Sturgeon Fishing - JC Strike Res area

A friend of mine, Gary, invited me to go sturgeon fishing for a couple of days, so 3 a.m. we left home for a four hour drive to the JC Strike Reservoir area.  We started fishing Tuesday morning at 7:20 in a hole in the Snake River above the reservoir.

Using a 12 foot rod with a six ounce weight and fishing for fish over 100 pounds was way out of my league.  I could not cast the rod.  Gary had pitty on me and cast for me.

My first sturgeon was a 2 footer - small, but about six years old.  But what a beautiful fish.  The scutes on the back were sharp and rough - probably to protect them from being eaten.

Not too long after, the slow dip of the rod indicated another sturgeon.  I set the hook and it did not budge - I had the bottom - so I thought.  Soon the bottom moved up river.  Forty minutes later, Gary tailed my fish - a seven and a half footer - probably about 180 pounds.  Here I am about to release the largest fish I have ever caught in my life.

About 30 minutes later, Gary lands a six and a half footer.

Then late in the afternoon, I got a four footer.  Here Gary is unhooking it.  A great fish, but much smaller than the big ones.

We caught some squawfish and bass, but went sturgeonless for that evening and the next day, but what a trip.  One good enough for a lifetime of memories and thrills.

Those fish better get ready, because I will be back to wrestle with them once again.

Fishing Beula Lake in Yellowstone

Had a great time hiking in 2 1/2 miles to Beula Lake on Saturday and fishing for three hours.  The birds, animals, flowers and sounds were a great solitary experience. 

Here is a picture of a faint rainbow I took just before I got rained on.

The fish were willing as I got hits on almost every cast with Yellowstone Cutthroats running from 12 to 16 inches.

A loon interrupted my fishing as it came in to fish the same area I was and it spooked the fish.

But the fish soon returned and continued feeding until 32 people showed up to fish the lake.  Here an 8 year old son of a friend of mine with a cutt that he caught.

With dogs running uncontrolled and swimming through the fishing holes it was time to head home and pick raspberries and peas.

Anything with red or peacock bodies worked for me until all the activity started.  It was a great day for fishing, hiking and photos.

Fishing Report July 27,28, and 29.

Had great fishing this week.  First trip was on Tuesday, when I went to Sand Creek Ponds and fished Pond #4.  The fish were dimpling the surface and I immediately started catching rainbows from casting from shore.  I did not take my float tube as I was getting firewood also.

Anything green would work as the damsel flies were thick.  After catching 17 I headed to my truck and visited with the assistant manager of the wildlife management area.  He said float tubers were getting from 20 to 30 a day by working the shallows along the reeds.

I did catch a large rainbow over 20 inches.

Henrys Lake.

On Wednesday and Thursday I fished Henrys Lake and it was like two different trips.  Wednesday was super, but after a huge storm Wednesday night, Thursday was slow.

Wednesday I caught fish at Targhee Creek with a Canadian Blood Leech and then on a Light Olive Crystal.  I left to explore at 9:30 and caught fish near Howard Creek, Cliffs, Phils Hole, and Duck Creek. 

Duck Creek was the best that I have seen it for several years.  I got two big hybrids, many cutthroats and six brook trout.  The hot fly was the beadhead Mity Mouse and the Henrys Lake Renegade.  I gave some to a fisherman that had not caught any fish and he ended catching 14 with them.  I ended the day with 52 fish, with three of them large hybrids.

To fish Targhee Creek, fishermen are leaving camp at 4:45 a.m. to get one of the favored spots.  Here is how crowded it gets around 7 when the late fishermen arrive.  The spot you get will determine whether you catch 5 or 40 in the morning.  Everybody has their favorite area GPSed.