Saturday, September 26, 2015

Manila Pond Madness


Fishing Manila Creek Park Pond

Over the past several years I have been afflicted by, "The Muzzle Loader Deer Hunt Course". It's a real thing, look it up. For what ever reason, each year as the deer hunt gets closer some unplanned, unanticipated event comes up preventing me from participating in the hunt. This year my work schedule prevented me from taking time off. For some unexplained reason I opted to get up and take the family to Manila Creek Pond instead of hitting the hills this Saturday morning.

Fishing Bluegill Manila Creek Park PondFishing Bluegill Manila Creek Park Pond


Bluegill action was non stop and everyone was able to catch more little fish than they had fingers to count them. I decided to take the opportunity to teach the boy the basics of fly fishing. Within a few short minutes he picked up the back cast and started showing early signs of a new addiction. He fished non stop for almost three hours catching bluegill about every other cast.


Scattered between the Bluegill we caught several Rainbow Trout and somehow one of them ended up swallowing the hook. We tried everything shy of mouth to mouth trying to revive the poor little rainbow but despite our efforts he bellied up.

Fishing Bluegill Manila Creek Park PondFishing Rainbow Manila Creek Park Pond

Not long after our failed release we caught the attention of a near by seagull who gave us an interesting show.


Eventually we had to pry the kids away from the pond in order to take them home for lunch. Nobody kept count of the number of fish we caught this morning but my best estimates are somewhere north of fifty.

Fly Fishing Manila Creek Park Pond
Puppy Manila Creek Park Pond

Final Tally:
A whole lot of Bluegill
& a Beautiful Morning

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Strawberry in September

I received a text from a friend insisting that we should go fishing this weekend. The peer pressure was overwhelming and I gave in. We brought our two oldest boys and arrived at Strawberry Bay Marina just after 7am with hopes of catching a tagged Rainbow Trout.

Trolling Strawberry Reservoir


The boys were excited and quickly started making dollar bets on who was going to catch the first fish. The worms proved to be the ticket as we all took turns reeling in Cutthrout.

Strawberry Reservoir Cutthroat Trout UtahStrawberry Reservoir Cutthroat Trout Utah

It was nowhere near our best day at The Berry, only landing about a dozen fish. However those we did catch were heavy, most were pushing the 22" mark with a couple just over.

Strawberry Reservoir Cutthroat Trout UtahStrawberry Reservoir Cutthroat Trout Utah
Strawberry Reservoir Cutthroat Trout Utah

We never did bring in a Rainbow but had a great time regardless. The afternoon winds started up early but we stuck it out until about noon before heading back for pizza.

Kokanee Salmon Viewing Day Strawberry Reservoir UtahKokanee Salmon Viewing Day Strawberry Reservoir Utah
We noticed a big gathering at the visitors center on the way out and realized the salmon were running. Red, hook jawed salmon splashing through the shallow winding Strawberry River, AWESOME!

Kokanee Salmon Viewing Day Strawberry Reservoir UtahKokanee Salmon Viewing Day Strawberry Reservoir Utah

On the way out of the visitors center my boy was wearing a new shirt. I asked where he got it and he responded that he got it because he made a donation. I ask what money he donated and he replied, "The dollar I won catching the first fish, duh!".

Kokanee Salmon Viewing Day Strawberry Reservoir Utah


Final Tally:
12 Hefty Cutts
0 Rainbows
0 Tags
1 T-Shirt