I Love Spruce Run

[Eskimo]

I got to spend some time this past weekend on my favorite reservoir. I usually don't post about my favorite fishing spots to avoid spot burning, but I don't think I can contribute anything new about Spruce Run. Whole books have been written about this reservoir.

I started the afternoon launching my kayak from the parking lot behind the Van Sickle fishing pier. I not going to launch from there anymore because I don't like all the pier-sitters who swarm around my kayak asking questions about it and stuff. My favorite pier-people this weekend were the foreigners fishing in their Speedos. I was going to take their picture for laughs on the forum, but I thought it might make them mad and I was parked near them.

Fishing at noon-time under a bright sun, the fishing was as slow as I expected. Despite the wind, I plodded along the shoreline casting various lures here and there. The reservoir was busy with sailboats and numerous fishing boats and kayaks.

My favorite fish of the day was this Largemouth Bass. I didn't want to stress it anymore than I absolutely had to, so I never measured it. Just a quick vanity shot, unhooked it, and released it right back into the water. I'm going to guess it was over 15 inches.




What would a trip to Spruce Run be without some Channel Catfish?




I heard a lot of splashing in one of the coves. I assumed it was carp, but eventually curiosity go the better of me and I paddled over to the noise.

What I found was dozens, if not hundreds, of White Perch. They were all carrying eggs and milt, so I assume this was some kind of spawning congregation. After I caught one, they all followed the caught fish and swarmed around my kayak. I was afraid if I fell in, they would eat me like Piranha.

There were so many perch, that while I was putting one perch on the stringer and my Rapala was lying motionless on the water, another perch swam up and nailed the lure and hooked himself. Just crazy.

I took a few home with me for dinner.



At the end of the afternoon, I was loading my kayak back onto my car and a Conservation Officer stopped by. Younger guy with a shaved head. He did a license check and looked at my perch on the stringer. We talked a little about fishing. Nice guy.

I packed up my stuff and headed home to a great dinner of White Perch fillets and Sam Adams Rebel IPA beer.

If you see me fishing in my olive green Native Redfish 10, don't hesitate to come over and say, 'Hi'.






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