Subsequent to posting my call for input on fishing Wilson Lake/Reservoir I found some disappointing news. 1. I couldn’t find a guide service available (only two to choose from) For body pester that big this is very surprising to me! 2. Even more surprising, there doesn’t appear to be any boat rentals….Really? So again I say..What’s up with Wilson? Wilson is reportedly a good lake for stripper fishing, but only if you’re fishing from a boat! I guess we’ll give it shot from the shoreline, but the boat rental thing & no guide service is very disappointing.

For the past 12+ years my Best Friend & I have done an annual fishing trip, usually to Steamboat Lake, CO. It’s always quite an undertaking as he lives in Salinas, KS and I live in San Diego.

This year we decided to change it up and go to Wilson Lake, KS. As it’s only about a 90 min. drive from his home. We’ll be fishing the week of April 21st come rain or shine. I’m looking for some fishing insight from any of you bait draggers that know this lake, actually looks like a pretty big reservoir. We’ll most likely rent a boat or go with a guide (pretty sparse). So any help or suggestions for a couple old coot’s would be appreciated.

The two or three locals I met actually at the lake in the last 5 or 6 years were really friendly & happy to see us catching fish and having a good time!....We're good for the local economy you know!

My Best Friend from high school and I have stayed close since the early 60's. Back then we would make trips to the Mammoth Lakes area. Our favorite was Convict Lake. Always good fishing there in the 60's. As the years past our professional careers took us in different directions. He headed East and I stayed on the West coast, but we always stayed in touch.

For the last 10+ years we've made an annual trip to Steamboat Lake, CO. It's one of the most beautiful lakes I've seen, and the fishing has always been consistent (Great). The week of June 13th started off with us getting skunked the first day at Steamboat...not even a nibble. It took us a couple of hours to figure out the problem. An unusual amount of people on SkiDoo's and water skiing, the water was just too warm for shore fishing....No boat, No fish! This is the first time we got skunked in 10+ years.

We had traveled a long way (from Kansas) and we were determined to not let the week go down like this. About three miles past Steamboat is a little jewel of a lake called Hahn's Peak Lake. If you're not paying attention you can miss the turnoff. Let me put it this way. We went from getting skunked to OMG!...look at all the trout boiling! First cast with a bubble & Gulp Green Worm...Wham! About 45 minutes later we had our limits. We were having so much fun that we switched up to catch & release and kept on fishing. For the remainder of our time (5 days) it was the best fishing I've experienced in that area.

I won't totally give up on Steamboat Lake as it has been pretty faithful to two old fishermen all these years, but little Hahn's Peak Lake certainly got our attention in a Big Way....We'll be back next year!

Sauté in a little olive oil / butter, fresh chopped garlic & Italian parsley with a splash of lemon juice. It will give you something to look forward too when you walk through the door empty handed...actually a good recipe if you do bring some catch home!

Bon Appetit,
Chef Georgio

Sounds like the good Minister might have had a little "Devine" guidance going for him!

!We were hoping you were going to tell us!

Haven't fished for Crappie in many years, but it use to be a toss up between Otay Lakes and Lake Jennings. Just from the latest local blub, I would say Lake Jennings would be your best bet. Goggle Jennings and check out the latest fishing report! Let us know how you make out!

Regards,
Georgio

Sometime the "System" works!

Last night I went for my first of two vaccinations at Petco Park here in downtown San Diego. I had an appointment time of 5:45pm. I had been told by my brother-in-law who had gone to the same location the day before to go jump in the que early. I arrived about an hour before my scheduled appointment time. Getting into the designated area was the typical bumper to bumper traffic. Amazingly I actually pulled into the vaccination station right on time at 5:45. The staff at Petco Park was extremely organized and very courteous & helpful.

As for the vaccination, it was a piece of cake! The young woman who gave me the shot was really chatty & sweet. She knew what she was doing and I didn't even realize that she had given me the shot. I waited the 15 minutes to see I had any adverse reaction to the vaccine (none) and then drove home. I slept good through the night and woke up this morning feeling fine with no soreness in my arm. I also received my appointment for the 2nd vaccination in mid-February.

All in all, I found the experience to be pleasant. I also want to give a shout out to all the workers at Petco Park who worked long hours to insure that the "System" worked....many thanks, see you again in February for round two.

I'm part of the Scripps Medical Plan and actually have been waiting for them to announce that they had the vaccine available. Late last night while checking my emails I noticed that they had sent me an announcement that they were finally taking appointments for my age range. They are a little late as I had already made another appointment today. It's all good though and I'm glad to be getting mine in a couple of hours from now.

Glad to hear things worked out for you!

Yo Larry,

Lots of places in SD County as you mention, but be cautious about notices & appointments being scheduled at Vons locations in N. County. Several of my friends in the 65 and older age range made appointments this past week for vaccinations to happen this week. So far 5 out of 5 have been cancelled by the three Vons locations. If you have an appointment with Vons location, you might want to check with the pharmacy at the store location the day before so you don't make a long trip for nothing.

Hang in there and I wish you good health!

Yo RJ,

I guess we're both in the same boat today. There's finally something good about being 76 years young!
I'm getting shot today here in San Diego...it's a good thing! We have what they're calling Covid-19 Super Stations where you drive to a designated area, get in a long line and finally get your first of two vaccinations. It kind of looks like things are picking up a little bit with this vaccination program. Of course my lovely wife has to wait a little longer as she is 7 years younger than me, but she's got beauty on her side, so I think she'll be fine.
Anywhoo, glad to hear you're up to bat today....knock it out of the park my friend!

Why not the Best of both worlds??...Wonder bread, Sardines wrapped in Power Bait!
Hey, you never know.
You might give some Skippy’s Peanut Butter a shot??

OK!....That sounds rather ominous. Guess we won't be doing any fishing...or drowning on the old Merced this Spring!

Thanks!...I know he went through all the necessary details of making reservations, etc. They are renting a pretty nice little cabin during their time in the park.
Would you call the Merced River a kind of lazy river or more swift running? I’ve never fished there, but I would think a bubble & fly rig along with some spin baits would possibly work??

Hi Folks,

My brother-in-law is going for a little R&R trip to Northern CA around the Yosimite Park area. He'll be doing a little backpacking in & around the park area and asked if I know of any good places to drop a line along the way.

He'll be around the area for about a week or so and I would love to give him some good tips & leads to possibly catching a little something something! Any info you fellow anglers can provide about the Yosimite area fishing will be deeply appreciated. I know there's some small rivers in the park area and I suggested he try a bubble & fly rig. He doesn't have a lot of experience. Just got him started on light spinning gear, so any suggestions will be deeply appreciated.

Don't Just Float...get out & Vote!
Georgio44