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Windy!
Cold!
Post front!
20 degree change from yesterday!
Wind shift from south to north!
Yada yada yada......why does it always seem like I pick windy days to fish with guides?
Bob Forbes and I met Dave Shindler at 0730 at the Ft. Hunter ramp just north of Harrisburg PA. We got underway in Dave's barge (Snyder 20 footer with 140 Suzuki 4 stroke jet) and made it up to a nice ledge. We were throwing jerkbaits which was the lure of choice for the last week....but not today. After hundreds of cats, we decided to go to the tube and Dave took the skunk off the boat with this nice chunk!
Bob followed suit....
....with a nice 15 incher!
Bob proceeded to catch 4 more and then I was finally able to catch this one..............never mind, it was only 11 inches or so!
All the bites were very subtle and after those six fish, the bite suddenly died down but we had some nice scenery to look at while the 25+ mph winds howled through the mountains!
Dave decided to make a move...a major move. We pulled out and drove 30 minutes to the Goldsboro ramp to see if we could find some solace from the wind (which we never we really did).
We fished for a bit and then came up to a nice spot that had a ledge and a flat. Dave told me to hit a corner with my tube and I was rewarded with this chunky 17.5" smallie!
I was a happy camper for sure!
Then we started drifting towards the flat and I got a funny sensation on my line.....I set the hook and this 19.25" one eyed smallie got in the net!
Again, the bite was ever so subtle but the reward was outstanding....FAT fish! A few minutes later, I threw the tube at a sunken log and got SLAMMED by this 19.5" beast!
Coincidentally, this guy also had one eye missing! We did not catch many fish today, but they were quality fish. I have never caught two 19+" smallies in one day before. Heck, I have never caught a 19" smallie before.
Today's conditions were not very good. The wind never let up and just kept making us cold. I am not ready for winter! But....catching those two fish made my day!
Some nice Susky scenery....
Yep....Three Mile Island!
Bob and I were whipped but Dave wanted to try one more spot....we did, but found no love. We were DONE....cold and wind burned but satisfied that we worked our tails off to catch what we did. Kudos once again to Dave for NEVER giving in!
Good night....
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NICE FISH! I recognize that mini Statue of Liberty. I drive right pass that every time I go to my grandparents'house.
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That looks like tons of fun! Nice smallies!!!
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Ernie thank you for sharing with us. The memories flood back as I reconized both of those stretches of river. Lots of great smallies have been caught over a 5 year time period I guided up there..
That upper area I seldom enjoyed but those stacks where always just one island away.
Thanks again..
Capt Mike
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This was my 1st year fishing (3 times w/ Shindler) the Susky and I enjoyed every minute of it. Dave is a river rat, best way I can describe him.
Now I want a 20 incher!
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CozUF2001 wrote:
Those are some great looking smallies!
It was a tough day but Dave gave us the shot and they bit....
CozUF2001 wrote:
What is the guided trip tally for you this year Ernie?
You had to ask!! Let's just say it was an experiment......one which draws many questions but no set conclusion. Next year, a new experiment if I can pull it off. More details later if it happens.
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l just went yesterday with my buddy Dan Grulke. It was incredible. The weather was a factor in the begining (thick fog) and high winds in the ends. 2 pound average. Dan lost a muskie on a jerkbait.
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