Went out today in my, new to me, pontoon for the first time. I had bought an old 8ft Outcast pontoon that just needed a little love to get it usable. Replaced the valves, scrubed it all down with soapy hot water and a brush, changed a few straps, etc. It came without oars so I had to pop for them also. Pretty happy with it especially for the price...What got me there was the joy I found fishing from a float tube I bought this Spring. I was surprised how much fun stillwater fishing was and the challenges evolved. Before long I came to realize I needed to be more mobile on the water than the tube would allow. All my most productive spots were, of course, on the other side of the lake from the put in. Timed one trip, 30min. of kicking one way. I really like my tube, but a small pontoon works better for me as I only use developed ramps so far.
Well as to fishing..I've only gone to local Thurston Co. lakes so far and today was the same. Total urban lake right in suburbia that surprised me again with pretty productive fishing. Actually got into some chubby trout, some of which were cutthroat. The best technique was staging offshore and casting to the weedline or parallel to the shore and then retrieve slow and deep. 25ft countdown with a full sink type5 line. Foam head dragonfly nymph was good but beaddhead leech was best. All these local lakes are basin shaped with no benches, just a drop right off the shore. Seems the most protective areas is right past the weed line.
If you're every in the deep So. Sound and see a big lummox in a beater green pontoon, come say hello..
Well as to fishing..I've only gone to local Thurston Co. lakes so far and today was the same. Total urban lake right in suburbia that surprised me again with pretty productive fishing. Actually got into some chubby trout, some of which were cutthroat. The best technique was staging offshore and casting to the weedline or parallel to the shore and then retrieve slow and deep. 25ft countdown with a full sink type5 line. Foam head dragonfly nymph was good but beaddhead leech was best. All these local lakes are basin shaped with no benches, just a drop right off the shore. Seems the most protective areas is right past the weed line.
If you're every in the deep So. Sound and see a big lummox in a beater green pontoon, come say hello..
