top of the fish with a thin layer of olive oil. Now, apply seasoning (Salt, Pepper & Old Bay) to lightly coat the flesh of the fish. Lay your sprigs of Rosemary and Thyme along the length of the fish so they are resting directly on top. Then place the slices of Lemon on top of the herbs to help hold in place.

Please directly in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Cook time may vary on the size of the fillet, or if you substitute it for another type of salmon. Your internal temperature should register just below 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cast Iron Fingerling Potatoes

Prep Time: 10-15 Minutes

Cook Time: 30 Minutes

Items/Ingredients:

1 Pound Fingerling Potatoes - Chopped/Quartered

Olive Oil

Salt

Pepper

2 Sprigs Fresh Rosemary - Finely Chopped

2 Cloves of Garlic - Finely Chopped

1 Tablespoon of Butter

Old Bay or Seafood Seasoning (optional)

First, bring a medium to large cast iron pan to temperature over medium heat. Coat with a thin layer of olive oil. Chop your Fingerling Potatoes while the pan is heating. Once the oil is shimmering, place the potatoes cut face down into the pan. Apply the Salt, Pepper and Old Bay (optional) to taste. In addition, add the chopped Garlic to the pan. Cover with a lid and let cook, untouched, for 10 minutes.

After the 10 minutes has passed, uncover the potatoes and flip to the opposite sides. Apply the salt, Pepper and Old Bay (optional) to taste on the unseasoned side. Drop a tablespoon of butter into the pan and put in the chopped Rosemary to the pan.

Let the potatoes cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring them around in the pan all the while until they have a golden-brown color on all sides. Take it off of the heat and let cool for a few minutes. Then it is ready to serve.

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These recipes go very well together. With an additional side of rice or green beans, you are set for a hearty and healthy meal. I recommend starting the prep of both at the same time, but actually starting the cook on the potatoes first to come out ready at a reasonable time with the salmon.

I must say as well. These are not exact recipes. But neither is anything when out in the woods or on the river. Trust your pallet. You will know if there is too little seasoning or too much. Even the first time I made this, I worried it was not seasoned enough. But it was. And it was very delicious.

I hope you give it a try and I hope you enjoy. Stay warm, stay healthy and tight lines.

-WRS

An 'Ah Ha!' Moment

2020-04-07T13:51:00.001-04:00

We are in strange times, I am sure you all know. Fortunately, fishing is well within the confines of social distancing. Especially when you are waste deep in a cold stream. Not many folks are up for doing that in general, let alone right now. But that is beside the point.

I had a moment yesterday while standing waste deep in Clear Creek winging my fly out in front of me. A sense of calm and clarity where everything made sense. I was only able to fish for about two hours. The first half of my outing was just me not catching a thing. I was throwing a heavier black streamer. Nothing would go for it.

Then it happened. I first noticed some bass jumping out of the water downstream from me. That threw me off. The water was still cold. It isn't even top-water time. I decided to observe for a while, trying to understand what was happening. And it dawned on me. As a caddis, or something of the sort, landed on my rod to rest for a moment, I realized the bass were jumping to grab these flies off the near surface of the water as they emerged out in the hatch.

I looked around me and saw that these flies were everywhere. Many of them were hovering just above the water. I took a moment to inspect the ones closest to me. They were brownish with a little grey. I immediately started looking through my fly boxes to find something, anything, that might resemble these guys.

The closest thing I could find was a brown/tan woolly bugger. I tied it on and added some floatant to try and keep it at or near the surface of the stream. I cast a dead drift in the current to let it slide into the slack water near the bottom of the pool. A smallie hit! I missed it though. I went again. This time I hooked up! I pulled it in and put him back in the water. I cast another time. Another hit!

Every cast and every take was like it was happening in slow motion. Realizing that these smallmouth bass were only taking what "matched the hatch" was a revelation. It was one of the most gratifying experiences I have had; having that "Ah Ha!" moment.

The fish are getting their fill. If you can, get out there and catch 'em.

- WRS

Foil Baked Trout - Easy In the Kitchen and Camp

2020-02-01T18:53:00.000-05:00

Today I am giving you my take on the classic foil baking for trout. You can really do this with most fish that you harvest. Be it butterflying the fish or filleting them, the primary concept of this recipe is to really throw tasty things together and let them cook together in their juices. What is nice about this recipe is that you can easily do this at home or at camp too!

Camp cooking is one of those experiences that you never forget after the first time you do it as well. The smell of the fire burning. The feeling of catching and cooking your own meal. It a is a wondrous feeling. So whether you have the opportunity to do this by the lakeside, or you are working on it from the house, it certainly will connect you to the great outdoors.

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To get started for my recipe, you will want the following items.

Prep Time: 5-10 Minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 Minutes

Foil
1 whole trout, or two fillets.
1 lemon, sliced
6-8 fresh sprigs of thyme
2 tablespoons butter (you can substitute olive oil for this as well)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
Salt & Pepper

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First, if you are cooking this at home, which is what I am doing in this recipe, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are doing this at camp, gather some hot coals near the edge of your active fire.

Take your trout, give it a good rinse and pat it dry. Salt and pepper both the skin side and flesh side of the fish. Take your tablespoon of minced garlic and apply it to the flesh of the fish. If you butterflied your trout, press it into the cavity of the fish. If you have a filleted trout, spread it across the fish evenly.

Add your fresh thyme to the fish. Rinse and slice your lemon into several pieces. add this to the fish and then apply the two tablespoons of butter. I highly recommend Kerrygold butter. It is delicious!

Once done, fold up the fish in the foil and place it in the oven or on the hot coals close to the fire. Cook times will vary depending on the type and size of fish. Generally the meat should flake apart easily and that will signal that the fish is done. The cook time listed here are specifically for a normal harvest rainbow trout.

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This style of cooking can really be used in multiple applications and is incredibly easy to do. You can use this for cooking veggies like potatoes, peppers, and beans in a stir fry of sorts. Fish of all kinds work with this. It essentially is utilizing the foil as a mini-oven, so you can bake whatever you can dream up within it. A word of warning though. It will be extremely hot when you pull the foil off the coals or out of the oven and the steam will be the same as you open the seams of the foil.

- WRS

A Lifetime Of Learning

2020-01-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

When I was young fishing was a spinning rod, some worms and a bobber. I would hazard most that read this could relate. It is simple and effective. Like most, my first fish was some kind of a sunfish. A little bluegill or a shell cracker.

I have always taken an interest in the intricacies that exist when it comes to fishing. It started with those first fish pulling that bobber under water. I eventually graduated to actual lures. Something even today I still prefer. Less messy than the humble worm and hook. Used correctly, they can be even more effective than a live piece of bait.

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As a young boy, while fishing with my Uncle Ken, I decided to throw a popper out on the water close to some lily pads. He warned me against it because I was more likely to lose the lure than to catch a fish. It was NOT top water season. I hadn't learned about seasonal changes with fish and was only just beginning to understand where fish hold. Lily pads seemed like a logic place to throw to. It's cover for fish, big and small. A young bass decided to take my popper after a couple of quick jerks. He was learning too. This was the first time I caught a bass and that event has stuck with me always.

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Years later, as a teenager, my father and I began going to his boyhood haunts for the opening day of trout season here in Indiana. The last Saturday of every April from age 13 to now we have made a trip up to Valparaiso to fish Crooked Creek. There we meet up with his childhood friend, Steve, and we would make our way to try our hand at bringing home a stringer of rainbows. For years the only technique we ever really used was PowerBait trout dough balls, a hook and some sinkers. This is a very effective set up if you are able to match the color the fish are looking for. We have learned it changes from year to year, so having a stock of several colors if extremely important for a successful day.

Eventually during these trips I made the decision to try and throw an in-line spinner. I was warned it would get stuck in the rocks or the weeds. But I recalled my first bass. When tried something different and was rewarded for that change. I caught a full limit before anyone else could. And if you think about it, when there are four lines in the stream and they all have the same bait on there, putting something different in the water really kind of makes sense. Variety is the spice of life, right?

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More recently, I have been opened up to the world of fly fishing. What could be considered the most intricate form of fishing. First there's the fact that every fly that you put on your line has been made by hand. There is not mass production. It is an individual sitting over a hook, tying furs and feathers to it in order for it to resemble something a fish would eat. Then there's the intention and purpose behind every movement in casting and the placement of the fly on the water. It is something that calls to my sentiments when it comes to fishing overall. Getting that perfect cast and bringing a fish to hand as a result is one of the most satisfying feelings in the world to me.

Every little piece of experience I have gained, from a child to today, has lead to that perfect cast.

- WRS

A Note About Solinger's Resort

2020-01-08T17:00:00.001-05:00

Hello Dear Reader,

I wanted to take a moment to make note of where my uncle and I stayed while up in Pelican Rapids for the week in 2018. Maybe not necessarily to try and sell you on making a trip all the way to Minnesota to go fishing. I am writing this entire story about the trip with my uncle to try and give you inspiration to get outdoors and enjoy the time you have with friends and family while you have it. I also just want to have these memories saved and written to share with my children.

I will say however, that if you do decide to make a trip up to Lida, Solinger's Resort is a fine place to hang your hat while you are there. The Solinger family has been in the lakeside resort business for over a century. The particular property they are on now has been in business since 1945. And it shows why these fine folk have been so successful

They have multiple different houses at differing rates ranging from two person stays to large family homes. They helped us with our boat, gasoline, bait; if we needed it they had it. Being as far from home as we were, the folks that run the establishment helped us feel comfortable and right at home.

I am going to leave a link to their website and Facebook page below. It's a great place worthy of a visit.

http://solingersresort.com/
Facebook

Fishing With My Uncle - Arrival

2020-01-07T20:07:00.001-05:00

Part 2 - Arrival

We made it.Twelve hours from Michigan and in a land and lake I have never seen before. Uncle Ken's life long vacation destination. A place he grew up at. A place he took his daughters and his wife. We arrived.

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Pelican Rapids, MN is a small town. The kind of town with one stop light. The kind where everyone knows everyone. Halfway between I-94 and Detroit Lakes, MN is where you will find it. It has one pizza place, the aptly named Pelican Pizza. It has one bar, a small grocery store and two gas stations that double a co-ops and tackle shops. It's a town that sees tourists primarily because of the numerous lakes that surround it. The largest nearby lake, Lake Lida, would be our home for the next several days.

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As we drove up to our temporary home, there multiple houses set up along the road. All named after different kinds of birds. There was a cabin called Cardinal. Another was Oriole. Another was Bluejay. Then we saw it. Robin. Our cabin. Cabin is probably too strong a word. When one envisions a cabin, it is usually a log structure. Robin was not quite that. Large enough for two people only, it was more the size and shape of a shed. That said, it had a small bedroom, a second bed in the main living area, a stove and a full bathroom. For two guys that are going to be on the water the entire time, it was perfectly serviceable. And that is all we needed it to be.

The car was filled to the brim with gear and clothing. We spent months trying to determine what needed to bring. There were rod cases, tackle boxes, bags of clothes, a stray fly rod, food, a cooler full of earthworms and outboard gear for the boat we rented for the week. We over-packed by all accounts. But we had to be prepared for anything and everything.

"Weather up here can be temperamental," said Ken. "It can be sunny one minute and storming the next." I would recount those words very soon.

For the next couple of hours we unpacked and started setting up our gear. Uncle Ken brought a trolling motor and sonar and asked that I work on mounting them on the boat we had rented for the week.

Turned out neither the trolling motor or the sonar would mount to the boat we had. So we would spend the week making due without.

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That night a great storm passed through. There have been very few times in my life where I was genuinely concerned about my safety. I can count it on one hand, in fact. This was one of them. The wind and rain came down on our little shack so hard, I expected the roof to come off. Lightning constantly flashed and the thunder roared. A a large tree outside my window was struck and I could feel and hear the crackle of electricity from it.

But even through all of that terror this storm brought, what it would reveal to us as the sun finally broke over the horizon and through the last remaining clouds will stay with me always.

- WRS

Fishing With My Uncle - The Long Drive North

2018-09-18T18:11:00.001-04:00

Part 1 - The Long Drive North

My uncle reached out to me on Memorial day weekend. He wanted to know if I would be interested in joining him on a trip to the far reaches of Minnesota for a week. "Roughing it", I thought. For as long as I can remember we had talked about doing something like this. Literally, since I was a child. I'll be 30 in less than two week's time if that gives you perspective.

Without hesitation I told him yes. We set the date. We would begin our journey the weekend of Labor Day. I spent the next two months preparing to for the biggest fishing trip I have ever been on.

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I have always looked up to my uncle Ken. He and my dad are the two main people that got me interested in fishing at all. We would visit him and my aunt Laura a couple times throughout the year as a child. What seems like every time we went, he would find time to take me fishing at one of the many lakes in the area. I caught my first bass on a lure with him. Threw my hat in a lake for the first time with him. I'll tell some of those stories on another day.

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And so, we gathered our gear. Four rods each; two ultralights for panfish, and two "standard" rods for bass and pike. Mind you, we had to make certain the rods were stiff enough for a monster pike. We brought all of our fishing gear. I had more lures than I ever needed. Fish finder, trolling motor, food and drink, enough clothes to make it a week and then some (in case we were caught on the lake in a storm). It took a five hour drive for me to get up north and get packed with him. Then we began the drive to Pelican Rapids, MN. Lake Lida was our destination.

It was a twelve hour drive from Kalamazoo to Pelican Rapids. Fortunately we had a brand new car making it's first big journey in uncle Ken's Chevy. Anytime you make a drive this long, you begin to appreciate the distance that you are separating from home and where you are. It can set in one of two ways. Either a great relief; there's nothing out here to really hinder your trip given the distance. Or it is anxiety that develops as you realize you are so far from home. If something happens, whoever you left behind is on their own just as much as you are. I had both of those feelings the closer we got to Pelican Rapids.

Some interesting notes about our drive up. Wisconsin seems to be suffering from a severe lack Cracker Barrels along the I-94 corridor. Baraboo, I learned, is the water park capital of the Cheese State. Much of the interstate in Wisconsin is monitored by air surveillance. Uncle Ken and I surmised that this must mean that the state police has Canadian geese on their payroll. Drivers in Minnesota actually obey the laws surrounding using the passing lane on interstates. It was quite refreshing after white knuckling it through the Chicago area and northern Illinois. Once you pass Minneapolis on I-94, there is next to nothing until you hit Fargo. And lastly, "Hey Jude" by the Beatles, is not the number one voted song as voted by the fans on Sirius XM radio. Yes, we listened to 100 of the Beatles top songs. I did not realize I knew so many of their songs!

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I have intentions on writing out more parts of our trip to share with any of you who enjoy a read. There's plenty more to be said on here and I have spent the past week digesting all we got to do together and recuperating. I think, at this point, I have most of my thoughts together and feel that I can tell a proper story. So stay close by reader. There is more to come.

Lastly, I want to leave one final note. Uncle Ken, assuming you read this, thank you for being a role model to me and putting a fishing rod in my hand. Without you and dad, I don't think I would know the enjoyment that is spending time out in nature and catching fish. I hope to share my love of this hobby just as you have done with me. Hopefully my niece and nephew will take to it with my help.

- WRS

Good Reading

2018-05-25T13:00:00.000-04:00

It has been quite some time since I updated this blog. It seems reasonable, considering the time of year and amount of fishing I am doing, to return and regale the endless space that is the internet with my stories and musings. And so, here I am.

I want to start and share with you that, reading IN-Fisherman and Field & Stream is one of my favorite things. The magazines are full of great information for all kinds of fishing. But what's even greater is that they have old fishing stories from the editors in them. One of my favorite things to do is go to the back of the magazine and read those stories about how the old fellas had the greenhorn in the group clean all the crappie while they sat inside drinking beers and playing cards, only to give him a spot at the table as a right of passage.

These stories make me think of my own experiences fishing with my father and our best fishing buddy, Steve. It makes me think of the times I have fished with my Uncle Ken. I think about the things they have told me and the stories that have been passed on to me from their experiences. I am grateful for them.

They are my family history. A rich tapestry of nonsensical, sometimes wise sometimes not, stories that someday I can pass down to my children.

The reason I tell you all of this is because I stumbled upon an avid fly fisherman and author by the name of John Gierach. I was at my wife's father's house and noticed a book that was called Trout Bum. I have been looking for a good read for a while. Seeing the book, it looked interesting. I read a few pages and it immediately struck me that this was very much like those stories in the back of the fishing magazines.

Now, I don't presume to be the most knowledgeable person in the world on Mr. Gierach. I very quickly realized that fly fishing is a VERY different world compared to your run of the mill spinning style of fishing. But, lack of full understanding aside, he is a fantastic writer. The stories he tells in this will remind you of times you have gone fishing.

The first chapter opens you to the experience where John hooks into a big fish. He states "What you feel is more weight than fight, and the wings of panic begin to flutter around your throat. This is the once or twice-a-year "oh-shit" fish." An avid fisherman, will have felt this experience.

I had my "oh-shit" fish in February of this year already. Some of my previous posts have been the same. Personal bests...big fish...big moments. Fortunately for me, these fish got to my hands. In John's instance, He had a long distance release, or LDR.

I want to close by saying, reading is fundamental. Grab a book. Read something. Read this and my previous posts! Here is a link to John's book. He as a plethora of books beyond this one as well. If you are like me, and enjoy a good fishing story, grab it. It will draw you in, even if you do not fly fish. It very likely will get you into fly fishing, like it did to me.

- WRS

Updates: Two Successive Personal Bests!

2013-06-21T10:28:00.001-04:00

Howdy Folks!

I know it has been a few months. Unfortunately, life doesn't always accommodate for fishing, let alone writing about fishing. That said, I have been fishing a a good few times since my last post in March. I have had some good days and I have had some bad days. I have also managed to have two successive personal bests this year! That's a pretty great thing, isn't it?

My first personal best came in mid-March when the weather was still pretty sketchy. She was 3.5 pounds and pushing 20 inches.

I caught her on a jig and worm,as you can see.

The second personal best was a female that was 5 pounds, filled with eggs. Probably pushing a higher weight than she'd normally be the rest of the year. I caught her on a Rebel Frog-R right against the shoreline where I caught 3 other bass that I kept for dinner.

I am kind of wondering if these two catches were the same fish. They had a near-identical lateral line pattern on their right side. I guess it is possible right? They both went back to procreate and to be caught another day.

Fishing at the pond (where I caught both of my PB's) has definitely been fun. I also spent some time at Yellowwood and Lake Lemon trying to broaden my repertoire with the various lures I have. Topwater fishing is something I'm still new to, but I've been enjoying that. In addition, while at Lake Lemon I managed to catch roughly 30 bass in one spot with Bomber cranks. They were all just under 14 inches unfortunately, so I couldn't bring them home, but it was still one hell of a day.

So there's my update. I'll be fishing tomorrow with my father, somewhere. Hopefully we have a good go of things. Keep your fingers crossed!

- William

It is about that time again...

2013-03-04T14:03:00.000-05:00

Hello readers (however many of you there actually are). Long time no see, eh? Terribly again I kind of just stopped posting entries near the mid point of the fishing season last year. I really need to work on that. Nonetheless, it is about that time of the year where fishing comes back into season for me and I'm sure plenty of other folks. As I don't ice fish, it has been a long winter. And the darned thing is really dragging itself out. Here's hoping winter storm "Saturn" is the last of this year and things start to get warm again.

I actually have managed to go fishing once this year. There was a short few days where the temperature never dropped below freezing so the pond down the hill actually stayed open. That said, I only caught a sunfish. Oddly enough it was off of a lipless crankbait. It wasn't a Rat-L-Trap, but it was within the same family. Not Rapala, either. Got a few bites using a float and a small trout jig, but no full takes.

More fantastic news, I'll be heading south this upcoming weekend to Tennessee to spend some time with my girlfriend's grandfather and the rest of her family. Should have a chance or two to go fishing somewhere down there too. I've already been scouting it. haha.

I guess that's all for now. Keep an eye out for more. Should be posting more and more once things warm up a little bit outside.

- William

Father's Day Fishing and Other Updates

2012-06-26T21:00:00.000-04:00

It has been a little over a month since I have posted on here. Frankly I have been tired, busy, and not fishing much. Sad, I know. But there have been two occasions I can speak of! First, and more recent was on Father's Day. My father, Tim, and I went to Lake Lemon just north of Bloomington and fished an area we like to call 'the tube'. It is a small area of coastline, if you can call it that, that is lined by endless docks. In the center there is a tube connecting the main lake from the smaller lake.

The spot itself is quite diverse with fish species. In the past we have caught crappie, various sunfish species, striped bass, largemouth bass, and some good sized rock bass (the biggest I have come across). This Saturday just before Father's Day saw some decent fishing. My father had some bites and he managed to bring one fish in before it shook itself loose right below the tube where we were standing. I was slightly more successful, catching two rock bass (one of quality size) and two largemouth bass. The biggest catch was a 16 inch largemouth that actually managed to pull my drag a bit. I was surprised and astonished once I got it shore.

Now I am stating 16 inches because the way I am holding it in the picture was how we measured it. The proper way, of course, is closed mouth to flattened tail. It was likely 17 to 18 inches in length. I won't argue one way or another though. The fish had a good girth to it too. It was one of those catches that make a person want to keep fishing until they were tired AND THEN come back the next day and do it all over again. I was pretty proud of myself once I got it in.

So our early Father's Day fishing trip was successful and we both had a good time. That Sunday my father and brother got to go golfing too! A good weekend if I don't say so my self!

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Sometime prior to Father's Day my girlfriend and I went camping down at her mother's pond north of town. It was good fun! We spent the night fishing, roasting marshmallows, and telling ghost stories (much to my chagrin). The fishing was good though! The pond contains bluegill, largemouth, and possibly some channel catfish (we aren't certain though because channel cats don't reproduce well in farm ponds). I was catching quality 14 and 15 inch bass with a strike king jig and a havoc rubber hog attached. It wasn't exactly fast fishing, but it was somewhat tactical and focused. The way the fish were acting was causing me to have to switch to the jig (which was actually my first time) and precision fish where the bass were splashing near the shoreline. Every time I saw a splash near shore I cast it over to that spot and was usually met with a hard strike at the end of my line.

For someone who is usually limited to crankbaits and rubber worms, this heavy jig was a big change and something entirely new to my fishing experience. It was quite fun I have to say. I hope to have more success with it. Caitlin, my girlfriend, was able catch a handful of bluegill and bass as well! I think she probably enjoyed spooking me as it got darker though.

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Last but not least I, like I expect many Hoosiers are, am praying for rain and an end to this drought. It has caused me to not even fish since early June. My good spot at Yellowwood isn't currently fishable due to the low water. Monroe is low and fish are likely restricted to deeper water. I may try Lake Lemon again sometime.

A tip for any readers right now. It seems as though its rubber worm time more than ever for fishing. That's the only thing I could catch fish on on Father's Day. Give it a try. You may see some positive results! If you do, send me a comment! I'd love to know if it works out for others!

-William

Black Bass Rule Change - Effective Immediately -

2012-05-22T15:25:00.000-04:00

I just received an e-mail from the Indiana DNR about a rule change that will have major effects on stream fishing in Indiana.

New black bass rules take effect this week
Rule changes adopted earlier this year to provide increased protection for black bass in certain rivers and streams will become effective on Friday (May 25).
With a few exceptions, a person catching black bass (smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass) from a river or stream may keep only those fish that are under 12 inches or over 15 inches long. The daily bag limit for black bass is five fish singly or in aggregate, which means the catch limit may include any combination of the three bass species. No more than two can be over 15 inches.
The exceptions are:
–Rivers and streams in counties bordering the Ohio River still have a 12-inch minimum size limit, with an aggregate bag limit of five black bass. Those counties are Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Floyd, Harrison, Jefferson, Ohio, Perry, Posey, Spencer, Switzerland, Vanderburgh and Warrick.
–The Blue River in Crawford, Harrison and Washington counties still has a 12- to 15-inch slot limit and an aggregate bag limit of five black bass, with no more than two being more than 15 inches.
–The minimum size limit on the Ohio River main stem (not bays and tributaries) remains at 12 inches for black bass, with a daily bag limit of six.
The changes are in response to public concerns regarding harvest pressure on smallmouth bass that were expressed during the Indiana Natural Resources Commission’s comprehensive rule enhancement project.
The NRC Advisory Council, Indiana Sportsmen’s Roundtable, fishing groups and individual anglers supported a rule change to further restrict the taking of black bass, especially smallmouth, to potentially provide a larger number of bass for anglers in the future. The protection for black bass that are 12- to 15-inches long is intended to limit harvest of these fish when they have the highest reproductive potential.
The new rule does not affect existing regulations on lakes or reservoirs (including Lake Michigan), where black bass must be at least 14 inches long to be kept. Black bass size and bag limits at specific locations such as state fish & wildlife areas, state forests, national forests and other sites outlined in Indiana Administrative Code 312 9-7-6 also remain unchanged.

This seems like a good rule-change. Especially for me; I'll be fishing mainly the White River around Muncie in the coming year. Full Link Here.

-William

Yellowwood Lake 5/12/2012

2012-05-14T23:00:00.000-04:00

This weekend saw another wonderful couple of days for fishing. The weather was clear. Some rain systems moved north and south of Bloomington and the greater area, more or less. We saw some wind and clouds which is always good for fishing (in the right amounts of course). Saturday was a probably the best day for fishing. There were variable winds and it was overcast for the majority of the day.

At around 9am on Saturday, my mother and I set out for Yellowwood Lake. After getting through town (We have to drive directly through Bloomington to get to Highway 46) we made our way through Belmont and got to Yellowwood by around 10. Traffic and road construction are the bane of my existence driving around or through town. I want to point out as well that out near Belmont, there was someone running for some sort of office with the name of "Catfish" Platter. I have to say...that is one of the best nick names I have ever come across. So cheers to you sir, assuming you won.

Anyway, Yellowwood has re-paved, or re-graveled, their main road through the park so there's not as many horrid pot-holes strewn along its length. Kudos to the DNR for that! The fishing itself was a little slow. Given fishing during the generally lower-activity hours is also hard, we did have some success. I brought live bait to better my chances of catching fish. Plenty of sunfish were caught. Unfortunately, I think only two were probably keepers. They were smaller than I'd like themselves, but had I caught enough of that size I wouldn't have been picky.

Ma was catching bass on rubber worms off a point we have had lots of success with. Two weeks ago we managed to catch 18 bass off of that spot in about three hours. This day was a lot slower than that I'd say. We still had our chances at plenty of bass though. She caught a handful of bass. One (which is pictured below) was a 16 inch female that we took home and filleted. She was a pig! I have to say, that was probably the biggest bass I've ever held. I catch plenty of fish, but they're not usually that big. I can think of possibly two off the top of my head that were comparable that I have caught.

Personally I don't think the picture does the fish justice. She was a good sized fish. Its all the more impressive considering Yellowwood was being dredged the past couple of years and well below normal pool. Makes me very optimistic about the fish in the lake. All the bass we've been catching have been between 12 and 14 inches fairly regularly and I have seen a few in the shallows that were probably about the size of this female.

Unfortunately for me, any bass that I got to bite managed to throw my hook. I was using various lures too. The rubber worms were not setting (I had this problem a couple weeks ago too) and my crank baits were getting thrown when the bass jumped from the water. It is sort of disappointing when these kinds of things happen. I have to say though, there is some consolation somewhere in losing the fish. I like watching the fish jump out of the water. It is great fun. Takes me back to the first bass I caught when I was younger. I was using a top-water lure even though my uncle told me not to. What I got was a little bass that hit it and lept out of the water.

Anyway, it is getting late. I have class in the morning and more things to hypothesize about regarding fishing. I'd like to work with top-waters and spinner-baits more, but with success. May have to watch some videos and see what I can come up with.

-William

Farm Pond Fishin'

2012-05-10T11:34:00.000-04:00

So yesterday I spent the evening with my girlfriend and her mother fishing at their pond in the woods. We caught five keeper sunfish. Unfortunately we got cut short because of rain. Would've kept them had we had more time to catch some more fish. The fish were fun though. A lot of them were of a color I've never seen before. They had reddish-pink and orange bellies that continued up their sides. Very pretty fish. One was a more traditional looking bluegill. Oh, I caught a small largemouth bass as well. He was feisty!

All caught on half-cut night crawlers. They were very good fighters. Caught them all between 6 and 7 pm. The barometric pressure probably got them a little crazed. The bites stopped once the rain started.

That's all until next time!

-William

Long Time Coming

2012-05-09T11:38:00.002-04:00

Seems I do this too often. I say I'll keep posting then I leave it for a year. Anyway, I am going to say it again. I plan on posting more often. My life of odd hours in college is coming to an end and I'll have a more steady lifestyle I hope.

I've been fishing a whole lot this year already. Seeing as the weather has been particularly warm, the fish have been ready to bite. So far this Spring I've fished at Wapehani, Monroe Reservoir, Yellowwood Lake, the White River up in Muncie, and the Crooked Creek near Valparaiso. And at all those places I've been catching fish. I have caught smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, warmouth, rock bass, red-ear, long-ear sunfish, and rainbow trout. It's been quite a good spring.

Just last week I took my mother fishing and we caught eighteen bass within three hours at one single spot. This was at Yellowwood lake and it was great. This is where I've been catching fish the most this year. The dredging that they finished last year has really paid off. There's some massive carp in the lake. The bass I have been catching have been pretty good sized, probably above minimum limit (No huge ones yet). The catfish there are great fun to fish for. The panfish are just as big as ever. Yellowwood is well-known for having big bluegill there. Well, I've caught a good few as well as red-ear. The red-ear I've noticed are thriving in the lake now. This Spring has just been wonderful for fishing! Its been like that pretty much everywhere.

The Spring trout fishing trip wasn't too bad either. It wasn't the best we have had, on a previous post you can see we caught our limit for four or five different people. This year we caught...probably 10 or so. That's two limits. Not great but not bad. I fell in a muskrat hole too! When its 40 degrees out and you put your foot through a hole directly into the stream, you're in some trouble. Our Sunday outing got cut short because of it. Brr!!!

So that's an update for what I've been up to, fishing-wise, this Spring. It has been loads of fun. I plan on going and fishing a farm pond at my girlfriend's mother's house today. I'll try and get some pictures of the fish we take. It's overpopulated, so I believe we'll be having a fish fry soon!

-William

Yellowwood Lake Conditions

2011-04-20T12:28:00.000-04:00

I promised those of you who actually may read this that I'd give you updates on what's going on out at Yellowwood Lake. Due to some life altering events I've neglected to get around to it. Anyway, better late than never right? This news release is from last September, but there's been nothing new to come from DNR about Yellowwood and the lake's restoration project. So without further adieu, here's the announcement:

"The Department of Natural Resources has resumed work on a dredging project at Yellowwood Lake that will extend the lake's useful life and improve access for boating and fishing.

The project on the 130-acre lake in Yellowwood State Forest near Nashville began in 2008 when DNR conducted a dry dredging operation. Since the lake's construction in 1938 by the Works Project Administration (WPA), the upper end of the lake has been filling with sediment, a process that happens to most man-made lakes.
Approximately five acres of 10-feet-thick sediment was removed from the lakebed and placed on the shore. Many acres remain to be treated. Most of the sediment from the project is being moved across the road to a clearing. Once the sediment is removed and dried, workers will begin grading and shaping the surface to restore lakeside recreation.
Operations were suspended in 2009 due to extremely wet weather. DNR plans to complete this year's removal of silt from the lakebed by Nov. 1.
The overall project should be completed by the fall of 2011 if conditions allow."

http://www.in.gov/portal/news_events/56145.htm

Hopefully the lake will have been restored by the end of this summer. Keep your fingers crossed!

-WRS

April Showers bring...fish?

2011-04-02T13:53:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone! Its the start of April! For Hoosiers it means a renewal of fishing licenses. If you're looking to renew your own fishing license feel free to use this link. The Indiana DNR now allows for online registration. I've enjoyed two days worth of fishing at Weimer lake. Friday, the 1st, I managed to catch 6 fish on night crawlers. 5 Bluegill and 1 Bass.

If you want to see the three pictures from Friday, click the links below. I caught 3 more fish that day but figured it'd be excessive to constantly take pictures. These are the bigger ones anyway, not that that is saying much.

Bass
Sunny
Sunny

As for today, April 2nd, I managed to catch two good sized Bass and another small Bluegill. Unfortunately for that little guy got hooked in the inside of the eye. I couldn't get the hook out so I just clipped it. Sort of put a damper on the day at that point, but the start was great. Seems a lot of folks bring their kids down to Weimer to run around and what not. By the time I left there were probably three different families there. It was probably the best time to leave.

Here are those two Bass I caught:

Not too bad, eh? Caught them on this chartreuse thunderstick minnow bait I've had for years but never bothered to use. Its a wonder what I discover in my tackle-box sometimes! They were both probably around a pound or so from my estimations. On the second catch, my father stopped by to say hello and he got to see it too!

Anyway, there's a few more things I'll be posting over the weekend for local fisherman. Yellowwood Lake restoration announcements by the Indiana DNR and some info on their trout stocking programs for Jackson Creek this year. Stay tuned!

-William

3 for 3

2011-03-21T18:05:00.001-04:00

Hello everyone. For those on Spring Break, have some fun! For the rest of us, school is almost out. Anyway, Third time out at Weimer Lake and I caught me a little bass. Nothing to write home about, but well...I am anyway. I've pinned one spot on the lake where fish hold. The fact that Weimer isn't massive like Lake Monroe is definitely a plus for me. Curious where it is? I guess you'll have to come fishing at Weimer! It's really not hard to find. Nonetheless, its one spot I know I can go to and more than likely catch something. Despite catching another fish there, I have a bigger reason for going on and on and on about it; I caught it on a lure. No live bait used. What's more is I was able to get a couple different bites on different spinners over there.

Next task is to find where the bigger fish are.

Cheers!
- William

First Catch of the Season

2011-03-15T13:33:00.000-04:00

Hullo all! Its March! To some it may still seem a tad too cold to go fishing, but a true fishing nut will be out there anyway. Right? I'm crazy enough to be out there at least. So I've been fishing three times now this month. Twice I went down to the Monroe Dam and Salt Creek tail-water, but today I decided to try something far closer to home than Monroe. What is that you ask? Weimer Lake (or to some, Lake Wapehani). This little lake is located directly across highway 37, from where I live. So why not try it? When gas is $3.60 and rising it seems to be the prudent thing to stay closer to home.

Now I've always grown up thinking Weimer was just some weeded up pond. Turns out it isn't. Indiana DNR actually just keep tabs on the lake. According to the DNR the lake is safe to harvest fish from. Sunfish are the only fish the Indiana DNR actually have listed for the lake, and they are a grade 2 in terms of eating. That means they are safe to eat.
Most places you can harvest fish are either grade 1 or 2. That said, I'd imagine there's more than just Sunfish in that lake. I am certain I saw a couple bigger fish jump out in the middle of the lake, which means most probably bass are in the lake. I also saw a massive school of minnows fleeing something on the opposite end of the lake. They were jumping around for some 10 minutes or so and moving further and further down the shoreline.

Located right off of Indiana Highway 37. Take Tapp Road east to Weimer road. Go north on Wemier until you reach Wapehani Road. Then just follow it to the little parking area. The area itself, Waphani that is, is a mountain biking facility. It was established in 1990, but I'm unaware how well used it is. As for the fishery, I don't think I've seen more than one or two people fish the spot over the years. Seems to be a well kept secret.

Given the current fishing conditions which aren't exactly great, I did manage to catch a few Sunfish. They appeared to me to be keepers as well. They weren't huge slabs or anything, but they would've made some good fillets. Despite the weather, the two Sunfish that I caught put up pretty good fights too. Gotta say I enjoy having a fighter at the end of the line, no matter how big or small! I may do a follow up on the lake tomorrow as it'll be far warmer and sunnier. I've still got plenty of warms and plenty of time on my hands.

Like I said; not big, but definitely edible. Certainly bigger than some of the stuff I've gotten at Lake Monroe when shore fishing for Sunnies.

-William