4-27-21
The past two weeks of fishing has been a very interesting experience. I was able to land 55 fish, including four different species of fish. I completed ten-night fishing sessions (2–3 hours per night), and with spring settling in who knows, the bite might even be picking up.
All of my fishing sessions took place at Silverwood Lake. The Trout (16 in total) were all caught on mini jigs tipped with Mice Tails or Power Worms, and caught on 6-pound test line. All of the trout were small (1.30 lbs. & under), but fun to catch. On most of my trips I fished specifically for Trout, but after about an hour of not getting a strike I looked elsewhere in my tackle box for a different type of lure to try and catch a fish on.
Honestly, after catching many Trout and hoping they would get over the 2-pound range (which they didn’t), I switched up my fishing set up completely one night to try and catch a larger fish. I located my Rat L Trap Lure and tied it onto my line. Within several casts, a 6-pound Catfish grabbed hold of it and pulled at a good speed. My Trout rod was bent low, and I knew I had a nice Catfish on my line. Right as I was about to land the fish, the Rat L Trap Lure came off and the fish was just about to be gone. Luckily, I used my foot to keep it on shore. I took a few pictures, weighed it, then released it to live another day.
How does 37 Striper sound? I mean, catching 37 Striper over roughly ten days of fishing which averages about 3 to 4 Striper caught each day. Now to catch these fish, I used ten-pound test line on a newly purchased 7-foot medium heavy rod and reel combo. All of these fish were caught on jerkbaits, except for one of them which chose to strike a 4-inch fluke on a 1/8-ounce jig head.
Got a nicer sized one at 1.85 lbs. 
As I fished for Trout most nights, it led me to also fish for Striper which also gave me the opportunity to land a catfish. Catching 3 different types of fish doesn’t happen a lot, but I’ll take it. All of these fish were caught and released so that many more anglers can have an opportunity to catch them.
The last fishing session or the most recent one was full of excitement. I tried for Trout and landed three right off the bat. The Trout stopped biting, so I tried for Striper and sure enough the bite picked up which resulted in 2 Striper and 1 Largemouth Bass landed. It took me ninety-nine days (30 short fishing sessions) to catch another Largemouth Bass, since the last time I landed one on January 15. The Largemouth Bass weighed 2.80 lbs., and it was released for other anglers to catch and hopefully release.
Next time you’re at Silverwood Lake, remember to fish Trout jigs on 6-pound test line and under, so that you can feel the strike. Tie jerkbaits to heavier line to catch the Striper. It’s going to be tougher for me trying to figure out the Largemouth Bass bite this year, but I think that’s the beauty in it. Until next time, do whatever is right to put yourself into a position where you are catching fish. Preparation is key!
