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April 20th-22nd, 2012: River Trip

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BorregoWrangler
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April 20th-22nd, 2012: River Trip

Post by BorregoWrangler » Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:41 pm

I wasn't planning to do much this past weekend due to a serious lack of funds. I was hoping to get out with Ollie and Steve but my plans fell through. My wife and daughter were out of town so I figured I could get some stuff done around the house. Well, that is until I got a last minute invite to the river with my parents along with my brother and his girlfriend. I showed up at their house with some of my gear at 5:30 Friday morning, load up their truck and boat, and soon we're east bound and down, loaded up and truckin'!

We launched the boat at Squaw Lake, I unhook the trailer and drive the truck around to meet them at Ferguson Lake. It was a bit warmer than usual for this weekend, at about 103. Low 70's at night. I slept on the dock, with a cool breeze, shooting stars and a couple catfish. The bluegills were everywhere. After a few minutes I figured 10 would last me the weekend. If not, just catch more! Around 10pm the first night, the clicker on my spinner started screaming. Pulled up a 3lb channel cat that ate my biggest bait! I guess he was really hungry... About midnight my bait caster started making noise. Now here's something I just thought about: Whenever a channel cat picks up my bait its a very fast run. Clicker screaming and line peeling off the reel. Flatheads just pull away at a slow and steady pace. That's my experience at least. So I bring in this next fish and its a 10lb flathead. Nice. No more runs for the night. All fish CPR'd. (Catch Photo Release)

On Saturday we spent the day out on the river at a sandbar, swimming, drinking, and BBQ. I got to sleep early that night, woke up at midnight and fished until dawn. No bites. However, just as the sun was coming up I notice a lot of activity at the surface just off the dock. Baitfish being chased. I grabbed my bass rod with a crank bait and soon I was into a school of striped bass. It was awesome! As the morning sun burned away the night sky the water around me danced to the commotion of predator and prey just below the surface. The flashing sides of the bass was like an under water fireworks show. I caught 6 but only kept 3 for the freezer. They ranged from 2 to 6 pounds. Then after a few hours spent on the river we packed up and headed home. Should have put on more sunscreen but at least my sunburn has stopped hurting now.

The striped bass were delicious! Salt & pepper on one side and garlic salt on the other side. Pan fry the fillets in butter and they're good to go in under ten minutes! :D


I only have a few right now but I'll try to get more pictures from my brother later.

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Oh yeah, this guy and a few of his friends followed me home! :mrgreen:

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-John Graham
1989 YJ & 2000 TJ

View all my trip reports here at my blog: GrahamCrackers

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X_Trippin
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Re: April 20th-22nd, 2012: River Trip

Post by X_Trippin » Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:30 am

Hey looks like you had a great time fishing at the river. I have never had a chance yet to fish the Colorado and have always wanted to check out places like Picacho. But, my family and I were at the river that weekend, but a bit up river form you. We stayed the weekend at the Avi Casino playing on Sea Doo's. Glad you had fun, and I could have also done with a bit more sunscreen. :oops:
KJ6RST ~ Yaesu FT-1900R HAM
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BorregoWrangler
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Re: April 20th-22nd, 2012: River Trip

Post by BorregoWrangler » Wed Apr 25, 2012 11:46 am

X_Trippin wrote:Hey looks like you had a great time fishing at the river. I have never had a chance yet to fish the Colorado and have always wanted to check out places like Picacho. But, my family and I were at the river that weekend, but a bit up river form you. We stayed the weekend at the Avi Casino playing on Sea Doo's. Glad you had fun, and I could have also done with a bit more sunscreen. :oops:

Picacho is a great place to camp and fish! I have a lot of good memories there. Unfortunately, its on the list of state parks to be closed.

http://www.yumasun.com/articles/parks-7 ... -park.html

Hopefully we can still access it if it does get closed down.
-John Graham
1989 YJ & 2000 TJ

View all my trip reports here at my blog: GrahamCrackers

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ssc
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Location: Riverside, Lake Havasu

Re: April 20th-22nd, 2012: River Trip

Post by ssc » Wed Apr 25, 2012 3:09 pm

I always enjoy your trip reports. Looks like a great time. Do you ever fish between Havasu and Parker? I sure do see many folks fishing there. Seems they had a recent bass competition.

Cheers, Steve
FJ Mamba. Icon 2.5 front CO XT, Icon rear 2.5 with res, Icon UCA, AP sliders, Demello front bumper, AP Rear Bumper and skids. BFG KM-2 285-70-17. Warn winch. Don't forget the Puddy Cat!

2012 Tundra Crewmax 4x4 with BFG's, 05 4-Runner 4X4, BFG's, http://www.sscphoto.zenfolio.com
The other off road rig, the "License To Chill"

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BorregoWrangler
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Re: April 20th-22nd, 2012: River Trip

Post by BorregoWrangler » Fri Apr 27, 2012 11:31 am

ssc wrote:I always enjoy your trip reports. Looks like a great time. Do you ever fish between Havasu and Parker? I sure do see many folks fishing there. Seems they had a recent bass competition.

Cheers, Steve
Thanks, Steve. No, I've never fished between Havasu and Parker. I've been up to Laughlin, NV with my family when I was younger but wasn't able to fish the area.
-John Graham
1989 YJ & 2000 TJ

View all my trip reports here at my blog: GrahamCrackers

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