CAPTAIN'S LOG (ALMANOR) 3/5/2011

[West Guin]

Captain's Log (Lake Almanor) Star Date 3/5/2011

Kevin and I pulled out of my house right at 6:00 a.m. Even thou the sun comes up at 6:30 and we have a 2 hour ride we decided to let the sun work over the landscape as the week before produced some good snow fall for the Chester area. When we started down the East shoreline we were able to see just how much as there were several locations that had down power lines. We entered a clear of snow boat launch at the Canyon Dam ramp. We launched the boat right at 8:00 with no slip hazards.
We rigged up the normal producers and proceed to the East shoreline at 2.3 mph. We did not quite make it to the other side when my top line with "The Captain" http://www.guinfishntackleco.com took our first fish a feisty 1 1/2 pound Rainbow. I re-install a new black grub to the trailing hook along with some "Smelt Gel" from http://www.procure.com and sent it right back out 250' behind the boat. We proceeded north towards Hamilton Branch. Half way there I pulled another fish with the same set up which ended up being a hard fitting 2 lb Brown this would be our only Brown for the day unfortunately this was the year anniversary of my 5 lb Brown on this lake. (Can't win them all!)
We reached Hamilton Branch around 10:00 the sky was cloudy but the lake was like glass. We found the water a 1/2 of a degree warmer than the rest of the lake at a surface temp of 38.5 degrees almost 10 degrees colder than we would like to chase our Browns in. The fish were scattered all the way to Hamilton as we marked one or two here or there. Once in the Branch we hit the Gold Mine so we thought the fish were laid one on another at 40' to 50'. We drug all types of different gear at different speeds with out a bite. No Takers!
After a couple of hours of frothing at the bit over all the arches a slight breeze came which did not help so around 2:00 we decided to head back to the dam. The winds stayed mild and so did the bite. Kevin was really starting to worry about the Tui Chub curse. He put on http://www.fishingwithfathermurphy.com "The Great Pumpkin" and sent it 225' behind the boat. We are now trolling at 2.5 to 2.7 mph as that is were the new "Spaz Spoons" work the best. Which we put on the rigger lines. Kevin finally pulled a 2 lb Rainbow on The Great Pumpkin and the curse was over.
Kevin pulled 2 more Rainbows on the way back to the ramp giving us 5 Rainbows and 1 Brown for the day all were taken in the top 15' in 35' of water. We pulled off of the lake at 6:00 the air temp was 42 degrees with no ice on the ramp. I usually like to go home through Quincy for a change of pace but decided to go back through Susanville as the canyon was sure to be icy. The temps are slowly rising so we are looking for 3 to 4 more weeks before the quality fishing will began until then enjoy the boat ride! Hey Kevin thanks for the encouragement let me know if it is to much info. Don't want to out stay my welcome.

[Kokanee Al]

Just so you know, there are lots of us out there that enjoy your posts. I feel as if I'm actually there fishing with you "without freezing my tush off". Please keep them coming! Hope too see everybody at the dinner tonight!