Rollin with Rolland
10/20/2008 2:12:00 PMPS I still haven't gotten to Heart yet, but looks like I'll have to try and sneak a quick trip in.....
Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service
I arrived at Heart Lake shortly after 9:00 am. There was one other person at the launch getting ready to fish via float tube. After launching my boat I said hello to the brave fisherman who was about fish from his float tube in 53 degree water (temp confirmed by my fish finder) and quickly came to realize he was fellow WALake.com member, SDAngler aka Matt. I had read Matt’s last post for Heart Lake which is why I choose to fish it today. This was the first time I had met a fellow member in person and Matt was great, even kindly sharing with me his lure of choice which he has been doing well with at Heart Lake.
After launching I watched Matt catch one right off the bat before heading on my way trolling a red flatfish with black dots which I always do well with at this lake. After about 40 minutes I changed to a jig similar to Matt’s but not the same color, tipped with a worm, and tried that for about 30 or so minutes, still not as much as a bump. After a while I trolled by Matt and learned he had caught two nice rainbows so far. We continued fishing the same general area in the deepest part of the lake. I watched Matt catch another nice fish and honestly, I was just happy to see some fish being caught and was enjoying my time on the lake which was calm with exception to a slight breeze that came and went a few times. Air temp was 40 degrees to start so I wasn’t toasty warm but not too cold either.
I changed to a Mack’s flashlight followed by a red wedding ring, hook filled with a night crawler and about five minutes later I hooked and landed my first fish which was 13.5 inches long and very healthy. Maybe 15 minutes later I hooked my second fish which I played to the boat that I believe was near 16 inches and it spit the hook. I watched Matt catch the remainder of his limit, (great job Matt and definitely the right lure, method, and colors). We chatted a few minutes before he headed in to warmer surroundings. I switched to a 4 foot long leader (3 lb test) and a decent sized snelled hook which I loaded with chartreuse power bait and half a worm and drifted a few minutes before hooking my third and final fish which fought great and I was able to boat. It was just under 14.5 inches and very healthy. I gave it another 30 minutes then headed in with two nice keepers for the pan. It was nice to catch a few fish and meet a very nice fellow angler and WL.com member. Thanks Matt. Great trip and I hope to see you on the water again soon.
Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service