So with the new job, my vacation resets on July 1, so I took the last two weeks of June off.

The first week, I had a cottage on the north end of Lake Dunmore. I just dragged my kayaks up the hill and put the rods and electronics inside. Last August, I had finally started to learn the lake pretty good and found the patterns for August. Mid-late June was a bit more challenging. The only reliable ways to catch fish were to skip docks or throw topwater at night. I got a few decent bass and lost what would have probably been at least a 6 pounds when my knot broke when I went to grab my net (probably should have retied that jig in retrospect). That was a bit disheartening, feeling like I'm certainly getting a new PB only to lose it at the last second like that, but the rest of the trip was fun. I even made friends with the local store's cat. I will definitely be going back next year, either in August (when I know the patterns) or for the full two weeks.

 

One thing I will mention is that out of nowhere, I can skip like a pro. In the past it was like give me three or four attempts and I'm sure to get one of them where I want it, but this trip my first attempt went exactly where I wanted it. As a challenge to myself, I tried to do it again, and did it successfully 4 more times as well - on the 5th it skipped a little bit too high and hit the dock but otherwise would have been perfect.

 

The second week, I camped at Gifford Woods State Park. Across the street is Kent Pond, which has a lot of small bass and a ton of perch - but the big ones kept jumping out. The first day we caught a few perch. My youngest son hooked a giant bass and his rod broke. The second day, I caught at least 8 bass, two over two pounds, my oldest son caught a 3.2lb bass which is the largest he's landed and my youngest got a few in a wood pile. The third day we all got skunked - there was a strong wind and chop, and the spots that produced for us the prior day did not produce. When I was packing up the kayaks, a local told me they were all by the creek channel - we spent most of our time around the wood pile and by a hole that was quite active the prior day.

 

 

Sounds like a fun time, Dean. I'd love to take another camp/fish trip...unfortunately the home situation prevents it.

Very nice. 

Thanks for the report!