Anthracite Outfitters was pleased to host John "Toast" Oast, a.k.a Fishyaker.com on an overnight trip through the heart of our territory on the North Branch of the Susquehanna river. John not only showed up with the yak and fishing gear, he also brought along still and video equipment. Many of the images we will be telling this story with were captured by him, and we thank him for taking the time to pick up the camera. John, you're the Man buddy!!!
The trip formulated due to the fact that John was leaving Virginia and moving to Pa. He is very active in solidifying the kayakfishing community in his region. So he reached out to us because we fish the same river he lives next to, only he's a bit further south. He lamented that as of yet there's no real kayakfishing community in Pa. He said Virginia is quite different and on almost any day you may find some quality anglers to fish with. So for weeks straight we kept having to tell him it's not productive to get on the river, hang tight. Eventually the river finally came around and "Eddy Rider" and myself did a recon trip late last week so we could get a handle on the fish. That trip was more productive than we anticipated , and we immidiately called John and told him it was go time!!!
The trip was scheduled to go off Monday, and John arrived in perfect time and we set out.
The really cool thing about this launch point is that there is a creek that enters the river here. So with as cloudy as the river still is the creek was running gin clear. When that happens a boundry/edge is created which often creates an ambush zone. On the ride up John was briefed on our most productive plug and we gave him one. We also gave him a detailed account of our recon trip and the pattern that produced. After talking with him it was readily apparent he knew his stuff. John and I launched before Dan. Dan is last out as he had to park the rig and then get in his yak. To give you an idea I have never even attempted to put my sorry butt in that Prijon cause I wouldn't get it out!!! That's not a jump in and go sorta' platform.
This trip was also my first run with a fish finder. I hate dealing with petroleum jelly so I never used it. Dan modified my foam ducer mount by laminating two pieces together and I filled it with water and set the ducer level. Quick, easy, and ready to run. John started working the seam and shoreline and I got my fish finder running.
Having a new set of eyes below the yak was AWESOME. I figured I'd cover ground until Dan caught up, and let John do his thing. When I hit the musky on the recon trip I was digging our "go to" crank bait into the rocks at a quick pace on the reel. So this time I was doing the same thing, but on a downcurrent troll while eyeing the river bottom contour. Next thing I know the rod slams down and I'm on. I laid into the fish and it took drag. I'm thinking musky or decent walleye. I get the fish up and lo and beholod... it's an 8# cat that jumped my crank.
I named her Dinner cause she was going to look great in tin foil on the camp fire!!!
By the time I got Dinner secured to the stringer John had released a smallie or few and Dan had joined us. We proceeded down river and came thgrough an area we can't usually paddle due to the fact that it's dry during normal years.
At this point until we hit camp was for the most part uneventful save for the crane in the middle of the river doing construction related to the an industrial plant adjacent to the river. There were I beams in the river with a water dredge running. I didn't take images cause it was sketchy and I needed to focus on paddling.
We landed at camp and got set up for dinner and readied the tents.
John and I fished until dinner and then we all crashed.
The next day started out dark and foggy yet having a fishy feel. John had a handle on this area and I was trolling so we hit fish. Dan was making breakfast. Here's morning images.
So eventually we ate and made it out of camp. Dan was behind us as he makes sure the fire is out, and any reminents of our being there are gone.
John and I got down river to a new gravel bar just created after the highwater this season. I immidieately grabbed for the flyrod and set off on foot {I live for this water}. This is the first area we'd take a fare who wants good smallies on a 5wt.
At this point the rest of the day was the same as has already been covered.
The last detail I will leave you with is our new lunch recipe:
2 bags pre-cooked spanish rice, 1 can chopped tomatoes, all warmed, put in warmed tortilla and make it a wrap. This stuff is the BOMB!!!
Tightlines and safe Paddlin'!!!
