Cal Sag, March 28th Results

Well 14 of us decided it would be a good idea to fish today! All of us had grand expectations of catching all of those 4# smalleys that are swimming around in there so at daybreak we took off! 18mph winds, clouds and 40 degree temps greeted us as we all dutifully headed into the locks. I got Ol’ Smelley in the boat with me and we discussed our strategy as we sat waiting for the lockmaster, both of us agreeing that they should be biting even with the water temp at 40 degrees. So with the locks opening we head for Lake Calumet. The water looks good and nobody is on our spots so we start preparing to whack ‘em! I started with the power baits and after 30 minutes realized that it was gonna be a slow bite so I picked up the slow baits and started pickin apart the bank…no takers! Ol’ Jimmy has already thrown 10 different baits and I am just sure he will find the right combination soon! After about an hour, the wind is getting stronger and a lot colder so I have Jimmy take the front and I set down to change baits and get some hand warmers, I’m starting to question our sanity for being out there. As I finish, I look up and we are half way around the lake…Jimmy fishes fast! So we continue our attack and an hour later we decide it is time to make a move, we see come upon some of the other guys and they haven’ got anything yet  and we haven’t  seen any fish on the graph or sidefinder so we decide to head out to the Ford plant. I get a text from Ed and Jack, they are heading in. The wind is really howling now but we fish the area with cranks and jerkbaits…nothing. I check my watch, 4 hours to go. Omg, we are nuts! Jim and I decide to lock through and we meet 2 other boats at the lock, it’s Frank L., and Frank S. and they are heading for burgers and beer! I ask Jimmy what he wants to do and he replies “Fish the river, you are the director so you can’t give up anyway”. I am hating my new responsibility. I open some hand warmers and stick ‘em down my drawers (to quiet the clacking), grab a sandwich and head down the river to the warm water discharges. As we arrive the water temp is up to 50…they should be here! I’m shaking as I grab a rod (not from excitement) and start fishing! Nothing! Jimmy exclaims, “I just got a hit on my spinnerbait!” I start warming up a little as I hope for a 12 incher…Not. Jimmy says “There’s a bunch of carp in here see ‘em, I must have bumped one with my spinnerbait”. I start hearing the clanking again as we prepare to move, OMG two and a half hours to go…I can’t take much more! I hear ringing and I silently wonder what part of my anatomy is making noises now…oh it’s my phone. Its Mike Towe…where are you guys, nobody is catching fish so we are all eating lunch at the pub? Well Jimmy, I ask, what do you wanna do? He finally concedes that it is time to go with a “I’m good with that Kid”. I still Hate this Place II!
Mel