soul recharge with the mooch (mendo puddle)

so, headed up to the puddle on tuesday to fling some flies, it was a great morning, and had a great feeling when i got there, this was the day after the one year anniversary of the passing of mooch. the previous year a few of us had planned on a fish and chill with mooch at his beloved lake mendocino, but unfortunately, mooch went into the hospital for the last time that week, i havent fished it since then, but today was the day for me to return, to honor mooch and fish alone with just him up above as my guide. i could feel him with me and knew he was smiling. launched a little after 730 and paddled to the spot, as i arrived there was bait being slashed by a predator from below, and i knew it was him showing me the way, so started casting a clouser into the school and was rewarded with a small LMB, gave thanks and casted again, and got a few more cookie cutter lmb, then moved on since further down i saw and heard more predators slashing bait, the wx was perfect, sunny, warm with just the slightest breeze to give me a perfect drift for casting and stripping. got a nice thump and strip set and landed a nice pike minnow, then a few more after that, then as i am drifting and casting i get a THUMP, and it starts taking line, then turns and runs towards me, and i went into jose wejebe mode and just started smacking the reel to pick up line instead of reeling, then it shoots straight up into the air, SMALLIE, and a real nice one, it gave me a good 4-5 jumps then went deep and we battled for a bit, then it came to the net gave a big shout out to mooch for the gift. released the smallie and on the next cast i got an even bigger THUMP, set the hook and it was on, in my mind i was thinking catfish, wow never caught one on the fly before, this would be cool if it is. the fish bull dogged me for a good 5 minutes before i saw any color, then i saw a tail flash, and at first i was thinking this would be the biggest LMB of my life because of the color and spots, but a few minutes later, it came to full view and it would be my first catfish on the fly. finally got it in the net and the shinning golden color reminded me of buddah, and i knew it was mooch again saying hello, and again i looked upward and thanked him. we had a great conversation that day, the two of us, on the lake, alone, not another angler around, by about noon i decided that i have had a great morning, caught many fish and was satisfied and my soul was recharged so i paddled back to the ramp with the fish still on the chew and slowly packed my gear and loaded the boat, as i was doing this i got a visit from scwafish and schoolie at the ramp,  another great surprise, then headed south with a happy heart, thanks mooch for a great day, i miss you buddy and glad we finally got to spend a last day on mendo, cameron

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Glad to hear you got out! I saw your rig out and around. I was happy thinking that you were getting some. Nice fish.
-Amos

Awesome trip and report!!!  And don't you just love big cats on a fly rod!!  Got my biggest at Clear Lake this year.

Nice report!
I'll be there before sunrise Sunday.
I lost a handline with a catfish on it tonight. It was dark and it pulled right out of my hands. Blue pool noodle.

Good on yah! I'm sure mooch is looking down and smiling.

I saw some giant marks on my FF on San Luis a couple months ago, thought it was my double digit striper that place owes me, then since it didn't fight like a striper I was hoping catfish, turned out I tail snagged a giant carp, LOL.



I was fishing my beater saltwater 10wt, with 24' of T18 to get down to 50ft where the marks were, LOL.

Glad your soul has been recharged    Thanks for the Mendo report and pictures Cameron.

Mooch was always fond of the "Bendo @ Mendo" hookups; always use to talk about the glory days of NCKA there. Thou I wasn't around during that era, the way Joel reminisced about those times, that place was always special to him... Way to honor our brother!

Great report, great pics!!!

Great report Cam, did you launch at the north ramp. I gotta get up there an pay my respects before it drys up. Joel's favorite spot was Crappie Cove is it dry?

Love it and thanks for sharing.
Cats on the fly...and they said it couldn't be done twice this year

Great report Cam, did you launch at the north ramp. I gotta get up there an pay my respects before it drys up. Joel's favorite spot was Crappie Cove is it dry?

south ramp mike, and yea crappie cove is dry, but longpoint is holding fish

Awesome Cam!!!!!

Fly cats catch cats on flys..... Say that 5 times fast. Great report Bro and congrats on the beautiful day otw with the homie

great report Cameron.
The Mooch was smiling on you for sure!

NICE!  Thanks for sharing.