Good Day All,

I had an opportunity to get in some goofing off time (recreational angling) out at Parker Canyon Lake (PCL) here in breezy and sunny Southern AZ. The temperature roller coaster ride has smoothed out a bit as we have been in the mid 80 F (27 C) for the daytime highs. Some have mentioned we seem to have bypassed the mild typical spring time weather and moving towards an early summer feel. Personally, I'm just happy to be able to goof off and catch fish any time of year. However, spring and fall are exceptional times for supporting that aspiration.

 

PCL did not disappoint and delivered plenty of multi-species fish catching fun. Currently the conditions are reasonable for the remaining stocked trout from our colder months. I managed to find several over 15 inches that wanted to play. Always a good time when you can find one of the larger trout, finding several is even more fun. Along with that search pattern I did manage to find several other species all in that sub 20 foot depth. The bluegills and shell crackers were very active and provided excellent entertainment opportunities. Of course the large mouth bass were out and ready to play too.

 

Focusing on that "recreational" aspect allows me freedom to simplify my angling equipment to a basic level. These days using ultra lite gear on four pound mono works well as it catches fish and I simply don't have to work that hard to accomplish my goal. It was interesting how aggressive the fish are. Looking at the associated image you can see the 1/32 oz jig that I use along with the small curly tailed grubs. The one that is attached to the line is the actual one used to catch a bunch of fish. Either by storage age or simply when the different colored plastics were extruded, I've experienced a number of tail separations with this particular brand / type of soft plastic. Still while it does happen it sure didn't make a difference in the catching quality. I will mention tossing about the tail separated grub appeared to have less aerodynamic drag. It also settled in the water faster to get down to the bottom. At least that is my impression.
 

Note also the worn color off the jig hook abraded from being in many fish jaws. A good thing!

Here is another good thing since this is Bass Resource!

Cheers to all the Bass Resource community members in promoting our sport and angling recreation. It is good to be "On-Line"! Be well, Cheers!

 

 

Greetings and Happy Lunar New Year All,

A bit of a winter time update since we are in the middle of February. The region is in between storm systems and slightly above seasonal norms, yeah 69 F (20 C) for winter time. Also the winds were less than 15 mph  (24 kph) so it was comfortable to be out on the water. 

 

During the winter months the Arizona Game and Fish department stock the lake periodically. I guess I arrived just a few days after one of the recent stocking sessions. The trout were happy to play and it was great fun catching and releasing them. I stopped counting after reaching double digits. They were happy to pounce on anything you put in the water. I started with metal spoon type lures and that was great fun and all too easy with the cast, retrieve, catch, and release. The wobbly metal spoon couldn’t handle all the use as one of the hooks broke off. That is OK as I replaced the OE hook with a better one. 

 

The trout were not the only game in town with the warm temperatures. Tossing a few soft plastics about provided some slower but stronger fish catching. I managed to tease several  bass out of the dark areas.

 

 

 

Great fun on UL gear. Nice to find those in between catching trout. Yes, the trout enjoyed chomping on the seedless rigged worms too. The bite comparison is very different. Trout tend to peck at it much like pan fish. They usually don’t seem to commit to the bait on the first peck. This compels you to resist responding and simply wait for a full on bait attack before reacting. 

 

I got a full day of fun on the water working about 2/3 rds of the lake casually casting about here and there. A very enjoyable angling adventure. This was the second such quality adventure there in about a month’s span. A great time in the high desert lake. Be well, and Cheers!

Greetings All,

A recent update to share. Yes, it is possible to catch fish from a kayak when the winds are blowing. I usually try to avoid being on the water when the wind is above 20 mph. I would rather do more casting than paddling. So glad my makeshift anchor is reasonably effective.

 

As we approach the start of spring, the lakes in SE Arizona are in that wonderful overlap of both stocked trout fishing and with gradual warming weather some improved bass fishing too. We do have our storm systems that move through the area, and it does make for interesting angling conditions.

 

Here are a few photos from a recent visit to Parker Canyon Lake.

 

 

 

All in all a great time. I got a good workout paddling and casting. Nice there were those occasions of catching too! Fun at the high desert lake. Be well, and Cheers!

A Memorial Tribute to a Dear Uncle

 

This is a tribute with a fish story.

 

My dear uncle passed at the end of 2023. I miss him as I do all my other departed family members. He lived a full life and was full of life too! We had many opportunities to talk about it too. Both of us are first generation immigrants and each of us came from very different areas of the world. He was fluent in so many languages it was difficult to count them all. Fortunately we managed to share a few common languages. He has a mastery of each of those languages, me I just understand basic vocabulary and rudimentary grammar. I’m still working to improve my English (American). 

 

It was always fun to sort though all the cultural references when we talked. Angling was a common pastime for both of us. We shared many angling stories during our time together when visiting for holidays and other occasions. He is the only one on my wife's side of the family that goes fishing.

His wife recently bestowed me with his fishing gear. The collection is modest and I am grateful to have meaningful tokens from him. He was mainly an urban angler and he would often try for the stocked fish in the metro area’s lake parks. Mostly his equipment was geared for the large catfish. As I was adding the gear to my equipment I noticed a single 5.5 foot graphite rod. It was an earlier generation Quantum graphite rod. Hey, this is much like the current Quantum graphite rod I use for my Ultra Lite angling. This is a much stiffer rod with more power than what I use.

 

As luck would have the next day presented me an opportunity to spend the afternoon out at Parker Canyon Lake. So I found one of my spare spinning reels to mount on it and we went fishing with it. Since it was just after Memorial Day, most of the crowds had departed and I had a nice afternoon to remember and honor my dear uncle by using his fishing rod.

 

Here is the first fish that was willing to play on this revered fishing rig. A novel bass catch as the lake is current full of many active small bass about the entire lake.

 

 

As I was being blown about with the modest winds I managed to position my kayak in the proper direction to make a decent cast towards a cluster of large rocks at the water’s edge. Well, I am so glad that pole provided me additional power to manage this bass. I felt the very lite bite as I quickly added tension as a response. I didn’t not expect the rod to stop in mid swing and the drag to scream!

 

Wow, ultra lite thrills on 4 pound mono.

 

Dear uncle(s) definitely helped out with this one!

 

This time of year is great fun as the fish catching is pretty good. All the species are willing to play as long as you do your part to present them an opportunity.

 

 

 

The day even concluded with another better than typical bass. I managed to find this one on the way to boat launch. What a great way to conclude the day remembering and honoring dear uncle.

 

 

 

I am eternally grateful for the kindness that all my dear departed uncles have bestowed to me. As I have wished for them and each of you, Best Fishes!

 

Be well, and Cheers!