I Ain't No Clayman

Even though I am retired I have only been able to take the kayak out a few times this year.  Trips have been planned but were cancelled due to family matters.  So I was excited when a window of opportunity opened and my wife said “Do it!”
The plan was to fish Almanor on Tuesday and Wednesday (10/13-14).  I got super stoked when I read Claymans report of a 29 fish day on Monday.  I was going to be there the next day!
It turns out I ain’t no Clayman…
I left Woodland at 4:AM and got to the Prattville launch at 7:45.  It was a chilly 37 degrees and there was a breeze but I was on the water and feeling good by 8:30.  Long story short, I jigged, trolled and cast without getting a bite.  There were large bait balls with fish feeding on them but I was not able to get any takers.  Decided to go in around 1:30 and met Ghost (Frank) and his wife at the ramp.  Had some lunch and went back out around 4:00.  Frank and his wife also went out for some late afternoon  fishing.  The bait had dispersed somewhat by then and there were just small balls occasionally.  I went in at 6:00 without getting any bites.  Frank came in a bit later with the same story.
On Wednesday morning I launched at sunrise.  It was beautiful but cold and breezy again . The bait balls were huge!  They were so dense my fish finder couldn’t find bottom at times and the bait covered the screen  edge to edge.  My plan was to jig one rod and drop a night crawler on the other.  By 8:15 I had caught two nice cookie cutter rainbows each 20.5”.  Nothing on the jig rod.  I gave the rest of my  night crawlers to Frank and left the water to come home around 11:00.
I jigged with P-Line Lazer Minnows in pearl, shad, and a pearl with pink pattern, and  3” Gulp baits in shad pattern.  I trolled and cast with night crawlers,  the Gulp bait, and a couple of crank baits with shad patterns.

Nice job!

Yeahhhhh...that Clayman guy makes it look so easyyyy! lol  Nice fish! 

Nice rainbows!.I am hoping to get up there next week!

Thanks for the report, always a fun lake to fish. How much weight did you use for the night crawlers?

How much weight did you use for the night crawlers?

I used a large split shot about 3' above the crawler. 6lb fluoro leader.
I found it interesting that the rainbows both had empty stomachs except for a couple of bugs.  Must not have been feeding on all the bait fish.

Beautiful fish, John.

And neither are we    Thanks for the report and pictures John.

Nice job John!  What people don't understand is that Chris has his Golden Whistle (that is forge from gold found in the Feather River) that he uses to call those trout in.  I've witness this myself on a few occasions.  I hope the bite stays strong for this weekend.

Bret

Glad u picked up a couple the 2nd day... No skunk!
Good job!

Nice 'bows!  Yeah, there's loads of bait out there right now.  That epic bite I stumbled upon on Monday was a big exception to the norm lately: I've had to work for most of my bites.  It can be a difficult lake.

Nice job John!  What people don't understand is that Chris has his Golden Whistle (that is forge from gold found in the Feather River) that he uses to call those trout in.  I've witness this myself on a few occasions.  I hope the bite stays strong for this weekend.

Bret

Why you gotta be giving away my secret weapon Bret?  It was forged deep in the fires of the Seneca Mines below Canyon Dam.  One whistle to rule them all.  The unsettled weather coming in this weekend should bode well for a good bite!

Nice 'bows!  Yeah, there's loads of bait out there right now.  That epic bite I stumbled upon on Monday was a big exception to the norm lately: I've had to work for most of my bites.  It can be a difficult lake.

Nice job John!  What people don't understand is that Chris has his Golden Whistle (that is forge from gold found in the Feather River) that he uses to call those trout in.  I've witness this myself on a few occasions.  I hope the bite stays strong for this weekend.

Bret

Why you gotta be giving away my secret weapon Bret?  It was forged deep in the fires of the Seneca Mines below Canyon Dam.  One whistle to rule them all.  The unsettled weather coming in this weekend should bode well for a good bite!

I'm hoping the weather turns them on.  I'm heading up tonight.

Nice 'bows!  Yeah, there's loads of bait out there right now.  That epic bite I stumbled upon on Monday was a big exception to the norm lately: I've had to work for most of my bites.  It can be a difficult lake.

Nice job John!  What people don't understand is that Chris has his Golden Whistle (that is forge from gold found in the Feather River) that he uses to call those trout in.  I've witness this myself on a few occasions.  I hope the bite stays strong for this weekend.

Bret

Why you gotta be giving away my secret weapon Bret?  It was forged deep in the fires of the Seneca Mines below Canyon Dam.  One whistle to rule them all.  The unsettled weather coming in this weekend should bode well for a good bite!

I believe you said the same thing two weekends ago when I was up there...and all i ended up was getting wet! 

Nice job on the pair, many a yakfisher has been lured to Almanor's bounty by Chris's posts only to be humbled by the fickle nature of that lake! 
When it's on, it's a thing of dreams.  When it's off, it can be one of the most frustrating days on the water, particularly when you can actually see the fish on the screen, see your jig bouncing in front of them, all for naught. 

Don't forget your hat/blonde locks next time....the fish dig it!

Ok, so next time I bring a Feather River Golden Fish Whistle (what notes/key bring on the fish?) and wear some long golden locks.
Now all I have to do is find a store that sells fishing talent and mojo.