johnklang Loc: Oakhurst, CA

I've never posted anything to my recollection but thought I'd share something novel that happened yesterday at Eastman Lake in Madera County. My buddy and I were fishing and since the lakes are still so low, my truck was visible from pretty much anywhere on the lake. The water is coming up a bit just as an fyi but it is still 50+ feet below normal capacity so the lake is much smaller than normal. So while out on the water, I glanced at my truck and saw something that looked reddish in what seemed to be the back of my truck (tailgate was down). Given my age related faltering of my eyesight, I just concluded it must have been a sign on something on shore that "looked like" it was in the bed of my truck. After coming in for the day, when I got to my truck I found this bag in the bed. It is apparently from the Army Corp of Engineers related to their life jacket program and several of the items had their name on it. As someone who worked for a public agency the better part of my life I immediately defaulted to negative thinking about the cost of a California fishing license and use of public funds. After having done that, I slapped myself out of it because I can get po'ed for something I have no control over and that tends to push me into grumpy that serves no purpose. Subsequently it occurred to me that it probably has nothing do with fishing license costs and probably is some other money earmarked specifically for safety programs. So anyway, I'm not sure if they did this because they saw I was not wearing a life jacket or if this is a new program to increase awareness. I wear one underway at higher speeds when alone but pretty much not when with someone in the boat. Probably not right thinking but that ship sailed long ago. Anyway, the fishing was ok for winter largemouth and glad to see out lakes starting to come up. My buddy and I each got three. I got the biggest one at 2.25 lbs.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

I'd say that was very thoughtful on the part of somebody working with that agency. Also glad that you got into some nice bass! Our season officially closed at the end of last December...so it will be Springtime before we go after them in a deliberate way in Michigan.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Nice bass and a nice gift to serve as a reminder.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

John first nice fish. Second nice collection of items they left you. Too bad so many good fisheries are hurting. Don't be afraid to post more the boys n girls luv pics 👍👍

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

Maybe just a general awareness SWAG bag. Everyone gets one. Nice fish too…🐟on

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Lucky you, you did something right along the way. Thanks for sharing.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Nice catch John. That's pretty cool that they're handing out safety equipment /reminders. That's money well spent. Thanks for the pictures.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Man, Nice fish, and with all the extra goodies, who could complain? Just Sayin....RJS

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Actually, looking through the goodies, it's a pretty good investment on their part. If you actually use some of that stuff, they get a lot of very inexpensive advertising

johnklang Loc: Oakhurst, CA

There's a couple things I might use and I'll give away the rest. It certainly was unexpected. If I see one of the Army Corp guys I might ask him about it.

1old timer

Nice fish where is that lake?I fish mostly lake Sonoma which is about 70% ful

johnklang Loc: Oakhurst, CA

Eastman Lake. It is sorta between Madera and Raymond. It has been at about 6% of capacity for almost a year. The outtake tower at the dam was dry on one side so they couldn't let any more water out. The recent rain and snow has brought it up a bit but its still way down. There is another lake nearby (Hensley) that is one of the four or five I fish regularly and that lake has been in single digit %'s of capacity the same length of time. Hensley often hands me my a$k but I caught my PB there and a few approaching it. I spend all day on the water where ever I fish and I try to go at least once a week so without trying to be smug, it feels like I earned them.....lol.

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

Nice fish and nice gift from the guys watching out!!

OLDNDN Loc: Merced County, Calif.

Nice catch. Nice that the water is coming up. Question, did you have any trouble launching your boat with the water being that low.

johnklang Loc: Oakhurst, CA

Not this last time. The water came up a bit. Previously, yes. I got wet getting my boat out because I couldn't run it up on the trailer. I stopped going there because of it and only got back on it this week because of the recent rain and snow.