Horsetooth Reservoir

Nice walleye hanging out near a school of bait. I thought it was a big trout at first but turned out to be a hungry mama replenishing post-spawn. Taped at 28.75”. Probably could have squeezed 29 out of the tail but I gave up measuring once I knew it wasn’t a PB. (MA #16 for the year). Picked up a small bass to make its multispecies day, but failed to land a trout to make it a trifecta.

Got out for a quick session between dinner and bedtime. Caught a monster on the x-rap. Not a PB but a very solid 27”. Didn’t get a weight, got her swimming again immediately. I brought my super-bright flashlight and used it to light the picture while turning off my headlamp. Overall it resulted in a clearer photo, but the background is obviously blown-out by contrast, and I do miss the backlit glowing dorsal fin. So I might have to experiment with a secondary light source from the headlamp. But that’s a lot of complexity for a quick catch-and-release, so we’ll see. 12th MA qualifier this year.

Caught this one a couple weeks ago. Haven’t been on the water lately due to “obligations” and presently due to dental work (a projected year-long process stemming from that ice fishing-shattered-tooth incident earlier this season.) Gonna get back out ASAP.

Another glassy day! Again struggled to find the big trout, so I pivoted to smallies and landed four. The first was 16” and each catch trended smaller at 15”, 14”, and 10”. No master anglers today, but no complaints!

Had a couple hours before Valentine’s date with wife. Only landed one, but it was a decent 17” smallie. 11th MA qualifier this year.

Whenever I kayak fish, I go with the expectation and preparedness for more wind than the forecast, because that’s what usually happens. A rare and glorious few times each year, the opposite happens, and the wind never materializes. Today was such a day. I spent a few hours trying to find the big trout, and didn’t. Just one scrappy rainbow. Then I found a school of savage smallmouths. They were deep, and the calm conditions allowed me to stay on them. I hooked up with a bunch and landed at least nine. The three biggest were all over 17” (Colorado MA qualifiers #8-10 for the year, just keeping track for fun). There were a few in the 15-16” range and the smallest was around 14”. A few were puking up smelt. Cool variety of body colors ranging from brown to greenish-bronze to orange-bronze within the same school! Toward the end of my session in the fading light I hooked up with what had to be a huge walleye. It got off quickly and bent the jig hook. An amazing day in spite of the big one that got away.

Got out for an afternoon session. Lost a couple hookups but landed one little rainbow to avoid the skunk! Water temp is 39, but it’s still relatively summer-like for February.