Reader Report

Reader Reports Western Outdoor NewsPublished: May 08, 2012

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WONews READER REPORTS Reader Report by Paul Bonanno, Norco I was at Bass Pro Shop today buying some stuff with my daughter. She turned 3 just two days prior and we do father daughter stuff all the time. This little girl is fearless, I've tried teaching her from an early age not to be afraid of anything, especially a fish or lobster that I bring home. She loves going with me to what she calls "the fishin' store." This time, on the way to the checkout she grabbed a Barbie fishing kit with sunglasses and a pink tackle box. I didn't hesitate to buy it for her, and we had a little time that afternoon so I said "Leah, we're going fishing!" There's a small lake in a private community that's always good for a few bites in the late afternoon. We sat it out on the bank, loaded up the mini hook with cheddar cheese and made our cast. Three year olds are not patient by any means, but I promised her if she sat still, she could feed the ducks after we caught fish. Fifteen minutes of waiting and a few premature reel-ins, we had one hooked up! She reeled it in all by herself, I wasn't concerned of her losing the fish, I just wanted her to do it all without my help. I figured her first fish would be a bluegull or a juvi smallmouth but she ended up with a 14 inch rainbow trout! It was such a great feeling watching her laugh as she reeled it in. She couldn't wait to hold it and take a few pictures. She asked me, "okay we can eat it now Daddy?" I told her we had to let it go, at first she was a little upset that we had to release it but like all kids, she got over it very quickly. What a great day with my little girl, I will remember that day for the rest of my life and I hope she does, too. Reader Report by Mike Katusich, Colville Bob Dunn of Walker, Ca., fishing during opening week in less than perfect conditions, caught this 22-inch, 6-pound rainbow using salmon eggs, on the West Walker River. Reader Report by Aaron Martin, Escalon Cookie Martin and his grandson Noah hold their largest fish for the day, a 20½-inch king salmon caught by rolling shad at Lake Don Pedro. This fish was caught at 65 feet near the dam and put up quite a fight to get up to the boat. We ended the day with 9 total fish, 8 kings and 1 rainbow, all of good size. This was Noah's second trip on the boat with his dad Aaron and his papa. Reader Report by Chris Badinelli, Huntington Beach Headed out to LA Lights yesterday with my friend Frank and son Frankie on my 42 Viking Silky Johnson. We got a bit of a late start. Frankie had hockey game (where he scored a goal), so having him - I think - brought me some good luck. Stopped by Nacho and picked up some deans and then started looking around for some bait balls. Found a few spots and drifted them pretty hard. A few minutes before the tide change I got hammered, and felt really heavy head shakes. Got the fish to the boat, and it was twice the size of my net. Landed a 44-inch 38-pound halibut. Defiantly my personal best. Reader Report by Angela Wilson, Antioch Caught my birthday bass on a black with blue flake senko! Reader Report by David Lozano, Arcadia Opening day June Lake Loop Eastern High Sierra. Biggest brown caught on Opening Day, 2012.