Bad timing for Spicer and Union/Utica 7/31-8/3

Spent two nights at Union last week and another at Spicer fishing for hours.  Weather was fantastic for camping, but not so much for fishing.  Not a cloud in the sky and water temp was warm.  Paddled into a sweet spot in Union Reservoir Wednesday and didn't see a fish until late Thursday afternoon.... even then it didn't take my bait.  Early Friday morning I moved to Spicer and trolled back about four miles to a campsite.  Spent the whole day tossing lures and various power bait...etc.  I saw one fish jump the whole time.  Poor ospreys couldn't even find a fish to nab from the water.  It was pretty warm and sunny so the trout must have all been super deep.  I don't think anyone caught fish.  In fact on my way out Saturday morning I was shocked with how few boats were trolling. 

Bummed I didn't catch a fish in those four days.  But the camping was fantastic and the views amazing. 

I have bad luck with California fishing.  I was in Michigan the previous week and hooked a tagged Walleye ($100 fish!) on my buddy's boat.  And I had some fun with large mouths and some big blue gills another day.  Very nice vacation.  Next year I'll try to hit up Spicer much earlier.  That's one hell of a deep reservoir btw!  I think my depth finder marked 200ft!

Thanks for the report! Beats a day on the couch anytime!

Thanks for that TIMELY report!  Was planning a trip to Union to camp on the big island one of the next 2 weekends.  Been there a few times for day trips and only caught small catfish.  Where do the trout hang out in that lake?  I don't think it's planted, but I could be wrong...Any Union specific intel would be appreciated!   

Thanks for the post. Heading to Spicer with the family next week. Guess I'll have to try out the downrigger...
 
 

I'm sure that earlier in the summer Union has better fishing.  Somewhere I had read they do stock it, but the ranger said they hadn't yet this year.  She did tell me that Lake Alpine is producing well right now if you want to drive a little further.  Not sure what the camping is like at Alpine though.  Trout fishing is really tough in reservoirs this time of year.  Water was really warm and all the runoffs were bone dry.  Very few insects flying around.  If I could do Spicer all over again I'd use a downrigger with a wedding ring crawler setup.  Good luck!  You cant do any worse than I did.  Although I did find a fly rod/reel sticking up out of the water at Union.  Looked like someone lost it at the beginning of the season when the water was much higher. 

I'm new to yak fishing. I'm normally in my 20' Alumaweld Stryker. Downriggers, Sonar, GPS etc. I'm just gonna use the tried and true trolling rigs on my yak. I'm excited to give it a try. BTW a wedding ring/worn troll is tried and true for me.
 
I'll post a report when I get back
 
T_Cat

Suffered similar fate last week at Silver Lake....super low and super slow.....really warm water in the shallows...no plantings

Thanks Skunkmaster.  If they haven't planted by end of July, wonder when they'll get around to it    We don't go to Union for the fishing anyway.  We love to hang out on that big island and spend the day jumping off rocks and swimming.  Usually have it all to ourselves, so we might try camping on it next time.

Thanks for the scouting report Skunkmaster.  You live up to your name