Who wears the pants?

I feel  like I lost my best friend. A relationship I’ve enjoyed for several years, gone in a season. I’ll admit it’s been mostly to my benefit. I’ll admit I did most of the taking. It’s like that though, one side is always more generous, more giving. Well she’s gone and I may as well see it for what it is, recognize my ingratitude and move on. It’s just that I had no idea the replacement would be so difficult to work with and a bit on the stingy side when it comes to giving. Taking, now she has that down to a tee. Ya, tell me about it, I’m giving back an average of 3 cranks a day and it’s becoming clear there is no end in sight. She is going to break me the ungrateful wench.

Just short of 1841, Sakakawea continues to rise. Numbers don’t communicate the effect of 30 feet of water but living submerged cottonwoods in 15 feet of water make a tangle even a weedless jig can’t fish through. This is going to take some getting used to. I liked the days of pulling cranks in the old basin that had filled with sediment and never seemed to want a crank back no matter how many fish it gave me. Those days are gone so move on Schoneck.

Parshall Bay Campground is tucked into the NE corner of the Van Hook arm. Barb is manager and she keeps a clean camp with a touch of class that shows off her style. Pull through electric hook ups to primitive camps all come with a fire ring and many with a clear view of the new lake. The night I stayed Barb was methodically going around to all the campers passing on the “what to do” if we get bad weather. A gracious host who cares? People are going to get used to this.

Yesterday was tuff fishing. Day after a cold front with dropping barometer and thunderstorms building did nothing good for the bite. With 3 of us in the boat we managed to come back with 6 fish, granted they were very nice but I like both. Quality and quantity. Monster storms last night likely will not help the situation for today. A quick check of the weather promises a mostly clear day with mostly high winds. It’s 8:15 and time to connect with Phil and Jason at KFYR am 550 for the morning report. Phil and Jason are just back from a trip north which got Phil a terrific northern and Jason a quality walleye.

I don’t have two lines out before I get the “who wears the pants” reminder. Bomber 24a gone in flash. Good Grief, what a howdy doo. Morning to you too. I’m fishing some big rocks in 16-20 feet that didn’t grow into a forest during the low water. 62 feet back with 10-4 fireline, water temp at a cool 67. Next pass and we begin to sync, first fish of the day and a dandy at that. Bombers are my go to lure in tuff conditions that cold fronts and lightening storms produce. I’m trying to keep the speed down but with sustained winds over a measured 30+, speed is something I have little control over.

I pick up Kevin around 10 am and we head back into the bay for two reasons. Get out of the brunt of the wind and check out the shallow water basin bite. That got us nothing on both accounts but I didn’t lose any cranks. It seems if I can stay in 15 feet I have a small lane of clear pulling, any shallower and its constant trees and grass. Kevin reels in and releases a 14 incher and I decide to cash in my rewards card. A 20 and 23 as fast as I can boat ’em. A quick picture with Kevin and the 23 goes back in hopes of a couple good spring spawns.

The bite is off but the farther away we get from yesterdays weather the better it feels. Fish are beginning to loosen up. At least we are getting some action with the occasional walleye and a skip jack here and there. That may not sound like much but with the bite in the toilet any change is in my mind positive. Kevin and I pass the day comparing notes on the lake, past tournaments and fishing strategy. Kevin is an above average fisherman and easy to like as we share a passion for the outdoors. When you get here ask around, his help is always held with open hands just waiting for opportunity.

Wind has a way of wearing on a guy and we call it good with 4 to take home between 17 and 20 inches. The creel survey folks are out this season so please make it a point not to pass go until you do your part. I should mention they survey many different locations around Sakakawea and are full of up to date info like how many, how big, when and where. Lindsey measured and recorded everything in less than 5 minutes. As we visited with her about the lake we asked if that was her blue stringer tied up to the dock. Sure enough, she don’t just measure fish, she catches ’em. 

Part of the stimulus plan is not just high water levels but also fish quality. What a change one season can make. I may not like the vegetation but I certainly like the results. It is amazing the growth of these fish since last summer. There is no difference between a Sakakawea walleye and a Devils Lake walleye; both are excellent examples of what good eating will do for a fishery. I still don’t like her or her stingy attitude but with time I’m sure we will eventually learn to get along. At least as long as I’m willing to see things her way.

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