Wow.

Late-season fishing at the ol' fishing 'hole', Badger Lake.

We purposely started out LATE (for us, anyway) and arrived at the lake at 8:00 a.m.

The weather featured high clouds that did little to hide the blue above them. Occasionally the sun would peek thru them and smile on our fishing efforts.

We headed off the boat launch and headed RIGHT, cruising a few times past the shallower end of the lake near the launch. We did get a few nibbles, but figured that was largely bass activity, then took a long excursion past the dock area, went under and past the power lines, and went "up North" to the swinging-rope tree and Barnacle Cliffs, where we began to get serious attention being paid to our lures.

We found that on this day our prior 'scientific' findings about the proper lure was moot. The water temperature was below 60 degrees, and we went for lighter tackle to get the fish, still using Wedding Rings, but minus all the extra flashers.

We quickly caught our limits of cutthroat trout in the upper third of Badger Lake... and since it was the last time we would fish this lake this year, we even (horror of horrors!!) went away from our usual trolling methods and did a little bait-casting.
One cutthroat was taken (by ME!!) by literally casting a fishing lure so close to him that he took it immediately after its splashing into the water (honest. The Other Guy In The Boat had it happen to him, too.)

The snack trick worked great this day, too. The Other Guy In The Boat brought Elk sausage and MOLASSES cookies.
Every time I sunk my teeth into one of those soft cookies--- a fish would take my lure and pull on the pole, too. I should learn to speak more clearly with my mouth full of cookie, but I think my body English about catching fish is good enough for now... My fishing buddy DOES know when I get a fish.

BAITS: Wedding Rings; a Kastmaster for those 'shoot the Moon' casts

FISH CAUGHT: Cutthroats; 13" - 16"

LOCATIONS ON THE LAKE: the Northeast third of the lake

CONDITIONS OF THE WATER: Smooth, with a little chop kicked-up from irregular breezes wafting across the lake from the SW.

DEPTH: < 20' deep.

NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON THE LAKE: The most we have seen this late in the season. At least a dozen boats...

We had a blast this day--- the day was especially good because it was my birthday, too.

Happy Birthday to Me--- here is another great fishing day at the Favorite Lake: Badger Lake.

Thanks, WDFW.

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