Today's lunch menu for Smallmouth bass.. I had not planned to fish today, but with a zero wind velocity I could not refuse a chance to paddle the kayak and fish in absolutely still...

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

I had not planned to fish today, but with a zero wind velocity I could not refuse a chance to paddle the kayak and fish in absolutely still conditions. It was drizzling when I left the house, and that continued for about a half hour into fishing...but then it stopped and just stayed gray and sullen.

My plan was to work a rocky shoreline that always produces a good catch of bass in the Fall. Upon reaching the start point of this corridor, I quickly discovered that the frequent Great Lakes storms we have endured this season had all but covered the rocky bottom in a layer of sand. Bugger...that means the crayfish have been displaced and the bass will be elsewhere now! I still trolled for an hour "uplake", without so much as a strike....just to be sure.

Plan "B" was to go out deeper and run along a steeply sloped drop off that leads into very deep water. Did not bother to bring the electronics on board so I just had to guess at depth based on the teal coloration of the water. That proved to be tricky and most of the time I had no idea how close to bottom my 2 Hot-N-Tots were running! Thankfully, at least one lone bass spotted a potential meal that was attached to the end of my line and that ended up being the only real action of the morning...one single smallmouth! No sweat...I have gone before and caught nothing at all so I will not complain!

Went out last evening under similar windless conditions in a different, and yet similar location on the other side of East Bay, only to find the same scenario with the rocky bottom having been covered in a heavy layer of sand. A light rain squall had just passed over, and I was entreated to a series of rainbows unlike anything I have ever witnessed before the sun went down. I have viewed thousands of rainbows over the years, but this one was very unique. It was a very wide "double", with the inner "bow" generating a series of additional adjacent repeating rainbows attached and beneath the main arch that gave off the appearance of several twisted and expanding ribbons. All with breathtaking color and proportions. The lake was glass calm, so all of this reflected on the water surface in a clone like fashion for as far as the eye could see. Both ends of the rainbow were clearly visible as they reached down to the water and nearby shorelines. I've never seen anything like it...and of course of all times, I had chosen not to bring a phone or camera with me on this paddle because I was trying to be very minimalistic. That was a big mistake!

I think that the rainbow may have been a gift from God for me to view last night, as it stayed in place for a solid 1/2 hour as I just bobbed motionless in the water staring in awe. There was another kayaker out just taking pictures, and I almost paddled over to ask if he would mind sending me a copy of his best shot!

I have saved the best news for last...about an hour ago one of my daughters gave birth to our 4th grandchild...a precious little girl. I think that rainbow last night was foretelling of a gift that was awaiting us on the following day...at least that is the way I will remember and cherish it! Sure wish I had a photo to show you how that rainbow looked...better than any fish I have ever caught! Almost a pure defiance to the laws of physics as we know them!

Enjoy your weekends to the fullest!

Kayak trolling under gloomy skies during a 2 hour workout!

I forgot to get the address of this 2 lb. bass so I could send a "thank you" note for finding my lure....

Today's menu for bass'in. All lures spent time getting wet...but the silver/black Hot-N-Tot was today's only hero!

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Good post yaker. Thanks for the story and pics

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Great post, thanks for sharing and congrats on the new addition to the family!

DCGravity Loc: Fairfax, VA (by way of Cleveland OH)

Wonderful description of your experience, fy. I can only imagine how beautiful a sight those rainbows were. Congratulations on being a 4x grandpa!

dbed Loc: POMME DE TERRE LAKE MISSOURI

Nothing better than granddaughters I have 4 congratulations

Rhyno Loc: Santa Rosa,California

Looks like you had a good day,that’s a nice bass,and congratulations to you and your family on the little one🎣

Slimshady Loc: Central Pennsylvania

Congrats on the new addition to the family Yaker. You caught one so it wasn’t a total washout and that was a good story about the rainbow. Why is it that those things happen when we are least prepared? You did have a good trip though and I am sure you will figure those fish out.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

fishyaker wrote:

I had not planned to fish today, but with a zero wind velocity I could not refuse a chance to paddle the kayak and fish in absolutely still conditions. It was drizzling when I left the house, and that continued for about a half hour into fishing...but then it stopped and just stayed gray and sullen.

My plan was to work a rocky shoreline that always produces a good catch of bass in the Fall. Upon reaching the start point of this corridor, I quickly discovered that the frequent Great Lakes storms we have endured this season had all but covered the rocky bottom in a layer of sand. Bugger...that means the crayfish have been displaced and the bass will be elsewhere now! I still trolled for an hour "uplake", without so much as a strike....just to be sure.

Plan "B" was to go out deeper and run along a steeply sloped drop off that leads into very deep water. Did not bother to bring the electronics on board so I just had to guess at depth based on the teal coloration of the water. That proved to be tricky and most of the time I had no idea how close to bottom my 2 Hot-N-Tots were running! Thankfully, at least one lone bass spotted a potential meal that was attached to the end of my line and that ended up being the only real action of the morning...one single smallmouth! No sweat...I have gone before and caught nothing at all so I will not complain!

Went out last evening under similar windless conditions in a different, and yet similar location on the other side of East Bay, only to find the same scenario with the rocky bottom having been covered in a heavy layer of sand. A light rain squall had just passed over, and I was entreated to a series of rainbows unlike anything I have ever witnessed before the sun went down. I have viewed thousands of rainbows over the years, but this one was very unique. It was a very wide "double", with the inner "bow" generating a series of additional adjacent repeating rainbows attached and beneath the main arch that gave off the appearance of several twisted and expanding ribbons. All with breathtaking color and proportions. The lake was glass calm, so all of this reflected on the water surface in a clone like fashion for as far as the eye could see. Both ends of the rainbow were clearly visible as they reached down to the water and nearby shorelines. I've never seen anything like it...and of course of all times, I had chosen not to bring a phone or camera with me on this paddle because I was trying to be very minimalistic. That was a big mistake!

I think that the rainbow may have been a gift from God for me to view last night, as it stayed in place for a solid 1/2 hour as I just bobbed motionless in the water staring in awe. There was another kayaker out just taking pictures, and I almost paddled over to ask if he would mind sending me a copy of his best shot!

I have saved the best news for last...about an hour ago one of my daughters gave birth to our 4th grandchild...a precious little girl. I think that rainbow last night was foretelling of a gift that was awaiting us on the following day...at least that is the way I will remember and cherish it! Sure wish I had a photo to show you how that rainbow looked...better than any fish I have ever caught! Almost a pure defiance to the laws of physics as we know them!

Enjoy your weekends to the fullest!

I had not planned to fish today, but with a zero w... (show quote)

Nice post Yaker, and beautiful pictures. Sounds like a frustrating set of conditions, but you managed to overcome them and catch a nice Smalljaw. Good job! Thanks for sharing.

Finally congrats on the new GD!!!

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

fishyaker wrote:

I had not planned to fish today, but with a zero wind velocity I could not refuse a chance to paddle the kayak and fish in absolutely still conditions. It was drizzling when I left the house, and that continued for about a half hour into fishing...but then it stopped and just stayed gray and sullen.

My plan was to work a rocky shoreline that always produces a good catch of bass in the Fall. Upon reaching the start point of this corridor, I quickly discovered that the frequent Great Lakes storms we have endured this season had all but covered the rocky bottom in a layer of sand. Bugger...that means the crayfish have been displaced and the bass will be elsewhere now! I still trolled for an hour "uplake", without so much as a strike....just to be sure.

Plan "B" was to go out deeper and run along a steeply sloped drop off that leads into very deep water. Did not bother to bring the electronics on board so I just had to guess at depth based on the teal coloration of the water. That proved to be tricky and most of the time I had no idea how close to bottom my 2 Hot-N-Tots were running! Thankfully, at least one lone bass spotted a potential meal that was attached to the end of my line and that ended up being the only real action of the morning...one single smallmouth! No sweat...I have gone before and caught nothing at all so I will not complain!

Went out last evening under similar windless conditions in a different, and yet similar location on the other side of East Bay, only to find the same scenario with the rocky bottom having been covered in a heavy layer of sand. A light rain squall had just passed over, and I was entreated to a series of rainbows unlike anything I have ever witnessed before the sun went down. I have viewed thousands of rainbows over the years, but this one was very unique. It was a very wide "double", with the inner "bow" generating a series of additional adjacent repeating rainbows attached and beneath the main arch that gave off the appearance of several twisted and expanding ribbons. All with breathtaking color and proportions. The lake was glass calm, so all of this reflected on the water surface in a clone like fashion for as far as the eye could see. Both ends of the rainbow were clearly visible as they reached down to the water and nearby shorelines. I've never seen anything like it...and of course of all times, I had chosen not to bring a phone or camera with me on this paddle because I was trying to be very minimalistic. That was a big mistake!

I think that the rainbow may have been a gift from God for me to view last night, as it stayed in place for a solid 1/2 hour as I just bobbed motionless in the water staring in awe. There was another kayaker out just taking pictures, and I almost paddled over to ask if he would mind sending me a copy of his best shot!

I have saved the best news for last...about an hour ago one of my daughters gave birth to our 4th grandchild...a precious little girl. I think that rainbow last night was foretelling of a gift that was awaiting us on the following day...at least that is the way I will remember and cherish it! Sure wish I had a photo to show you how that rainbow looked...better than any fish I have ever caught! Almost a pure defiance to the laws of physics as we know them!

Enjoy your weekends to the fullest!

I had not planned to fish today, but with a zero w... (show quote)

Great writeup, and congratulations on the new grand.

Anybass Loc: Pa.

As a photographer as well as fisherman, I can appreciate your frustration in only capturing that neat and interesting rainbow in your brain housing unit. Congratulations on granddaddying (if a word). What was the size of the catch?

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Anybass wrote:

As a photographer as well as fisherman, I can appreciate your frustration in only capturing that neat and interesting rainbow in your brain housing unit. Congratulations on granddaddying (if a word). What was the size of the catch?

I am still shaking my head about not having a camera with me! I see the guy (from the other kayak) out there now and then...just paddling, and the next time I see him I am definitely going to ask if I could receive a copy of a photo from that evening! I was too shy the other day...although I almost got my nerve up!

As for that bass...17" strong and when I say 2 lbs...that is an estimate based on prior experience. Most likely there were a few extra ounces above 2, but I did not have my scale with me either! I have marks on my rod that help me with quick lengths though.

Anybass Loc: Pa.

I was actually using a little dry humor and wondering how big the grandchild weighed. Sorry about that.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Anybass wrote:

I was actually using a little dry humor and wondering how big the grandchild weighed. Sorry about that.

Yah tricked me on that one! 7 lb and 14 oz would be the correct tally! Your sense of humor sounds like mine...but nevertheless that one flew right by me! She's a real cutie pie...but of course what else can I say being a proud Papa!

Anybass Loc: Pa.

Good fighting weight with winter coming on. Sounds like all are doing well. Congratulations again. As you know they grow up too fast so enjoy the days which before we know it, are years.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Top O' the morning to everybody! Thank you to all that have enjoyed this post and sent well wishes with congratulations to us regarding our new grand daughter!