Met friend Pete at the lake about 7:30 AM, were fishing the northeast shoreline about 7:45. Strange morning... no wind, lake placid, almost Summer-like, except for the temp, a chilly 45 degrees at start. Water temp was 46 degrees at the shoreline. Started raining about 8:00 and was with us most of the day. I essentially targeted Browns from the outset, using Nightcrawlers, shrimp I had cured, and cluster eggs... none worked today. Out of desperation, switched up to Power Eggs (fl.yellow) at about 10:30, and had first bite of the morning at about 11:00, and landed a 12 1/2" Rainbow. Maybe the world did not end on Friday, but the universe apparently was turned upside down, because I caught the first fish, Pete didn't! No more bites all the rest of the morning.
About 11:30, Pete had a good hit... was using worms at the time... but no fish, another hit... a minute later, another hit... then we noticed that the hits coincided with the diving of a Goldeneye that had been fishing the area in front of us all morning. Tell-tale sign was when he reappeared the third time with a worm in it's beak, and Pete reeled in an empty hook!
Pete left about 12:30, but I continued on... Wind really picked up about 2:00 and grew stronger through the rest of the afternoon. Caught second Rainbow at about 3:00, a 14 1/2" 'er. Left lake at about 4:00. Definitely winter fishing conditions, left me cold, wet and tired. Revived at home by my loving wife who fixed me up with a steaming bowl of trout chowder and a mug of my favorite hot chocolate. A very Merry Christmas to everyone, and continue to Pursue Tight Lines!

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