Devils Lake on Saturday(now the report)

[trollin4trout]

I am not waiting around any longer for something to be stocked or opened. Devils Lake has to still have some holdovers from last year and they will be lucky to escape two rods a trollin'- dark to dark on Sat. I know it's getting stocked next week- but I need to fish NOW!

Or maybe I'll end up on the skunk page of that other forum!:laugh:

I always enjoy this lake because of the many varied habitat areas to fish. Lots of shallow flats and many points- lots of structure around. Your location and tactics are changing constantly and this time of the year there are no skiers or jetskis! OK- well the scenery is a little residential:confused: but can't let little things like that spoil the day.

I do have room for another person if anyone wants to join us- I'll be leaving Fri. around 6:00pm- so get a PM to me before then.

[3riversBob]

Let us know how you do. I might go down next weekend after it's been stocked to take my grandson out for a little fishing.

Bob

[trollin4trout]

A very interesting day at Devil's Lake. The weather was as expected- like this most of the day- made trolling a challenge.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/whitecaps2.jpg

We started at 6:00am- we were trolling needlefish- and quickly lost two natives in the 12-14inch range. . Seemed like a good sign. Until we went the next hour and a half without a bite!

Then out of the despair came this!
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/steelhead110.jpg

Made a huge run at first and then came pretty willingly to the boat. Then we could see why. He/she wasn't in too good a' shape.
Over 30 inches. First time I've ever caught a steelhead here. Are they dropping excess steelies in here now? Or did it come up the D River- which by the way IS actually a river right now- first time I've ever seen a significant amount of water flowing- a fish could easily swim right in.

The excitement woke us up for awhile but we then went at least 5 HOURS without another hit. :redface: A dry ride home was starting to sound better than fighting the wind and rain constantly for nothing. Then again we couldn't waste the 2 hour drive we made and the high hopes and expectations on the first trout outing in long time! So we kept plugging away- it wasn't dark yet:laugh:

Finally my rod goes off again and we get to see a fish flop near the boat and come unbuttoned.:confused: Arrrgh! It was a good 16" holdover- just what we 're looking for. Kept it up in the same area- 10 minutes later my pole goes off again- this one makes it to the net for a pic and then then back to grow some more.
A nice fat 16 incher:
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/16inch2devils030907.jpg

Another 10-15 minutes later my buddy says fish on - another good size fish, but after 30 seconds it's gone. The blood is pumping now! The wind is blowing harder and the rain is pounding- boat control is the name of the game now- keep the lures moving thru the water! After another half hour I had a hit and run- just long enough for me to jump outa my seat and then it was gone. Went around a back thru the same spot- fish on again! This one stays down hard- obviously an even bigger fish- flopped once on the top of the water- just caught the tail disappearing- down hard again- not budging. Maybe a good pic coming our way- I'm thinking 18-20 inches- it's a way different fish than the last two I had. For ten minutes it just stayed down- then just came loose!:help: I yelled into the wind "ARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!" Just wanted to see it! Dang it:shrug:

Continued 'till dark at 6:00pm and called it a long, tough, but satisfying day of fishing!

[joemomma]

Great post!, You are a diehard! That 16" is a pig, that is a perfect lookin fish!:bowdown:

[RookieSteeler]

Nice fish. Can't wait to get out there and try :laugh:

[Thecrease]

Great report way to stick it out.

[FallRiverGuy]

Thanks for report. I always enjoy reading them and seeing the pictures.