So I decided to try Clear lake in Pierce county for the first time ever today. My attention was to look for Kokanee as I heard this lake has them. I also decided I might take a few bass rods and baits along with me as I have not fished for bass since I moved to Washington three years ago. Crazy as it sounds I have never caught a smallie either. I have caught tons of Largemouth and spotted bass. I arrived at the lake about 12:15 and I started trolling for Kokanee/Trout. I did not really see anything on the finder that looked like Kokanee to me. I did run into about 8 trout and I would have to say they are bigger trout than the Clear lake in Thurston County. However they are few and far between in comparison. The trout came at 17 and 20 feet deep on my downrigger. I caught them on a rainbow crankbait, and a chrome crankbait. I had my feel of trout for the day and I figured I guess it times to see if I still remember how to catch a bass. I was going to start with a darter heard and a Yamamoto grub, but just as I was getting ready to fire it out there. The wind picked up and if you own a hewescraft and have tired to bass fish in it when it's windy you know it's a challenge. I put down the darter head and picked up my spinnerbait rod. I figured it would be much easier to fish and I could cover more water in the wind. I made my first cast tow the shore right in the corner of a dock. I cranked the handle three times and whaaammm! My rod doubles over and I know I have a nice fish on. My first smallie and it was around a 4 pounder!!! I wish I had my scale. The fish measured just shy of 20 inches and was a thick one. I put her in the livewell as my phone died and I wanted to get a few pics. I proceed to fish for the next hour and caught 7 more bass. Half were smallies. The wind really started to pick up and I decided to call it a day. I headed back to the lunch area and I met a guy named Eric who was bank fishing. He was kind enough to snap a few pictures and email them to me. I let all the fish go with the exception of one 14 inch bass. I will be eating that one. I usually eat one or two each year. The big ones always go back though!!! I must say I am glad I took the bass rods, and I think I will be doing a little more bass fishing from now on, the small mouth put up a great fight for a bass. Even though I did not find Kokanee I would have to rate this day as a 5 being that I caught 8 trout in a couple hours, and 8 bass in a little over an hour, and I can say I have caught smallmouth!

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