Vic’s New Fishing Hat

Vic’s Mom sent him the wonderful fishing hat he’s wearing here, our first day out fishing since his birthday. I think it’s dashing. We caught no fish in either the Snake or Clearwater Rivers, but we always love being out fishing, regardless of whether we catch any fish.

Fishing is about Fish

Saturday chores accomplished, my husband and I decided to go fishing in the Snake River beyond Asotin. We wanted to stand on a beach this time, instead of taking our boat. The fish were not biting, but a few jumped up from the water so we could know they were there, but they had no interest in coming home with us. We’ve had lots of fishing excursions like this, and we also have lots of freezer space occupied by cleaned, wrapped fish we’ve caught on several other occasions.

My husband loves fishing and fish. I love fishing and I am extremely allergic to fish and I never eat it. Fish are wonderful creatures. They can be beautiful, elusive, and eager to grab onto a lure, all within a few minutes or a full day. Sometimes I think I’m just there for the scenery. We can’t rule a fish’s instincts or choices; only fish can do that. We’re really just along for the ride. Fish have amazing skills we know nothing about.

Paladin: At the brink for a drink

Paladin prefers faucets to bowls when it comes to drinking water.

 

 

 

Two bass and a heron

My husband Vic and I went fishing in the Snake River today (Saturday), away from Thunder on the Snake, a noisy jet boat race that goes up the River, and thankfully is annual. Because Chinook salmon are now in the River and on their way to their spawning grounds, all fishing requires barbless hooks, which Vic considers sporting and I consider a real bane. We lost count of how many fish grabbed our lures with their barbless hooks and jumped right off. They were small fish. We each caught and actually reeled in one 11-1/2″ Smallmouth bass. The size is Vic’s favorite eating size; the larger ones are less appetizing because they have more fat. Anyway, it was a pleasant and fruitful time on the River, and we brought home two Smallmouth bass.

As we prepared to return to the boat dock, Vic’s line became snagged on the river bottom. He put the boat’s motor in reverse to unsnag the line. Then we noticed a Great Blue Heron in a tree who appeared to be observing us. We watched him with equal fascination and took pictures of him. He seemed to look impatient. Vic freed the line and we bid adieu to the Great Blue.

A Great Blue Heron observes our plight as Vic releases his snagged lure from a rock.

The heron appeared to grow impatient with us, but remained watchful and quiet.

Paladin Under the Rainbow

Paladin’s rainbow ball is a favorite toy, and he loves batting it on his favorite ball field–his tummy!

Before the launch, the sun steals the show

The sun was amazingly bright over the Snake (Washington side) and Clearwater (Idaho side) Rivers as we prepared to launch our quest for Moby Bass. I caught a couple of junior bass and released them so they could grow a bit. Vic caught a 10-1/2 incher, our only keeper of the hot, pleasant outing.

Yesterday’s Catch: The Movie

Back to Soldier’s Meadow Lake

My husband and I finished our chores at home this morning and headed for a return visit to Soldier’s Meadow Lake to fish for Kokanee and trout. Our first visit to Soldier’s Meadow Lake was the Fourth of July. We took Pisca Dory again so we could fish in the middle of the lake. My husband caught one trout and one Kokanee salmon; I caught two trout and one Kokanee. The day was beautifully sunny, and three good-size trout and two excellent Kokanee chose to come home with us.

Our catch: Second from top and fourth from top are the Kokanee; first, third, and fifth are rainbow trout.

Bass Fishing at Chief Timothy State Park on the Snake River

For my husband and me, Saturday afternoons are for fishing when weather and commitments permit us. Today we launched Pisca-Dory at Chief Timothy State Park on the Snake River. Bass thrive here, and the warmer weather has activated them significantly.

We caught three Smallmouth bass between us–Vic caught one and I caught two. The scenery and the pelicans added beauty and enjoyment to our excursion.

Pisca-Dory is comfortable and the scenery is refreshing.

 

We go under a railroad bridge and into a lagoon, but catch nothing there. It’s quiet and lovely, but we head back to the broader River.

 

Pelicans are so marvelous!

 

Our catch. I caught the largest and the smallest Smallmouth, and Vic caught the mid-size model. We had two more nibblers who got away–a good thing, because they were so small.

Vic took all the photos.

 

Effie and Paladin and 102° in Effieland

        It’s 102°– hot, but Effie and Paladin find shade everywhere.

        Our sun-dappled Effie burrows under a poplar.

        Our clever Paladin discovers he can combine some shade with a lookout.