Friday Diamond Lake Report

[Packy]

The Lake is almost thawed. The south 1/3 or so is still coverd with ice. but the north end was great. 3 of us headed out about 9:00 am into a snow storm (after having motor starting issues at the ramp). We Fished about 6 hrs. We tried to keep only fish 18" or bigger, letting alot of nice fish go. Ended up keeping 4, between 16" to 18", 7 between 18" and 20" and we had 3 at 20" or over with the biggest being 221/2". We had to let 3 go that where over 20" and Other than maybe a couple of the smaller ones, all these fish had good colored meat and where most likely hold overs. Which is what we where trying to target with keeping 18 inchers or over. People had been complaining at the ramp, that the water was too cold, 34 degrees, and fishing was slow. Most of those people where trolling. With that report, I headed for shallow water (where the water would be a little warmer), at the north end, by the forest service cabins in about 12' of water. We anchored up and began still fishing with power bait, sliding sinkers and 4lb leader. It worked! One of the best days I have seen, for big fish on Diamond. We caught and released or lost ( LOL!) fish the whole 6 hrs we where out there. With 4 lb test,and light poles, it was alot a fun, A great day of fishing. Didnt even notice the weather really, and that end of the lake it was protected from the wind. No fooling either, you should of seen some of the ones that got away we didnt land the biggest ones we hooked. Dang It! LOL! Diamond Lake Is Back!

P.S.
For some reason my digital pics are always to big to post. I don't understand, but I do have pics. If someone could tell me what im doing wrong. I will post them.

[StickFish]

Packy, get a program called Ifranview - use it to resize your images so they are under 200K. Glad to hear its back

[Packy]

Thanks for the tip that worked great.

Originally Posted by StickFish

Packy, get a program called Ifranview - use it to resize your images so they are under 200K. Glad to hear its back

[Dullhook]

What a great day of Rainbow fishing. Those are some real beauties. It sure is good to see Diamond Lake at its best again.

[JD77]

Nice Packy. Can't wait to get up there. Looks like you guys had it dailed in.

How did the fish fight? The last fish I caught in cold, cold water didn't give much of a fight.

Did you see anybody flyfishing?

[Packy]

No fly fisherman far as I seen. Did not see any fish jumping or coming to the surface either. Also with all the cold weather up there no bugs of any kind yet.

The fish where a little lethargic when you first hooked them, but once they seen the boat or net the fight was on! Way better fight than I expected with the cold water and all. 2 of them were so big they took a run and snapped the leader, but I had a couple novice fisherman with me too. I wish I could of had a chance at one of those 2 it still might of been the same out come, they where big fish. If I had to guess, around the 7lb range.

Both these guys caught the biggest trout they had ever seen. For one of them, it was his very first trout ever, and that was the 221/2 incher. For me, that was the highlight of the trip. Was seeing those guys catch these hogs and watching there excitement. Thats just priceless far as Im concerned. It dont get any btter than that IMO

I only seen one other boat still fishing. They were using worm and marshmallow and not doing near as well as us. Infact, when I picked up and headed in they moved right into our spot LOL! I hope they hooked up like we did, because there was some little guys on that boat. It would of been fun to stay and watch.LOL!

Take a first timer fishing there is no better fun!

Originally Posted by JD77

Nice Packy. Can't wait to get up there. Looks like you guys had it dailed in.

How did the fish fight? The last fish I caught in cold, cold water didn't give much of a fight.

Did you see anybody flyfishing?

[JD77]

Great job getting the new guys into fish. You know you've ruined fishing for them! They will think you just anchor up and start hauling in 18-22 inch fish, just like that.

Too bad you didn't get to see one of the giants but that is fishing.

Thanks again for the good report. My dad is heading up on Wednesday and he usually fishes just like you described.

[Packy]

I did get to see them! Thats why it was such a bumber! LOL! Same deal they seen the boat and they turned and never looked back. LOL! I thought I had there drag right, but 4lb test, and one of the reels drag didnt seem to stay where you set it. Just one of those things, but it was still cool. The first one swam right to the boat and then ran off. the other it took a little while to get him out of the weeds then he didnt want to come in. When I finally tried to net him and missed and thats all she wrote he was gone. That one I take full responsabilty for I may of scared it, not the boat. If the truth must be told. LOL! Thats why its called fishing not catching I guess LOL!

Originally Posted by JD77

Great job getting the new guys into fish. You know you've ruined fishing for them! They will think you just anchor up and start hauling in 18-22 inch fish, just like that.

Too bad you didn't get to see one of the giants but that is fishing.

Thanks again for the good report. My dad is heading up on Wednesday and he usually fishes just like you described.

[Packy]

Tell your Dad Pink is the color and 18 inch leaders with sliding sinkers. I started with Chartreuse, Orange, and Pink after 2 nice fish on Pink and no bites on the other colors we all fished Pink the rest of the day. Its funny I have had alot of luck with chartreuse in the past, but it has was always been at the south end of the lake. The last year before they drained the lake, we where fishing the northend and pink was the Hot color then too. I dont know why realy it all smells the same to me LOL!

[FshnFool]

Thanks for the report and the wonderful pictures.

Matt