Oldgoatgregg
5/23/2017 9:06:29 PMTight lines.
Headed over to Silver Lake for a try at some Rainbow Trout. Arrived at the lake about 5:00 AM, lines in the water by 5:15. Air temp a balmy 57 degrees at the outset, only a few high clouds showing as the sun began to rise. Water temp off the pier, at 15' deep, was 64 degrees. Began with green Power Eggs (4 1/2' leader) on one rig, fl. orange PE (5' leader) on the other. Spectacular sunrise at 5:20, then the sun began to climb in the sky and the temp began to rise. Didn't see a lot of surface activity and fishing was really slow the first couple of hours. Tried other colors of PE, and some combinations, but nada! About 8:00 I went with pink PEs on one rig, and shortly thereafter had a bite... nothing hard, could barely discern the bite against a strong breeze blowing out of the north. About twenty minutes later had a hard hit, and reeled in my first Rainbow of the day... a feisty 11" er. Kept changing up leader lengths and PE colors on one rig, but only action was on the 5' leader with pink PEs. About 9:30, another hard hit and reeled in a 11 1/2" Rainbow. I had an early afternoon doctor's appointment, so my target time to leave was 11:00 and I was running out of time. At just about 10:30. my rod tip bent over and I was into a larger fish. After a few runs and several aerial displays, I finally landed a chunky 13", gorgeous Rainbow. Fishing was slow, but I believe I could have limited if I hadn't had to leave the lake early.
Saw a total of seven other fishermen during the morning, most came and left before I did. Saw one other fish caught off the northernmost pier, and that was it. Perhaps the bright sun had something to do with the slow activity. A stiff breeze was blowing out of the north, as well. By the time I left, just a bit before 11:00, the beach was filling up with children swimming and splashing in the water. Great to see, finally, a warm, summer-like day and people coming out to enjoy the lake.
Observed a couple of Canada Goose families out on the lake, showing off their newly hatched babies. Saw a couple of Bald Eagles, constantly harassed by noisy crows. Have only been out perhaps a half dozen times this Spring, but I am puzzled at the lack of Ospreys on our lakes. Usually they make themselves highly visible with their death defying dives into the lake to catch a fish. Haven't seen one this Spring yet! Wish I could have stayed longer, but certainly enjoyed the morning out and went home with three great trout to boot! PTL!