Went to Erie lake this morning and fished from the tube from about 6:45 til 8 am. I pretty much just kicked around slow trolling a small tube jig and power worm or casted to rising fish and had my five pretty quick. The fish seemed really hungry as three swallowed the jig and I kept them to be on the safe side. I tried throwing a panther martin and super duper after I got four since power worms are considered bait but after a few minutes of not getting bit I couldn't take it and switched back. Within a few seconds of switching back to jig and power worm had my fifth fish so I called it a day. The fish were all pretty close in size, probably about 11-12 inches and nice and fat. They fought well on my ultra iight and 2lb test.

It was a great morning with the sun out and an Osprey diving but I had a little bit of a weird interaction with someone at the launch. When I got back the guy asked me how I did I told him I got 5. He wanted to see them and when I told them I only kept 3 he began to tell me that catch and release was not allowed at the lake. I told him I thought we just had to stop at 5 whether we kept them or not if using bait. He insisted it was no C&R and this rule had been in place for a couple of years. I figured I had missed something in the new pamphlet and checked when I got home. There are no special rules for Erie lake so I guess this guy just misunderstood the rules. He wasn't a jerk or anything but it still surprises me how many people don't fully understand the rules and will still try to tell everyone else they are wrong. I am always responsible about handling the trout I intend to release and keep any that I don't think have a good shot. Well anyway, very good day on the water and there appears to be a ton of fish left in the lake!

Jake Dogfish

5/4/2008 3:36:00 PM

Thanks for the well written report SD.
Its amazing how people who "know it all" know the least! :)

big fish lite line

5/4/2008 7:59:00 PM

do you mind me asking what color power worm?

SDAngler

5/4/2008 9:27:00 PM

I was using green but natural, pink, and chartreuse have all worked well too. Erie is pretty stained so I stuck with a bright color.

Dave

5/5/2008 5:46:00 PM

Jake Dogfish, Well said! As much as you want to talk with others at these lakes and be friendly, you never know who you are talking with. There are allot of unstable people out there and it only takes one to flip out on you and cause you grief. Last week I fished 4 times in of 7 days and at Ki, Heart, and Sixteen I met nothing but nice folks but I am very careful when I am alone at the lakes. I'm also always armed. Just my take on the subject. I also agree the report was very well written and detailed. Thanks SDAngler.

OPENHOLE

5/7/2008 8:12:00 AM

I agree with Dave's comments including being armed at the takeout point. Erie has some really nice people using it, but late evenings finds a significant number of people sitting at the launch that have had way too much to drink and tend to get irritable when boats are coming in and messing up their spot. Not much anyone can do about using the launch, but caution is appropriate. Please make sure you have a Concealed Carry Permit and follow the rules; hopefully no one will ever have to use it here.

SDAngler

5/8/2008 10:36:00 AM

Thanks guys. I agree with you, I am always very cautios with matters like this. People can get very defensive when they are confronted with regulations they may be breaking, as I did a little on this instance, but you just never know how they are going to react. I agree that most people are really nice and helpful, this guy was probably just trying to help me out.

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