heading out now

[Pat Smith]

got "sick" on this last beautiful day of the year... heading out to FT. Armistead to hopefully catch a few stripers and anything else I can snag. Wish me luck.
I think after this I will pack up the Yak for the year... looks to be in the 30s this weekend with highs in the 40s.. too cold for my blood..or rather for my inadequate cold weather gear.

[Cowpokey]

I hope you catch a cure for you illness. 😜

I'm waiting on the postman to show up with my dry suit so I'll be ready to fish Saturday.

[YaknBass]

i was on the river this morning, the water was flat as glass till 10am and it was like someone turned a fan on, wind picked up quickly. pat if you went out hope it wasn't to bad out there with the winds.

[Pat Smith]

I went out of Ft Armistead Figured it was the closest and since I only had a few hours.. easy launch too.

Looked great from the protected launch area. Got a little ways out and the wind picked up.. you ever paddle hard for 30 minutes and realize you are right next to the same bouy you were when you started? Reports are that the stripes are down in the 35ft range.. I am not sure because I was never able to get out far enough to get to that depth. I tried drift jigging and realized I was drifting too fast to get my jig down to the 20 foot range, which was the depth I was in. I tried to paddle to the bridge supports but never could make it.. the harder I paddled the worse it got. In the end I as out for about an hour and a half of hard paddling.

I didn't get anything but then again I had the wrong tackle in the wrong depth and presenting it the wrong way.. with all those wrongs I am amazed I didn't catch anything.

I am done for the the year I think.. today was beautiful temp wise but the wind.. I think any day from now on will either be cold or windy... maybe both. This is a great sport, it just isn't meant for high wind. I can't wait for spring.

2014-11-12 14.40.15.jpg

[sparky1423]

Great job on toughing it out on the river! It's difficult paddling just to not lose ground while trying to fish. Don't pack it up for the winter yet Pat...I see stripers in your near future.

[zimm]

don't pack it away too well
just as quick as it cools down it can warm up.
after we parted i remebered a launch back in Curtis creek that might offer some protection from the winds
search Lisa's links for more info

[Pat Smith]

Hey Zimm
IT was great talking to you today at the 7-11. It is really cool running into people that are into the same things. Your Takima bedframe cargo rack is awesome.