Hagg Lake Friday 9/27

[bernduffy]

Windy, raining, but warm. Water temp 63. I pushed out of C ramp at 7:30 and had a wicked strike just ten minutes later. No fight or fish, but I began to have expectations of a great day. Yeah, right...
Three hours (and 6 mini perch) later another big rod bender: good sized trout was on for about thirty seconds, then slipped off.
Sharpened hooks, adjusted rigging, here we go into the the wind and... blam! OK, got this one to the net. Nice foot long..and one quick head shake and it's gone.
Now I'm pissed. Take a good look at my gear and realize that I had switched to #6 hooks for kokanee...duh. Throw on a tried and true lure (w double Gami 4's) from last years Hagg Fall Campaign. It took a while, but finally a massive strike. 15 inch mother leaps out of the water, dives back in...and breaks off the leader. I inspect leader...lots of nicks from last year. I foolishly did not replace worn leader and it cost me the Fish of the Day.
But I have learned from many days like this that you have to overcome the disappointment and persevere. But of course now it's blowing rain sideways and my battery is getting low so I have to row my durn arms off. Finally at 4pm, Fishing Gods take mercy on the cold wet dimwit and reward him for extra effort with a beautiful 14 incher. Looks like a Desert Springs transplant with red sides and high contrast spots all the way over the nose.
So that was my transition day: plenty of stupid and lots of re-learning stuff I already learned.
BTW: In the no-wake zone I did not see any of the stockers that recently arrived. Maybe they went in at Ramp A and not spread out yet? Another 8000 go in this Monday.
But the good news is that the holdovers (and DS stock) are there and itching for a fight...just don't hold your breath. Lower temps will improve things. But will my mental game improve? Stay tuned...

Big News: Next year Hagg will be open year round! Plus: Lookout Campsite (near dam) to re-open for year round overnight camping. Woo-Hoo!

 

[hvacr1]

where did you hear about this information about hagg being open year round and camping.

 

[bernduffy]

From Bob & Cheri, owners of the Lake Stop. They're practically doin' cartwheels over the news.
Remember: this is for next year (2014). This year it closes per usual, the Sunday before Thanksgiving Nov 24. Also remember it closes early around 4pm on the final day.

 

[troutdude]

Excellent report. Sorry to see that, you didn't have better luck.

I'm not sure that, I like the idea of Hagg being open year 'round (or that camping will be allowed). Why? Because more fishing pressure, equals fewer fish for the rest of us.

 

[Gettin' Jiggy Wid It]

Excellent report. Sorry to see that, you didn't have better luck.

I'm not sure that, I like the idea of Hagg being open year 'round (or that camping will be allowed). Why? Because more fishing pressure, equals fewer fish for the rest of us.

Great report, Bern! Sounds like you were rusty there at first, but then you got the trout machine rolling! Were there a lot of other boats on water friday? I'm guessing not too many...weekdays are awesome for fishing.

I like the idea of Hagg being open year round for fishing, provided ODFW stocks it with more trout in the winter. I wish they would do more random checks to make sure people have valid fishing licenses and proper possession limits of trout, bass, and crappie. I've fished there many many times and never had my fishing license or fish possession checked. Enforcing existing game laws would reduce fishing pressure, especially the most damaging types of it, and would help offset the added fishing pressure from keeping the lake open year round.

Not so sure I like the idea of overnight camping at Hagg. There is already enough trash floating on the lake and along the shoreline. For a lake that gets a whole lot of usage already, yet still remains fairly clean and peaceful, adding overnight camping seems like overkill. Overnight camping equals: noisy drunks, extra trash on the shore and in the water, more boats using the lake, and more law enforcement having to deal with "non-fishing related issues" meaning more illegal fishing will occur.

 

[hvacr1]

this is great news since i live close by. when the rivers are blown out it will give me the opportunity to get my boat out and catch some steelhead sized trout.

 

[troutdude]

I like the idea of Hagg being open year round for fishing, provided ODFW stocks it with more trout in the winter. I wish they would do more random checks to make sure people have valid fishing licenses and proper possession limits of trout, bass, and crappie. I've fished there many many times and never had my fishing license or fish possession checked. Enforcing existing game laws would reduce fishing pressure, especially the most damaging types of it, and would help offset the added fishing pressure from keeping the lake open year round.

If there is--as you've clearly shown--very little legal enforcement now--just how would that ratio improve, with even greater fishing pressure? Wouldn't there actually be more violations; and even significantly less law enforcement (based upon the current state of things)?

 

[Gettin' Jiggy Wid It]

If there is--as you've clearly shown--very little legal enforcement now--just how would that ratio improve, with even greater fishing pressure? Wouldn't there actually be more violations; and even significantly less law enforcement (based upon the current state of things)?

Yes, you are correct. If enforcement doesn't improve, and ODFW opens the lake to even more fishing pressure, the fishery will suffer. So while it would be great to be able to fish Hagg in the winter when the rivers are blown out, it won't be great if the fish populations are impacted negatively by the year-round activity. I guess it's all up to ODFW in terms of whether the lake will be properly managed.

 

[troutdude]

Agreed! That's why I think it's not a good idea, to open up the lake to more fishing pressure (unless, of course, the game warden's up the ante).

BTW...didn't intend to hi-jack your thread Bern. :yikes:

 

[bernduffy]

Yeah, I hear you, guys. I was selfishly dreaming of being able to be on the water at sunrise. But as with everything involving recreation you know there'll be an increase in lots of crap...of all kinds. Regarding fishing pressure: Dec-Feb I don't think there will be much. Unless we begin to have more warm weather, which now that I think of it seems likely. We'll see. I'm interested in how many campers will have boats. You can bet the banks will get more attention.

I was the only vessel out of ramp C. Saw only two others all day. This is what I like about Hagg falls.

BTW: thought I had a branch on the line and hauled up an Abu Cardinal rod & reel with Ford Fender and 2 oz banana weight. I'll hang on to it if anyone claims it.
The reel is pretty water damaged; finish blistered and silted. I lost all gear once...it truly sucketh.

 

[bernduffy]

BTW...didn't intend to hi-jack your thread Bern. :yikes:

No prob. I think once this is officially announced, we'll get a lively thread going.