Travis and Hannah: Snake River - 8/24
Saturday, August 24th
Weather: Windy (15 mph +) Broken Clouds-overcast 85 degrees
It had been a while since I took my daughter fishing and she really wanted to get out. We set out for the Snake on Sat. morning about 9:30 AM. We knew it was going to be a windier day, but we really wanted to fish the Snake, as she has caught plenty of walleyes with me on Roosevelt and wanted to get into some bigger fish. We did just that.
Knowing it was going to be windy, we stayed completely away from the dam and didn't go past the Texas Rapids boat launch. We still had to deal with white-cap waves, but at least we didn't have to deal with super waves or swirling current. It was bumpy, but manageable.
Our first pass in front of the grainery yielded two 16" walleye and a few smallmouth. We pulled a 17 incher on the bank just down from the TC River. All three came on a purple Hellcat Bandit from Wicked Custom Jigs & Spoons.
We trolled around trying some different spots and methods and then moved up to the point across from TX Rapids. On our first pass, we hit a double! My rod went first and I hooked what felt like a decent fish. Hannah grabbed the net and was ready, when her rod went off and she dropped net duty on my fish like a bad career move. She started yelling, saying she had a big one on..... Dad!.....Dad!.......Dad.....he's not coming in, he's too big! So gently corrected her that she was probably fighting a female.... (Just Kidding.....) I was coaching her, telling her to not pull to hard and to just stay calm. I also warned her that the biggest fight was probably going to take place, right at the boat, so don't freak out......
I quickly landed my fish with the rod in one hand and the net in the other. As I scooped my fish into the net, I saw her rod double over, as she was getting it near the boat and the fish was acting just like I warned her. I quickly scooped up my fish and flipped the net like flapjack to dump my 21 incher into the bottom of the boat and to go help her. The fish fell out, but my crankbait was still hooked in the net and my rod was doubled over. Somehow, we made it work. I coached her through the final foot or two and was finally able to get her fish into the net. It was a dandy and happened to be her personal best to date. It measured just under 25 inches and weighed in at 5.4 lbs. Definitely worthy of some pictures, high 5's and a hug or two.
I told her that a fish like this should be turned loose and she agreed without hesitation. We put the fish in the livewell and cleaned up the boat. She dropped the fish twice during pictures, so the big girl probably had a bit of a headache and required a little bit of fish CPR to get her back to health. However, after a bit, she perked up and swam away.
We continued to troll the point out to the end and then turned around and trolled with the current, which I rarely do, especially on the Snake. (the opportunity to snag and loose cranks is much higher when trolling with the current) On pass back through that area, Hannah picked up another great walleye. It measured 23 inches and we kept that one.
Purple was the color for the day: All fish were taken on purple colored bandits and most were on the Purple Hellcat from wicked customs Jigs & Spoons.
I hooked up twice that evening with monster fish. The first one broke my line, stealing my "Snake Eyes" patterned Walleye Runner and the second fish, might have been the biggest that I've had on, in all my time on the Snake River. That was also on the 213 colored Bandit from Wicked Custom Jigs & Spoons. That color is my go-to when the sun starts to set on the Snake. I set the hook and felt the familiar thump thump of a really big fish. This one was so big, I couldn't move her. I told Hannha as much and no sooner did I mention that I had a big on, the hooks pulled out of her mouth, and I lost her. That was a truly Monster fish! I would've loved to at least lay eyes on her..........I think. You can't truly answer if it would be more therapeutic or traumatizing to see what you are about to lose.
Anyway, we ended the day with 7 walleye caught and 6 of them for the dinner table. It was a great day with my daughter. One we won't soon forget. School starts this week, so it was a grand day to round out the summer. Now she's back to books and boys.....
