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Yesterday I set out for sleepy creek lake in Berkley County WV. It's a little past Martinsburg for those familiar with the area. This trip was especially exciting for me as it was my first time paddling my Ultra 4.7. The ultra is no doubt too big for my stretch of rivers, but is perfect for open water.
As I was launching I ran into the DNR and talked it up with them for awhile. They gave me a few pointers and informed me that they do in fact have breeding northern pike in the lake...and of course I didn't have any of my musky gear.
The first day not much really happened fishing wise. I threw around some plastic worms but didn't really get much other than some dinks. I was just having fun paddling my new boat, and was also a bit concerned about finding a spot to pitch my tent as the banks were very steep.
I finally found a marsh that wasn't too wet and I was able to put up my tent. I went back out for a bit to try and cross crappie off the species list, which I did!
Sleepy creek was flooded way back when, and a lot of the standing timber is still there. Lots of tree trunks that are just sub surfaced enough to where you don't see em until you're practically on em. I didn't want to paddle in the dark so I paddle back to my campsite and called it a night. As I was watching it get dark I got to see my neighbor swimming across the lake to his site
I went to bed around 9, and at 10:45 woke up to something close to my tent stomping and huffing at me. At first I figured it was a deer, but then I had the "what if it's a bear" thought. I purposely peed all around my campsite to ward off curious critters, and sprayed a lot of insect repellant to fight off some ants. I got a little worried at this point as this thing was still stomping and huffing on top of the ridge. I recorded the sounds on my phone
He finally left, so I checked the video to see if my phone picked up the huffing....well it did, and I wasn't the only one who heard it. As soon as my phone played the recorded huffing noise, the (unknown at this point) animal came barreling down the hill huffing and stomping faster and much much closer to my tent.
At this point he's about 15-20' from my tent. I grab my knife unzip my tent and start beating on my tent loudly. I guess that was enough for him as he bolted back up the hill. After that I really didn't get much of a nights sleep with my head on a swivel.
Slept in til 0800. Had a cup of joe over an open fire ( my favorite part of camping ), packed up, and headed towards the launch.
Caught a couple more dink bass and jumbo bluegill on the way there as well. Was happy to see my truck in the parking lot with the windows still in tact and the wheels still on there (sleepy creek is way off the beaten path and attracts all sorts be careful).
All in all it was a good way to break in the ultra. It's a big change from my fs12t but I love it already. If any of the guys on here ever want to head up that way and want a fitchin buddy let me
know! I'll share some secrets passed onto me by the DNR! ;-)
Oh and through some time on the internet my brother and I were able to determine that was most likely a buck upset that I was crashing in his little marsh. The more you know!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
As I was launching I ran into the DNR and talked it up with them for awhile. They gave me a few pointers and informed me that they do in fact have breeding northern pike in the lake...and of course I didn't have any of my musky gear.
The first day not much really happened fishing wise. I threw around some plastic worms but didn't really get much other than some dinks. I was just having fun paddling my new boat, and was also a bit concerned about finding a spot to pitch my tent as the banks were very steep.
I finally found a marsh that wasn't too wet and I was able to put up my tent. I went back out for a bit to try and cross crappie off the species list, which I did!
Sleepy creek was flooded way back when, and a lot of the standing timber is still there. Lots of tree trunks that are just sub surfaced enough to where you don't see em until you're practically on em. I didn't want to paddle in the dark so I paddle back to my campsite and called it a night. As I was watching it get dark I got to see my neighbor swimming across the lake to his site
I went to bed around 9, and at 10:45 woke up to something close to my tent stomping and huffing at me. At first I figured it was a deer, but then I had the "what if it's a bear" thought. I purposely peed all around my campsite to ward off curious critters, and sprayed a lot of insect repellant to fight off some ants. I got a little worried at this point as this thing was still stomping and huffing on top of the ridge. I recorded the sounds on my phone
He finally left, so I checked the video to see if my phone picked up the huffing....well it did, and I wasn't the only one who heard it. As soon as my phone played the recorded huffing noise, the (unknown at this point) animal came barreling down the hill huffing and stomping faster and much much closer to my tent.
At this point he's about 15-20' from my tent. I grab my knife unzip my tent and start beating on my tent loudly. I guess that was enough for him as he bolted back up the hill. After that I really didn't get much of a nights sleep with my head on a swivel.
Slept in til 0800. Had a cup of joe over an open fire ( my favorite part of camping ), packed up, and headed towards the launch.
Caught a couple more dink bass and jumbo bluegill on the way there as well. Was happy to see my truck in the parking lot with the windows still in tact and the wheels still on there (sleepy creek is way off the beaten path and attracts all sorts be careful).
All in all it was a good way to break in the ultra. It's a big change from my fs12t but I love it already. If any of the guys on here ever want to head up that way and want a fitchin buddy let me
know! I'll share some secrets passed onto me by the DNR! ;-)
Oh and through some time on the internet my brother and I were able to determine that was most likely a buck upset that I was crashing in his little marsh. The more you know!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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