[Pappy]

Hit Bashan today with my brother Jim. We were on the water around 7:15 and off at noon. Water temps were in the low 60's (61-63). Wind was calm initially and picked up by noon. We each had 5 fish.

We began by tossing wiggle warts on the left side heading out as I tied on some white tubes in case we found them on any beds. I was initially hopefully because water temps were only 61.

I landed a small perch on the crankbait. My brother Jim hooked the first bass a 12" in about 10' and then followed that up quickly with a nice 18" rainbow trout which he foul hooked on (both on the crankbait). When I put it back in it floated upside down so I scooped it up with the net and put it in the livewell with some Rejuvinade. I figure worse case it would be supper for my two boys. We released it 90 minutes later when I checked on it because it appeared fine. It swam away apparently just fine.

We spent a little time in drop shot alley just off the island in the center where I hooked my first bass of the year a little 12" Bashan drop shot special in `12.

From there we headed to the back coves at the far end looking for bedding bass. We saw a lot of empty beds (about 90%) but did find a few still on beds. This guy was the nicest one I landed right about 3#. I'll have to remember how to show the fish for pictures. This one doesn't do the fish justice.



Caught a smaller one off another bed as well. I used a white mizmo tube to catch both. The wind picked up which made sight fishing tough so we went back to cranking.

My last bass was on the crankbait near the middle island in about 10'. Jim also caught one there both were about a 1.5#.

Nice first real trip out but spent way too much time fussing with equipment which I should have done before going out but free time's been at a premium with my first year teaching.

I took a picture of Jim with his 1st bass, but it was missing from the camera when I downloaded the pics.

[Stratos17]

Nice job!! Gotta love that launch at Bashan! Especially in the wind!

[chuckc]

Very nice report Walt! Where have you been?

[Tmac]

yea Walt ive been thinking the same thing were have you been?

[Pappy]

I haven't been out regularly fishing in more than a year because I left the computer field and decided to enter teaching.

To do that I spent all last year doing the Alternative Route To Certification program through the state Dept of Education which required me to spend the entire summer full time in classes and student teaching.

I got a job in my home town as an 8th grade math teacher. So now I teach Algebra at the Derby Middle School and coach the baseball team. It was a rough year plus, but I am really looking forward to this summer and getting back into the fishing!!!

[Tmac]

Good for you Walt,must have been tough to not fish,but coaching is awesome too I love teaching kids its rewarding for both parties you and the kids,hows the daycare going my nieces and nephew go there Malachai,Michaela,Mariah they love it and have learned so much there.Anyway good to hear from you keep in touch last time I heard from you,you were going fishing in NY with mike Kane,I saw you at mobile on your way.

[CTBASSIN]

Nice report Walt.

Glad to see you back on the water
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[SkeeterJim]

WTG Walt!!
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[Just4fun]

Good job Walt,..nice to hear from you!
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