Memorial Day Weekend, the traditional start to the summer season. Yup, graduations, temperatures over 90, hot winds, and really bright flat sunlight. It is all part of the season. During my jaunts out and about the past few days, I've had the opportunity to reflect on times past. More specifically family and friends that have passed. The memories and emotions are still vivid. I miss each one dearly and think about them often.
There is that saying, "Live, Love, and Eat". I'm trying to make sure I do each of those in suitable quantities. A reaffirmation of those things important. Love those that you are with!
I'm fortunate that during this past week full of activities, we've had some great recovery from those that I love. Injuries are healing and general good health is returning. It did get exciting at times. I believe everyone is all the better for the experiences.
I did manage to find some time to get out to the pond. The weather has been quite the challenge in that with all the wildfires about SE AZ the wind is relentless. It has made fishing that much more interesting too. I'm ever learning about the characteristics of bait cast reels. Each one of them has a unique personality and can be challenging manipulating them in high winds. I'm learning, grumbling at times as I'm clearing the spool over runs. Fortunately the effort put forth has returned some benefit to me. I've been grateful for the entertainment and enjoyment in catching so many LMBs lately.
Just in the past 7 days, I've managed several 4 LMB days. Some where I've actually caught more that that too. Given my limited time, generally less than 2 hours at a time, this is turning out to be a good catch rate for me. It is nice to have discovered local fishing spots that only require a few minutes transit time to reach. Prior to these discoveries, the nearest local fishing was an easy hour or more away.
The little shorty poles have really proven to be of great utility. They transport well and handle equally well. During this past week with all the fish brought in to shore the poles have been a joy to use. Even with the larger, 17 inch LMBs, the fishing rigs dealt with the surges. The short poles are also key to bait presentation too. I believe with the shorter pole I'm not working the bait too aggressively and presenting in a more advantageous and alluring fashion. It seems to be working as I'm catching more fish now than when I was younger. I attribute that to much improved technique and knowledge. Interesting enough the baits I'm using are still similar to those that I used in my youth.
There is an observation of note. I've deliberately calibrated the drag on my reels to be much more conservative. As of late the drag is set much lower that I've used in the past. This combined with the less aggressive hook set technique has resulted in more fish brought to shore. Also I've not experienced a gut hooked fish in quite some time since adapting to these newer techniques. Better for both fish and me as the catch and release goes much smoother.
I've also gone to using a much more compact bait too. I'm finding that the combination of a compact and light weight bait produces much more interest and resulting in more fish brought to the shore.
Now while talking about shores, I found some time this afternoon in the schedule to allow for some exploration. There has been some mention regarding fishing down at the San Pedro River. Since living here for just over 20 years, I've spent many hours down at the San Pedro enjoying the environment. I've never really tried to fish it. Until this afternoon. I regret waiting so long. I've really missed out. I made the stroll through the arid watershed leading to the green belt that makes up the surroundings of the San Pedro. In retrospect, it is much better to make the beeline towards the green belt and then walk the remainder of the distance in the shade of those old growth trees. It actually seemed shorter in distance too.
I first had a go at one of the ponds down in the river bed. The pond appeared to be thriving but the water looked not like water but just shallow mud. The water was so muddy that there was no visibility. As soon as the bait was lowered in the water there was no seeing it. Again in retrospect I should have used a vibration bait, to make some noise to attract some interest. I cast for a good part of 20 minutes with no interest. I started with a typical fan cast pattern with some additional emphasis on some targets of interest where there could be some potential holding locations. Nothing...
Ok so that was not that fun. Time for a change. Since the remainder of the open fishing areas on the lake perimeter were all taken up with others, so I decided this was reason enough to go and explore the river. I was expecting a protracted amount of waking through the undergrowth and I was pleasantly surprised. There were nicely worn paths through all the high grass, a good thing as I was keeping my eye open for critters on the path. A short stroll and I was already there at the first pool in the river. A very surprising change, as the water was reasonably clear. Clearer than my regular fishing pond. The distance across was roughly 8 ~ 10 meters or so. Casting the very light weight bait was right at the limit of decent accuracy. This was important as the pockets were were the fish were holding. The middle of the water was pretty shallow. It was only deep on the opposite shore. Even with that I'm estimating that the depth of the water was less than 0.5 meters.
There were several suspended fish visible in the far edges of the undercut bank that was lined by overhanging branches.
Casting to them was not productive other than to confirm that they were alive. As soon as the bait hit the water there was a massive wake from the departure of the fish. Surprising enough shortly after the visible fish departure, I did manage to get slight tug on the bait. Unfortunately the tug didn't transpire into a hookup. It was encouraging.
It didn't take all day before I got several other tugs on the bait. All the takes were very light and representative of small fish. It took about 20 more minutes before I managed to find a substantial tug that was protracted and provided me an opportunity to tension up. Amazing that the strike was similar to all other LMBs. I reeled down and tensioned with the small pole loading up nicely. I managed to crank up and notice that the spool was not rolling. It was stationary. Oooh, either the drag was too loose, or there was a substantial load on the other end. Yes there was! Turned out to be a rather robust 12 inch LMB with a large belly! Some good girth to that fish. I had to lift it out of the water almost a full meter as I was high on a sand bank. By the time I got my thumb on the lower jaw, the hook just lifted right out. Oooh if I had not maintained tension the hook would have just popped right out.
About another 20 minutes later I managed to get hooked up with another LMB. In similar fashion the take was light and progressively aggressive. I had to hold patiently till my opportunity to tension up on it. This was a small aggressive young fish. The little fish was right at about 8 inches. So proof there are LMBs in the San Pedro. Another accessible fishery within 30 minutes transit time to the trail head. Yeaaah!
Maybe next time I'll even try out the spinner bait that I carried all the way there and back...
Cheers!
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