Silver Lake 9-11-07

Tried Silver Lake (Castle Rock, WA) today.  Had the alarm set for 5AM to beat the heat of the day.  Woke up on my own at 430AM and was on the lake by 630AM.  I tried several of the spots that produced last time but with no luck.

Decided it was time to venture into new territory and paddle further west to find some nice rocky shore line.  Mostly were private homes have put in break walls.  I was pitching a rubber crawfish pattern that I heard was working well.  I ended up with two largemouth for my efforts.  The photo is the larger of the two which does not say much.

The bad part of the day - I was just mentioning to my wife after being in Pacific City this weeken that I understand the need for paddle leashes in the ocean but don't really see the need for my normal type of fishing......

Yeah you guessed right there is a nice 6ft rod with an Abu Garcia reel in about 6 feet of water in front of some guys dock on Silver Lake.  I was trying to free a snag and twisted around in my seat with my paddle in hand.  I don't actually know if the paddle caught the rod or my vest but something lifted it from the rear flush mount rod holder!  The wife has authorized a replacement rod but will not allow such a purchase until leashes are in place.  Seems like a reasonable request.  Any suggestions on leash setups?

Dang, that's a bummer to lose a rig.

I'm actually pretty bad about not leashing stuff myself, and so far, have not paid for it. I've seen recipes for homebuilt jobs on some of the older kayak fishing boards, like NCKA and KFS. I have a couple crude 6' sections of 3/16 rope with snaps; also an actual spare dog leash. The dog leash has been useful on a river, while wading. (Boat leash?)

Sounds like a good wife! I'm like Pisco and am really bad about leashing my rods too. One thing you can do that will get you off from the leash is to use a pool noodle. Cut it in half and wrap it around the grip in front of the reel, and zip tie it down. A coating of waterproof tape should finish it off nicely. You have to work/carve it so it fits well on your rod and doesn't interfere but is awesome because if you do drop it since it will float.

Z

I hate leashes on rods, at least on the rod that I'm actively working.  I'll leash a rod down behind me if I'd paddling somewhere.  Actually, on almost anything behind me, I'll have a leash.

I also don't like leashes on all the miscellaneous things like fish club, lip gripper, pliers ... although again, I've been know to leash them.  For this stuff, I'm planning on whipping some bobbers to them, just enough to make them float.  I lost 2 pairs of pliers on my summer vacation.  Good thing I use $12 pliers!!!

-Allen

Good thing I use $12 pliers!!!
-Allen

Check out Daiso in the Alderwood Mall. Everything there runs from $1-$5... they have decent pliers for a buck.. you can't get bummed about losing that.

Z

they have decent pliers for a buck..

For a buck, I'd buy those pliers just so I can drill a couple holes in them, add a hook, and fish with them for lings.

best paddle/rod/anything else leash- 550 cord and duct tape! also works as anchor line, crab pot line, boat tie downs, husband got stuck in the mud tow rope...

they have decent pliers for a buck..

For a buck, I'd buy those pliers just so I can drill a couple holes in them, add a hook, and fish with them for lings.

Could start the Daiso tourney! Use anything from Daiso only and each "lure" can't exceed $2.

Z

best paddle/rod/anything else leash- 550 cord and duct tape! also works as anchor line, crab pot line, boat tie downs, husband got stuck in the mud tow rope...

armywife_champney - As a former US Army Captain I am hanging my head in shame for not thinking of this myself!  Spoken like a true warrior!  The said part is I just put the 550 cord back in the cabinets in the garage.  I had used it to tie off my pliers to my vest before going out!  Ohhh the IRONY of it all!!!!!!

I'm on the way to the garage now!