The wife went along with me yesterday for a day of pike fishing. We started the morning on one of the chain lakes with limited success. I got a follow on about the 5th cast of the day but the fish didn't bite. I did get one fish, a 28"er in that first lake. We moved out to one of my favorite spots on Cda Lake to try our luck. The water was a little murky there but the cabbage was in great condition and the water temps were back down to around 65 degrees. I thought it was setting up to be a banner day in that spot but the fish thought otherwise. Nothing. Not even a follow. This spot has produced very well in the past but does best in the fall around and during October so I'll keep fishing it until they start biting there. We ran back up the river to Swan Lake and found a few fish there. I finished the day with 7 pike and a nice 3 lb large mouth. 7 pike in a day is not bad but when you consider that 4 of those fish cami wothin about the last 45 minutes of that day and in a short stretch of shoreline, things were pretty slow. I am hoping for some cooler weather to bring the fish back into shallower water where they are easier to find.

I did manage to bag a couple of 12 oz'ers near the end of the trip. I would have preferred catching Kookanee's but they were just not biting on this trip, so I had to settle for the silvers. (Silver Bullets that is) You will see one of them in the attached photo. This catch was retained for a short time, then released into the lake. I know I was holding him in the vertical position but please don't lecture me on holding my catch vertically. I was planning to take this one home with me all along, so I didn't figure it would be that big of a deal. I know I said I released it back into the lake, but this is a very special species. given the fact that you can take part of them home with you, and you can release part of them back into the lake before you leave. Therefore this catch was both retained and C&R'd. This species is extermely fun to do battle with but they really don't put up much of a fight. I will be back next weekend to take them on again.

Also for those that may be concerned, you can rest assured that when this little beauty was brought into the boat, it was done with a knotless bag (from Walmart) as to not damage it's delicate label.
No need to thank me. I was just doing my part to protect the enviroment and practice catch and release at the same time.

Happy Fishing

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