Perry Warns introduction to chasing big browns went well on the first fish of the day. The hen was pushing 11 LB. Congrats man! Photo courtesy Eric Norgaard who had Perry out in his boat.
Click to view image
I took a week off after hitting Wickiup pretty hard the first couple of weeks of August. With much lower water levels this year than last, I wanted to make sure I could fish on the arm where I wanted before it dropped too low. For me personally, the bite has been better for quality browns than it has for sheer numbers of browns which is just fine with me. I haven't done the math but would believe I have had at least 20 browns over 5 LB. to the boat in the first two weeks of Aug. with several nice ones going from 7-9 LB.
I took this past week off completely and knew my buddy and big brown “guru”, Chuck Jones, would probably be there the last two weeks of Aug. as usual. I was looking forward to getting caught up with him and maybe to fish together for a day or two if it works out. We both seem to enjoy fishing together when we can! I hadn’t seen him since spring, the last time we got out together.
At church on Sunday, I ran into a friend, Eric Norgaard, and he approached with that “cat that ate the canary” look in his eyes. Seems he had another friend, Perry Warn, up on the Sat. before to chase browns with him. Eric is a good stick and still looking to break through on his first 10 LB. brown. As luck would have it, Perry had the rod go off on this nice 11 LB. hen while they were running the rigger. It hit on a kokanee pattern plug. Unfortunately, it didn’t make it because it was hooked in the gills. They actually gave it to two fisherman that wanted it to eat. Congrats to Perry on a nice brown and Congrats to Eric on putting Perry on his first big brown. I told Eric his big boy will be coming soon after this. Maybe later this fall when we get a chance to fish together.....I would love to be the one to net it for him!
The week before, I had fun sticking some nice browns with another two right near 9 LB. There were still a lot of kokanee anglers working the arm over and that made the fishing a little tight on the trolling. With most of the bigger kokes turning now, that whole bite will be slowing down soon. I am planning on getting back up for a day or two this week so look for my next report soon.
Just got an email from buddy,Todd Reid, who just got back from 4 days at Wick. He had a great trip with 19 browns over 4 days with the best two going 8 and 9 LB. He had camera issues so no photos from him. Good job man!
Screamin’ Drags,
Rick
