Judging by the sunset, that would be me! I think we were the diehards (or idjuts) that evening, seemed there were no other boats on the water nor, did I see anyone fishing from shore.
Certainly not the way it use to be for this time of year.
We both know, what spots produced fish using certain baits at certain times of the year. We know, Wilhelm has little structure and what there was has changed over the years. The old road beds are not as prominent, the old stream beds are forever filling in and, the PSFBC keeps taking out all the native weeds while trying to get those stupid lily pads to take hold.
Remember the good old days, Wilhelm had weeds growing naturally, some places so thick even the mightiest weedless prop struggled. Weeds all along her shorelines, in all the shallow bays, on shelves and points, just everywhere!!!!
Ummm sorry, must be a reaction caused from a home remedy I got off the internet for, food poisoning.
Certainly is no secrete Wilhelm was targeted as a "Trophy Bass" fishery and those native weeds were just not conducive to growing "Bucketmouth" sized bass! Nor, was the natural forage fish good enough for our Large Mouth friend to feast upon, so pollute the waters of Wilhelm with a more desired cuisine and get them "Lunkers" fattened up for them fishing tournaments.
But wait...... it was the anglers that created the sudden over population of shad, so thick that you can smell their stink in the air. Huh.............? I've been fishing Wilhelm since the early 70s so how is it these shad suddenly show up? Some angler just happen to "recently" bring a bucket full one day and surprise, surprise!! I'll betcha It's the anglers using weedless props keeping the weeds mowed down too!
Did ya notice how fresh the air was the other night? I'm wondering if ya saw any of the enormous schools of shad swimming around in their stupid circles? I didn't even see a small school.
The Penn-State Fish and Boat Commission (can't find work elsewhere) biologist have a new dilemma at hand and it's getting the attention of those seeking to become the next 'Einstein' of biology. Thank goodness for SOS as it is, hopefully, pulling attention away from 'our' lakes, rivers and, streams. Also, here's hoping SOS is hurting for funding and Mr. Arway will need to pull money from the trout program so, the PSFBC has to stop polluting the local waters with those nasty things. Errr.. or, did those fish get in all the lakes and streams by fisherman using them as bait too? Silly me, I know you can't use stocked trout for bait, no other fish would eat them.
Hmmm... I'm thinking I read a story about a cut back with the trout program? Imagine that?
Don't know if you are familiar with the stories about Pymatuning and how bad the walleye fishing got just a few years ago. But, once the Penn-State Fish and Boat Commission got finished screwing around with their "lake specific fish" hooey, the walleye fishing did a complete turn around. Goes to show "keep it simple" has true meaning.
Like Pymatuning, I think Wilhelm will rebound and once again produce the quality fishery she once was noted for.
We just need to hang in there, things can't get worse.
Speaking of fishing.............
