Loch Lomond 4/27/08 - Hunt for Little Trout

Well my boat was bone dry but almost didn't pass inspection this time because I didn't have scupper plugs.  A beautiful day on the water with 4 trout caught north of the island, 2 released. All in the 12" range. All were caught on Daiwa Shiner lures before noon. A costly day with regard to tackle lost, but overall a great day.

Scott

Congrats on a great day! That has to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the Bay area. When you say your boat almost didn't pass inspection, what do you mean? Someone actually checks your kayak? What are they looking for? Good luck, Eric

That certainly is a scenic spot.  Nice report.   

Why would they not let you in, for lack of scupper plugs?

I think I can answer those questions for scott, but I have another after.

they were looking for quaqqa/zebra mussel invaders.  (btw, did you know a quagga is a zebra/horse hybrid)

it's a no swimming body contact reservoir, but with scuppers, you touch the water.

Scott, way to go with the artificicals. what do you mean expensive? did you snag a few of those?

John

I can't believe they gave you heat for no scuppers!  What about all the hobie guys with a HEEEUUUGGE penetration through the hull?  Will they blackball hobies next for noncompliance with contact rule?  Water in the hull, ok, I understand that.  The scupper thing? 

and nice trout.  Like the dark bold colors.

We launched my Prowler and the wife's Venus at about 12:00pm. I don't have scupper plugs, Ranger never mentioned it. He didn't like that my front hatch had a bit of moisture, but he let us in.

Great paddle day, but we were at the far end of Newell Creek when the wind picked up. Dang, thats a long paddle back with the wind!!

Rich

That's weird. They have never said anything to me about no scupper plugs. I live near the lake, and I go there dozens of times each season. You must have met an over-enthusiastic ranger.

They asked me about scuppers on opening day.  I bring em, but never put them in.  Just showed em the plugs, and went to the launch site.  I mean, come on now!  can i not even touch the water that is on the back of the fish I just landed?!?!  I'm all fine with the inspections, but some things are just plain old ridicules... 

Scott, way to go with the artificicals. what do you mean expensive? did you snag a few of those?

John

John -

I was hoping nobody would inquire, but I had a double hookup and they tangled each other and in the melee that followed, one of my rods went overboard. Yeah, really lame I know.  Not a real expensive one but when you build your own rods, each one is special. This particular rod was my favorite Loomis trout rod. Will have to leash my freshwater rods from now on. I was planning on releasing all fish yesterday but I was so pissed off at the 2 trout that caused the loss of my rod, I beat the senseless and ate them for dinner. 

Scott

Sorry for the loss Scott it's always a bummer losing a favorite rod wither it's costly or not. Was that the rod you caught the lunkers with at LS and SPR. Didn't Mooch say goodbye to his favorite at that lake also?

Man, my last trip there I lost my favorite knife, just after loosing a brand new dodger and wedding ring combo, 20 mins after launching!    Later that day, lost my sunglasses too...

Starting to think I should bring a grappling hook next time I visit LL!

well, a double hook up is cool at least. it was a noble death for that brave combo. it went out fishing! 

you might consider rod flotation if you are mainly trolling.

fishing is a lot more fun with less worries. mini-pfd's for all expensive equipment.

I just ziptie some pipe insulation or half a noodle to the rod. I don't think it degrades feel perceptibly, it weighs almost nothing. you can always goop a couple washers to the butt of the rod to regain the balance.

it does look a little funny, but it wouldn't if we all did it,  .

you know, I like fishing with two rods, this is my first freshwater year doing that, but twice I have had something larger than normal on and lost the fish both times due to some sort of distraction from the other rod, once a full-on tangle, the second time I had a barbless hook and took the pressure off for just an instant to deal with the other rod.

  Don't know about Mooch loosing a fav trout rod there, but I did 2 seasons ago. All rods & gear I want to keep now are leashed!  Yeah it's a hassle when I want to change up rods, but my bass rod & reel was $120 3 yrs ago, I ain't loosing it! 
  Trout rod & reels run me maybe $90 I'm done loosing them also!  My down rigger even gets leashed!

  Don't know about Mooch loosing a fav trout rod there, but I did 2 seasons ago. All rods & gear I want to keep now are leashed!  Yeah it's a hassle when I want to change up rods, but my bass rod & reel was $120 3 yrs ago, I ain't loosing it! 
  Trout rod & reels run me maybe $90 I'm done loosing them also!  My down rigger even gets leashed!

floatation is sooooo much better than leashing. all those leashes all over, what a nightmare!