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.

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.

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.

Bass Fishing in the Clearwater River

The Clearwater River is on the Idaho side of the Washington-Idaho boundary. The Snake River is on the Washington side. My husband Vic and I spent a bit over 2-1/2 hours today on the Clearwater in our fishing dory, Pisca-Dory, chasing bass who were chasing our lures.

For the first 30 or 40 minutes, there was just a bite and escape. In the final half hour, we approached the island where we have often walked, but this time we remained in our boat. The fish were chasing our lures as if they were desperate to come home with us.

Suddenly my rod was bowed by a biting bass.  I announced our code: “I have somebody!” I reeled him in and Vic netted the fish before it could bolt, removed the hook from his mouth, and cleaned him. This first bass was just 9-1/2 inches long. Right after Vic put #1 on ice in the cooler, I announced I had another somebody. #2 was 11-1/2 inches. Not long after #2 joined #1 in the cooler, I announced Somebody #3. This somebody was 16-1/2″ and weighed 2-1/2 pounds. Vic caught a smaller bass and released it.

The day was hot, but we had our rewards.

The launch

Chasing bass

The big one: 16-1/2 inches and 2-1/2 pounds

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.

 

Our 4th of July Fishing at Soldiers Meadow Lake

We enjoyed fishing at Soldiers Meadow Lake so much on the Fourth of July last year that we decided unequivocally to return. We caught five fish between us–my three trout and Vic’s Kokanee salmon and one trout. The Kokanee has beautiful silver and pink bands, and, like all salmon, pink meat.

I’m holding our 1,300-pound dory while Vic parks the truck and boat trailer.

Vic dubbed this as “Picnic Bay” because we anchored there to eat our lunch.

I’m reeling in one of my three trout.

Our five fish: At the top is Vic’s Kokanee, then my small trout and two large ones, and then  Vic’s trout. The day withheld its rain and we enjoyed a lovely day of fishing on this beautiful lake.

The active river: Fishing the Snake River from Couse Creek westward

My husband and I took our beautiful dory, Pisca-Dory, out fishing on the Snake River today. We had a very fine day simply being out on the river in the excellent boat my husband built, combined with the pleasant motive of fishing.

              Pisca Dory at Couse Creek Launch

The magnificent scenery along the Snake River, upriver from Couse Creek

Huh? No tourists? Really?

I caught no fish this time, and my husband caught this beauty, an 11-1/2″ Smallmouth Bass.