The Fishing (b)Logbook
Entry #6: The Smirking Trout
Date: July 31, 2021
Time: 4:30 pm
Body of Water: Pass Lake and Moosehorn Lake
Fishing Type: Fly fishing
# of Fish Caught: 1
I’m writing this as I sit in my little Toyota Corolla listening to the heavy rain hit the windshield and the thunder clamoring overhead. I’m in the Unitas next to a beautiful lake; I got to cast here about 10 times before the rain came again.
This has been the story of the day as I’ve hopped from mountain lake to mountain lake trying to avoid the rain and lightning.
I decided to take a spontaneous trip up here even though I knew it would be a long drive and could be ruined by the rain. Courtney is out of town this weekend, so what else is a guy supposed to do but go fishing?
I started at Pass Lake, which is where this picture of picturesque lilies with yellow flowers was taken. I hadn’t had any luck as I walked along the edges of the bank looking for the blue ribbon tiger trout that call these lakes home. About as far from my car as could get (only 300 yards), and on the other side of the lake, I found myself caught in a hail storm. Of course, I had forgotten my jacket in the car. Huddled under a tree attempting to stay dry, I resolved I would never leave my jacket in the car again.
Suddenly, as fast as the hail had started, it stopped, just long enough for me to book it along the lake to my car where I was able to get my jacket without getting drenched.
I fished a little more, watching the clouds a little closer this time, but still had no luck. I had a few bites, saw a tiger trout I swear was smirking at me, and witnessed a tiny fish jump 4 feet out of the water.
I spent the rest of the time I had driving around trying to make a couple casts at a few different lakes, hopping in and out of the car to avoid the rain.
Now as I get ready to head back home with the skunk in the car, I know I’ll be back. I have to come back. That smirking tiger trout can’t win.
Edit: Just after writing this, I was about to drive away when I saw a faint blue sky in the distance. I decided to wait and see if the sky would open up and allow me to fish for a little bit longer. Within 10 minutes, the rain had stopped and was like a mist. I hopped out of the car, grabbed my rod and gear, and headed towards the lake.
The water was crystal clear and about 30 yards in front of me, I could see some trout cruising along, feeding on the surface. Not sure if this is always true, but the fish seemed more active right before or right after a storm.
Within a couple casts, I hooked up with a tiger trout. I had cast my fly right on top of his head, which spooked him and he swam away; but then, just as fast as he swam away, he came back and demolished my fly. It was awesome! I got him in the net and quickly took a picture, trying not to disturb him too much, then let him go.
Although he wasn’t the smirking one I’d seen at a different lake, this fish made the drive and unfortunate rain worth it. I’ll still be back for my smirking friend the tiger trout. The battle isn’t over.
-Zach Larkin, Founder of Hooked Pins
Entry #5: The Hike for Brookies
Date: July 5, 2021
Time: 11:00 am
Body of Water: White Pine Lake, Utah
Fishing Type: Fly fishing with a orange sow bug
# of Fish Caught: 2 brook trout
My family’s Fourth of July tradition is hiking. This hike is usually somewhere we haven’t been, and it’s almost always more than 5 miles round trip. Fortunately, this hike was to a body of water, which gave me an excuse to bring my fishing gear. Of course, no trip would be complete without some hiccups along the way. The night before the hike, we’d driven up to Logan to stay the night with my sister and her husband so we could be closer to the trailhead. As we were settling in, my wife realized she hadn’t packed her hiking shoes, and since we were starting early the next morning, we had to make a late-night trip to Walmart to buy the best hiking shoes available (which was a $14 pair of athletic shoes). The next morning, we planned to meet my parents at the trailhead at 7 AM, but they woke up to a completely flat tire on their car. Finally, with new “hiking shoes” and a new tire, we were ready to go, only a bit later than planned.
We started at a lake up Logan Canyon called Tony Grove and then hiked 4 miles to another lake called White Pine. Although it was very hot, the scenery was beautiful and the lake was picturesque. The water was crystal clear and surprisingly warm for as high up as we were. After a few moments of walking along the shoreline, we spotted the first fish: a decent sized brook trout.
I immediately rigged up my fly rod with an orange sow bug that had been recommended to me by the fly shop near my house. I’d been using it the previous week in a small creek with pretty good success so I thought I’d try it here. Within 2 or 3 casts, I had my first fish. At this point, I could have turned around and gone home. The trip was complete! I spent the next hour or so walking along the shoreline, searching for more fish. Right before we had to leave, I caught my second brook trout. It was just about the same size.
The trip was a success and I can’t wait for the next opportunity to find a rarely fished body of water and get my line wet. It’s an experience worth hiking 8 miles for. Plus, I got some great inspiration for a brook trout pin.
-Zach Larkin, Founder of Hooked Pins
Entry #4: Guest Post - Sturgeon on the Columbia
Date: May 13-15, 2021
Body of Water: Lake Chelan and the Columbia River, Washington
My sons, Trent and Travis, and a friend, Lincoln were planning a fishing trip in Washington state and invited me to join them. I was really looking forward to go since fishing has been my interest for 80 years since I was a child. On May 13, we boarded my son’s boat at Lake Chelan to start fishing. The plan was to fish for 2 day at Lake Chelan and then for a bonus we would hire a guide to take us on the Columbia River to fish for Sturgeon the last day. On May 13, we boarded my son’s boat to get started on our excursion. The first 2 days we had a fun and exciting caught some Mackinaw lake trout and some Kokanee salmon. Some of these fish would be needed for bait for the 3rd day for catching the Sturgeon.
Then on the 3rd day, we boarded the guides boat early on Saturday morning. He took us below a dam on the Columbia River. When he stopped the boat, he tossed out his anchor holding the boat as we were facing the water coming out of he dam. The guide had the fishing poles for each of the 4 of us. We provided the bait, which he rolled and tied into balls around the large hooks. Then he threw them into the water about 30 feet from the boat then the force of the water carried them further.
After about an hour, my pole began to bend and the line was being pulled by a force. What do I have on the end of this line? We hooked it. I was so thrilled as I pulled and pulled to keep it from getting away. Then it jumped out of the water, into the air about 30 feet away so we could see it was a large Sturgeon. The guide disconnected the anchor from the boat and the sturgeon pulled the boat around the river for some time. Lincoln finally brought the fish up along the boat so we could measure it and it measured 7 feet 4 inches. I got to put my hand in his mouth and hold him while they took pictures. After we took pictures we had to let him go.
That was the biggest fish I have ever caught and am thankful for such a wonderful experience.
– Merlin Price, Lifetime Fisherman
Entry #3: Guest Post - Hooked on White Bass
Date: June 11, 2021
Time: 6:00 pm
Body of Water: Provo River before it empties into Utah Lake
Water Temp: N/A
Fishing Type: Spinning Rod with a Gold Spinner
# of Fish Caught: 2
Coming from someone who likes to fish but doesn’t usually have a lot of luck, I had a really great time tonight fishing for White Bass. I had recently switched to a gold spinner that was so bright, I could see it just about anywhere in the water as I reeled it in.
In the middle of the river was a sunny patch of water that the lure swam through. As it sparkled, I watched a bass rush up out of the murky fog and hit the hook hard. It all happened so fast but felt like it was in slow motion. It was a great feeling! It was a sort of calm excitement that left me shaking for the next few casts. I loved that feeling! The fish kept biting and it may be my new go-to for White Bass. I look forward to catching different fish in the future and purchasing a matching pin to commemorate each trip!
Brennen T.
Entry #2: Guest Post - Just One More Cast on the Snake River
Date: April 1, 2021
Time: 3:30 pm
Body of Water: Snake River Rigby, Idaho
Water Temp:~40°F
Fishing Type: Rapala Minnow
# of Fish Caught: 1
It was a perfect fishing day. I had been looking forward to spring, when the weather would start to warm up and the fish would start becoming more active. As soon as I got off of work, I packed up my fishing gear and headed to the river. Well, one hour into fishing, I was having no luck. I could see some fish swimming around me and some were jumping. I tried a variety of lures to see if I could attract the fish. Another hour passed by and I still wasn’t getting any attention from the fish. It became frustrating.
I told myself to try one more lure and a couple more casts. Finally! My rod tip went down and the line was tight. Fish on! I knew I had a big one hooked. I was so excited. I reeled him in and snapped a few pictures, then let him swim back into the river. Sometimes, fishing means waiting for two hours just to catch one fish, but that one fish makes it all worth it.
– Kameron
Entry #1: A Pin is Worth 1000 Words
Date: March 31, 2021
Time: 6:34 pm
Body of Water: American Fork Creek, Utah
Water Temp: ~40°F
Fishing Type: Fly fishing with a dry fly
# of Fish Caught: 1
I had the camera at the ready to record the moment I caught my first fish at a new creek near my house. I was excited to get some footage for my next social media post announcing the next pin. Instead of some new footage, this picture is all I was able to get in that moment. The fish is in the net there and if you squint real hard you can almost see it!
The fish really is in there, but in my excitement to hit record, I must have merely taken a photo, and not a very good one at that.
Although this creek is the closest one to me, I had never been fishing on it. I’ve spent most of my time fishing the Provo River. Today’s fishing trip was a short one up the American Fork Canyon after work. I had just a couple hours before dark to try to catch the very timid fish that are found in this creek. And in order to catch these fish, you basically have to be silent and invisible. One wrong step in the crystal clear water and you’ll see tiny flashes dart out of site. I spent 2 hours going from pool to pool, spooking fish.
So you can imagine my excitement when I finally got one to bite! A little beautifully colored 7-inch brown trout.
Despite this horrible picture, it makes a great memory for my first blog entry. It’s one of the primary reasons I started Hooked Pins, to have something other than a picture to remember the catch. A pin makes a great conversation starter or reminder of the day you caught that fish.
I don’t expect you to have a rainbow trout pin for every rainbow trout you’ve ever caught, but I hope you get one for the time it was worth remembering. Maybe it was your very first catch of that species, or maybe it was the time you caught your PB, or maybe it’s the time you forgot to hit record. Either way, make it memorable.
– Zach Larkin, Founder of Hooked Pins