Metal Head Meham (A McNary Report)

Kentucky Hog Hunter · 12-21-2003, 06:04 PM

Well, finally made it over to the East Side to see what all the fuss was about no fish being caught on the East Side.... :grin:

I am the kind of person who has to see to believe and after Saturday I could see why...I thought after 10 hour of fishing 4 rods out of the boat and only one drive by that this place was going to be dry as the desert land that surrounds it...However, there was reason for optimism as we did see several metal heads taken...just not by us...

Oh well, Sunday did finally roll around and I have to hand to my buddy Leo (LureDragger) that man knows the area and he was surely going to guide the Hog Hunter into success... And success it was...to the tune of 3 keeprs and 2 Nates and a couple of other driveby's all in a matter of 5 hours of fishing...

Moral of this trip...persistance....

Leo, it was a pleasure fishing with you and if you can handle it, I would be honored if you would allow me to join you again very soon...That 1-1-04 Steelhead Derby is sounding good...I will see if the hunt thing falls through and join you there in a couple of weeks...

Released Native #1 - This was a beautiful ride & fish to boot

Released Native #2 - These Fish Rock

Leo (LureDragger with a 12# Keeper...No Dull Chrome Here

My sons buddy who caught his first Metal Head, a 10#, he will move to New Zealand in 2 weeks.

Junior "Hog Hunter" on the left with his 7# of Chrome and Michael on the left with his 10#...No dull chrome there either...

I can't say what it means to enjoy time with kids on the water and good friends... Thanks again Leo, and now I know why you are a honost and reliable source when it comes to knowing that area...You are surely dialed in up there.

[ 12-21-2003, 07:04 PM: Message edited by: Kentucky Hog Hunter ]

Rakkasan · 12-21-2003, 06:08 PM

Nice fish guys. I remember when I worked on the Queen of the West we would come through the lock and I would see you folks out there fishing. Good deal!

First Light Bite · 12-21-2003, 06:08 PM

Nice Fish. Looks like no wind either.

blacktail519 · 12-21-2003, 06:10 PM

Looks like ya all had a great trip. Many memmories to boot. Nice fish!

Lure Dragger · 12-21-2003, 06:15 PM

I really enjoyed the weekend Terry, good company, good fishing, and a nice day on the water. Next time we will get the big ones. Didn't someone say something about old worn out white meated spawners that don't fight? I'm sure I heard that from someone on here.

It is only going to get better from here. January is usually one of the best months here.

FEAR NO FISH! · 12-21-2003, 06:18 PM

So lets see, 15 hours, 3 keepers. Not to shabby. Sure wish you guys would have tried it earlier in the year. Next year aim for October, the fish are bigger then too. I have never steered anybody wrong. Just wonder why people have to wait so late in the season.There are way more fish in the system earlier also plus there are many bonus Chinook. So how did they cut? [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Kentucky Hog Hunter · 12-21-2003, 06:20 PM

Leo,

I meant to take pictures of that spawned out white meat

but Michael had to leave so fast and I had to unload my camper that I forgot to take pictures of that spawned out meat :grin:

To say the least, Michaels parents are going to be very happy folks with those nice fillets...

As for the big ones...Heck, they're all the same to me as far as I am concerned...I am just glad you got Michael & my son into some fish this weekend...They wanted me to tell you that they really appreciated the weekend and that they had allot of fun.

Take Care.

Lure Dragger · 12-21-2003, 06:37 PM

I was there in October as well. Septemeber and October were great for fall chinook. We caught several including two 40 pounders. As for big fish, there are a lot bigger fish to be caught this time of year. Although we didn't get one this trip in the last two weeks I have seen quite a few caught in the 16 pound range and also there are some 18 and 19 pounders being caught as well. If you are looking for a 20 pound plus fish then now is the time to be fishing. Like I said, January will be the best month this year again. We boated 47 last January. Just ask George, Tom, and Mike. If you fish there you know who they are. These three old guys put a lot of fish in the boat this time of year and will tell you the same thing.

Kentucky Hog Hunter · 12-21-2003, 06:52 PM

Hey Leo,

I want a shot at one of those 20#+ Metal Heads...

The good Lord has afforded me allot of places to fish in the last 22+ years since I left Kentucky... Places in Florida, N.Carolina, Texas & Oregon but I have to say I haven't yet mounted a fish in my life...I guess because I havn't hit those set in mind goals (50# Salmon, Halibut Tail of a 200+ pounder, 30# snook, 10# Bass ...and the list goes on).

If I catch a 20+ steelhead and it has a fin clipped, it is going to hang...and just as you said and the "Old Timers" I saw fishing there this weekend said (There are still fish to be had)...this indicates to me it is worth more trips...

Heck there wasn't 30 boats out there today for nothing...and to boot, we saw quite a few fish taken the last 2 days...

I know I can't speak for September, October & November but for December fishing...its not too shabby to have a 8-12 rods getting bent down in a weekend...and as I said earlier, the kids were stoked and giddy just to have opportunities...

Mrdorkfish · 12-21-2003, 06:52 PM

K-Hog, Very nice...Were you dragging plugs?? More info would be nice :grin: [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

Thanks,

MrDorkfish [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Louis

Kentucky Hog Hunter · 12-21-2003, 07:05 PM

Louis,

How rude of me...

Of course...fish were taken on wiggle warts (Red/Black HerringBone, Blue Pirate, Michael Jackson, Cerece/Purple back stipe herringbone, and finally a green pirate Hot-n-tot)

Another thing we used was Mikes Shrimp Scent and we also caught 3 of the fish on wiggle warts that were using a single 2 ott owner hook with a 4-bead chain swivel that were tipped with prawn tails...

I just spilled mu guts here but I know Leo absolutely/positively will not mind me divulging this information...

As you can see, those fish freaken like anything and everything and Leo being so wiggle wart poor can trow the preverbial kitchen sink at them...

Dude, it was decent fishing there, and many camp spots as I took my camper over there and had a great time...

jokester · 12-21-2003, 09:11 PM

Nice fish KHH! Boy oh boy...are we gonna spank em tomorrow!!

-jokester

FEAR NO FISH! · 12-22-2003, 02:24 AM

Can't let the newbies forget who was here first!

Lest they forget!

FEAR NO FISH! · 12-22-2003, 02:29 AM

Oh Yea,
One more slap of the tail.

:grin:

FEAR NO FISH! · 12-22-2003, 02:40 AM

Slap, Slappity, Slap!

En' Guarde Pussycat!

Thumper · 12-22-2003, 03:34 AM

Oh Yeah!!!!

dampainter · 12-22-2003, 06:10 AM

Great post!! thanks for tips on what you were catching fish with over there, your in trouble now cuz dampainter maybe coming your way soon :grin: were these fish hitting all day or was there a certain time like 1st light, that the bite was on??

Steelie King · 12-22-2003, 07:45 AM

Nice fish KHH!!! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

I was there on Sunday also. I must have a strong smell of skunk oil on me. The only fish in the boat was a 8lb squaker.

I have to say that it didn't fight like those in your pic's. I'm glad that someone it taking some meat home!! Once again nice job. I'm pulling out the drift boat and putting away the sled for a while. Hope for the springers to get here in a hurry!!

Backlash2 · 12-22-2003, 10:24 AM

Uh.....yeah, that's a nice looking plug above the fishes mouth in the first pic.

That's a great spot to pick up fish this time of year, but it's better not to plug there...

There's a lot of great spots to catch fish this time of year on this side of the hill, just don't move over here to fish'em

SHOUGALNITE · 12-22-2003, 10:32 AM

nice fish :smile:

Southfork · 12-22-2003, 03:02 PM

QOUTE:
Can't let the newbies forget who was here first!

GOT LARGE FINS? :shocked:

SKP · 12-22-2003, 03:10 PM

What, no chinook pictures from the land of the east?

SKP :grin:

Kentucky Hog Hunter · 12-22-2003, 05:52 PM

Fear No Fish,

Those indeed are world class steelies....

Now you got me wanting to do this even worse...More details please...month...Bait or lures...you know, enough to get me started.

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] Very Nice [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

FEAR NO FISH! · 12-22-2003, 06:13 PM

Lure Dragger likes the days, I like the nights. We pull lighted vortexes and lighted K-13's. Our secret is much the same as Lure Dragger, gotta have a chunk of Shrimp on that front treble, we also have our favorite smelly jelly that we apply liberally. You are right, they will hit just about anything. After all they are just stupid trout. :grin: This fishery runs a long time. We usually stop in the beginning of December but as Lure Dragger says, it continues into the month of January. Hope you get the chance to hang a Bruin someday or night. Now that we have brought so much attention to the area, we might have trouble finding a spot. :shocked: Nah, there is a ton of room. Be safe and have a most excellent holiday. You too Lure Dragger!

Kentucky Hog Hunter · 12-22-2003, 06:19 PM

FNF,

Thanks much for the good info...

I look forward to more of your reports in the future and hope you have a great holiday as well...

justcastn · 12-22-2003, 06:32 PM

Great Pics!!! Nice fish [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]