We headed to Rattlesnake lake to test my new inflatable boat. Arrived there around 5pm and soon we were floating (me and my daughter). I got the rods just in case, not really set up for fishing the lake.

The weather was cloudy and a bit chilly but what mattered was that it didn't rain and the lake and surroundings were just beautiful.

There were plenty of fishermen on the lake most of them fly fishing. I talked to couple of them and all had some fish and consistent bytes. You could see fish surfacing for the bugs frequently.

I didn't have any flies but I set up a wedding ring spinner on a rod and let my daughter try her luck. Not many casts and she starts screaming that she has a fish. She happily reeled a small trout to the boat and then we let him go. She got cold after that so she had to go to the car to get warm while I tried my luck with the spinner too.

It turns out she is a better fishermen than me cause I did not catch any. In total we spent less than an hour on the lake. The boat performed great (intex excursion 4) and now I dream of fitting it with a motor.

Great day for trolling flys. 4-5 boats on the lake, all having success, some using flies, others spoons. Over the course of the afternoon landed 12 fish 8-16 inches and my fishing partner landed 6 fish 10-15 inches. very worthwhile fishing experience. Note: some evidence of bait fishing at this lake....please, artificial lures, barbless hooks, and always catch and release....thanks

After a morning of chores, my wife and kids and I thought we would enjoy the sun for a few hours and torment some fish. We didn't get the boat in the water until close to noon. My wife and daughter spent the next 2 hours landing 16 fish, nine of which were very nice for that lake. I attached photos of a few of them. With the bright sun and clear water, the fish were down in the 15-30' range. All we caught near the surface were the new 8" hatchery plants (which are still fun). A small 4/0 dodger (50/50) followed up by a green wedding ring or needlefish was what attracted the larger fish. The wind was fairly stiff at times so the pontoon guys had their work cut out for them. Great to get out and enjoy the nice weather with the family. Happy Easter everyone!

Scott

Tough day fishing windy, rainy, and cold. Had nine bites and landed four. Nothing of size around 11 inches. Fished for 2 hours from 5:30 to 7:30 before closing, intermediate sink line, olive and black leech,stayed close to the boat launch.

So I went to rattlesnake today since I had seen a report or two mentioning the success to be had even in the winter and the best I could get was a couple of bites. I used a Chronomid under a strike indicator to no avail, and then around noon there was a spot of rain that didn't help the mood. The only reason that I didn't rate this 1 was because it proved that fish are still in there and ready to bite. Who knows, I was probably fishing the wrong side of the lake.