good news/ bad news at Smith Ranch

Feb 11 2013

John E. Harvey

Fingerling

Member Since :
2008
Number of Posts :
90

First the good news. 1. the water level is up, still needs rain but very nice to see the pool elevated. 2. Some much needed plant growth along the shoreline. 3. A new boat on site ( for club use?) with battery, two motors, rod holders, pedestal seats, etc. Now the bad news 1. The water level is up but not full so more rain needed. 2. The emerging plants are nice but there is green, stringy, slimy gunk along the shore until you reach @ 5ft. of depth making lurer presentation difficult. 3.The boat is upright and full on rain water submerging the battery, etc. so if you want to use the boat with its wonderful pedestal seats bring your own motor, battery and a bailing pail. 4. There are no fish in the lake! I fished hard; threw cranks, plastics, spinners even thought about throwing my fishing partner——-nada, nothing, zilch—-so the only explanation is that there are no longer fish in the lake—- it can't be me.

Posted By: John E. Harvey

Feb 13 2013

Jay Reese

Slot Fish

Member Since :
2013
Number of Posts :
149

That’s crazy I fished that lake couple times last year nailed them both times. Sometimes lake can have bad day I fished Julian lake couple weeks ago everybody catches them there and I got blanked somebody went last week caught 15 or 20 so it can happen.

Feb 13 2013

John E. Harvey

Fingerling

Member Since :
2008
Number of Posts :
90

I’ve fished this lake many times and caught a lot of strong fighting fish. The only time its really rough is after a rain and the water is muddy. That is what we found, very muddy water, and then when it started to rain on us we PACKED IT IN.

Feb 15 2013

Steve Alexander

Keeper

Member Since :
2010
Number of Posts :
415

Hi John,

I sent the landowner your report and then followed up with a discussion. Within the next 30 days we plan to build a covered awning to protect the boat from the elements. The boat will be drained this week and yes our members can use this boat.

The emerging stringy plant is filamentous alagea, which was kicked off from the nutrient load from the hay fields above the lake. The recent heavy rains created run off for the first time in months. Fertilizer and other nutrients from the fields wash into the lake and with the warming waters cause the filamentous alagea to explode. While it can be difficult to fish in that stuff, the lake really needed some vegetation.

Sorry the fishing was so slow. 

Feb 15 2013

John E. Harvey

Fingerling

Member Since :
2008
Number of Posts :
90

Protecting the boat would be great as it looks to be a very nice addition. This early in the season you takes what you gets and we got falling water temps, rain and muddy water. I’ve fished this lake with the alagea and caught fish. Just one of those things, but real glad to see this lake “getting back” to the great spot it has been in the past.

Feb 17 2013

Tom Weilert

Fry

Member Since :
2006
Number of Posts :
6

going tomm.  will let you know   this has been one of my favorite lakes in the clup     Tom Weilert